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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Demolition Expert

💰 $ - $

ConstructionDemolitionTradesSafety

🎯 Role Definition

A Demolition Expert is a seasoned construction professional who leads end-to-end demolition projects—from initial site assessment and permitting through controlled dismantling, salvage, remediation and final site cleanup. This role blends technical knowledge of structures and heavy equipment with strict adherence to environmental and safety regulations (OSHA, local codes, hazardous material abatement). The ideal candidate is experienced in planning complex demolitions, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, liaising with engineers and regulators, and delivering projects on schedule and within budget while minimizing risk and environmental impact.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Demolition Laborer / Skilled Tradesperson
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (excavators, loaders, hydraulic breakers)
  • Site Foreman / Construction Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Demolition Supervisor / Project Supervisor
  • Demolition Project Manager / General Contractor
  • Estimator / Preconstruction Manager
  • Safety Manager / Site Safety Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Asbestos / Hazardous Materials Abatement Specialist
  • Environmental Remediation Technician
  • Structural Demolition Engineer / Consultant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead comprehensive site assessments and structural surveys to determine safe methods of demolition, identify load-bearing elements, determine shoring needs, and prepare written demolition plans and sequences that minimize risk to adjacent structures and public infrastructure.
  • Prepare detailed demolition method statements, work plans and site-specific safety plans (SSSPs) that reference OSHA, local building codes and environmental requirements; obtain stakeholder approvals prior to mobilization.
  • Coordinate and secure all required permits, notifications and utility disconnect confirmations (gas, electric, water, telecom) from municipal authorities and utilities prior to starting demolition work.
  • Develop and manage project schedules and resource plans that align crew assignments, heavy equipment, subcontractors and material removal/recycling operations to meet contract milestones and client expectations.
  • Supervise and operate heavy demolition equipment including excavators with specialized attachments, hydraulic breakers, shears, crushers, loaders and cranes, ensuring machine inspections, maintenance, and operator certifications are current.
  • Plan and oversee controlled implosion or mechanical demolition activities in partnership with licensed blasters and structural engineers when explosive or blasting techniques are required, ensuring all regulatory and public safety measures are in place.
  • Oversee safe removal, handling and disposal of regulated hazardous materials (asbestos, lead paint, PCBs, mercury), coordinate with licensed abatement contractors and verify proper documentation and chain-of-custody for disposal.
  • Design and implement site protection measures — shoring, bracing, fencing, dust suppression, noise mitigation, traffic control and pedestrian exclusion zones — to protect workers, the public and neighboring properties.
  • Supervise daily site quality control inspections, enforce PPE compliance, conduct toolbox talks, pre-task briefings and maintain training logs and competency records for crew members.
  • Conduct risk assessments and job hazard analyses (JHAs) for each phase of demolition; monitor and enforce compliance with fall protection, confined space, trenching and excavation safety requirements.
  • Manage subcontractors and specialty trades (riggers, blasters, asbestos crews, waste haulers), negotiate scopes of work, review method statements and ensure subcontractor adherence to site safety and quality standards.
  • Prepare and maintain detailed project documentation: daily logs, incident reports, permit files, waste manifests, weighbridge tickets, progress photos and final demolition certification for clients and regulators.
  • Estimate demolition budgets and produce accurate cost breakdowns for labor, equipment, disposal, abatement and site remediation; provide value engineering suggestions to control cost while maintaining safety and schedule.
  • Coordinate logistics for material segregation, salvage and recycling programs; maximize reclamation of steel, concrete, fixtures and other salvageable materials to achieve sustainability and cost recovery goals.
  • Liaise with structural engineers, architects and municipal inspectors to interpret drawings, verify load paths and modify demolition sequences in response to field conditions or structural concerns.
  • Lead emergency preparedness and response efforts on site including spill response, structural instability events and medical emergencies; ensure first-aid, fire-fighting and rapid evacuation procedures are established and practiced.
  • Implement vibration and noise monitoring programs for sensitive demolition projects and adjust techniques to comply with environmental limits and community agreements.
  • Supervise final site restoration: grading, backfill, compaction, erosion control measures and preparation of the site for follow-on construction or re-use; coordinate final inspections and sign-offs.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot and schedule preventive maintenance for demolition fleet and tools; manage rental equipment logistics to optimize uptime and reduce project delays.
  • Provide technical guidance, mentorship and performance development for crew members; recruit, onboard and qualify operators and trade labor based on company standards.
  • Manage client communications and stakeholder relations, provide regular progress updates, address concerns promptly, and present as the on-site point of contact for municipal agencies and property owners.
  • Ensure compliance with company environmental and sustainability policies, including proper handling of hazardous waste streams, recycling targets and documentation to meet regulatory audits.
  • Conduct post-demolition project reviews and lessons-learned sessions to capture safety improvements, efficiency gains and best practices for future projects.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of demolition technologies, attachments, protective systems and regulatory changes; recommend adoption of new equipment or methods to improve safety and productivity.

Secondary Functions

  • Support bid preparation by providing demolition scope input, site constraints, equipment needs and preliminary schedules for estimating teams.
  • Assist in developing company-wide demolition standards, templates for method statements and checklists that standardize best practices across projects.
  • Participate in community outreach and public meetings as the technical representative to explain project methods, timelines and mitigation measures.
  • Help maintain inventory and procurement records for PPE, consumables, demolition attachments and fleet spare parts to reduce downtime.
  • Contribute to accident investigations by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and drafting corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
  • Provide occasional technical training sessions for internal staff and subcontractors on topics such as rigging, equipment safety checks and hazard recognition.
  • Support sustainability initiatives by tracking salvage rates, waste diversion metrics and recommending process changes to increase recycling.
  • Collaborate with the estimating and preconstruction teams to validate site assumptions during the proposal phase and refine cost models post-project.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Certified heavy equipment operation: excavators, wheeled and tracked loaders, hydraulic breakers, shears, pulverizers and cranes — demonstrated ability to operate and supervise multiple machine classes.
  • Demolition planning and sequencing — ability to read structural drawings, assess load-bearing systems and create safe dismantling sequences.
  • Permit and regulatory compliance — experience obtaining demolition permits, coordinating utility disconnections and managing municipal inspections.
  • Hazardous materials coordination — knowledge of asbestos, lead, and other regulated material handling and abatement processes and documentation (AHERA, local regulations).
  • Rigging, slinging and signalperson competencies — qualification in rigging practices, load charts and crane/hoist safety to manage lifted loads safely.
  • Blasting and explosives coordination — familiarity with licensed blaster oversight, blast mitigation planning and interface with demolition schedules (certification where applicable).
  • Confined space, trenching/excavation and fall protection competency — able to manage constrained workspaces and implement rescue procedures.
  • Estimating and cost control — experience preparing demolition estimates, analyzing bids and controlling job costs to budget.
  • Environmental controls and waste management — experience with dust suppression, erosion control, sediment management and proper disposal/waste manifesting.
  • Project documentation and reporting — proficient in maintaining logs, photos, permits, manifests and digital reporting tools (Procore, Viewpoint, or similar).
  • Surveying and layout basics — ability to set benchmarks, control points and verify elevations for safe demolition sequencing.
  • Preventive maintenance and equipment troubleshooting — capacity to perform routine inspections and manage vendor repairs.

Soft Skills

  • Strong leadership and crew supervision with a hands-on, safety-first mentality.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for client updates, regulatory interactions and internal reporting.
  • Decisive problem solving under pressure, including quick assessment of changing site conditions and risk mitigation.
  • High attention to detail and conscientious documentation habits to support compliance and claims avoidance.
  • Time management and scheduling discipline to coordinate multi-trade activities and meet project milestones.
  • Collaborative team player who can coordinate with engineers, environmental specialists and municipal authorities.
  • Conflict resolution and negotiation skills for managing subcontractors, stakeholders and community concerns.
  • Adaptability and resilience working in dynamic, weather-affected and noisy environments.
  • Teaching and mentoring capability to elevate crew competency and reduce incidents.
  • Professionalism in community-facing roles and maintaining client relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED) and demonstrated hands-on field experience in demolition or heavy civil construction.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or diploma in Construction Technology, Construction Management, Civil Engineering Technology, Occupational Health & Safety or related field.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 30, NCCER, equipment manufacturer certifications, or blaster/shotfirer certification where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Management
  • Civil Engineering / Civil Technology
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Environmental Science / Environmental Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–10 years of practical demolition experience; 5+ years preferred for senior or lead roles.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of progressive experience supervising demolition crews and managing medium-to-large scale structural demolition projects.
  • Demonstrated experience coordinating hazardous materials abatement, utility coordination and multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Prior experience with permit management, budgeting, estimating and subcontractor oversight on demolition or site-clearance projects.
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