Superintendent - Crane Operations

Summary

The Crane Operations Superintendent provides overall leadership, planning, and direction for crane operations, heavy lifting activities, rigging operations, and personnel associated with industrial construction, maintenance, turnarounds, and outage projects. This position is responsible for coordinating crane operators, riggers, signal persons, equipment resources, lift planning, scheduling, and field execution to ensure all lifting activities are performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project requirements.

The Crane Operations Superintendent works closely with Project Management, Site Superintendents, Foremen, HSE, customers, equipment vendors, and craft personnel to oversee safe and productive crane operations throughout the project lifecycle. This position is accountable for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, lift plan execution, equipment utilization, workforce leadership, schedule performance, and operational excellence across all crane and rigging activities.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical or vocational training related to crane operations, rigging, heavy equipment, or construction management preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in crane operations, heavy lifting, rigging, industrial construction, maintenance, turnarounds, or related activities.
• Previous experience as a Crane Superintendent, Lift Director, General Foreman, Crane Operator Supervisor, or similar leadership role.
• Experience in refinery, petrochemical, chemical, power generation, LNG, or other heavy industrial environments.
• Extensive knowledge of crane operations, lift planning, rigging practices, critical lifts, and heavy equipment management.
• Current NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) certification or equivalent nationally accredited crane operator certification applicable to the crane types being operated and supervised, as required by OSHA and customer requirements. OSHA requires operators of covered cranes to be trained, certified/licensed, and evaluated prior to operation.
• Thorough knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC (Cranes and Derricks in Construction), ASME B30 standards, and applicable federal, state, local, and customer-specific crane and rigging requirements.
• Demonstrated experience developing, reviewing, and approving critical lift plans, engineered lift plans, tandem lifts, and other complex lifting operations.
• Experience supervising crane operators, riggers, signal persons, and support personnel across multiple work areas.
• Ability to read and interpret lift plans, load charts, site logistics drawings, engineering documents, rigging drawings, and project schedules.
• Strong knowledge of crane inspections, maintenance requirements, equipment utilization, and operational limitations.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet Company driver eligibility requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of crane operations, heavy lifting, rigging, and industrial construction activities.
• Thorough understanding of crane setup requirements, load chart interpretation, crane capacities, and operational limitations.
• Knowledge of critical lifts, engineered lift plans, tandem lifts, and specialty lifting operations.
• Ability to coordinate multiple crane activities, work fronts, and project priorities simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of workforce planning, equipment utilization, scheduling, and productivity management.
• Ability to identify lifting hazards, operational risks, site constraints, and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of crane inspection requirements, maintenance practices, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Strong understanding of industrial safety requirements, including crane and rigging safety, energy isolation, overhead hazards, fall protection, and site-specific procedures.
• Ability to review and approve lift plans and ensure compliance with project and customer requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively lead Foremen, Crane Operators, Riggers, Signal Persons, and support personnel.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, Project Management, HSE personnel, equipment vendors, and other project stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all crane, rigging, and lifting operations on assigned projects.
• Supervise and coordinate Crane Foremen, Crane Operators, Riggers, Signal Persons, and support personnel.
• Plan and coordinate daily and weekly crane activities, including manpower, equipment allocation, lift schedules, and work priorities.
• Review project schedules, plans, and work packages to identify crane requirements and lifting needs.
• Develop, review, and ensure execution of lift plans, critical lift plans, and engineered lift procedures.
• Coordinate crane mobilization, demobilization, setup, relocation, and utilization throughout project execution.
• Ensure crane operations are performed safely and in compliance with Company, customer, OSHA, ASME, and site-specific requirements.
• Participate in pre-job planning meetings, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), lift planning meetings, and daily coordination meetings.
• Promote a strong safety culture and immediately address unsafe conditions, behaviors, and operational concerns.
• Coordinate with HSE personnel to investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and maintain compliance.
• Verify that all crane operators, riggers, and signal persons maintain required certifications, qualifications, and site credentials.
• Ensure cranes, lifting devices, rigging equipment, and support equipment receive required inspections and documentation.
• Coordinate with Project Management and Site Supervision regarding crane schedules, equipment availability, manpower requirements, and project priorities.
• Monitor crane utilization, operational efficiency, productivity, and schedule performance.
• Identify potential lifting conflicts, operational constraints, access limitations, and resource shortages and communicate them promptly.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance and repairs to minimize downtime and maximize equipment availability.
• Maintain effective communication with customer representatives regarding crane operations, schedules, lift planning, and project progress.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and management of crane-related costs and resources.
• Participate in project meetings, planning sessions, safety reviews, and progress discussions.
• Support project startup, execution, shutdown, turnaround, commissioning, and closeout activities as required.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, professionalism, quality workmanship, and continuous improvement throughout crane operations.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Physical Demands

• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds; occasionally heavier weights with assistance.
• Ability to regularly stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout active industrial and construction sites.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain, gravel, concrete, steel decking, and other industrial work surfaces.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and access elevated work areas as required.
• Ability to perform field inspections of crane operations, rigging configurations, and work activities.
• Ability to visually assess crane setup conditions, load handling activities, equipment clearances, and lifting operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in environments with elevated noise levels.
• Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions and industrial environments.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to:

• hard hat, safety glasses, face shield, gloves, hearing protection, FR clothing, steel-toed footwear, FR clothing, fall protection, respiratory protection and other project-specific PPE.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in industrial facilities, fabrication shops, refineries, petrochemical plants, manufacturing facilities, power generation sites, and construction environments. Employees may be exposed to noise, dust, fumes, heat, vibration, moving mechanical equipment, elevated work areas, and varying weather conditions while performing assigned duties.