Five Construction Sectors Hiring in California

In May 2022, job opportunities in the construction industry grew by 36,000 in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for specialty trade contractors and heavy and civil engineering construction increased to 17,000 and 11,000, respectively.

California is also experiencing a rise in construction activity, which has given birth to many jobs across various job titles and roles within the industry. The significant reasons contributing to the rising demand for construction professionals include the aftermath of natural calamities like earthquakes and wildfire, technological advancement in the Silicon Valley, increasing housing demands, and infrastructure development.

The Golden State is a ripe opportunity for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals looking for construction jobs. Read below to know which top companies and sectors are currently hiring in California.

Getting started in California construction: Who’s hiring?

As per the BLS report, employment in the construction industry is 40,000 higher compared to pre-pandemic times in February 2022. Construction roles currently in demand in California include project manager, superintendent, project engineer, quality control engineer, site safety and health officer (SSHO), estimator, civil design engineer, and construction manager.

Some of the top California construction companies currently hiring AEC professionals across different construction jobs are:

• Ahtna Design-Build
• Deacon Construction
• DesCor Builders
• Brown Construction
• Blue Northern Builders
• Flory Construction
• Teichert Construction
• SB James Construction
• Z Squared Construction
• Colin Construction Company

Top construction sectors hiring professionals

1. Commercial

Even after a global pandemic, the commercial industry in the United States continues to contribute to its economy and development. Employment in the commercial sector is rising with the construction of new commercial buildings, including offices, retail stores, churches, service stations, and hospitals.

According to the U.S. edition of the “Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate,” the new commercial building development contributed approximately $1.2 trillion to the country’s GDP, making it one of the highest paying sectors for AEC professionals looking for construction jobs. The commercial sector also contributed to 8.5 million jobs in the United States.

2. Multi-family

California has witnessed a rise in multi-family construction by 17 percent in 2021 with 52,800 units under construction. Despite the global pandemic, rising material prices, and irregular supply chain, new multifamily construction projects continue to grow, offering numerous employment opportunities to AEC professionals. 

Moreover, the increasing demands for different types of real estate construction have given rise to local construction jobs in the state. Other factors, including compliance monitoring and maintaining the federal standards and policies, give rise to construction jobs in the sector requiring professionals for project management, risk compliance, budget, and cost estimation.

3. Public works

The Public Works Department also offers wide employment opportunities to design, construct, maintain, and operate the state’s infrastructure, including transportation systems, wastewater systems, public roads, and bridges. If you’re looking for construction jobs in California, below are a few projects worth checking:

• Delta conveyance project
• The tapestry project in Summit Valley
• Bakersfield high-speed rail
• Los Angeles River Master Plan
• VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II

4. Health care

In 2019, the health-care market in California was the most active in the country, and, currently, it’s growing at the rate of 5.7 percent, generating jobs for construction professionals. The top ongoing and upcoming health-care construction projects in the state include Davis Medical Centre’s Replacement Hospital Tower, Scripps Healthcare’s Mercy Hospital, and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

5. Education

As the number of single-family and multi-family residential units rises in California, the demand for more education centers and facilities has increased, generating employment opportunities for AEC professionals. Some of the top educational construction projects in the state that may help you with your desired construction role include Aggie Square Mixed-Use Project Phase 1-the University of California, Educational Construction in Compton, and Educational Construction in Sacramento.

Find your next construction job with Certis Solutions as we help you work with companies and on projects not listed on other job portals. Our dedicated technical recruiters and consultants understand your personal and professional goals to help you find a job or project that matches your abilities and expectations. Visit our website to learn about different AEC firms working with us and what impeccable services we provide to our clients. 

Top Employer Considerations for Construction Manager Jobs

With the increasing need for renovating and retrofitting hospitals, educational centers, and residential and commercial buildings, the demand for construction workers in California is rising. The primary reasons for the growing construction activities include market disruption, technological innovations, post-pandemic normalcy, and multiplying population. 

Besides the increasing construction work, the trend is to build energy-efficient, environmentally compliant and more sophisticated structures. Hence, the demand for specialized professionals like construction managers is boosting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction manager jobs will likely increase by 11 percent between 2022 and 2030. Read below to learn more about the trending construction manager jobs in California and to find out what expertise and credentials employers are looking for while hiring construction managers for different projects. 

Preparation is key when applying for Construction Manager Jobs

Like every job, you must acquire special skills to perform construction manager responsibilities effectively and efficiently. You can begin with preparation as it is the key when applying for construction manager jobs at your dream companies. 

Along with a professional degree, you must also learn project and personnel management through on-the-job training and development programs. Companies also prefer candidates with additional credentials, licenses, and certifications as they show in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field. 

Try to acquire the following certifications to stand out among other job aspirants:

• Construction Management Association of America’s Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
• American Institute of Constructors’ Associate Constructor (AC) or Certified Professional Construction (CPC)
• Project Management Certification (PMP) 

What employers look for in a Construction Manager 

Proven practical experience

A survey reported that 84 percent of employers value practical experience more than the educational credential of a job seeker. Moreover, showing evidence of your ability to work through previous job experience and training gives the employer confidence to hire you as an asset to the company. 

Leadership skills

Construction managers must effectively explain and delegate tasks to laborers, construction workers, office staff, and subcontractors. So, you must be able to demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills in a job interview as it will give the prospective employer an indication of how effectively you communicate and connect with others. 

Soft and technical skills

You need to be proficient in construction technologies, technical drawings, reading plans and specs, contract negotiations, RFIs, change orders, and client submittals. Along with exceptional technical skills, you must also work on enhancing your soft skills, including communication, team-building, and coordination. 

Close attention to detail

Construction managers play a significant role in ensuring that a construction process adheres to all standards, plans, specs, building codes, etc., which means an eye for detail is extremely important. A proficient construction professional is one who closely looks at the work to spot errors to ensure accuracy, quality, and precision . 

Risk management 

Many interviews ask situational questions to job seekers at the time of the interview to evaluate how they behave in an intense and high-risk situation. 

How a construction staffing agency can help you build a resume 

When looking for construction manager jobs in California, one of the best things you can do is get help from a staffing agency. A technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions uses experience to help you find your dream job at a top construction company.

The dedicated team of experienced and certified technical recruiters uses an applicant tracking system (ATS) to build your resume that matches the industry standard. They use the correct format and properly list your experience, educational qualifications, and additional credentials that highlight your work competencies, setting you apart from other candidates. Search construction manager jobs at Certis Solutions, a construction staffing agency that strives  for long-term employment opportunities for all architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals.