Expert: Dominic J. Maltese, Jr. - 8/27/2004

Question
I'm a screenwriter in L.A., working on a film about a construction worker who gets promoted to overall foreman, and sent to Brazil to oversee the building of a shopping mall (there's a lot more to it than that, but this is where I need help).

Forgetting the fact that procedures may be vastly different in Brazil -- I'm still quite ignorant about the following: Is there even such thing as an overall foreman who oversees the entire construction process? And, if so (or even if there's something close to this position), What are that person's duties? i.e. What does he do, day-to-day? Also, is there such thing as an on-site office that this person might use? Any info. will help. Thanks so much!

Answer
actually there are generally two positions on a construction site.  first is the superintendent who runs the day to day supervision of the trades working on the job.  the second is the project manager that over sees the entire project administration of contracts, schedule and billings, etc.  they usually work together with the project manager over the superintendent and yes there usually is a job site office.