An insulation supervisor oversees insulating crews as they perform their duties. Providing guidance to less-experienced technicians as to the type of insulation to use and the best method of installing the materials, the insulation supervisor commonly drives from one location to the next to keep a watchful eye on the progress of those working under him or her. Commonly getting a start as an insulation installer before being promoted to a supervisory position, the insulation supervisor is experienced and knowledgeable in the proper methods of insulation installation.
Many insulation companies use an insulation supervisor to oversee work crews that install insulation into buildings and homes. It is typically the job of the insulation supervisor to make certain that all of the proper installation steps are being completed and that the insulating job is up to code. Occasionally, the supervisor will double as an estimator and give potential customers estimates of what an insulating job will cost. This requires an acute knowledge of the level of insulation and materials a job will require, as well as the amount of labor that will be required to install the materials into the building for the customer.
Often, the insulation company that hires or promotes the insulation supervisor will also pay to train the supervisor. This training is commonly provided by the insulation manufacturer that the company uses. Much of this type of training is done at the corporate headquarters of the insulation manufacturer and is geared specifically towards the manufacturer's products. With this type of training, the supervisor is well-educated on the properties, requirements and performance of the manufacturer's products. This can be extensive training since many of the insulation companies perform both commercial and residential insulating jobs, and these often require separate training courses.
Another aspect of many insulation supervisor jobs is the repair and maintenance of the insulation machinery. Some insulation, known as blown-in insulation, requires large machines to blow the insulating materials from the truck up into the attic of a building. These machines occasionally require servicing while in the field, and the supervisor will often perform the repairs and routine maintenance. Occasionally, a work crew will have time to service several accounts, and the crew will require additional materials to accomplish this. The insulation supervisor will occasionally bring the required materials to the job site so the crew does not need to lose work time in order to return to the warehouse to reload supplies.