Archives for July 2024

Beginning Your Career in Disaster Restoration Services

Natural and non-natural or human-induced disasters are commonplace worldwide. From hurricanes to wildfires, these devastating events negatively impact many people’s lives. However, with help from disaster restoration workers and service providers, they can restore properties and means of livelihood to usable conditions. 

What are disaster restoration services?

Disaster restoration services work to restore the property and other infrastructure destroyed by disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, fires, and other natural and non-natural disasters. They’re usually conducted by state-licensed restoration companies well-trained in repairing damage, fixing property, and clearing and cleaning up the after-effects of these disasters. 

Technicians do disaster restoration services with years of training and hands-on experience. This ensures all cleanup and repairs are done right. After a natural disaster, restoration firms visit the site to ascertain the extent of damage and start planning the restoration process. The first step is usually cleaning the area, removing all harmful debris, and then rebuilding and repairing commences.

How to prepare for a disaster restoration career

  1. Consider your career path 

There are many roles you can take in disaster restoration. While preparing to work in this industry, decide what path you’d like to take, your specialty. An example of specialization is habitat restoration. There are also desk jobs available if you prefer the path of administration and support services. Once your entry point is figured out, you can map out how you intend to grow from one position to the other. 

2. Acquire training 

Although it’s possible to begin the job with no training and learn on the job, getting some training can help better prepare you for a role in disaster management. Some significant areas to acquire training in this industry are water, fire, and mold restoration. 

These are some of the most common types of property damages, whether you’ll be working on residential or commercial properties. Several courses are available to sharpen your skills, and having one or more under your belt can make you stand out from competing candidates.

3. Gain experience 

Finding an entry-level position is the first step to learning how things work in disaster restoration. Getting experience is usually relatively easy, and you’ll gain hands-on skills and watch seasoned professionals at work. Watching professionals execute repairs firsthand helps new candidates assimilate work processes and real-world skills. The job may be stressful with long hours, but it’s a gratifying career path for many. 

Training and education required to work in disaster restoration

To have a career in disaster restoration services or building restoration services, candidates must have at least completed education at the high school level with a diploma or equivalent. They may then take certification courses or an associate degree program in a related field, such as carpentry or maintenance to enhance their knowledge. 

Many workers in the industry begin by learning on the job. You’ll start as an observer or help with minor tasks like clearing debris. These tasks don’t require expertise or handling dangerous tools, so they’re an excellent way to enter the industry. While learning on the job, you’ll have to take some training to ensure you can handle tasks like using power tools. 

This training helps improve the skills you’ve learned on the job or choose a field of specialization. You may also need to sit for the Certified Restorer Prerequisite Course by National Restorers Organizations. It’s also important to verify the state requirements for disaster restoration workers where you’ll be working to ensure you’re not breaking any rules.

Disaster restoration services companies currently hiring

WSP

WSP is an AEC company established 130 years ago. The company is headquartered in the United States, with operations in multiple countries. WSP challenges itself by developing innovative solutions for societies that thrive. Its disaster management department has years of experience and different capabilities in emergency management, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of natural disasters. 

Capabilities

  • Preparedness training, exercises, and planning
  • Disaster response 
  • Hazard mitigation, resilience, and sustainability 
  • Recovery through individual and public assistance 
  • Economic and risk analyses
  • Damage assessment
  • Environmental cleanup
  • Aid management and distribution
  • Cost recovery

RegasGroup

RegasGroup is a family-owned environmental consulting firm located in San Francisco, California. The company’s specialty is comprehensive hazardous material assessments in residential and commercial properties. They pride themselves on using the latest technology to conduct inspections, allowing them to meet client demands. 

Services 

  • Asbestos
  • Bacteria 
  • Mold 
  • Lead
  • Radon
  • Silica 
  • VOCs
  • Soils
  • Soot, char, and ash

SLS

Also known as SLSCO, SLS is a construction management and general contracting firm that provides various emergency and disaster response services. SLS is committed to delivering its clients the highest levels of excellence and integrity. The firm has been operating for twenty-seven years and works in private and governmental industries in the United States and worldwide. 

Services 

  • Man camps and base camps 
  • Emergency services 
  • Rapid repair housing 
  • Responder housing 
  • field hospitals 
  • Emergency sheltering 
  • Emergency feeding

Aptim

Aptim is a construction firm located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They provide critical infrastructure, support first responders in disaster restoration, and create sustainable communities. They champion clean energy and provide their services to government, industrial, and commercial customers.

Services

  • Critical infrastructure 
  • Resilience 
  • Environmental 
  • Technical and data solutions 
  • Program management 
  • Sustainability and energy solutions  

Tidal Basin Group

Tidal Basin is a preparedness and disaster recovery firm located in New York. Their team of experts provides their services and the company’s unmatched resources to communities, governments, and businesses. Tidal Basin uses Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to provide emergency response, recovery, and mitigation. They’ve actively participated in restoration services after major disasters in North America, using their resources and solutions to maximize recovery. 

Services 

  • Disaster software solutions 
  • Grant management 
  • Preparedness 
  • Risk consulting 
  • Disaster recovery

Certis Solutions: Work with a technical staffing agency 

A technical staffing agency can help you begin your career in disaster restoration services. Certis Solutions is skilled at making our clients stand out to employers. We’ll review your resume and qualification to ensure you’re matched with the right jobs in our database. Contact us today to get started.

Building a Resume for Emergency Restoration Services Jobs in California

Emergency management and restoration services jobs are on the rise in California. Although working in this industry can be challenging, it can also be rewarding if you’re passionate about it. This job is the right fit for you if you’re hardworking, can work in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy working on teams. 

As with most jobs, you’ll need a resume when applying to work in emergency management and restoration services. A good resume will help you stand out from the competition and other people applying for the same position. A well-constructed resume can make all the difference, even if you don’t have any relevant experience and are just entering the field. Learn how to build the perfect resume to launch your career. 

Emergency management and restoration opportunities in California 

California is prone to earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters as it has many active fault lines, dry grounds, and drought conditions. California has dealt with more than 300 catastrophic disasters between 1953 and 2019, primarily floods, mudslides, and wildfires. This means there’s a constant need for emergency restoration workers to assist with cleanup and restoring structures to their livable states. There are no solutions for natural disasters besides minimizing their impact, which is where emergency services come in. 

Quality resume construction for emergency restoration 

Here are a few things to consider when building your resume for emergency restoration services. 

1. Match up your skills

Look to the job description to identify the skills the employer is looking for. This will help determine which skills to add to your resume (if you have them of course) and increase your chances of getting the job. Some of the most common skills are: 

  • Strong sense of ethics
  • Communication (both verbal and written)
  • Demolition and extractions 
  • Proficient with heavy equipment and/or hand tools 
  • Plumbing and water extraction 
  • Customer service skills
  • Debris removal 

2. Include your qualifications 

Most emergency management and restoration services roles involve learning on the job, and you can sometimes start working with no qualifications. However, some positions may have requirements for that specific job. Most employers will also prefer you have at least a high school diploma or GED. Ensure you include assets that make you the right candidate, such as any certifications you have (some are free and can be found online). You can also include attributes, such as your level of physical fitness, willing to work long hours, and ability to lift heavy objects.

3. Include relevant experience

Using what the job responsibilities are can help guide what experience you include in your resume. Include relevant information that matches the employer’s requirements. It can be something other than professional. Include neighborhood cleanups, volunteer activities, and any routine tasks you engage in daily that present you as an asset. Any prior emergency management or disaster recovery work should be listed, including any FEMA or USACE projects. 

Hiring for emergency management and restoration

The following companies are currently hiring for emergency management and restoration services jobs in California.

Critical Control Restoration

Critical Control is an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified firm in Petaluma, California. They’re hiring a fire and water restoration technician to join their team and help restore homes after they’ve been affected by disasters. The company has a reputation for handling the most demanding and challenging cleanups. You can find the job posting here.

Their services include: 

  • Restoration services for fire, smoke, mold, and water damage 
  • Demolition services 
  • Cleanup/board up 

Superior Restoration 

Superior Restoration is a mold removal, water, and fire damage restoration service located in Carlsbad, California. They provide round-the-clock disaster restoration using the latest techniques and equipment. The company was founded in 1995 and has serviced the county of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino since then. You can find their job posting for a water damage restoration lead technician here.

Some of their services include: 

  • Water damage restoration 
  • Sewage damage and drain backup
  • Mold remediation 
  • Fire damage restoration
  • Leak detection 

Advanced Restoration

Advanced Restoration is a restoration services company located in San Jose, California. The company works to restore its clients’ lives to order through a seamless process. Advanced Restoration is hiring a water and fire restoration technician. You can find their current job openings on their careers page.

Some of their services include: 

  • Structural drying 
  • Fire and smoke damage cleanup
  • Sewage cleanup
  • Structural cleaning 
  • Mold inspections, remediation, and removal 
  • Water extraction

Finding your dream job is easy with help from Certis Solutions. Our team of experts works with you to build the perfect resume to get your desired role in emergency management, restoration, and disaster recovery services. Contact us today to get started.

Tips For Writing a Quality Control Manager Resume

Quality control managers are essential to companies as they ensure their products and services meet customers’ needs and quality standards. They supervise the staff and production process. Construction companies often reach out to companies that offer construction staffing services to hire the best quality control managers. 

Are you applying for a quality control manager role? 

There are certain things to know if you’re interested in applying for the role of quality control manager (QCM). The job is essential and cuts across many industries, though they are more common in construction, engineering, and manufacturing. 

It will help to know if your skills and experience match the most common requirements for the role. The usual process for becoming a quality control manager is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. 

When you graduate, the next step is to get an internship to gain hands-on experience in the field. You can also take certifications endorsed by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Some of the common undergraduate degrees of people who work as quality control managers are: 

  • Engineering
  • Construction Management 
  • Computer Science
  • Human Resources
  • Calculus
  • Statistics
  • Economics 
  • Business Administration
  • Quality Management Systems

Five resume tips for a quality control manager

Your resume must stand out to recruiters when applying for this role. Many professionals don’t know the crucial things to include in an application, whether for an entry-level or mid-senior level role. Here are five tips for creating a resume that stands out and impresses employers.

Keep it short 

Recruiters have a lot of resumes to go through, so it’s essential to keep your resume short. Only include the information most relevant to the role so you don’t exceed the standard one to two-page requirements for resumes. Information like your street address, hobbies, and other irrelevant information shouldn’t be on your resume.

Include your skills

Include skills sought after in quality control managers and customize them to what the organization is interested in. You can find the skills required for the role in the job description or posting. Add a mix of soft and hard skills to your resume (a good range is between six to twelve skills). 

Some examples of skills recruiters look for in quality control managers are: 

  • effective communication (verbal and written)
  • ability to use applicable software for quality control submittals (e.g., proficiency in the RMS system)
  • facility skills
  • product quality skills
  • compliance skills
  • oversight skills 

List your relevant experience 

The experience section in your resume is arguably the most critical part. You must show how well you perform as a quality control manager, so avoid simply listing job duties. Detail your experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). You can also use bullet points to show your achievements. Recruiters look for numbers, so use statistics to measure your achievements.

Make your contact information stand out

Your contact information should be the boldest part of your resume so it’s hard to miss. Your name should be at the top of the page and have the biggest font. Include links to your LinkedIn profile and other relevant professional pages. Your social media pages are unnecessary here unless the posting specifically requests it.

Add relevant certifications and education

Include the name of your school, relevant degrees, and the month and year of graduation. Include any awards, academic projects, and relevant training and certifications you’ve completed. Your education should also be in reverse chronological order with your graduation dates and your GPA (optional). You may add your expected graduation date if still in school.

Get expert help with construction staffing services

Finding the right quality control manager for your firm shouldn’t have to be a demanding task. Certis Solutions’ dedicated team of recruiters has years of experience finding suitable candidates for the job. Contact us today to learn more about how you can take advantage of our construction staffing services.

Helpful Salary Guide For California Engineering Jobs

California Engineering Jobs: Salary Guide

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities in engineering and architecture will likely grow by 4 percent by 2031 in the United States, particularly in California. The growing construction activities, tech interest, and residential units demand in the Golden State play a significant role in the increasing number of engineering jobs.

Every construction project requires experienced engineering professionals like structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, and project engineers to ensure the construction projects comply with state and federal standards. . This is why  there is a growing demand for engineering professionals to fulfill these job requirements.

Apart from the rapidly increasing job opportunities and career advancement, the competitive wage rate is also one of the major driving factors for young engineers looking for California engineering jobs. As per BLS, the median annual salary of professionals within the engineering group is approximately $79,800.

If you’re an engineering applicant looking for mechanical engineering jobs, civil engineering jobs in the USA, or any other roles in this field, here’s what you need to know about the salary range within different job roles in engineering. 

Understanding salary ranges in engineering: What factors impact it?

Here are some top factors that impact salaries within different engineering branches.

Job responsibilities

Every engineering professional, be it structural, civil, or electrical, performs a wide range of job responsibilities, including designing, planning, executing, and analyzing commercial, residential, and public structures, such as bridges, hospitals, and educational centers. Most importantly, they’re responsible for ensuring all the work complies with the legal, environmental, and health standards.

Educational qualifications

Typically, engineers require a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field to kick-start their career as entry-level engineering professionals. To further excel in the area, they often opt for additional credentials and certifications like a Professional Engineer (PE) certificate.

Advanced skills and expertise

A successful engineer possesses an excellent and diverse skillset to handle all job responsibilities with ease and required knowledge. Moreover, engineering is a dynamic field that requires transferable skills to perform different tasks within a job role smoothly and patiently. To excel in any given position, you must have excellent communication skills, leadership qualities, team-building skills, and an expansive deck of technical skills, among many others.

Salary range guide by job title

Following is the salary range of some popular jobs in engineering in California:

  • Project Managers: On average, entry-level project managers earn approximately $83,700 annually. This can go up $87,000 with relevant experience and in-depth knowledge about the field.
  • Project Coordinators: The average yearly salary of project coordinators in California is around $54,200.
  • Estimators: According to BLS, the median pay of cost estimators is over $65,100 per year.
  • Construction Superintendents: Some entry-level construction superintendents can get $88,900 annually.
  • Field Engineers: The average yearly field engineer salary is approximately $67,800. Some top paying cities in and around California for these professionals are Sunnyvale, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara.
  • Design Engineers: Entry-level design engineers can make around $85,400 per year in California with an opportunity to earn a $1,400 yearly bonus.
  • Construction and Building Inspectors: For examining worksites and ensuring all constructions meet building ordinances, zoning regulations and more, the construction and building inspectors get about $61,000 per year.

Find your next California engineering job with Certis Solutions 

If you’re looking for California engineering jobs or civil engineering jobs in the USA, there’s no better engineering staffing agency than Certis Solutions, as it makes the job-hunting process a lot easier and accessible for all aspirants.Certis Solutions expands your network by connecting you with industry experts, working professionals, and veterans that help broaden your understanding and knowledge of the field. The experienced recruiting managers and consultants evaluate your personal and professional goals to help you find a job that matches your expectations and needs. Search for an engineering job at Certis Solution or visit the website to learn more about the comprehensive range of services.

How an Employment Agency Can Help Project Coordinators

How an Employment Agency Can Help Project Coordinators

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California is one of the top states in the country for Project Coordinators, considering the average salary, cost of living, and rising employment opportunities. BLS categorizes project coordinators as business operation specialists and project management specialists.  

The average salary of Project Coordinators in the Golden State is $55,000, which can increase to over $84,000 with relevant industry experience and knowledge. With growing work opportunities, the competition within the project management industry is also rapidly increasing. This is a major reason most Project Management Professionals are enhancing their expertise by gaining additional credentials and certifications, such as Certified Project Coordinator (CPC) and Project Management Professional (PMP). 

If you have all the necessary skills and educational qualifications to become a Project Coordinator and still find it difficult to get your ideal job, connect with an employment agency. Construction recruitment agencies like Certis Solutions can help you get in touch with top companies and provide various job-related services, such as resume-building and interview preparation, which makes finding the job you want more convenient. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most significant reasons for signing up with Certis Solutions to get closer to your ideal Project Coordination or management job.

Searching for a Project Coordinator role? Certis Solutions can help

Certis Solutions can help you stand out among other applicants while searching for a Project Coordinator position. You’ll find the following benefits working with Certis Solutions:

  • Gaining industry knowledge. There’s no better way to enhance your knowledge and expertise than learning from industry experts and professionals. When you sign up with Certis Solutions, you join an extensive network of working professionals, recruitment managers, and employers, offering you an opportunity to learn and grow. 
  • Providing access to hard-to-fill roles. Some construction projects need highly skilled and experienced Project Coordinators to take up a wide range of responsibilities. Certis Solutions will help you get to these challenging roles by bridging the gap between you and the employer or project owner. 

Benefits of working with specialized construction recruitment agencies

Getting in touch with Certis Solutions has great benefits that help in career advancement and knowledge enhancement. Some of the key advantages include:

  • eliminates the hassle of sending hundreds of resume and cover letters to different companies, which eventually saves time and fast track the hiring process;
  • analyzes both your personal and professional goals to find a job that matches your requirements and expectations;
  • offers dedicated time and services to set you apart from other project coordinator job aspirants;
  • helps you stay updated with hiring trends, career development expectations, current or upcoming hiring complexities, and additional credentials requirements,
  • offers access to unlisted opportunities with reputable companies. 

How Certis Solutions supports Project Coordinators in California

Certis Solutions is one of California’s construction recruitment agencies that help proficient architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals, such as Project Coordinators, find their dream employment opportunities. 

It’s a perfect platform that analyzes your work competencies, educational qualifications, and experience to find both short and long-term career opportunities. Certis Solutions works as a primary point of contact between you and your ideal employer to ensure you experience a seamless hiring process. It provides a wide range of employment services, ranging from resume-building to skill development, and detailed orientation sessions to prepare you to become a confident and well-informed job candidate.  
Looking for a Project Coordinator role? Visit Certis Solutions to search for ongoing and upcoming construction projects. You can also learn more about different AEC firms and professionals on our website.

Guide to Becoming an MEP Engineer

Guide to Becoming an MEP Engineer

The increasing demand for commercial and residential properties across California is a significant reason contributing to the state’s booming construction industry. In April 2022, both single-family and multi-family residential constructions increased by 23 percent and 22 percent, respectively. 

Moreover, commercial construction projects are also following the same trajectory, with significant firms investing in California to develop tech companies, offices, and startups. To ensure all these structures adhere to the increasing demands of the users, major construction companies and project managers are actively hiring mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineers. 

MEP engineers are responsible for making all the building structures more habitable and functional for users. Their work involves rigorous planning, managing, and designing various MEP systems, including heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), exhaust, and chilled water systems etc. If you’re interested in exploring this field and want to know how to become an MEP engineer, here’s all you need to know. 

Starting your career as an MEP engineer

In the United States, the market for MEP services is expected to grow by 16 percent by 2025, meaning the opportunities across different job titles within this field are also likely to grow. To kickstart your career as an MEP engineer, you need to set yourself apart from others by acquiring in-depth knowledge and must-have skills, including analytical, technical, and concentration, to perform your job duties. 

Some of the disciplines, designs, and assessment consulting services you need to be proficient in as an MEP engineer include:

  • Mechanical engineers—exhaust system design, building control system, air distribution, and renewable energy system analysis and design, etc.
  • Electrical engineers—power distribution, lighting, fault current analysis, security systems, and power quality assessments, etc.
  • Plumbing engineers—natural gas piping, storm drainage systems, domestic hot and cold water fittings, and water softening systems, etc. 

MEP engineering qualifications

Typically, to start working in MEP engineering firms, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electronic, or other related engineering fields. You can further opt to offer a specialization by pursuing a master’s or associate’s degree to acquire specific mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering skills. 

With relevant education, you can further become an Engineer-In-Training, which helps you gain a Professional Engineering license. To stand out among other aspirants, try to attend Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited programs, as it enhances your credibility as an MEP engineer.

Engineering is a competitive field, which means gaining an education isn’t always enough to stand out among other job candidates or aspiring engineers. This means you must opt for additional credentials and certifications to enhance your skills and knowledge. Some of the popular licenses for MEP engineers include:

What to include in your MEP engineer resume

Your resume and cover letter showcase your understanding of the field and skills that help you perform your job responsibilities better than other candidates. Building a resume that fits industry standards and helps you stand out among other candidates is significant. Below are a few tips to keep in mind while creating your professional resume.

  • Always use the latest format and style when creating a resume to match industry standards.
  • Begin by mentioning the most recent work experience/internship/education.
  • Use quantifiable metrics in your resume because numbers help evaluate the proficiency, knowledge, and work competencies of a candidate.
  • Add keywords from the job description while writing your career objective or defining your previous job responsibilities/experience, as this helps you match search results with the applicant tracking system (ATS). 
  • Use a resume-building tool or take help from a skilled resume writer or recruiting manager by signing up with an engineer staffing agency like Certis Solutions. 

Certis Solutions shares a strong partnership with some of the top MEP engineering firms to provide clients exclusive access to work on the biggest construction projects across California and all over the country. Visit our website or contact us today to browse our wide range of employment services.