Hawaii Construction Career Guide
Q & A
Ryan Kozuma
There are obviously many traits any employer looks for in future employees. A few of the qualities are honesty, drive and to be a quick learner. At Kiewit Building Group, we look for someone who can communicate effectively with others, applies what they learn and who is accountable for their actions and decisions.
WITH REVENUES of more than $6.2 billion last year, Kiewit Corp. is one of the largest employee-owned firms in the nation. It has completed projects from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico, building highways, tunnels, dams, airports, energy plants and high-rises. Last year Forbes magazine named Kiewit Corp. the most admired engineering construction company. Engineering News Record also consistently ranks the 124-year-old company among the nation*s Top 10 contractors. The company*s commercial arm, the Kiewit Building Group, has been in Hawai”i for more than 50 years‘its first job was helping build Tripler Hospital. Local boy Ryan Kozuma joined the firm nine years ago as an intern. He was then hired as a field engineer and has since worked his way up to project engineer and, now, superintendent.
- Q: Could you describe your job?
- A: It is my job is to oversee construction and to make sure the work is done safely, while producing a quality product, within budget and on schedule. It is also my responsibility to communicate with the owner or with representatives to make sure they are up to speed with the project so that we avoid any surprises.
- Q: You also work as an estimator o/oo can you explain what an estimator does?
- A: My current position as estimator requires me to quantify different features of a project‘with this information I can price the work Kiewit will perform. This involves reviewing costs from past projects as well as analyzing the impacts of site conditions and any unique situations. I also price the work of subcontractors and suppliers. I then develop a construction schedule and calculate the cost of building a project.
- Q: What projects have you worked on?
- A: The last two projects I worked on were for the government: one at Hickam Air Force Base and one at Schofield Barracks. The project at Hickam consisted of three operations facilities for the U.S. Air Force C-17 fleet in Hawai”i along with a 290,000-square-foot parking area. The buildings include the flight simulator, a 15,000-square-foot building for training C-17 pilots with a state-of-the-art C-17 cockpit replication or simulator. The squadron operations facility is a 42,000-square-foot building for training in a classroom setting, which is equipped with forums and an auditorium for formal presentations. The third building is the consolidated maintenance complex. The C-17 aircraft maintenance staff will use this 25,000-square-foot SPIRIT-certified facility for administrative purposes as well as training. The project at Schofield Barracks will provide the 25th Infantry Division and Stryker Brigade Combat Team with an 84,954-square-foot vehicle maintenance facility and 1.77 million square feet of organizational vehicle parking for an estimated 1,600 vehicles. The maintenance facility is basically a Jiffy Lube on steroids with a weld shop, four 20-ton overhead bridge cranes, compressed air lines and 135 oil-dispensing guns to service and outfit the Strykers.
- Q: What do you enjoy about your job?
- A: I love the problem solving aspect of the job‘figuring out how can we build something faster, better or safer. Every day there are different issues, it is rarely exactly the same. Still, every project faces similar challenges and I find it interesting to try and adapt solutions from one challenge to fit another.
- Q: What do you like about working for Kiewit Building Group?
- A: I really enjoy the fact that I can walk past a project and say, ’I helped build that.“ Kiewit is also a great training company; it offers many different types of classes for all aspects of construction. There are classes to help you build and manage the work as well as how to develop people. The depth of the company*s human resources is also very valuable. If there is a project to be built, chances are that someone in the 124-year-old, nationwide company has built it before.
- Q: What are the opportunities for advancement?
- A: With Kiewit Building Group there are many ways to advance‘it relies a little on timing and a lot on the individual. We typically assign responsibility early in an employee*s career, especially when the individual exhibits responsibility and commitment.
- Q: What can someone in your profession expect to earn?
- A: An entry-level engineer with experience of two years or less can expect to earn in the range of $45,000 to $65,000, depending on their experience and skill set.
- Q: What is your education and training background?
- A: I have a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. Before that I went to ‘Āhuimanu Elementary, King Intermediate and Punahou.
- Q: How does your background in engineering help your work as a superintendent?
- A: I believe my engineering background helps a little with the technological understanding of calculations; however college helped me more to develop problem-solving skills.
- Q: What personal skills do you need in your profession?
- A: There are obviously many traits any employer looks for in future employees. A few of the qualities are honesty, drive and to be a quick learner. At Kiewit Building Group, we look for someone who can communicate effectively with others, applies what they learn and who is accountable for their actions and decisions.
- Q: What advice can you offer to students interested in entering the profession?
- A: When applying to colleges, try to get accepted into the school*s College of Engineering. Contact Kiewit Building Group for our internship program‘this can be done as early as freshman year. Ask lots of questions; when you understand the ’why you can apply it to all aspects of the job. But, most importantly, you need to be passionate about construction.
Ryan Kozuma
Age: 32
Position: Superintendent
Company: Kiewit Building Group