Building Envelope Field Specialist

Department: New Building

Lerch Bates is seeking a Building Envelope Field Specialist to support field testing, construction quality assurance, and building performance evaluations for a variety of commercial and residential projects.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in the field, solving real-world construction challenges, and evaluating how buildings perform. You will conduct building envelope testing, perform site observations, document findings, and support investigations involving roofing systems, waterproofing assemblies, exterior wall systems, and other building enclosure components.

The Building Envelope Field Specialist works independently while collaborating closely with consultants and project teams to ensure projects meet quality, performance, and contract requirements.

About Lerch Bates:

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we've partnered on some of the world's most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP, which fosters an ownership mindset and accountability in everything we do. At Lerch Bates, your expertise matters, your voice carries weight, and your work directly contributes to our shared success as OneLB.


What You'll Do:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Field Testing & Site Assessments

• Conduct field testing and building performance evaluations, including:
  • Electronic leak detection testing
  • Air barrier testing
  • Water penetration and performance testing
  • Infrared thermography scanning
• Perform construction quality assurance (CQA) observations on active job sites
• Evaluate field conditions and building systems to identify performance concerns and construction deficiencies
• Support roof assessments, building enclosure investigations, and material evaluations
• Apply established procedures and sound judgment while adapting to changing site conditions

Technical Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare clear, accurate, and timely field reports documenting observations, testing results, and recommendations
• Maintain documentation in accordance with company standards and reporting requirements
• Follow established templates and quality processes to ensure consistency

Project Coordination & Client Support

• Review shop drawings and submittals on a limited basis
• Identify work that may fall outside project scope and communicate findings appropriately
• Communicate professionally with clients, contractors, subcontractors, and project teams
• Support project coordination and maintain strong client relationships

Team Collaboration

• Support training and development of field technicians and team members as applicable
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment while working independently in the field
• Participate in knowledge sharing and continuous improvement efforts

What You'll Bring:

• 5+ years of experience working on active construction sites, building envelope projects, building science projects, roofing systems, waterproofing systems, façade systems, or related industries
• Strong understanding of residential and commercial construction practices and building systems
• Experience identifying field conditions and relating observations to building enclosure performance issues
• Experience with construction observations, field investigations, quality assurance activities, or building performance testing preferred
• Knowledge of building enclosure systems including roofing, waterproofing, glazing systems, weather barriers, air barriers, and exterior wall assemblies preferred
• Strong technical writing, communication, and documentation skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, contractors, subcontractors, and internal teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in the field
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Why Work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive compensation
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 9 paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

Be more than just an employee...

Lerch Bates is 100% employee-owned! Our employee-owners bring a distinct "we own what we do" brand of technical consulting to every project and partnership. When you work with us, you join a company with an ownership mindset. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. So, what does that mean for you? After a certain service time, you are eligible for stock ownership, which essentially works as an additional wealth accumulation and/or retirement account!


Core Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Working Environment:

This role involves both physical and mental demands and may be performed in various settings, including offices, construction sites, and confined spaces like elevator pits. Tasks often require frequent movement in multiple directions. Lerch Bates will provide reasonable accommodations upon request through Human Resources.

Physical Demands:

This role requires regular sitting, talking, and hearing in meetings and by phone. Employees must navigate tight spaces, climb ladders, move around construction sites, take measurements, and travel by car, air, or rail. Duties may involve working at heights and in confined spaces, using hands for tasks like typing and operating elevator components, and applying up to 30 lbs. of force. Close visual attention is also required.

Mental Demands:

This position requires strong written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Employees must interpret complex information, apply mathematical and logical reasoning, quickly learn new skills, and manage detailed, multitask workloads under shifting deadlines. Regular interaction with executives, colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders is also expected.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.