Roofer job description template
The Roofer tears off old roofs and installs new shingle, metal or flat roof systems on homes and small commercial buildings. A free, ready-to-edit job description for Canadian employers: duties, qualifications, skills, working conditions and performance measures.
The National Occupational Classification code for this role, used on Job Bank and LMIA forms. See the official NOC profile · What is a NOC code?
Position Identification Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Job title | Roofer |
| Reports to | [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] |
| Direct reports | None |
| Employment type | [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] |
| Work schedule | [WORK_SCHEDULE] |
| Location | [WORK_LOCATION], [PROVINCE] |
| Overtime eligibility | [OVERTIME_ELIGIBILITY] |
| NOC code | 73110 (Roofers and shinglers), NOC 2021 |
| Salary range | [SALARY_RANGE_MIN] to [SALARY_RANGE_MAX] |
| Effective date | [EFFECTIVE_DATE] |
| Last reviewed | [LAST_REVIEWED_DATE] |
1. Position Summary
The Roofer tears off old roofs and installs new ones on homes and small commercial buildings for [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. Most jobs are sloped roofs with asphalt shingles, with some metal, flat roof membrane or repair work depending on the company. The roofer works on a crew under [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] and spends most of the day at height, so fall protection is part of every task. A roof that keeps water out, is installed to the manufacturer's instructions and leaves the customer's yard clean is the result this job is about.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 Setup and site protection (10%)
- Set up ladders, roof anchors, lifelines and roof brackets before anyone works on the roof.
- Place the disposal bin or trailer, cover plants, windows, decks and siding, and set up a safe drop zone on the ground.
- Unload and stage shingles, underlayment and materials on the roof without overloading one spot.
- Check for overhead power lines and keep ladders and materials well away from them.
2.2 Tear-off (20%)
- Strip old shingles, underlayment, flashing and nails down to the roof deck.
- Inspect the deck for rot, soft spots and damage, and tell [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] what needs replacing.
- Replace damaged sheathing and fix the deck so it is solid and flat.
- Keep debris going into the bin, not onto the customer's property.
2.3 Installation (40%)
- Install drip edge, ice and water protection, underlayment and starter strips in the right order and overlaps.
- Snap lines and lay shingles to the manufacturer's exposure and nailing pattern, using a coil nailer set to the right depth.
- Install valleys, step flashing, counter flashing, chimney and skylight flashing, and pipe boots so water sheds properly.
- Install roof vents, ridge vents and ridge cap to keep the attic ventilated.
- Install metal roofing, flat roof membranes or eavestrough where [ORGANIZATION_NAME] offers that work, after training.
2.4 Repairs and inspections (10%)
- Find and fix leaks, replace missing or damaged shingles, and reseal flashing.
- Take photos of damage and repairs for the customer file and insurance claims.
- Do emergency tarping after storms when safe to do so.
2.5 Clean-up (10%)
- Pick up debris and sweep the yard, driveway and gutters with a magnetic sweeper for nails at the end of each day and the end of the job.
- Leave the site safe overnight, with ladders secured and the roof dried in (covered so it will not leak).
- Load tools and leftover materials and return them to the shop.
2.6 Health and safety (10%)
- Use fall protection as required in [PROVINCE] at all times on the roof: harness, lanyard, lifeline and anchor, or the system set out in the company's fall protection plan.
- Inspect harnesses, lanyards, ropes and ladders before each use and take damaged gear out of service.
- Wear [REQUIRED_PPE].
- Stop work and tell [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] when wind, rain, ice or heat makes the roof unsafe.
- Drink water, take breaks in the shade in hot weather, and report injuries and near misses the same day.
3. Qualifications & Experience
Role Qualification Standards
| Category | Required | Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Trade certification | Trade certification as required in [PROVINCE]. | Certificate of qualification as a roofer, or Red Seal endorsement. Registered roofer apprentice. |
| Experience | [YEARS_EXPERIENCE_REQUIRED] seasons of residential roofing, or none for a labourer or helper position. | Experience with metal roofing, flat roof membranes, skylights or cedar. |
| Fall protection | Fall protection training, as required in [PROVINCE], before working at height. | Training to set up anchors and lifelines and to plan a fall rescue. |
| Other safety training | WHMIS training. | Standard First Aid and CPR. Aerial work platform training. |
| Driver's licence | Way to get to the shop or job site each day. | Valid driver's licence and clean driver's abstract to drive the company truck and tow the bin trailer. |
| Physical | Comfortable working at height and able to do heavy physical work outdoors, with or without accommodation. | Experience working through full summer seasons. |
| Language | Can follow spoken safety instructions and read product labels in English or [OTHER_LANGUAGE]. | Can speak both languages used on the crew. |
4. Competencies
Core Competencies
| Competency | Definition | Behavioural Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Safety at height | Treats fall protection as part of the job, not an option. | • Ties off before stepping onto the roof. • Inspects gear every day. • Stops work when weather turns. |
| Watertight workmanship | Installs every layer so water cannot get in. | • Follows the manufacturer's nailing pattern. • Laps underlayment and flashing correctly. • Checks the details at chimneys, vents and valleys. |
| Pace and stamina | Keeps up a steady pace through long, hot days. | • Keeps materials moving to the installers. • Paces themselves and takes water breaks. • Finishes the day with the roof dried in. |
| Teamwork | Works closely with the crew in a tight space. | • Calls out when moving materials or dropping debris. • Helps where the work is. • Follows directions from [REPORTS_TO_TITLE]. |
| Respect for the customer's property | Leaves the property as clean as it was. | • Protects plants and siding. • Runs the magnetic sweeper daily. • Is polite with homeowners and neighbours. |
5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures
5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands
Roofing is heavy outdoor work at height. The table shows what the job normally involves. We will look at accommodation for a worker who needs it, up to the point of undue hardship, as human rights law requires.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
| Demand | Frequency | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Work at heights | Continuous | Working on sloped and flat roofs, and climbing ladders many times a day. |
| Lifting and carrying | Frequent | Bundles of shingles, rolls of underlayment and tools up to [MAX_LIFT_WEIGHT_KG], often up ladders or by hoist. |
| Kneeling, crouching and bending | Continuous | Installing shingles on a slope for most of the day. |
| Heat and sun | Frequent | Roof surfaces get much hotter than the air on sunny days. |
| Weather | Frequent | Wind, rain and cold mornings. Work stops when the roof is wet, icy or the wind is too strong. |
| Noise and vibration | Frequent | Nail guns, compressors and tear-off tools. |
| Dust and debris | Frequent | Granules, old roofing dust and nails during tear-off. |
| Seasonal hours | Frequent | Long days in the main roofing season and fewer hours or layoff in winter, as set out in [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] and [WORK_SCHEDULE]. |
| Protective equipment | Continuous | [REQUIRED_PPE]. |
5.2 Performance Measures
Key Performance Indicators
| Measure | Definition | Target | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaks and callbacks | Jobs that need a return visit for a leak or installation problem. | No callbacks for installation errors; each one reviewed with [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] | Monthly |
| Fall protection | Tied off and using inspected gear whenever on the roof. | Every time, on every spot check | Weekly |
| Installation standard | Work meets the manufacturer's instructions on supervisor checks (nailing, exposure, flashing). | Passes every check | Per job |
| Site clean-up | Yard and driveway clear of debris and nails at day end. | No customer complaints about debris or nails | Per job |
| Production | Roof area installed compared with the crew's plan for the job. | Crew finishes within the planned days, weather allowing | Per job |
| Attendance | Arrives at the shop or job site on time. | On time for every shift, with absences reported before the shift | Monthly |
5.3 Career Path
- Typical Prior Roles: Roofing labourer, construction labourer, general labourer, siding or eavestrough installer helper.
- Typical Next Roles: Journeyperson roofer, lead hand, crew foreperson, roofing estimator, roofing contractor.
5.4 Position Acknowledgement
This job description sets out the main duties, working conditions and qualifications for the Roofer role at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not a list of every task. The job can change as the business changes. If it changes in a real way, we will update this document and talk it through with the employee first.
Employee Sign-Off:
Name: [EMPLOYEE_NAME] Signature: _____ Date: _______
Manager Sign-Off:
Name: [MANAGER_NAME] Title: [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] Signature: _____ Date: _______
What to fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Who provides it | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] | Title of the direct supervisor (e.g., Roofing Foreperson, Crew Lead, Owner) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [EMPLOYMENT_TYPE] | Employment basis and season (e.g., Seasonal full-time, April to December) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [WORK_SCHEDULE] | Usual days and hours, and how weather days are handled (e.g., Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturdays to make up rain days) | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [WORK_LOCATION] | Shop or yard address and service area | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [PROVINCE] | Province or territory where the work is done. Trade certification for roofers is compulsory in Quebec and voluntary in the other provinces and territories. Fall protection training rules also differ by province; check with your workplace safety regulator. | Owner | Yes |
| [OVERTIME_ELIGIBILITY] | Eligible or Not eligible. Overtime rules and exclusions are set by the province or territory where the work is done (overtime, holidays and vacation by province). Several provinces and territories exclude many managers and supervisors, but not all do. | Owner / Payroll | Yes |
| [SALARY_RANGE_MIN] | Lowest and highest base pay for the role. Pay must be at least the minimum wage where the work is done (minimum wage by province). If you advertise the job publicly in Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia or Prince Edward Island, the posting must state the pay or range (pay in job postings by province). | Owner | Yes |
| [SALARY_RANGE_MAX] | Highest hourly wage or annual salary for the role | Owner | Yes |
| [EFFECTIVE_DATE] | Date this job description takes effect (e.g., 1 April 2027) | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [LAST_REVIEWED_DATE] | Date this job description was last checked against the real job | Owner / Hiring manager | Yes |
| [ORGANIZATION_NAME] | Operating business name of the employer | Owner | Yes |
| [REQUIRED_PPE] | Protective equipment the roofer must wear (e.g., full-body harness and lanyard, soft-soled safety boots, hard hat on the ground, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection) | Owner / Safety lead | Yes |
| [YEARS_EXPERIENCE_REQUIRED] | Minimum years of related experience you need. Ask only for what the job really needs. | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [OTHER_LANGUAGE] | Another language the worker may use instead of English, if your crew or supervisor uses it (e.g., French, Spanish), or delete | Hiring manager | No |
| [MAX_LIFT_WEIGHT_KG] | Heaviest load the worker must lift without help, in kilograms (e.g., 23 kg) | Hiring manager | Yes |
| [EMPLOYEE_NAME] | Full name of the employee signing | Employee | Yes |
| [MANAGER_NAME] | Full name of the manager signing | Manager | Yes |
Employment standards where you hire
Pay, overtime, holidays and notice for a roofer are set by the province or territory where the work is done. Federally regulated employers (such as banks, airlines and interprovincial trucking) follow the Canada Labour Code. These are the minimums as of 7 October 2026. Most managers and some other roles are excluded from overtime, and the exclusions differ by province.
| Where the work is done | Minimum wage (per hour) | Overtime after (hours) | Paid public holidays | Notice owed after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | $18.15 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 10 | 3 months |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | 48 a week | 6 | 3 months |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | 44 a week | 8 | 6 months |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | 44 a week | 8 | 90 days |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | 40 a week | 6 | 3 months |
| Quebec | $16.60 | 40 a week | 8 | 3 months |
| Ontario | $17.95 | 44 a week | 9 | 3 months |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 9 | 30 days |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 10 | 13 weeks |
| Alberta | $15.00 | 8 a day or 44 a week | 9 | 90 days |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 3 months |
| Yukon | $18.51 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 6 months |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 90 days |
| Nunavut | $20.17 | 8 a day or 40 a week | 11 | 90 days |
Public job postings must state the pay or a range in Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Full rules, vacation pay, final pay and sources: employment standards by province.
Official sources
Government and professional sources for this template. Pay, hours, holidays and notice are set by the province or territory where the work is done.
- National Occupational Classification 2021: 73110 Roofers and shinglers
- Job Bank: Roofer, shingles
- Canadian Human Rights Commission: Duty to accommodate
- Employment standards and human rights offices for each province and territory
This template is general information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. Employment standards, human rights and privacy rules differ by province. Checked against official government sources on 7 October 2026. See employment standards by province.
Questions
What does a roofer do?
The Roofer tears off old roofs and installs new shingle, metal or flat roof systems on homes and small commercial buildings. The work is heavy, seasonal and done at height all day, so fall protection is part of every task. Trade certification is compulsory in Quebec and voluntary elsewhere, where a Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified roofers.
What is the NOC code for a roofer?
73110 (Roofers and shinglers) in the 2021 National Occupational Classification, TEER 3. The NOC code is used on Job Bank postings, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications and other government forms. Check the official NOC profile to confirm it matches the duties of your job.
What should a roofer job description include?
A short summary of the role, the main duties with a rough share of time, required and preferred qualifications, the skills you'll assess, working conditions and physical demands, and how performance is measured. State the pay range and who the person reports to; Ontario (25 or more employees), British Columbia and Prince Edward Island require the pay or a range in public postings. This template covers all of it; fill in the highlighted blanks and remove anything that doesn't apply.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Download it as a Word file, copy the text, or print it. Staffkin can also turn it into a prescreen and interview guide for the same role.
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