Employer Evaluation and Field-Log Submission

Why This Lesson Matters

The externship is where classroom learning becomes real-world skill. The final phase of the placement — submitting your field log and completing the employer evaluation — is not a formality. These two documents are the official evidence that you performed safe, quality roofing work under professional supervision. Without both, you cannot receive credit for the course. More importantly, how you handle this final step tells a future employer exactly what kind of worker you are.

The Field Log: Your Professional Record

Your field log is a day-by-day account of every hour you worked on site. A complete, submission-ready field log must contain:

• All daily entries, with the correct date, start time, end time, and total hours for that day
• Supervisor initials on every entry, confirming you were present and that the information is accurate
• Photos (where the placement agreement permits) documenting tasks performed, materials handled, or site conditions observed
• Hazard observations — brief notes any time you noticed an unsafe condition, how it was reported, and what corrective action was taken
• A safety-culture summary at the end of the log reflecting on how the crew managed fall hazards, housekeeping, and PPE compliance throughout the placement

In the final three days of your placement, set aside time each day to go through every page. Check that no dates are missing, no supervisor initials were skipped, and that every entry is legible. If an entry is smudged or unclear, rewrite it on a correction page, note the original date, and have your supervisor initial the correction. Submit the completed log to your program coordinator before or on the last scheduled day of placement.

Do not wait until the last hour. A rushed log with missing initials or undated entries will not be accepted and will delay your credential.

The Employer Evaluation Rubric

Your supervising journeyman or foreman completes the program's employer evaluation rubric. This rubric rates you across four domains using a four-point scale per domain:

| Domain | What Is Being Rated |

|---|---|

| Craft Skill | Quality of your work and willingness to learn new techniques |

| Fall-Protection Compliance | Consistent, correct use of PPE and personal fall-arrest or restraint equipment every time you are at height |

| Professionalism | Punctuality, positive attitude, and following directions without pushback |

| Communication | Asking questions at the right time, reporting problems promptly and clearly |

A score of 4 means the student consistently exceeded expectations in that domain. A score of 3 means solid, reliable performance. A score of 2 means performance met the minimum but needed frequent prompting. A score of 1 means performance was below acceptable and required corrective action.

To pass, you need a composite score of 75% or higher, which means earning at least 3 out of 4 points on a majority of the rubric domains. If your composite score falls below 75%, you must complete a remediation plan approved by the program director before you receive credit for the course.

Fall-protection compliance is non-negotiable in the field and on the rubric. A low score in this domain signals that you were not using your harness, lanyard, or anchor points consistently. OSHA fall-protection standards exist because falls from elevation are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. A student who cannot demonstrate reliable PPE habits at an externship site will not be trusted on a professional crew.

The Exit Interview

Within the final three days of placement, your program coordinator will meet with you for a 20-minute exit interview. You should be ready to answer three questions honestly and specifically:

1. What one technical skill did you improve most during this placement? Be concrete — name the task, the material, the tool, or the technique. "I got better at roofing" is not an acceptable answer. "I improved my speed and accuracy laying three-tab shingles to a consistent 5-inch exposure" is.

2. What one area still needs development? Every tradesperson, no matter how experienced, has something to work on. Identifying your own gap honestly is a mark of professionalism. Common answers include flashing details, working efficiently on steep slopes, or reading a job plan.

3. What one safety habit will you carry into your career? Think about a specific practice: always tying off before stepping onto the roof, conducting a daily equipment inspection of your harness and anchor hardware, or verbally confirming fall-hazard controls with the crew at the start of each shift.

Your coordinator will record your responses and provide written feedback to you within five business days. Read that feedback carefully — it is a professional development document you can reference as you build your career.

Professionalism Through the Finish Line

Many students perform well during the bulk of the placement and then let standards slip in the final days. Do not do this. Employers notice. The journeyman writing your evaluation has been watching your habits across the entire placement, but final impressions carry weight. Arrive on time, wear your full PPE every day, and ask for work if you finish a task early. Thank your supervising journeyman before you leave the site for the last time.

Your field log, your employer evaluation score, and your exit-interview responses together form the foundation of the professional reputation you are building. Handle them with the same care you would handle a finished roofing surface: thoroughly, correctly, and with pride in the work.