Assistant Project Manager

Wendler Inc.; Cedar Rapids, Northern (IA, KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Wendler Inc. is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to help manage complex civil construction projects from planning through completion.

You will work closely with Project Managers and field leadership, coordinating plans, documents, and communications to keep projects on track. The role requires strong organizational skills, proactive problem-solving, and effective collaboration across office and field teams.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, or related field OR equivalent relevant construction experience.
• Experience in heavy civil, infrastructure, commercial, or industrial construction strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Review construction plans, specifications, contracts, scopes, and project documents.
• Assist with project setup and conforming plans and specifications.
• Perform and verify quantity takeoffs and assist with scope reviews.
• Assist with procurement, subcontract preparation, and purchase orders.
• Coordinate and track submittals, RFIs, change documentation, permits, and other project requirements.
• Maintain accurate and current project documentation.
• Identify missing, conflicting, or unclear project information and obtain answers.
• Participate in project meetings, document actions, and follow up.

Skills

Construction management

Reading plans/drawings

Communication skills

Procore/Bluebeam

MS Office

Site travel

Education

Associate or Bachelor's in construction management / Civil Engineering

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Office

Job description

Wendler Inc. is looking for an Assistant Project Manager who wants to build a career managing complex civil construction projects.

Department: Project Management

Reports to: VP of Project Management

Effective Date: 8/14/2026

This role works directly alongside our Project Managers and field leadership to help move projects from planning through successful completion.

We’re looking for someone who brings more than technical ability. If you naturally look ahead, ask questions, find answers, communicate what you know, and follow things through to completion – we want to talk to you!

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Review construction plans, specifications, contracts, scopes, and project documents.
• Assist with project setup and conforming plans and specifications.
• Perform and verify quantity takeoffs and assist with scope reviews.
• Assist with procurement, subcontract preparation, and purchase orders.
• Coordinate and track submittals, RFIs, change documentation, permits, and other project requirements.
• Maintain accurate and current project documentation.
• Identify missing, conflicting, or unclear project information and take appropriate steps to obtain answers.
• Participate in project meetings, document action items, and follow outstanding items through completion.
• Communicate with subcontractors and suppliers regarding scope, documentation, pricing, materials, and delivery requirements.
• Assist with invoices, change orders, cost documentation, pre-qualifications, and project controls.
• Keep Project Managers informed of project status, priorities, potential problems, and upcoming needs.
• Coordinate with field leadership to understand project conditions and help resolve issues affecting the work.
• Visit active jobsites and provide project and quality-control support as needed.
• Manage multiple assignments, projects, and deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Recognize problems, investigate the circumstances, communicate concerns, and help identify solutions.
• Maintain Wendler’s expectations for safety, quality, professionalism, and accountability.

Education and Experience:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in construction management, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a closely related field OR equivalent relevant construction experience.
• Previous construction experience, including internships, with heavy civil, infrastructure, commercial, or industrial construction strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Understanding of construction terminology and the general construction project lifecycle.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with both office and field personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Procore, Bluebeam, or similar construction/project management technology preferred.
• Ability to travel to active project sites as required.

Our ideal Assistant Project Manager is:

A self-starter. You don’t wait for someone to continuously tell you what comes next.

A problem-solver. When something doesn’t make sense, you investigate. When something goes wrong, you don’t just identify the problem, you start thinking about solutions.

Detail-oriented. You recognize that one missed detail can impact cost, schedule, quality, or field production.

An effective communicator. You can clearly explain where something stands, what you know, what you don’t know, and what needs to happen next.

Organized. You can manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy.

Personable and confident. You can build relationships and communicate comfortably with everyone from field employees and Superintendents to Project Managers, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, owners, and company leadership.

Adaptable. Construction changes quickly. You can reprioritize when circumstances change without losing control of everything else.

Accountable. If you say you’re going to handle something, people shouldn’t have to chase you down to make sure it happens.

Curious. You want to understand why, not simply complete a task.

Why Wendler?

At Wendler, you’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful infrastructure projects while being part of a team that values collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

We believe in empowering our people, supporting professional growth, and providing the resources needed to succeed. Our commitment to safety, quality, and doing the right thing drives everything we do.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to learn the business, take ownership, solve real construction problems, work alongside experienced construction professionals, and develop into a strong Project Manager, we’d like to hear from you!

Projects Include:

• Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities
• Flood Mitigation and Hydraulic Structures