Assistant Project Manager

Actalent; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transit benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to support solar construction projects from conception to completion, focusing on community solar and commercial/industrial installations. The role involves coordinating with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients, tracking schedules and budgets, and assisting with documentation and change orders.

You will help manage submittals, collaborate with engineers and project managers, and travel across the Chicagoland area to observe work and ensure

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelors degree in construction management or related.
• Experience or coursework in construction management, project coordination, or engineering.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD for submittals and project documents.
• Understanding of change orders and basic contract administration.
• Interest in renewable energy, community solar and commercial/industrial solar.
• Ability to collaborate in a project management team and learn from professionals.
• Motivation to build a long-term career in renewable energy and solar construction.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day project activities with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients to keep stakeholders aligned and informed.
• Track project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure work stays on plan and meets expectations.
• Assist with project documentation, including reports, logs, meeting minutes, and contract administration.
• Support the preparation, review, and management of change orders to reflect scope changes and maintain control.
• Help develop, review, and organize submittal drawings and related construction documentation.
• Monitor project progress in the field and office, identify issues, and help implement solutions.

Skills

Construction experience

Electrical knowledge

PM software

Microsoft Office

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Site travel readiness

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Project Manager Job Description

The Assistant Project Manager supports the successful delivery of solar construction projects from conception to completion, with a primary focus on community solar as well as commercial and industrial installations. In this role, you coordinate closely with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients, track project schedules and budgets, assist with documentation and contract administration, and help ensure project milestones are met. You play an important part in monitoring project progress, resolving issues, and supporting field operations across the Chicagoland area.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day project activities with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients to keep all stakeholders aligned and informed.
• Track project schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure work stays on plan and meets contractual and performance expectations.
• Assist with project documentation, including reports, logs, meeting minutes, and contract administration to maintain accurate project records.
• Support the preparation, review, and management of change orders to reflect scope changes and maintain project control.
• Help develop, review, and organize submittal drawings and related construction documentation in collaboration with project managers and technical staff.
• Monitor project progress in the field and office, identify potential issues or risks, and help implement solutions to keep projects on track.
• Support field operations by visiting project sites in the Chicagoland area 23 times per week to observe work, coordinate activities, and communicate updates.
• Collaborate with project managers and the solar project team to take projects from early planning and design through construction and final completion.
• Use construction management software and Microsoft Office applications to manage project information, update schedules, and prepare reports.
• Assist with electrical and construction coordination on solar, commercial, and industrial projects to ensure quality, safety, and performance standards are met.
• Contribute to a collaborative project environment by communicating clearly, participating in team meetings, and supporting continuous improvement of project processes.

Essential Skills

• 02 years of construction experience, preferably in solar or commercial construction.
• Foundational knowledge of electrical systems or electrical work within a construction project environment.
• Experience or familiarity with construction management software to support project tracking and documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including tools such as Word, Excel, and Outlook for reporting and communication.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining attention to detail in schedules, budgets, and documentation.
• Strong communication skills to work effectively with internal teams, subcontractors, and clients.
• Capability to drive around the Chicagoland area for project site visits 23 times per week.
• Willingness to work in both office and field settings and support projects from early stages through completion.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelors degree, ideally in construction management or a closely related field.
• Experience or coursework related to construction management, project coordination, or engineering.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD for reviewing or assisting with submittal drawings and project documentation.
• Understanding of change order processes and basic contract administration within construction projects.
• Interest in renewable energy, particularly community solar and commercial/industrial solar projects.
• Ability to collaborate within a project management team and learn from experienced electrical, construction, and energy professionals.
• Motivation to build a long-term career in the growing renewable energy and solar construction sector.

Work Environment

This is a salaried position paid based on a 40-hour workweek. You work primarily out of the Crystal Lake office, which houses approximately 4050 team members, including a solar division with about seven individuals focused on project management. The solar group manages a robust pipeline of work, with up to 15 projects in development and around four projects actively under construction at any given time, largely community solar and commercial/industrial installations. The role includes regular travel, with 23 project site visits per week around the Chicagoland area, supported by the use of a company vehicle for site travel. You operate in a collaborative, family-oriented contractor environment that has a long-standing presence in the Midwest and is expanding its renewable energy capabilities. Team members gain hands-on exposure to the full project lifecycle, work directly with experienced electrical, construction, and energy professionals, and contribute to projects that help clients reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. The culture emphasizes teamwork, career growth, practical learning, and making a direct impact on innovative clean energy projects across the region.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Crystal Lake, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $38.46/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Crystal Lake, IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Crystal Lake,IL.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.