Assistant Project Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Assistant Project Manager to support environmental and construction permitting for utility clients, with a focus on natural gas distribution and transmission in Colorado. You will coordinate with agencies, manage field staff, and drive project deliverables through permitting and approvals.

You will work with a diverse team of environmental scientists and project managers, evolving in scope and independence as you gain experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 5 years related experience.
• Strong PM and communication skills with design teams.
• Experience in construction permitting or agency review processes.
• Must have Colorado driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with client and permitting agencies on HDR projects.
• Direct internal staff (CAD/GIS, biologists, land agents, planners).
• Manage deliverable production and QA to match project scope.
• Develop permitting matrices and project schedules.
• Coordinate multi-discipline teams through project life cycle.
• Ensure work is completed on budget and on schedule.
• Communicate effectively via phone, email, or messaging.
• Support periodic project reviews with leadership.

Skills

Engineering plans reading

Utilities client experience

Construction management

Permitting / agency review

Technical writing

Active construction site experience

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Colorado driver’s license

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

CAD

GIS

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is looking for a Assistant Project Manager to support utility clients with environmental and construction permitting and compliance. This role has a primary focus natural gas distribution and transmission utility work in Colorado. Project scopes generally include construction stormwater management permitting and compliance, floodplain development permitting, wetland permitting, right-of-way permitting, local planning approvals, permanent and temporary land acquisition, public outreach, and wildlife compliance support.

In this role, and with the support and oversight of the project manager, the candidate would:

• Coordinate directly with client and permitting approval agencies representing HDR
• Direct internal resources/supporting staff (CAD/GIS, wildlife biologists, land agents, public outreach, planners, hydrologic/hydraulic engineers)
  • Coordinating/attending field visits
  • Overseeing deliverable production
  • Managing quality assurance protocols
  • Review deliverables for consistency with client project scope
• Manage deliverable production and distribution
  • Upload and track permitting submittals through jurisdictional permitting portals
  • Conduct file management per client and internal specifications
• Coordinate work of single or multidiscipline teams throughout the project’s life cycle (from development and initiation to close-out), while under supervision of a Project Manager
• Develop permitting matrices and timelines – for integration into client templates or overall schedules
• Be responsible for many aspects of a small project or a single aspect of a larger project
• Coordinate workload through project execution and complete deliverables on budget and schedule
• Accommodate changing project schedules and scopes – shifting attention as needed.
• Manage tasks between competing project interests; tracking workload with support of supervisor.
• Effectively communicate over phone, email, or messaging platforms.
• Work with the Project Manager, Accounting, Operational and Business leadership for periodic project reviews
• Perform other duties as needed
• Eventually this role would lead to development of scope, schedule, and budget for projects.

The candidate would work with an experienced team including other environmental scientists and project managers of varying experience and backgrounds. Candidate’s responsibilities would evolve and require less oversight from project managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Capable of reading and understanding engineering plans for utility or land development projects
• Experience working on behalf of utilities clients
• Construction management or oversight experience
• Experience in local construction permitting or agency review processes.
• Strong technical writing skills, including experience drafting agency correspondence memorandums and emails, permit applications, and other project documentation.
• Experience on active construction sites.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in an environment with changing deadlines and priorities.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to safely drive around the State either in personal car or Company rental is a must. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required.

Our team understands the value of expanding individual work portfolios and experience to keep job duties interesting and achieve career sustainability and growth. Additional workload and type would depend on skills, experience, and interest. A comfort and enthusiasm interacting with a variety of individuals will help foster successful career growth.

Team members are currently working from Fort Collins, Denver, and remote locations along the front range and western slope of Colorado. Remote vs in office time is negotiable and will be based on past experience and level of training required. Our team encourages a healthy work-life balance that focuses on quality of service to our clients and participation in recurrent meetings while allowing for flexibility in work schedules. Site visits are sporadic with limited/few visits during winter months and up to 2-3 visits per month during busier months. Site visits rarely require overnight stay.

While this posting is for a full-time (40-hour per week) position, a part-time (minimum 30-hours per week) is also an option.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience
• 5 years related experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Industry

Power

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Aug 28, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Aff... We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.