Assistant Project Manager- Water/Wastewater

Socket.dev; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD is hiring an experienced Assistant Project Manager focused on Water/Wastewater planning, design, and construction in Irvine, CA. The role involves managing design execution, coordination across multiple disciplines, and supporting PM deliverables in a hybrid work model.

Ideal candidates have a Civil Engineering degree with 7+ years in the water industry, strong scheduling, QA/QC, and client coordination capabilities. Office location is Irvine with in-office collaboration three days weekly.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of water industry experience with design and rehabilitation knowledge.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and design coordination across disciplines.
• Experience in condition assessment and project management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day design execution for water/wastewater projects across multiple disciplines.
• Support the PM on planning, staffing, earned value tracking and monthly reports.
• Lead design reviews and QA/QC at milestones.
• Serve as primary client contact for technical questions and meeting notes.
• Coordinate subconsultants, scope and invoices.
• Develop design schedules and identify critical-path risks.
• Support change orders and fee estimates for additional services.
• Assist CM services with site visits and RFI responses.
• Contribute to proposals and scope/fee development.

Skills

Project management

Water/wastewater design

Client coordination

QA/QC

Scheduling

Change management

Education

Civil Engineering Degree

Masters degree preferred

Job description

Join a global professional services leader. We are committed to solving the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of water, energy and urbanization.

GHDis looking for an experiencedAssistant Project Managerwith a focus inWater/Wastewaterplanning, design and construction. This is a project-focused role responsible for the management and delivery of projects across the water market sector and can be based out of ourIrvine, CAoffice.

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Responsibilities of the position are:

• Manage day-to-day design execution for water and wastewater projects (treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines), coordinating process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and I&C disciplines to deliver on scope, schedule, and budget.
• Support the Project Manager on project planning, work breakdown, staffing plans, earned value tracking, and monthly progress/financial reporting.
• Lead internal design reviews and QA/QC at key milestones (30/60/90/100%), tracking comment resolution and ensuring compliance with client standards and applicable regulations.
• Serve as a primary client contact for technical and design-related questions, prepare meeting agendas and minutes, and manage action items and deliverable logs.
• Coordinate subconsultants and specialty vendors, including scope definition, deliverable review, and invoice approval.
• Develop and maintain design schedules, identify critical-path risks early, and recommend recovery strategies to the PM.
• Manage scope changes, prepare change order justifications, and support contract negotiations and fee estimates for additional services.
• Support construction-phase engineering services, including RFI responses, submittal reviews, and design clarifications.
• Contribute to business development by supporting proposals, SOQs, and scope/fee development for new pursuits.
• Progressively take on independent project management responsibility for small to mid-size projects, with a defined path to a full Project Manager role.
• Support CM services with weekly construction meetings, site inspections and mainly act as Resident project engineer or Construction Manager.

Education:

• Civil Engineering Degree, Masters Degree preferred
• 7 year's proven experience with solid technical knowledge and skills across the water industry, including a strong background in condition assessment, planning, rehabilitation, and design

Qualifications:

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.

Salary Range: $103,000-$170,000 based on experience

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