BEAD (Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment) Project Manager- Limited Duration

Lewis County PUD; Chehalis (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lewis County PUD seeks a BEAD Project Manager to lead four fiber-to-the-home construction projects in Lewis County, WA, guiding scope, schedule, budget, and quality within four years of funding. This role collaborates with internal teams and external EPC partners, ensuring grant compliance and timely delivery.

The position reports to the Broadband program leadership, with responsibilities extending to grant administration, risk management, and program status reporting to leadership and the Board

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering/PM field or related area
• 7+ years managing complex infrastructure or construction projects
• 4+ years FTTH or fiber deployment project Mgmt
• Experience with federally funded grants and BEAD compliance
• Ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, schedules, and risks

Responsibilities

• Lead four BEAD-funded FTTH construction projects from planning through closeout
• Develop and maintain program controls: master schedules, budgets, risk registers
• Coordinate engineers, contractors, and inspectors for on-time delivery
• Support grant administration: reimbursements, reports, certifications, audits
• Ensure compliance with BEAD, 2 CFR 200, BABA, Davis-Bacon and environmental reviews
• Coordinate permits, easements, rights-of-way, and franchise approvals
• Oversee QA/QC: inspections, fiber testing, as-built docs, acceptance

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Budgeting

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering/PM field

PMP certification preferred

Tools

MS Project

GIS mapping

Procore

SmartSheet

Job description

The BEAD Project Manager is a limited-duration position responsible for leading the planning, execution, and closeout of four BEAD-funded fiber optic construction projects in Lewis County, Washington, totaling $35.5 million and serving approximately 3,623 unserved and underserved locations. The position serves as the District’s single point of accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and compliance with NTIA BEAD Program and Washington State Broadband Office requirements.

Works closely with internal departments and external engineering and construction partners, the Project Manager coordinates all phases of project delivery to ensure successful completion within the four-year funding timeline. Upon completion of the BEAD projects, the position may be eliminated or the incumbent reassigned based on District needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

• Lead and manage all aspects of four BEAD-funded FTTH construction projects from planning through closeout, ensuring delivery within approved scope, budget, schedule, and grant requirements.
• Develop and maintain integrated program controls, including master schedules, project budgets, cost forecasts, risk registers, milestone tracking, and performance reporting across all four projects.
• Direct and coordinate engineering firms, contractors, consultants, subcontractors, inspectors, and project support staff to ensure effective project execution, contract compliance, and timely resolution of project issues.
• Support grant administration activities, including reimbursement requests, progress reports, milestone certifications, performance reporting, grant compliance documentation, and audit preparedness.
• Ensure adherence to federal and state grant requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Build America, Buy America (BABA), Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, environmental and historic preservation reviews, and NTIA BEAD program policies.
• Coordinate permitting, easements, pole attachment agreements, make-ready activities, franchise approvals, and rights-of-way with utilities, governmental agencies, tribal governments, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee construction quality assurance and quality control activities, including inspections, fiber splicing and testing verification, as-built documentation, and acceptance of completed infrastructure.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, GIS, purchasing, warehouse, and broadband program staff to ensure network designs, construction standards, inventory controls, and reporting requirements are consistently met.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate program risks related to contractor performance, supply chain constraints, labor availability, permitting, weather impacts, and schedule delays; develop recovery plans as needed.
• Track and report progress toward grant-funded deployment goals, including customer passings, construction milestones, expenditures, and service availability commitments.
• Manage project closeout activities, including final inspections, warranty transitions, retainage release, grant closeout requirements, and completion of all required project documentation.
• Provide regular program status reports, presentations, and recommendations to District leadership, the Broadband and External Funding Manager, and the Board of Commissioners.
• Stay current on broadband industry best practices, FTTH construction methods, evolving BEAD program requirements, and applicable safety standards to support successful program delivery.
• Perform duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. Provides functional direction, work assignment, coordination, and performance oversight for contracted project coordinators, inspectors, construction management support staff, consultants, and other resources assigned to the BEAD program. Coordinates and monitors the activities of multiple engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors, subcontractors, and field crews working across four concurrent FTTH construction projects, ensuring work is completed in accordance with project requirements, schedules, quality standards, safety expectations, and grant compliance obligations.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, Telecommunications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing complex infrastructure, utility, telecommunications, broadband, or construction projects; including at least four (4) years managing large-scale fiber-to-the-home, XG- or XGS-passive optical network (PON) telecommunications infrastructure construction projects. Experience managing federally funded projects and grant compliance requirements. Experience with FTTH broadband deployment, utility construction, or public sector infrastructure projects.

• Knowledge of FTTH networks, fiber construction methods, and fiber testing standards.
• Knowledge of federal grant compliance requirements, including BEAD, 2 CFR 200, BABA, and Davis-Bacon.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, budgets, schedules, risks, and contractor performance.
• Skilled in procurement, contract administration, negotiations, and change order management.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, construction plans, permits, and technical documents.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency with project management, reporting, and Microsoft Office software.

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations

Must have a valid Driver’s license. Strongly prefer Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Fiber optics installation, design, or construction management certification and OSHA 10 or 30-Hour construction safety certification.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in MS Outlook, Excel, Word, and Project (or equivalent scheduling software), as well as major District Enterprise programs. Experience with GIS mapping platforms, grant management/reporting systems, and construction management or document control software (e.g., Procore, SmartSheet, or similar) preferred. In addition, must be able to operate standard office equipment including fax, copy machine, scanner, and multi-line telephones.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to walk, climb stairs, bend, reach, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and sit for extended periods of time. Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Required to speak clearly and hear well when communicating over the telephone and in person.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to indoor and outdoor environments. Outdoor settings include all types of property and site conditions including open spaces, timberlands, urban developments, flat and hilly terrain, building construction sites, and road rights-of-way. Indoor settings include residential, commercial, and industrial sites that can involve cramped spaces, moving machinery, etc. May be exposed to rough terrain in various weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

This position may require work hours in excess of 40 hours per week. Responds to after-hours phone calls or callouts, including day, night, and weekend.

Department: Broadband

Location: Chehalis

FLSA Status: Exempt

Union/Non-Union: Non - Union

Travel: Local travel up to 50%; including travel and attendance at meetings, training, or District offices.

Reports to: Broadband and External Funding Manager

Lewis County PUD believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success and that contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. This position description is designed to outlineprimaryduties,qualifications,andjobscope,butnotlimitouremployeesnortheorganizationtojust the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the company.