Capital Projects Manager

City of Kent, Washington; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 109,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Benefits

Job summary

The City of Kent is seeking an experienced Capital Projects Manager to lead complex public works and heavy civil construction projects in Kent, WA. You will act as the primary on-site representative, overseeing contractors, coordinating schedules, budgets, and design reviews, while ensuring compliance with City codes and contract requirements.

The ideal candidate has a civil engineering or construction management background with four years of public works experience and strong leadership,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible public works or heavy civil construction experience.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license within 30 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor project budget and schedule on a weekly and monthly basis.
• Coordinate and prepare monthly progress pay estimates with contractors and accounting staff.
• Resolve day-to-day construction issues and maintain project records.
• Coordinate start-up/Notice to Proceed, testing, substantial completion, punch lists, and closeout.
• Lead project meetings and ensure minutes are recorded and distributed.
• Ensure quality control and compliance with contract plans and specifications.

Skills

Contract Management

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Public Works Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

Survey equipment

Field instruments

Job description

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!

The City of Kent is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Capital Projects Manager to lead the management of complex capital improvement construction projects. In this key role, you will serve as the City’s primary representative on job sites, overseeing contractors, inspecting work, administering contracts, resolving issues, tracking progress, and ensuring full compliance with City codes, standards, and contract requirements.

This position offers the opportunity to guide multiple public works and heavy civil projects throughout their construction, while coordinating closely with engineers, consultants, inspectors, utility partners, property owners, and community stakeholders. You’ll manage schedules and budgets, lead progress meetings, negotiate change orders, collaborate on design reviews, and ensure quality control and regulatory compliance across a wide range of infrastructure improvements.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field, along with four (4) years of increasingly responsible public works or heavy civil construction experience. If you have strong construction management expertise, proven leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to make informed decisions in the field, we encourage you to apply and help support the City of Kent’s mission and long‑term infrastructure goals.

This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply.

The selection process for this position will include two (2) panel interviews. This position is open until filled, with a first review of applications November 2nd.

SALARY:

$9,763.00- $11,892.00 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Capital Projects Supervisor, or designee, manage all day‑to‑day construction management activities as the primary representative for the City of Kent with construction contractors and all stakeholders. With an emphasis on City of Kent Capital Improvement construction projects, perform construction management, contract administration, and inspection of public and private construction projects; assure compliance with City codes, standards, and contractual provisions of the projects; act as lead Project Manager during construction to assist the Construction Engineering Manager and Capital Projects Supervisor in the administration of City of Kent Capital Improvement construction projects.

Work is characterized by a high degree of difficult, complex, and specialized technical duties requiring the ability to make decisions and be accountable while overseeing multiple City of Kent Capital Improvement construction projects. This position has lead responsibilities over contracted consultants, Senior Construction Inspectors, Construction Inspectors, temporary inspectors, and interns as assigned.

Work is performed under limited supervision.The Capital Projects Supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available.The incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, project requirements, staffing needs, and work to be completed.The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with the contractor and all other interested parties and stakeholders, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives.The incumbent keeps the Capital Projects Supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, and/or changes that will impact our construction contracts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Monitor project budget and schedule on a weekly and monthly basis. Coordinate and prepare monthly progress pay estimates with contractors and accounting staff.

Resolve day‑to‑day construction issues. Provide Inspector Daily Reports (review if working with assigned staff and/or consultants) and ensure the contractor is complying with contract terms. Coordinate and/or review and respond to submitted serial letters, RFI’s, schedules, and submittals. Prepare weekly statements of working days for tracking of contract time. Responsible for preparation and maintenance of the construction file, logs, and construction records, including those required for state and federally funded projects.

Coordinate contract startup / Notice to Proceed, testing, determination of Substantial Completion, punchlists, Physical Completion, and project closeout. Serve as hub for all communication sent to and received from the City of Kent, the construction contractor, residents, and stakeholders. Attend and/or conduct the project’s Preconstruction Meeting. Conduct weekly progress meetings. Ensure meeting minutes are recorded, distributed, and followed up on as needed.

Participate in Project Management Reviews (PMR’s) performed by Local, State, and Federal auditors in the review of Capital Construction project documentation. Respond to PMR findings in a timely manner to maintain good standing with funding agencies.

Coordinate required changes with Engineer of Record, Design staff and Operations staff. Track and analyze potential changes. Prepare change order cost estimates, time estimates, and negotiate final pricing. Prepare change orders.

Coordinate construction logistics and promote cooperation between all project team members and stakeholders. Coordinate work with private utility companies, City of Kent Operations staff, consultants, and general contractors. Coordinate between private property owners and contractors to ensure appropriate restoration of private property.

Advise the Construction Engineering Manager and Capital Projects Supervisor of staffing needs for all assigned projects. Periodically update supervision. Supervise and mentor assigned staff and consultants. Ensure that assigned staff and consultants understand their roles and responsibilities.

Provide interim and final design review for assigned City of Kent Capital Improvement construction project plans and specifications for accuracy, completeness, and constructability. Identify efficiencies in Capital Improvement construction projects to improve project quality, reduce cost, and reduce impact to the public. Participate in field visits and design review meetings as requested throughout the design process on assigned Capital Improvement construction projects.

Ensure appropriate quality control and compliance with contract plans and specifications, City of Kent standard plans and specifications, WSDOT standard plans and specifications, codes and regulations. Ensure compliance during the construction of public works improvements and associated appurtenances including, but not limited to earthwork, asphalt and concrete paving, concrete flatwork, traffic signals, illumination, pump stations, water tanks & reservoirs, storm drains, detention ponds, sewers, water systems, channelization, flood control levees, non‑motorized facilities, structures, etc.

Ensure temporary erosion and sediment control (TESC) measures are in place and performing to the extent of their intended function. Monitor site runoff and advise contractors of corrective measures according to established plans, procedures, and Department of Ecology regulations as needed.

Document preexisting conditions of private and public property within and adjacent to project limits to minimize City liability. Monitor construction sites for proper use and placement of traffic signs in accordance with MUTCD guidelines and review traffic control logs for completeness. Ensure ADA regulations and guidelines are met and enforced to maximum extent feasible.

Actively support the City’s mission, vision, values, and goals.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:

HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF:

• City codes and other applicable regulations related to construction inspection
• Construction specifications and plans; WSDOT construction manual; Standard Plans for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction
• Methods, procedures, and materials used in road, bridge, and public utility construction
• Project schedules - how they are prepared, maintained, and updated
• Project Management guidelines for State and Federally funded projects

BE SKILLED IN:

• Contract and Project Management
• Leadership principles and practices
• Remaining professional, tactful, patient, and courteous when dealing with hostile and/or irate contractors, owners, and citizens
• Communicating orally and in writing
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job
• Anticipating problems in advance of their occurrence and eliminating them where possible
• Effectively planning and organizing work on multiple projects requiring multiple responsibilities

HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

• Coordinate work of numerous projects concurrently
• Mediate between differing viewpoints of various project stakeholders
• Promote diligent and efficient progress of work
• Thoroughly investigate problems and possible consequences, under strenuous timeframes
• Perform moderate physical labor including, but not limited to, climbing down manholes, inspecting pipes, climbing water tanks, walking on irregular terrain, lifting manhole lids, etc.
• Read, interpret, and apply codes, laws, construction drawings, plans, and specifications
• Understand material testing principals
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices

SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or other related field; and

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible public works or heavy civil construction experience.

LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:

• Valid Washington State driver’s license, or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment
• Must successfully pass the City’s pre‑employment driver’s records check; successfully complete the City’s Defensive Driving Course; and maintain an excellent driving record
• Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, cellular phone, copy machine, and calculator.

The incumbent will be required to operate City vehicle to travel to and from construction sites.

Standard and specialized tools and equipment, including but not limited to, surveyor levels, measuring rods, metal detectors, temperature sensors, smart level, planimeter, and a variety of utility lid lifting devices.

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

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in an outdoor field environment and an indoor office environment.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places.The employee is frequently exposed to fume or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock.The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration.The incumbent is subject to driving from site to site and may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office and loud in the field.

The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.