Construction Administration

Davis Bowen Friedel; Milford (DE); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Annual paid time off (PTO)

Paid holidays

Flexible summer hours

Education Assistance and professional

Job summary

Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. is seeking a Construction Administrator to support project managers by ensuring plans, specs, and budgets are followed during the construction phase.

The role requires reading construction documents, coordinating with clients, contractors, and design teams, and maintaining thorough administration records. On-site work is required, with opportunities for mentorship and career advancement within DBF.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in engineering or construction management required.
• 6–10 years of progressively responsible construction or construction administration experience preferred.
• Experience with construction documents; knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Administer assigned construction-phase activities in coordination with the Project Manager and design team.
• Manage RFI, submittals, change orders, testing, and payment applications; maintain logs.
• Review schedules, progress, and payment applications; communicate impacts to PM.
• Coordinate pre-construction conferences and progress meetings; document minutes.
• Lead field observations and ensure conformance with contract documents.
• Maintain complete construction administration records and support QA/QC.
• Mentor RPR staff on observation and administration practices.
• Represent DBF with clients, contractors, consultants, and regulators.

Skills

Detail Oriented

Client Focused

Effective Communicator

Critical Thinker

Education

Two-year degree in engineering or construction management

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

OVERVIEW

At Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc. (DBF), our Construction Administrators, play a critical role in the success of our projects. In coordination with the project manager, they are responsible for ensuring terms, plans, specifications, and budgets are adhered to during the construction phase. In our continual ambition of improving our communities, our Contract Administrators assist our clients through projects even when they are not from DBF.

In this role, we are looking for an individual who is eager to improve our built environment. They should be well versed in reading and understanding construction plans. Knowledge of contract administration development is required. Organizational skills and the ability to effectively serve as a liaison between clients, contractors, and project managers are a must. The candidate selected will be responsible for building a construction/rehabilitation administration.

DBF’s portfolio includes projects of a wide variety, so if you are looking to expand your repertoire and improve your abilities, this position is the perfect fit for you. We also offer several opportunities for promotion if you meet our needs. This is an on‑site, in‑person position only. No hybrid or remote work is available at this time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently administer assigned construction‑phase activities in coordination with the Project Manager and design team, including interpretation of construction plans, specifications, agreements, details, contract requirements, and related construction documents.
• Manage construction administration processes and documentation, including RFIs, contractor submittals, change orders, testing and inspection reports, payment applications, schedules, and associated logs; coordinate technical review and resolution with appropriate project personnel.
• Review contractor schedules and progress information, identify potential schedule concerns, and communicate impacts or issues to the Project Manager.
• Review contractor payment applications, installed quantities, stored materials, and supporting documentation and provide recommendations to the Project Manager.
• Review change‑order requests and supporting documentation; assist with evaluating scope, quantities, justification, and cost or schedule implications; and document field conditions associated with changes, additional work, delays, claims, or disputes.
• Conduct or facilitate pre‑construction conferences and construction progress meetings, prepare accurate and timely meeting minutes, and coordinate follow‑up and communication among clients, contractors, consultants, design professionals, regulatory agencies, and DBF project personnel.
• Serve as lead RPR on complex construction assignments when required, performing advanced construction observations and evaluating apparent compliance with contract documents.
• Coordinate RPR activities and field coverage when assigned and review field reports, quantity records, as‑built documentation, photographs, and other construction records for accuracy, completeness, and quality.
• Identify emerging technical, quality, contractual, cost, schedule, or documentation concerns and promptly communicate and coordinate them with appropriate project leadership.
• Lead or participate in substantial completion and final inspections; prepare and coordinate punch lists, verify corrective work, review warranties, record documents, testing information, and other closeout submissions, and assist the Project Manager with recommendations regarding completion and acceptance.
• Review non‑DBF designs when assigned for apparent conformance with applicable client codes, construction standards, and project requirements.
• Maintain complete, organized, timely, and defensible construction administration records and support construction‑phase quality assurance and quality‑control activities.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to RPR employees regarding construction observation, documentation, project procedures, and construction administration practices.
• Maintain awareness of DBF's contractual roles, responsibilities, and authority and perform construction administration activities accordingly, without assuming responsibility for contractor means, methods, techniques, sequencing, procedures, or site safety outside DBF's contractual scope.
• Represent DBF professionally in interactions with clients, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other project stakeholders, and perform other related duties as assigned to support successful project delivery.

EDUCATION & SKILLS

The applicant shall possess at least a two‑year (2) degree in engineering or construction management. Six to ten (6–10) years of progressively responsible construction or construction administration experience is preferred, including demonstrated experience with construction documents, RFIs, submittals, payment applications, change documentation, progress meetings, field observation, and project closeout. An equivalent combination of education, training, certifications, and relevant experience may be considered. The candidate must have experience with construction and construction documents. Knowledge of AutoCAD and Revit is a plus but not required. Experience in compiling and editing specifications is also a plus but not required.

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

• OSHA 30‑Hour Construction Safety.
• First Aid/CPR/AED.
• CSI Construction Documents Technologist (CDT).
• Progress toward or attainment of CSI Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA).
• Delaware Certified Construction Reviewer (CCR), where applicable.
• Applicable Maryland/Delaware erosion and sediment control credentials.
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM), where appropriate.
• Relevant NICET or discipline‑specific construction inspection certifications.
• Training in construction scheduling, claims avoidance, negotiation, contract administration, and dispute resolution.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Detail Oriented: Ability to exercise attention to detail and have a solid understanding of how buildings and sites are constructed.
• Client Focused: Ability to respond to project needs in a timely manner.
• An Effective Communicator: Ability to clearly communicate ideas, actively listen, and ask appropriate questions.
• A Critical Thinker: Ability to solve problems and make good decisions.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Annual paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Flexible summer hours
• Education Assistance and professional licensing reimbursement
• Flexible savings account
• Bonus pay