Construction Manager

Carter Support Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Carter Support Services is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to lead day-to-day operations for high-voltage substation and switchyard projects in Houston. You will manage safety, scheduling, budgets, and QA/QC across EPC or owner-side deliveries while coordinating with utilities and subcontractors.

Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in substation construction, strong knowledge of 69 kV-500 kV classes, and a background in EPC delivery and NERC/FERC considerations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of construction management on high-voltage substation projects.
• Strong knowledge of substation construction means and methods across voltage classes.
• Proven ability to manage schedule, budget, subcontractors, and QA/QC on EPC or owner-side projects.
• Familiarity with NERC/FERC compliance considerations.
• Experience supporting commissioning, testing, and energization activities.
• Prior work with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, or large industrial clients.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical/Civil Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day construction operations for substation and switchyard projects.
• Enforce safety plans, job hazard analyses, and OSHA compliance for crews and subs.
• Develop and drive the construction schedule; identify critical path activities.
• Manage budgets, review subcontractor pay applications, and control change orders.
• Coordinate subcontractors, suppliers, and self-perform crews to meet standards.
• Coordinate outages and energization sequences with owner/utility teams.
• Lead QA/QC in the field and verify conformance to designs and codes.
• Provide constructability input to engineering during design and pre-construction.
• Manage material receiving, laydown, and storage with procurement.
• Run owner and project meetings reporting safety, progress, and risks.
• Oversee commissioning support, punch lists, redline/documentation, and closeout.
• Maintain field records, daily reports, RFIs, and submittals.

Skills

Construction leadership

Safety management

Budget control

Schedule management

Subcontractor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Project

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day construction operations for substation and switchyard projects, including civil/foundations, structural steel, bus and rigid/strain conductor, equipment setting (transformers, breakers, switches, CCVTs, capacitor banks), grounding, control enclosures, and conduit/cable installation.




• Champion a zero-incident safety culture; enforce site safety plans, job hazard analyses, energized-work and switching/clearance procedures, and OSHA compliance for all crews and subcontractors.




• Develop, maintain, and drive the construction schedule; identify critical path activities, manage float, and resolve constraints to keep the project on track.




• Manage project budgets, track cost against estimate, review and approve subcontractor pay applications, and control change orders and field directives.




• Direct and coordinate subcontractors, suppliers, and self-perform crews; review scopes, manage productivity, and hold partners accountable to contract and quality standards.




• Coordinate outages, switching, and energization sequences with the owner/utility operations and protection & control teams to minimize system disruption.




• Lead QA/QC in the field; verify work conforms to design drawings, specifications, utility standards, and applicable codes (IEEE, NESC, NETA, and client standards).




• Provide constructability input to engineering during design and pre-construction; flag conflicts, sequencing issues, and material/long-lead risks early.




• Manage material receiving, inspection, laydown, and equipment storage in coordination with procurement.




• Run owner and project meetings; report on safety, progress, cost, schedule, and risks to internal leadership and clients.




• Oversee commissioning support, punch list resolution, redline/as-built documentation, and project closeout.




• Maintain accurate field records, daily reports, RFIs, and submittals.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of construction management or field supervision experience on high-voltage substation and/or switchyard projects.




• Demonstrated knowledge of substation construction means and methods across voltage classes (69 kV-500 kV preferred).




• Strong understanding of construction safety, including energized work, switching/clearances, and grounding practices.




• Proven ability to manage schedule, budget, subcontractors, and QA/QC on EPC or owner-side projects.




• Working knowledge of substation drawings (one-lines, three-lines, plans/sections, grounding, and physical layouts) and the ability to interpret specifications.




• Proficiency with scheduling and project tools (e.g., Primavera P6 or MS Project) and standard reporting software.




• OSHA 30 certification (or ability to obtain).




• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to and relocate near project sites as required.

Requirements

• Experience delivering greenfield, expansion, and brownfield/energized substation projects.




• Background in EPC delivery and familiarity with NERC/FERC compliance considerations.




• Experience supporting commissioning, testing, and energization activities.




• Prior work with investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, or large industrial/data center clients.




• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical/Civil Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent field experience.