Construction Project Specialist

Argonne; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

On-site field work

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory seeks a Construction Project Specialist to provide on-site supervision of facility upgrades, new construction, and modernization projects. You will oversee daily field activities, ensure safety and quality, coordinate with contractors and Argonne SMEs, and maintain proper documentation.

The role emphasizes adherence to DOE directives, safety standards, and regulatory codes while supporting efficient, compliant project execution on Argonne sites in Illinois.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in construction management with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience reading blueprints and applying QA/QC protocols.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NFPA and DOE safety directives.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day field oversight of construction activities on site.
• Ensure safety rules, approved drawings, specifications and project objectives are met.
• Monitor contractor activities and conduct daily inspections for unsafe conditions.
• Coordinate with SMEs, industrial hygienists and health physics for approvals.
• Obtain work permits and ensure access control in line with procedures.
• Lead daily pre-task planning and toolbox talks with safety plans.
• Support incident investigations and corrective action planning.
• Use Procore, Bluebeam and field checklists for QA documentation.

Skills

Field oversight

Safety compliance

Contractor coordination

Reading blueprints

Documentation & QA tools

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

Job description

We are actively seeking a Construction Project Specialist to join the Project Management Organization (PMO) within Argonne’s Infrastructure Services (IS) Directorate. In this critical field-based role, you will provide on-site support and oversight for construction activities related to facility upgrades, new construction, renovations, and infrastructure modernization. The Construction Project Specialist is responsible for monitoring daily job site activities, ensuring compliance with design specifications, safety regulations, and quality requirements. You will work closely with project managers, engineers, contractors, and internal safety personnel to ensure that all work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable policies, codes, and standards. Your contributions will directly support Argonne’s mission by helping to deliver high-quality, compliant, and timely project outcomes.

Responsibilities

Support the PMO by performing day-to-day field oversight of construction activities, ensuring projects are built in accordance with safety requirements, approved drawings, specifications, and project objectives.

• Construction Oversight: Monitor contractor activities on-site, verify compliance with approved job plans, and conduct daily inspections to identify and resolve unsafe conditions.
• Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance to DOE directives, OSHA (29 CFR 1910 and 1926), Argonne’s ESH Manual, and other regulatory codes including IBC, NFPA, and ASME. Verify that all field work is performed in accordance with approved Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), Daily Safe Work Plans (DSWPs), and the Project-Specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Planning and Coordination: Collaborate with Contractor Superintendents to manage the shutdowns of site and building utilities, ensuring coordination between the contractor and Argonne personnel. This process includes adhering to ANL LOTO procedures. Collaborate closely with Argonne Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), including Industrial Hygienists and Health Physics personnel, to secure approval for contractors' plans.
• Design and Safety Reviews: Participate, review and comment in baseline survey reviews, job hazard analyses, corporate safety plan reviews, and design reviews to ensure safety and constructability concerns are addressed.
• Permitting and Access: Obtain required Work Entry and ESH permits and ensure compliance with Argonne’s access and work control procedures in coordination with Argonne’s Technical Representative, Construction Manager, and Occupational Safety Specialist.
• Pre-Task Planning: Participate in and verify the performance of daily pre-task planning meetings, including toolbox talks and review of job-specific safety plans. Prior to the commencement of work, ensure the availability of hazard controls and personal protective equipment.
• Contractor Support and Interface: Verify qualifications and training of contractor personnel and communicate jobsite expectations, hazards, and mitigation measures.
• Incident Response: Support root cause investigations and corrective action planning for safety incidents or near misses.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor daily field construction activities for adherence to approved drawings, specifications, schedules, and job safety requirements. Utilize tools such as Bluebeam, Procore, and field checklists to support quality assurance documentation and track field issues.
• Records Management: Assist in maintaining configuration control of construction-related records and field revisions.
• Process Improvement: Apply technical construction knowledge to suggest improvements in methods and field coordination. Support standardization of oversight procedures and documentation.
• Presence and Accountability: Maintain a consistent jobsite presence or ensure coverage by a trained and qualified alternate during all active construction work.

Position Requirements

• Significant technical knowledge of construction practices, materials, methods, and job site safety management.
• Proven experience with construction safety standards including OSHA, NFPA, and applicable DOE directives.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify safety or quality issues and drive resolution.
• Effective communication skills with field teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Proven experience coordinating with project teams and integrating field execution with design and safety goals.
• Familiarity with construction documents and QA/QC protocols; ability to read blueprints and interpret technical drawings.
• Proficiency with field reporting tools, digital documentation systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to access active construction sites and comply with required safety protocols, including wearing required PPE, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of Argonne processes and field safety protocols.
• Experience managing construction safety programs and quality assurance on DOE or complex institutional projects.
• Familiarity with LOTO, confined space, fall protection, and hazard communication procedures.
• Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification preferred.
• Experience using software such as Procore, Bluebeam, or similar field management tools.
• Completion of OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Training.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in construction management and 10+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent

Job Family Professional Technical (PT) Job Profile Project Management and Planning 3 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299.00 - $134,626.05. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Interested in translating science into innovation? Build your career at Argonne. At Argonne, we view the world from a different perspective. Our scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, the environment, technology, national security and more. We’re finding creative ways to prepare the world for a better future. To learn more about Argonne's benefits programs, amenities, and other employee programs, visit our main Careers site. To learn more about the exciting science going on at Argonne, visit our Science and Technology page. To request a reasonable accommodation or for other application support, contact us anytime at [e-mail] or 630-252-2336.