Construction Project Specialist

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory seeks a Construction Project Specialist in Lemont, IL to provide on-site oversight for facility upgrades, new construction, renovations, and infrastructure modernization. You will monitor daily activities, verify compliance with design specs, safety regulations, and quality requirements.

You will work with project managers, engineers, contractors, and safety personnel to ensure safe, efficient work and timely outcomes, using field tools for documentation and QA.

Qualifications

• Significant technical knowledge of construction practices and safety management.
• Familiarity with DOE directives, OSHA regulations, and QA/QC protocols.
• Ability to read blueprints and interpret technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Monitor on-site construction activities for safety and quality.
• Ensure compliance with approved drawings, specs and project objectives.
• Coordinate with contractors, PMs, engineers, and safety personnel.
• Review Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and Daily Safe Work Plans (DSWPs).
• Support permitting, access control, and field documentation.

Skills

Construction oversight

Safety compliance

Project coordination

Reading blueprints

Field reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management

Tools

Procore

Bluebeam

MS Office

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.

This job description documents the general nature of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of job incumbent. Consequently, job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

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. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

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