Deputy Project Manager, Utility Coordination

Cobb, Fendley & Associates, Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

New Hire Program

Development Opportunities

Competitive compensation & benefits

Paid Parental Leave

Winter Holiday

Community Engagement

Job summary

CobbFendley is seeking an experienced Utility Coordination Deputy Project Manager in Austin, Texas. The role focuses on coordinating utility packages, tracking schedules, and supporting proposals and client communications.

The position requires 5+ years in the AEC field, strong leadership, and the ability to work across disciplines with a hybrid schedule after training. Austin office-based with field visits to projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of AEC professional experience.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies, lifecycle, rules and regulations.
• Ability to lead, communicate, and collaborate across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Financial management: review budgets, assist with proposals and invoicing.
• Corporate compliance and risk assessment: follow QA/QC and contract processes.
• Communication and collaboration: coordinate across disciplines and regions.
• Client and internal satisfaction: meet deadlines and respond to requests timely.
• People development: provide feedback and assist recruiting.
• Technical: coordinate utilities, prepare agreements, attend meetings, track deliverables.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Risk management

Quality management

Negotiation

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Vantagepoint

Smartsheet

Job description

Job Summary

Since 1980, CobbFendley has been committed to providing innovative engineering and surveying solutions with the goal of bettering communities. Our multi-discipline approach allows for the efficient completion of projects through experienced staff who focus on client communication. We are always seeking talented and qualified professionals to enhance our ability to provide clients with exceptional service.

CobbFendley is seeking an experienced Utility Coordination Deputy Project Manager in our Austin, Texas office.

Benefits

• New Hire Program – Our program is geared specifically to the successful onboarding and integration of new hires into the firm.
• Development Opportunities – Professional and personal growth through innovative in‑house training and collaborative resources.
• Compensation + Benefits – Competitive compensation package with comprehensive benefits including 401(k) matching, profit‑sharing contributions, ESOP, health, vision, and dental insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education programs.
• Paid Parental Leave – FMLA‑eligible employees receive fully paid leave: eight weeks for maternity cases and two weeks for paternity or adoption cases.
• Winter Holiday – Extended office closure from December 25 through January 1.
• Community Engagement – CobbFendley Cares focuses on STEM education, hunger relief, and sustainable solutions.

Requirements

Experience and Knowledge Skills Ability (KSA)

Emerging – Basic understanding and minimal practical experience; requires guidance and supervision. 5+ years of AEC professional experience.

• Knowledge of project management methodologies and lifecycle, industry standards, city, state, and federal rules and regulations, tools and software (Microsoft suite, Vantagepoint, Smartsheet), and quality management.
• Skills including leadership, communication, time, risk, quality and financial management, negotiation, and problem‑solving.
• Ability to think strategically, adapt to competing priorities, execute and delegate, communicate and collaborate, and perform tasks with a high level of accuracy.

Complexity + Decision‑Making Authority

1. Responsible for the success of certain tasks in part of a moderate project. Must be listed as a Task Manager in Vantagepoint and may not be responsible for direct invoicing and billing to clients.
2. Independently performs most assignments with oversight and instruction from supervisor and project managers.

Responsibilities

1. Financial Management
   • Develop a working knowledge of weekly budget reports in Vantagepoint.
   • Assist in the preparation of scope of work (SOW) and levels of effort (LOE) for proposals for authorizations.
   • Assist in the preparation of invoices and advise project managers of outstanding payments, including coordination with accounting.
2. Corporate Compliance + Risk Assessment
   • Assist and be familiar with the contract and subcontract review process through the Contracts Department and appropriate filing and adhere to jurisdictional requirements and company‑established signature matrix protocol.
   • Follow company‑established QA/QC process and project safety plans.
3. Communication + Collaboration
   • Communicate and collaborate within the department, other disciplines and regions, and corporate resources.
   • Ensure meeting minutes are logged and sent to respective parties.
   • Assist with marketing requests including RFQ, proposals, resumes, etc.
4. Client + Internal Satisfaction
   • Adhere to project schedules set by the client.
   • Attend meetings with supervisors and complete requests as assigned.
   • Be responsive and accessible and assist with addressing problems and concerns timely.
5. People Development
   • Provide feedback on staff performance to management periodically including for annual evaluation.
   • Assist with recruiting project team members.
   • May give direction to support staff assigned to project(s) by supervisor and project manager(s).
6. Technical
   • Identify existing utilities, establish contact with utility companies, and attend utility coordination meetings.
   • Prepare Utility Agreement Assembly packages, including reviewing plans and estimates to evaluate compliance with guidelines, rules, and regulations, determining eligibility and betterment ratios, and preparing documents required by 23 CFR Section 645.
   • Attend meetings with individual utility companies and on‑site field visits.
   • Prepare utility relocation schedule and track project deliverables. Request as‑builts from utility owners.
   • Set up and maintain electronic files for received utility records.
   • Assist in interpreting Subsurface Utility Engineering quality level data to analyze utility conflicts and develop concept plans.
   • Assist in setting up and maintaining project electronic files, developing/maintaining project schedules, and maintaining client exhibits (KMZ & GIS) which define the project scope of work.
   • Assist in coordinating field investigation requests.
   • Assist in reviewing design drawings, permit drawings, GIS geodatabase deliverables (QA/QC).
   • Assist in updating internal and client project trackers.
   • Assist in responding to design questions from CAD technicians.
   • Prepare utility progress reports. Prepare utility relocation schedule and track project deliverables.
   • Work with major utility companies, pipeline companies, state agencies and municipalities.
   • Prepare contracts, fee proposals, and scopes of work.
   • Prepare and submit monthly invoices and follow up with clients on outstanding invoices.

Company Characteristics

• We Collaborate – with a professional attitude making communication a priority.
• We Commit – to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment, with a focus on accountability.
• We Build Communities – by fulfilling our responsibilities with integrity that is consistent with industry standards.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

• Seated and Standing Position – extended periods of sitting and standing at a workstation.
• Mobility – movement within the office and job sites.
• Neck Movement – forward flexion, extension, or lateral rotation while using multiple computer screens.
• Repetitive Motion – finger movements for operating a computer mouse and typing on a keyboard.
• Arm Movement – extending hands and arms in various directions.
• Object Handling – raising or lowering objects and transporting them by hand or over the shoulder.
• Cognitive Requirements – selective attention, oral comprehension, oral expression, written comprehension, written expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, number facility, information ordering, category flexibility.
• Office Conditions – extensive use of electronic devices such as computers, printers, copiers, scanners, plotters, and telephones.
• Outdoor Conditions – walking and climbing on uneven surfaces, confined spaces, and exposure to extreme weather.
• Safety and Equipment Use – regular use of PPE and hand and power tools.
• Driving and Vehicle Use – may involve driving large pick‑up trucks with attached trailers.

Expected Work Hours

• This is a full‑time position, generally 40 hours per week, with potential overtime.
• CobbFendley’s standard operating hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST, with a 1‑hour unpaid lunch break. Hours may vary based on project workload.

Work Location Flexibility

• Eligible for a hybrid schedule once the training period is complete as established by the department.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

• EEO is the Law (English)
• EEO is the Law (Spanish)
• EEO is the Law – Poster Supplement

Drug‑Free Workplace Conditions

• Employees and job applicants shall receive notice of the most common medications that may alter or affect a drug test.
• An employee or job applicant who receives a positive confirmed drug test result may contest or explain the result within 14 days after written notification.
• Employees and job applicants are notified of their right to consult the testing laboratory for technical information regarding prescription and non‑prescription medication.