Principal Construction Manager (West Seattle Link Extension)

SoundTransit; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

ORCA Card

Employee assistance program

Inclusive reproductive health

Job summary

Sound Transit is seeking a seasoned Construction Manager to supervise West Seattle Link Extension activities. You will drive project controls, coordinate with CM staff and consultants, manage budgets, and ensure contract compliance across Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and GC/CM delivery methods.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, monitor safety, schedule, and quality, and represent construction management in planning, pre-construction, and transition to operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture or closely related field; five years of construction management experience incl. heavy civil, buildings, underground structures; contract administration and design management.
• Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a transit/transportation environment.
• Valid state driver's license and ability to inspect active construction sites and operate agency vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise, and coordinate activities of assigned staff; plan schedules and programs; provide feedback and performance reviews.
• Coach and motivate staff; manage workflow and corrective actions; develop developmental work plans.
• Oversee construction management direction, contract administration, and compliance with project requirements.
• Coordinate with CM staff, consultants, and DB/GC teams; ensure proper documentation and reporting.
• Participate in budgeting and financial tracking; monitor expenditures and forecasts.
• Ensure safety, quality, and regulatory compliance across projects.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Project management

Contract administration

Staff coaching

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture

Job description

Salary range is $107k to $213k with a midpoint of $160k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

General Purpose

Under the direction of the Director of Construction: manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of assigned areas within West Seattle Link Extension construction projects; represents the Construction management Division during planning, design, pre- construction, transition to operation and close-out project phases; creates, optimizes, and/or implements systems, processes, and procedures for management of construction projects delivered with Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and/or GC/CM delivery methods; manages the activities of assigned construction management staff; solves construction, design, and facilities related issues associated with design and construction of the organization's facilities; retains and manages the services of construction management consultants (CMC) and/or design-build project management (DBPM) consultants; coordinates assigned activities with other programs, divisions, Departments/Offices, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex construction-related administrative support to the Director of Construction, Executive Project Directors, and others as assigned.

Essential Functions

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the department and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline, and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.
• Manages the work and performance of assigned Project Coordinators, Construction Managers, and Deputy Construction Managers. Operating from a central office or construction field office location, makes frequent site visits to observe site conditions, site safety and security, construction activities, and incident response.
• Provides overall construction management direction for assigned projects, ensuring thorough understanding and application of the General Conditions, production of the Special Conditions and Division 1 Specifications, and ensuring consistency in application and interpretation of contract requirements and contract changes.
• Manages and coordinates the activities of the Construction Management Consultant (CMC) and/or the Design-Build Project Management (DBPM) consultant for assigned project(s) including, but not limited to: creation of the CMC and/or DBPM scope of work; negotiating, establishing, and monitoring CMC and/or DBPM tasks, staffing levels, qualifications, and effectiveness; application of lessons learned; review of contract documents for elimination of errors, omissions, and conflicts; verification that contract documents are clear, concise, and logical with respect to the administration of the contracts during construction; and the daily administration, tracking, and documentation of construction contracts.
• Manages, participates as a multi-discipline team member, and/or coordinates construction management relevant activities during planning, design, and pre-construction phases, such as risk assessments, constructability assessments, value engineering, and contracting methodology selection.
• Solves construction, design, and facilities related issues associated with design and construction of the organization's facilities.
• Participates in the development and administration of the assigned program's/project's annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures that project expenditures and cost estimates are adequately documented and monitored to their completion; reviews and approves expenditures; and implements adjustments.
• Provides support to the department/division and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as requested; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies, and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or closely related field. Five years of construction management experience that includes heavy civil, buildings, and underground structures experience, contract administration, and design management; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience, preferably in a transit/transportation related environment.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid state driver's license. This role will perform inspections on active construction sites, stations, and facilities, including locations that are not currently served by transit. Driving an agency vehicle will be necessary to monitor construction tasks and respond to emergent situations at any time of day, within assigned projects and project corridors.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications

• Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the State of Washington.
• Certification as a Certified Construction Manager issued by the Construction Management Certification Institute.
• Certification as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the Civil Engineering and Construction Management Division.
• Advanced business/industry principles and practices for project management, civil engineering, and construction management for delivery of projects under Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build contracting methods.
• Contract document production, strategies, purpose and layout, coordination, administration, and interpretation including specific sections such as General Conditions, Special Conditions, Division 1 Specifications, and Technical Specifications.
• Construction elements including: materials, equipment, labor, means and methods, safety, temporary structures, and risks.
• Methods and techniques of contract negotiation and administration.
• Principles, methods, and techniques of developing, analyzing, and managing schedules.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to transit construction and operations.
• Principles of financial management such as budget preparation, expenditure tracking, variance identification, and revenue tracking.
• Techniques to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, statistical databases, scheduling, and contract management programs.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs to effectuate assigned work, analyze complex data, and to compile and prepare spreadsheets and reports.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Researching, interpreting, and administering policies and procedures to ensure consistent administration by CM staff and other constituencies.
• Overseeing and participating in the management of a comprehensive Civil Engineering and Construction Management Program that includes a series of inter-related projects or functional areas of significant depth and complexity.
• Negotiating and administering construction and engineering services contracts and third party agreements.
• Conceptualizing, influencing, developing, and administering goals, objectives, guidelines, policies, and procedures for the Division/Department.
• Interpreting and applying applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Complaint resolution.
• Critical and strategic problem solving.
• Effectively responding to inquiries, both orally and in writing.
• Developing and monitoring departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.

Physical Demands / Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in a hybrid office environment, with occasional work in a field construction environment.
• Working on active construction sites are subject to bending, climbing, hearing, pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, walking, seeing, and carrying and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.
• Working in the field and when conducting site visits may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, and extreme noise.
• Position includes on call and occasional weekend/night shifts to address project situation response and safety situations.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate personal protective equipment and training for all personnel as required for their duties.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.