Project Management Assistant

AKS Engineering & Forestry; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Generous PTO

Weekly team lunches

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Vancouver, WA is seeking a Project Management Assistant to support project managers from planning through closeout. Responsibilities include managing project documentation, tracking budgets, and ensuring communication across teams. The ideal candidate has a degree in related fields and over 5 years of experience in project coordination. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and a team-oriented work environment with benefits that prioritize well-being and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience supporting projects in a coordination or project controls capacity.
• Comfortable tracking schedules, milestones, and budget progress.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate project documentation and manage project schedules.
• Assist with budget tracking and reporting.

Skills

Project coordination

Budget tracking

Communication skills

Organization

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field

Tools

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Job description

At AKS, we are growing and building for the future. We bring together multidisciplined experts across the land development, energy, and infrastructure markets to take on bigger challenges and deliver solutions that make a real difference. Our teams combine creativity, technical excellence, and a collaborative, hands‑on approach to solve complex problems and deliver results our clients and communities can count on. We take pride in our work and our ability to provide opportunities for our teams, support each other’s growth, and look ahead to what’s next.

When you join AKS, you will find opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects, learn, lead, and make an impact from day one.

The Project Management Assistant supports the successful delivery of projects from initiation through closeout by assisting Project Managers with planning, execution, coordination, and documentation. This role is client‑facing and blends project coordination, schedule and budget support, and hands‑on assistance with project management tasks, serving as a key partner to Project Managers and project teams.

What You’ll Do

• Support Project Managers through the full project lifecycle, assisting with project planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout while maintaining accurate project records and documentation.
• Coordinate and manage project documentation and controls, including contracts, permits, RFIs, change orders, submittals, subconsultant agreements, and compliance tracking.
• Maintain and update project schedules, milestones, and deliverables, using tools such as Smartsheet to track task‑level progress, identify variances, and support schedule updates.
• Support budget tracking and reporting, assisting with forecasting, progress reporting, invoice tracking, and identifying deviations from approved scope, schedule, and fees.
• Facilitate technical coordination and communication, serving as a central point of contact between Project Managers, technical staff, clients, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Support quality control and closeout activities, ensuring QA/QC documentation meets internal standards and project closeout requirements are completed accurately and on time.
• Assist with process improvement and technical workflow optimization, contributing to standardized templates, tools, and project controls while progressively assuming ownership of defined project tasks or phases.
• Helpidentifyand coordinatebusiness development opportunities.

Who You Are

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field or equivalent project coordination experience.
• 5+ years of experience supporting projects in a coordination, project administration, or project controls capacity.
• Working knowledge of project lifecycles, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout activities.
• Experience tracking schedules, milestones, deliverables, and documentation across multiple projects.
• Comfortable supporting budget tracking, progress reporting, and identifying variances from scope, schedule, or fees.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and project tracking or collaboration tools (Smartsheet or similar preferred).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across technical teams and external partners.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Nice to Have

• AEC industry experience, preferred.
• Familiarity with project management or project controls software such as Smartsheet
• Working knowledge of project lifecycles and delivery methods.

Why AKS?

• Gets the Job Done: We value people who do what needs to be done, taking initiative, stepping in where needed, and delivering results with accountability and common sense.
• Meaningful Growth: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, we provide hands‑on training, mentorship, and clear paths for professional development so you can grow with purpose.
• Real Collaboration: Work with a team that brings diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges creatively, curiously, and with a shared commitment to quality.
• Respect for Your Time: We support work‑life balance with generous PTO and an environment that helps you manage personal and professional responsibilities.
• Benefits That Care: Access health coverage that supports your total well‑being, a 401(k) match, paid holidays, and resources to help you thrive.
• Weekly Team Lunches: Recharge with your teammates because food and conversation bring people together.
• Culture That Connects: We invest in experiences that build strong teams and stronger communities.
• A Place People Love to Work: We have been named one of the Top Workplaces in the Pacific Northwest year after year for good reason.

Join us and be part of a team that values your contributions, celebrates initiative, and is committed to doing things the right way for our employees, clients, and communities.