Project Manager

City of Palm Springs; Palm Springs (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palm Springs is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to coordinate capital improvement projects within the Public Works Department. You will oversee, coordinate, and implement complex programs in collaboration with city divisions, developers, and external agencies, and perform field inspections of City facilities.

Responsibilities include managing design, bid documents, contracts, budget oversight, schedule tracking, and ensuring compliance with City and state standards.

Qualifications

• Four years of increasingly responsible experience in project management or construction management for public works.
• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, practices, and tools.
• Proficiency in MS Office and construction management software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor capital improvement projects for the Public Works Department.
• Oversee projects from design through implementation, including consultant coordination and contract administration.
• Conduct field inspections of City facilities and maintained properties for compliance with standards.
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Prepare reports and coordinate with city divisions, developers, and outside agencies.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Team management

Critical thinking

Public works coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in project management/engineering/construction management

Tools

Gantt schedules

Construction management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are made at the range minimum.

THE CITY:

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there’s always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index (Download PDF reader) website.

THE POSITION:

is a member of the Public Works Department and assists providing highly complex and difficult operational and technical support in the coordination and monitoring of capital improvement projects and a variety of public works programs; oversees, coordinates, and implements assigned projects and activities; coordinates projects and activities with other City divisions, developers, and outside agencies; conducts field inspections of City facilities and City-maintained areas; provides highly responsible staff assistance to the public works areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs highly complex operational and administrative work involved in the coordination and monitoring of capital improvement projects and a variety of public works programs; oversees, coordinates, and implements assigned projects and activities; coordinates projects and activities with other City divisions, developers, and outside agencies; conducts field inspections of City facilities and City-maintained properties; ensures accuracy, availability of funds, and compliance with City policies, codes, ordinances, and State and Federal Laws.
• Serves as project manager for capital improvement projects, including overseeing and coordinating the activities of consultants during design, bid document and specification preparation, and project implementation; recommends awards of contracts; performs construction management.
• Develops and implements plans; check reviews and inspections of various projects for compliance with City, State and Federal standards; coordinates and participates in project team meetings; monitors progress of projects and disbursements of payments.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates assigned capital improvement project work plans; meets with consultants and staff to identify and resolve problems; coordinates projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and approves consultant submittals; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
• Assists in the preparation and review of bid documents, requests for proposals, and contracts; assists in the bid process for services and materials related to various projects; participates in the selection of contract services; negotiates contracts Inspects, tracks, and evaluates contractor performance and progress according to industry standards.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of department budget, purchasing activities, and yearly revenue projections; recommends expenditure requests for designated programs; monitors and oversees contracts, budgets, and other financial information for programs and department; performs a full range of accounting duties in support of assigned area.
• Prepares and monitors capital improvement project schedules and coordinates implementation of assigned projects through completion.
• Performs inspections during all phases of infrastructure and capital improvement construction projects for conformance with approved plans, specifications, contract provisions, environmental approvals, and safe work practices in accordance with all applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in negotiating and conferring with consultants, other jurisdictions, external agencies, and others involved in capital improvement project execution.
• Identifies funding sources for future projects; prepares and submits grant applications.
• Evaluates and maintains records on the status of projects; prepares reports and correspondence concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as needed.
• Assists and participates in the development, updating, and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, priorities, ordinances, rules, and processes for assigned programs and Department; recommends and administers as requested.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of construction project management and capital improvement projects.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the “Work Experience” section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full‑time work. “Full‑time work” means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as “desirable” or “preferred” are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in project management, planning, and designing public facilities, and/or involvement in construction management for public or related projects is required. (Public sector agency includes State, County, School, or City Government, Law Enforcement, or other Public Sector Agency.)
• Proficiency in construction management tools, including but not limited to Gantt schedules, is preferred.
• Proficiency in construction management software is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint) is preferred.

In addition to the above, the ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of the principles, practices, and theories of coordination and monitoring of capital improvement projects and public works programs, and possess the following:

• Key Competencies
  • Contract negotiation
  • Strategy Development
  • Technical Competence
  • Public Relation
• Core Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Project Management
  • Budgeting and Cost Management
  • Team Management
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in project management, engineering, construction management for public projects or related field, or any combination of education and expertise that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities is required.

License/Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record required (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years.)
• Project Management Certification is preferred.

Special Requirements:

• Must be willing and able to work various hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Incumbent will be enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice Program. The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation and a physical and drug screen.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Environmental Conditions

This position works in a field environment, travel site to site, and shop environment or Aviation environment with exposure to noise, dust, grease, fumes, motorized equipment, inclement weather conditions, and potentially dangerous situations and may work on slippery or uneven surfaces; may be exposed to emergency situations.

Physical Conditions

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods; moderate lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing, kneeling, bending, climbing; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; move and lift up to 25 pounds; communicate in person; driving a vehicle for extended periods.

A completed application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time. As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the “Work Experience” section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications.

Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however, they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as “see attached” or “see resume” as they will not be considered. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process. Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise.

Selection Process Information

The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam, and department interview.

Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step. This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time. Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered.

All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.

The City compulsory contact details: The City of Palm Springs
3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
www.palmspringsca.gov
760-323-8215

The City offers an excellent benefit package and retirement plan through California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Retirement formula is based on appointment date and membership status with CalPERS.

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on October 5, 2026, to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.

Disaster Service Worker:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.