Project Manager - Marine Dredging

ORION; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

ORION is seeking an experienced Project Manager for its Pacific Region dredging operations, focusing on clamshell dredging along the West Coast. You will lead projects from preconstruction through closeout, coordinating with Area Managers, Superintendents, and customers to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable execution.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on clamshell dredging knowledge, marine construction experience, and proficiency with HYPACK and Trimble GPS for accurate planning and

Qualifications

• Experience with clamshell dredging methods and marine construction.
• Proven project management experience in dredging projects.
• Experience using HYPACK and Trimble GPS for dredging planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead project execution, ensure profitability and compliance.
• Manage engineers and crews across lifecycle.
• Develop bids and cost estimates.
• Coordinate with survey teams and customers.
• Ensure safety and environmental compliance.
• Travel to Pacific Region project locations.

Skills

Project management

Dredging operations

HYPACK software

Trimble GPS

Hydrographic surveys

Cost control

Safety leadership

Team leadership

Tools

HYPACK

Trimble GPS

Job description

Position Summary

Orion is a leading specialty construction company providing marine construction, dredging, and heavy civil infrastructure services. Through its Marine segment, Orion supports the development, maintenance, and improvement of critical waterfront infrastructure, including ports, harbors, navigation channels, marine terminals, docks, wharves, and other coastal and inland marine facilities.

Marine Dredging

Pacific – Vancouver, WA. (On-Site)

Position Summary

Orion is a leading specialty construction company providing marine construction, dredging, and heavy civil infrastructure services. Through its Marine segment, Orion supports the development, maintenance, and improvement of critical waterfront infrastructure, including ports, harbors, navigation channels, marine terminals, docks, wharves, and other coastal and inland marine facilities.

Orion's dredging operations support projects involving navigational improvements, maintenance and deepening of waterways, sediment removal, underwater excavation, and marine infrastructure development. Our teams operate specialized marine equipment and work in complex waterfront environments where safety, environmental stewardship, operational efficiency, and precise project execution are essential.

Orion is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support its Pacific Region dredging operations, with a primary emphasis on clamshell dredging projects throughout the West Coast. This position is responsible for managing dredging projects from preconstruction and estimating through mobilization, field execution, financial management, project completion, and closeout.

The Project Manager will work closely with Orion's Area Manager, dredging operations leadership, Superintendents, Dredge Captains, field personnel, subcontractors, and customers to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, profitably, and in accordance with contractual requirements.

Successful candidates will bring extensive hands‑on knowledge of clamshell dredging methods, marine construction operations, dredging equipment, hydrographic survey technology, and project management. Experience utilizing HYPACK and Trimble GPS positioning and guidance systems is required to support dredging planning, vessel and equipment positioning, production tracking, quantity verification, and accurate project execution.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing complex dredging operations in active marine environments, including projects involving sediment removal, dredge material handling and disposal, navigation improvements, and environmentally sensitive waterways. Experience with backhoe dredging operations and West Coast marine construction conditions is highly desirable.

The incumbent must demonstrate and support Orion's guiding beliefs and core values of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Teamwork, each built on the foundation of Integrity.

Specific Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Vice President, Area Manager, and Orion's dredging and marine construction operations teams to ensure the successful execution, financial performance, and profitability of assigned projects.
• Provides overall project management leadership, direction, and oversight to Superintendents, Dredge Captains, Project Engineers, and field personnel supporting active dredging operations.
• Manages dredging projects throughout the complete project lifecycle, including preconstruction, estimating, bidding, planning, procurement, mobilization, field execution, project controls, demobilization, and closeout.
• Develops and coordinates competitive bid proposals for upcoming dredging projects, ensuring accurate estimates, comprehensive scopes of work, and timely submission of completed proposals.
• Prepares and reviews project cost estimates, including labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, marine transportation, dredge production rates, sediment handling, disposal requirements, and other associated project costs.
• Applies advanced technical knowledge of clamshell dredging methods, equipment capabilities, operating procedures, and production efficiencies to project planning, estimating, execution, monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Provides project management oversight for clamshell dredging operations and, when applicable, backhoe dredging and other specialized marine excavation activities.
• Utilizes HYPACK, Trimble GPS, and related hydrographic survey and dredging guidance systems to support dredge positioning, project planning, production monitoring, progress tracking, and quantity verification.
• Reviews hydrographic survey information, bathymetric data, dredging elevations, cut depths, tolerances, and production reports to ensure compliance with project specifications and contractual requirements.
• Coordinates with survey teams and dredging operations personnel to verify excavation limits, monitor dredge progress, identify production variances, and support accurate measurement of completed work.
• Develops project execution plans that consider dredging methodologies, equipment selection, marine logistics, environmental restrictions, sediment characteristics, material handling, and disposal requirements.
• Coordinates dredging activities involving barges, cranes, support vessels, tugboats, material transport equipment, and other marine construction resources.
• Oversees dredged material handling, transportation, and placement or disposal activities in accordance with project specifications, environmental permits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develops and maintains project schedules, including critical milestones, equipment mobilization, production targets, subcontractor activities, and project completion requirements.
• Monitors project budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete projections, productivity, equipment utilization, and overall financial performance.
• Identifies potential project risks, operational challenges, differing site conditions, schedule impacts, and cost exposures, developing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Manages project documentation, including daily production reports, quantity tracking, progress reports, change orders, subcontractor coordination, and customer communications.
• Procures materials, equipment, subcontracted services, and other resources necessary to support successful project execution.
• Interprets construction drawings, dredging plans, hydrographic surveys, technical specifications, contract documents, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates with customers, engineering consultants, port authorities, government agencies, subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders throughout project execution.
• Supports compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements, including project-specific permits, water quality restrictions, and dredging operational limitations.
• Works closely with Orion's Safety and Environmental teams to ensure safe operations involving marine equipment, dredging vessels, lifting operations, personnel transfers, and active waterfront construction environments.
• Travels to project locations throughout the Pacific Region and other assigned areas as necessary to support bidding, project planning, mobilization, execution, customer coordination, and closeout.
• Promotes effective communication, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement across all project and field operations.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE

• Responsible and accountable for maintaining personal safety and promoting a safe working environment for all employees, subcontractors, and others who may be affected by project operations.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Orion's safety culture and actively supports safe work practices throughout dredging and marine construction operations.
• Responsible for ensuring project personnel understand and comply with applicable safety policies, procedures, and job-specific requirements.
• Authorized and obligated to stop work whenever an unsafe condition, activity, or situation is anticipated or observed.
• Supports safe execution of marine operations involving floating equipment, cranes, barges, dredges, tugboats, lifting operations, and personnel working over or near water.
• Participates in project safety planning, job hazard analyses, safety meetings, incident prevention initiatives, and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, environmental permits, and Company policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with Orion's Safety and Environmental personnel to identify operational risks, implement corrective actions, and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Promptly reports unsafe conditions, incidents, near misses, and violations of applicable laws, regulations, or Company policies.
• Perform other administrative, technical, operational, and safety-related duties as assigned or requested by immediate supervision.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding Company information, including proprietary business practices, customer information, financial data, project documentation, and trade secrets.

Failure to comply with applicable safety requirements, laws, regulations, or Company policies may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

POSITION COMPETENCIES

• Business Acumen (Business Awareness, Knowledge): Demonstrates a strong understanding of business operations, project financial performance, marine construction markets, and dredging operations. Aligns project decisions with organizational goals, profitability, and customer expectations.
• Change Management (Change Readiness, Conflict Management): Demonstrates adaptability in dynamic marine construction environments and supports operational improvements, innovative dredging technologies, and effective organizational change.
• Collaboration (Relationships, Team Interface): Establishes productive working relationships with operations leadership, Superintendents, Dredge Captains, project teams, customers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders to achieve shared project objectives.
• Communication (Verbal, Written): Communicates clearly and effectively with field personnel, management, customers, engineers,