Project Manager- Public Works

City of Palmdale, California; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Palmdale, California seeks an experienced Public Works Project Manager to oversee complex capital improvement projects. You will perform professional and technical engineering tasks, manage budgets, and coordinate with staff, consultants, and contractors to ensure compliance with standards and timelines.

The role requires strong knowledge of project management, civil engineering, and procurement processes, including contract administration and grant support.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of project management principles and best practices.
• Proficiency in budgeting, scheduling, and cost control for capital projects.
• Experience with contract administration and vendor liaison.

Responsibilities

• Prepare project cost estimates and budgets for capital projects.
• Manage procurement and award professional service contracts; oversee contracts lifecycle.
• Administer contracts per city policies and funder requirements; monitor changes.
• Coordinate with staff, consultants, and external agencies; lead status update meetings.
• Track project costs and timelines; maintain detailed project files.
• Review plans for public works projects and assist in grant applications.

Skills

Project management

Civil engineering

Budgeting

Contract management

Supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field

Job description

DESCRIPTION

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$57.80 to $73.77. Expected hiring range is as follows: $57.80 to $63.73.

To perform professional and technical engineering and project management for a variety of complex and sensitive capital improvement projects in compliance with applicable standards, specifications, and objectives; research and plan for a variety of capital improvement and maintenance/improvement projects; perform complex engineering plan review related to capital projects; and track and communicate project status to appropriate personnel.

This is an advanced professional journey level class responsible for managing complex and sensitive capital improvement projects. Public Works Project Managers receive general direction from higher level management and are allocated only to the Department of Public Works. Positions at this class level are distinguished from other classes within the engineering series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, and by the nature of the public contact made. Employees may provide direct supervision over assigned staff including technical and professional engineering staff. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

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

• Prepare project cost estimates and project budgets; provide professional and technical engineering support services relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Manage the procurement process for professional service contracts. Receive professional service proposals and review for completeness, appropriateness of the scope of work and compliance with City standards and specification requirements; recommend award of bid and negotiate professional service contracts; manage contract throughout the life of the project (planning, design, and construction).
• Administer contracts and project requirements and standards in accordance with city policies and procedures and funder requirements; define and negotiate contract changes. Apply project management principles to ensure projects are completed in accordance with established schedules, funding source requirements and budgets.
• Interface, communicate and develop partnerships with City staff, consultants, contractors, and representatives from other agencies during project design and construction; coordinate and conduct status update meetings with contractor and applicable city personnel; monitor project budget and schedule and provide status updates to appropriate staff and management.
• Develop methods for tracking and monitoring project costs and timelines; maintain detailed files throughout the duration of the project.
• Review plans and specifications for public works projects including pumping stations, streets, storm drains, sewer lines, street lighting, parks, building and related projects; research project design requirements; perform calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs; help in the preparation of grant applications.
• May serve as liaison with contractors; inspect contractor work to ensure work meets the standards and expectations of the city.
• Review and process consultant or contractor invoices, schedules, submittals, and recommend payment.
• Assist with the development and implementation of contract processing procedures to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner and in compliance with applicable standards.
• Serve as a liaison between the city, public, utilities, permitting agencies and other internal and external stakeholders for assigned projects.
• May plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff related to assigned activities.
• Perform related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of professional and technical engineering as applied to new development and municipal public works.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes related to development, design and construction including CEQA, NEQA, and Public Contract Code.
• Methods and techniques used in the design and construction of a variety of public works projects.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; federal, state, and local funder requirements.
• Principles and practices of safety management.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules including Disadvantaged Business, ADA, green, and CEQA regulations.
• Principles of organization, administration, and personnel management.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.

Ability To

• Develop and implement methods for tracking project related costs and timelines.
• Independently negotiate agreements and modifications; administer contracts.
• Develop, administer, and adjust complex program and project grants and budgets; ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Interpret and explain pertinent City and department policies and procedures.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Manage multiple projects in various phases of completion while ensuring deliverables meet applicable standards and specifications, project budget and timeline.
• Interpret and apply applicable codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to development and construction.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate the work performed by assigned staff.
• Interpret, review, and analyze development proposals, plans, and specifications.
• Make engineering computations and check, design, and supervise the construction of a variety of public works projects.
• Perform professional and technical support services relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Education

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering, construction management, project management or related field including 30 semester units in civil engineering

Experience

Four years of increasingly responsible design, project, and construction management experience, including significant responsibility for public works projects.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements

Possession of a valid