Project Manager -Utility Engineering-Capital Improvement Projects- Utility Systems Department

City of Port St. Lucie; Port Saint Lucie (FL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Port St. Lucie is seeking a qualified professional to manage design, construction, and permitting of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and fiber optic assets.

You will oversee project kickoff to closeout, ensure compliance with FDEP and other regulations, and coordinate across divisions. The role is an Essential Position for Emergency Management, requiring availability during emergencies and strong leadership in utilities projects, budgeting, and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; related experience may substitute for minimum qualifications
• 4+ years progressively responsible utility construction experience; inspection/coordination/management preferred
• 3+ years electronic plan review, markup, and programming experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversees design and construction of utility infrastructure for the Utility Systems Department
• Participates in planning sessions for future water, sewer, and reuse needs
• Guides projects through the City procurement process; prepares items and task orders
• Manages design, construction, technical reports, and permitting from kickoff to closeout
• Maintains focus on goals, timelines, and budgets; oversees inspections for compliance
• Assists in grant applications, budgeting, and closeout as needed
• Coordinates planning across divisions including Distribution, Water/Wastewater treatment, and Maintenance
• Provides mentorship to Project Coordinators in Capital Improvements Division
• Maintains records and reporting for water/wastewater assets and permits

Skills

Water & sewer construction methods

Regulatory knowledge

Engineering basics

Project management

Communication skills

Reading drawings/take-off

Record keeping

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Associate’s degree + 2 years related experience

Tools

Outlook

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

The City of Port St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer.

This position requires the applicant to successfully pass a drug screening.

The starting salary range for this position is $75,511.28 - $86,837.97, depending on qualifications

Responsible, technical, skilled work in the construction and inspection of the City of Port St. Lucie potable water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and fiber optic communication assets while assuring the compliance with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulations as well as other state, federal, and local requirements. Provides plan review and permitting, including but not limited to, FDEP requirements and the state-delegated construction permitting program. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City and its Utility.

This position is considered an "Essential Position" for the purpose of Emergency Management. Emergency duties will be assigned as needed. This position requires 24 hours a day, 7 days per week availability during City of Port St. Lucie emergencies, as determined by City Administrators, the Emergency Manager, or City Officials.

The following duties are illustrative for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Utility Systems Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintaining high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Oversees the design and construction of utility infrastructure on behalf of the Utility Systems Department.
• Participates in planning sessions with Department leadership, contributing insights into future water, sewer, and reuse needs.
• Guides design and construction projects through the City’s procurement process, preparing agenda items, change orders, amendments, and task work orders as needed.
• Manages design, construction, technical reports, and permitting from project kickoff to closeout. Maintains focus on project goals, timelines, and budgets. Oversees construction inspections to ensure compliance with City, state, and federal regulations.
• Assists in grant applications, management, budgeting, and closeout as necessary.
• Facilitates planning, design, construction, and permitting efforts across other divisions, including Distribution and Collection, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, Maintenance, etc.
• Provides mentorship to Project Coordinators within the Capital Improvements Division.
• Manage records and reporting for all aspects of the City’s water and wastewater system assets, including compliance reporting for construction permits as delegated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
• Conducts project closeout activities, including review of record drawings, warranties, permit certifications, final pay applications, retainage releases, punch lists, and asset inventories.
• Serves as a resource to engineers, contractors, City staff, vendors, and the public regarding ongoing projects and activities.
• Assists in preparing presentations for City Council, Planning & Zoning Board, and other municipal or public agencies as required.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and a minimum of one (1) year of relative experience required; or graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree and a minimum of two (2) years of relative experience and/or training required. Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of utility construction required, preferably including installation, inspection, and coordination or management roles. A minimum of three (3) years of electronic plan review, markup, and programming experience preferred. Experience managing a high volume of complex projects is preferred.

A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of water and sewer construction methods, relevant laws, and industry standards from multiple perspectives: field installation, inspection, and management.
• Familiarity with permitting and regulatory requirements from agencies such as FDOT, FDEP, and SFWMD.
• Understanding of basic engineering principles, construction standards/specifications, and inspection techniques.
• Proficiency in software applications including Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Bluebeam ReVu.
• Knowledge of scheduling and budget monitoring principles.
• Familiarity with City and departmental policies and procedures.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, cost estimates, and construction documentation within tight deadlines.
• Ability to present project concepts and proposals effectively to internal staff, City Council, public agencies, and the public.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, prepare take-off materials and as-built drawings, and enforce construction standards.
• Ability to inspect construction sites for compliance with approved plans, permits, and City codes.
• Ability to maintain accurate records in accordance with retention guidelines.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, consultants, officials, and the public.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and models respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through on assigned tasks and maintain trust and confidence within the department and community.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions that may be adverse and extreme (heat, humidity, cold, rain, etc.). The employee is frequently exposed to noise, dust, fumes, airborne particles, uneven surfaces, heights, and stressful situations.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.