Project Manager - Water Treatment Plants

storyconstruction; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

PTO and holidays

401K with company match

Health, dental, vision

Vehicle and cell phone

Life insurance & AD&D

EAP

Flex benefits

Career development plan

Safety reimbursements

Job summary

Story Construction in Ames, IA seeks an experienced Project Manager or Sr. Project Manager to lead complex water and wastewater treatment plant projects across central IA.

The role requires a technical, detail-oriented leader who excels in a collaborative environment with civil, structural, mechanical, and process systems coordination. You will manage project scopes from preconstruction through closeout, develop schedules and budgets, and lead cross-functional teams to meet owner objectives

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience successfully managing commercial/industrial construction projects as GC/CM.
• 5+ years as PM on water treatment facility projects with piping, equipment installation, and mechanical systems knowledge.
• Familiarity with CMAR delivery for water treatment projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead water/wastewater plant projects from preconstruction to closeout.
• Oversee all construction phases ensuring alignment with design, contract, and owner goals.
• Develop schedules, budgets, and forecasts to meet financial targets.
• Lead meetings with owners, engineers, and subcontractors to ensure collaboration.
• Oversee subcontractor selection, negotiation, and performance management.
• Coordinate design/construction to resolve RFIs, submittals, and change orders.
• Monitor progress with site visits, ensuring safety and quality standards.

Skills

Project management

Water treatment

Leadership

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Construction Management degree

Job description

Story Construction is a 100% employee-owned commercial general contractor, construction manager, and design-builder with offices in Ames, IA and Sioux City, IA. As an employee of Story Construction, you’ll have the opportunity to join the ownership group through our employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). At Story, we focus on having a good day, every day, regardless of your role. Everything we do revolves around building a joyful work environment and making a difference in the communities in which we work.

About the role:

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager or Sr. Project Manager to lead complex water and wastewater treatment plant projects across central IA from preconstruction through closeout. This role requires a technical, detail-oriented leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and has a strong understanding of the unique challenges of treatment plant construction including civil, structural, mechanical, and process systems coordination.

What you'll do

• Manage water and wastewater treatment plant projects from preconstruction through final completion, including early design involvement, constructability reviews, cost estimating, and GMP development.
• Oversee all phases of construction, ensuring alignment with design intent, contract requirements, and owner objectives.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and forecasts to ensure financial and operational goals are met.
• Lead project meetings with owners, engineers, and subcontractors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Oversee subcontractor and supplier selection, contract negotiation, and performance management.
• Coordinate design and construction efforts to resolve field issues, RFIs, submittals, and change orders.
• Monitor project progress through site visits, ensuring safety, quality, and production standards are maintained.
• Oversee project documentation including RFIs, submittals, change orders, progress reporting, etc.
• Provide leadership to project teams, including superintendents, project engineers, and field staff.
• Ensure compliance with all appliable environment and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and present project reports, forecasts, and updates to Sr. Leadership and clients.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

What you bring

• 4-year technical degree, a 2-year technical degree with 2 years of experience, or equivalent combination of experience and training preferred. 4-year technical degree in Construction Management, Construction Engineering, or related study preferred.
• Must have 7+ years of experience successfully managing commercial and/or industrial construction projects as a general contractor or construction manager from conception to close-out.
• 5+ years of experience as a Project Manager on water treatment facility projects with a strong understanding of process piping, equipment installation, concrete structures, and mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with CMAR delivery for water treatment projects.

Travel:

This position is based out of our Ames office; however, is expected to visit assigned projects regularly. Projects are typically located in central IA and across the state.

Benefits:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• PTO, paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave
• Company 401K plan with company match
• Health, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
• Company work vehicle and cell phone
• Company-paid term life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Company-paid employee assistance program (EAP)
• Medical and dependent care flex benefits plans
• Career Development Plan personalized to you and your career goals
• Safety boot and prescription safety glasses reimbursement

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

Primarily works out of the corporate office; however, may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, vibrations, loud noises, and more within OSHA standards when visiting the jobsite. Employees may be exposed to outdoor conditions that include inclement weather such as heat, humidity, cold, wind, and dust. May be expected to carry up to 30 pounds regularly and 50 pounds occasionally, stand for long periods of time, walk for moderate-to-long distances on varying surface conditions, climb, crawl, crouch, reach, grip, push, and pull without issue.

Story Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Story is a drug-free workplace, and employment is contingent on the successful passing of a drug test. Story Construction participates in E-Verify.