Project Manager - Water/Wastewater Services

CDM Smith; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead municipal drinking water, wastewater treatment, and pump station projects in Northern California, based in Concord or Sacramento. You will serve as the primary client contact, guide multidisciplinary teams, and ensure decisions are sound from planning through construction administration and program management.

The role requires significant leadership, technical credibility, and the ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk

Qualifications

• 7 years of related experience.
• PMP/CCM/DBIA certification within 12 months of hire or promotion.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience can substitute for degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide project leadership from initiation through closeout with clear priorities and roles.
• Serve as principal client contact and translate complex data into actionable guidance.
• Apply sound engineering judgment in municipal water and wastewater planning and design.
• Define objectives, scope, schedules, and budgets; ensure governance and success metrics.
• Manage project costs, revenue, cash flow, and invoicing; monitor variance and action plans.
• Oversee scope, schedule, risk, and change management with disciplined processes.
• Develop resources and coach staff; coordinate internal and external experts.
• Support business development and client relationship growth through quality delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Project management

Technical judgment

Education

Bachelor's Degree

PMP / CCM / DBIA certification within 12 months

CA Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co‑workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

CDM Smith has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Project Manager to join our West Pacific group and lead municipal drinking water, wastewater treatment, and pump station projects in Northern California. The successful candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for clients, provide confident leadership to multidisciplinary teams, and bring the technical credibility needed to guide sound decisions from planning and design through construction administration and program management.

This position may be based in Concord or Sacramento, California. As a member of this team, you will contribute to CDM Smith's mission by:

Project Leadership:

Provide visible, accountable leadership from project initiation through closeout. Establish clear priorities, decision paths, roles, and performance expectations; create an environment in which team members raise risks early, collaborate across disciplines, and remain focused on client outcomes. Make timely decisions, resolve conflicts constructively, coach project staff, and elevate issues when needed to protect safety, quality, schedule, budget, and client commitments.

Client Communication and Relationship Management:

Serve as the principal day‑to‑day client contact and trusted advisor. Communicate clearly and proactively with client executives, technical staff, regulators, partners, and internal stakeholders. Lead effective meetings and presentations; translate complex technical, schedule, cost, and risk information into concise, decision‑ready recommendations; confirm commitments and follow through. Manage expectations, address concerns early, and build relationships to support client satisfaction, repeat work and long‑term partnerships.

Technical Credibility and Quality:

Apply sound engineering judgment and sufficient technical depth in municipal water and wastewater planning, design, and construction to challenge assumptions, integrate multidisciplinary input, and guide defensible project decisions. Understand the basis of design, key technical risks, permitting and constructability considerations, and and quality requirements. Lead technical reviews, engage appropriate subject‑matter experts, and ensure deliverables are accurate, coordinated, practical, and responsive to client needs. Provide guidance to engineers, designers, construction personnel, contractors, and subcontractors.

Project Development and Planning:

Define project objectives, scope, approach, deliverables, schedules, budgets, governance, and success measures using lessons learned. Prepare clear statements of work and work breakdown structures, obtain stakeholder concurrence, identify project risks and opportunities, and establish practical mitigation and contingency plans. Ensure adherence to company project management policies, procedures, and practices.

Financial and Commercial Management:

Manage project costs, revenue, profitability, cash flow, and forecasting. Monitor performance against the approved plan, identify and quantify cost and schedule variance, and communicate corrective actions promptly. Prepare and review timely client billings, support collection of outstanding invoices, and review subcontractor and vendor invoices. Recognize out‑of‑scope work early and secure appropriate authorization before proceeding.

Scope, Schedule, Risk, and Change Management:

Continuously evaluate project status, critical path, dependencies, risks, and commitments. Use project performance information to anticipate issues, implement recovery actions, and elevate material concerns. Apply disciplined change management protocols, document decisions, align internal and external stakeholders, and maintain clear accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables. Ensure safety plans and audit corrective actions are addressed.

Resource Management and Team Development:

Develop and maintain a realistic resource plan, secure the right internal and external expertise, and coordinate subcontractor and vendor support in accordance with procurement requirements. Clearly communicate assignments, deadlines, quality expectations, and decision authority. Provide timely direction, coaching, recognition, and constructive feedback, and partner with supervisors to support staff development and address performance concerns.

Business Development and Sales Collaboration:

Partner with sales and technical leaders to identify and shape opportunities, assess delivery risks, and develop credible scopes, staffing plans, schedules, and fees. Support interviews, proposals, and client presentations with a clear understanding of client drivers and project outcomes. Create opportunities for additional services and repeat business through strong execution, technical credibility, and trusted client relationships.

Professional and Industry Engagement:

Represent CDM Smith through participation in relevant professional societies and industry activities, strengthening technical networks, market awareness, and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 7 years of related experience.
• PMP (PMI), CCM or DBIA certification is required (within 12 months of hire or promotion onto the Approved Project Manager list).
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Professional Engineer (PE) license in California, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary project teams and managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, and client expectations.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering.
• 15 years of related experience in engineering consulting.
• Experience managing Northern California municipal water or wastewater projects valued at more than $1 million.
• Established relationships and successful project experience with municipal clients in Northern California.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, and construction‑phase services.
• Strong technical knowledge of municipal water and/or wastewater systems, with the judgment to lead technical decisions and quality reviews.
• Executive‑level communication, facilitation, negotiation, networking, and team‑building skills.
• A record of developing staff, building accountable teams, and earning client trust through reliable project delivery.

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Pay Range Max

USD $210,434.00

Pay Range Min

USD $120,266.00