Staff/ Sr. T&D Construction Manager

Portland General Electric; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland General Electric is seeking a Construction Manager to lead complex T&D construction projects that impact grid reliability and safety across Oregon. In this role, you will manage construction activities ensuring timely, safe, and budget-compliant project delivery.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management, contract oversight, and technical knowledge of T&D systems. Join PGE to contribute to wildfire mitigation and enhance system reliability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in construction management or related field.
• Experience with contract management and compliance.
• Knowledge of T&D design, construction, and maintenance practices.

Responsibilities

• Establish project plans and supervise construction activities.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Project management

Construction knowledge

Contract management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering or related field

Job description

Summary

Lead critical T&D (substation and/or line) construction projects that directly impact grid reliability, safety, and wildfire mitigation across Oregon. Portland General Electric (PGE) is seeking a dynamic Construction Manager to oversee complex transmission and distribution construction activities, ensuring projects are delivered safely, with the highest quality, on time, and within budget. In this role, you will work predominantly on construction projects on our transmission and distribution system throughout the PGE service territory, requiring a strong working knowledge of the PGE system, technical design details, construction standards, and specifications. You will partner closely with our partners in Line and Substation Operations as well as other internal stakeholders, leveraging strong relationships to drive successful project outcomes. Experience with both greenfield and brownfield substation construction and/or complex transmission and distribution overhead and underground line construction, along with a solid foundation in construction project management principles, is essential. As a key member of the Construction Management team, you will lead contracted construction activities across PGE’s T&D organization while also supporting wildfire mitigation initiatives and broader PMO work. You will provide engineering and project‑related support, including technical construction management, planning and design input for new or upgraded installations, and coordination across multiple asset classes. You will also bring expertise in contract management, coordination, and inspection for construction and maintenance projects – ensuring compliance, managing risk, and driving accountability across contractors and project teams.

Responsibilities – Staff Construction Manager (Grade 7 / P3)

Project Planning

Establishes project implementation plans for moderate to more complex substation, transmission and/or distribution construction and other major capital projects; prepares bid documents; conducts site visits; reviews and evaluates bid proposals; reviews contractor construction plans and safety, crane lifts and shoring plans; negotiates contract terms and makes recommendations for contract awards for the more complex projects; uses proven project management tools and systems.

Environmental Requirements

Coordinates permit/environmental requirements for moderate to more complex projects; provides updates to PGE’s Environmental Services.

Constructability

Integrates construction knowledge into the conceptual planning, design, construction and field operations of a project with the goal to achieve timely, accurate and cost-effective overall project objectives; reviews construction processes for moderate to more complex projects from start to finish during preconstruction phase; identifies obstacles before the project is built to reduce or prevent errors, delays and cost overruns.

Project Coordination

Manages multidiscipline construction activities with T&D management and engineering personnel and consultants for moderate to more complex projects; coordinates work activities with substation and line personnel to minimize risk to transmission and distribution (T&D) system operations; monitors project status to ensure schedule is maintained and completion is timely; tracks budget; assesses project performance; reports progress; identifies potential problems; evaluates effectiveness of project processes; ensures construction activities support system outage windows and operations priorities.

Contract Administration

For moderate to more complex projects, screens potential bidders on contracts, manages contracts as PGE representative, monitors contractors’ work and verifies materials and workmanship to ensure contract deliverables meet contract specifications; ensures compliance with permits; negotiates changes with contractor and prepares change orders; reviews and approves payment of invoices.

Safety Practices and Training

Assures project safety by establishing and maintaining effective communication between engineering and construction participants and by ensuring the use of safe working practices in accordance with company safety culture, safety programs and policies and relevant state and federal laws, regulations and requirements; provides safety training to contractors when necessary.

Claims and Issue Resolution

Identifies and resolves contractor performance issues or problems and contractor claims, including settling disputes with and among contractors and subcontractors.

Responsibilities – Senior Construction Manager (Grade 8 / P4)

Project Planning

Delineates the scope, budgeting, scheduling and resource and performance requirements for the most complex substation, transmission and/or distribution construction and other major capital projects; establishes project implementation plans; oversees preparation of bid documents, conduct of site visits, review and evaluation of bid proposals and review of contractor construction plans and safety, crane lifts and shoring plans; negotiates contract terms and makes recommendations for contract awards for the most complex projects; uses proven project management tools and systems.

Environmental Requirements

Oversees and ensures coordination of permit/environmental requirements for highly environmentally sensitive and the most complex projects; provides updates to PGE’s Environmental Services.

Constructability

Oversees and provides authoritative advice on integrating construction knowledge into the conceptual planning, design, construction and field operations of a project with the goal to achieve timely, accurate and cost-effective overall project objectives; reviews construction processes for the most complex projects from start to finish during preconstruction phase; identifies obstacles before the project is built to reduce or prevent errors, delays and cost overruns.

Project Coordination

Manages multidiscipline construction activities with T&D management and engineering personnel and consultants for the most complex projects; coordinates work activities with substation and line personnel to minimize risk to transmission and distribution (T&D) system operations; monitors project status to ensure schedule is maintained and completion is timely; tracks budget; assesses project performance; reports progress; identifies potential problems; evaluates effectiveness of project processes; ensures construction activities support system outage windows and operations priorities; provides training, oversight and coordination of internal and external inspection resources.

Contract Administration

For the most complex projects, screens potential bidders on contracts, manages contracts as PGE representative, monitors contractors’ work and verifies materials and workmanship to ensure contract deliverables meet contract specifications; ensures compliance with permits; negotiates changes with contractor and prepares change orders; reviews and approves payment of invoices.

Safety Practices and Training

Assures project safety by establishing and maintaining effective communication between engineering and construction participants and by ensuring the use of safe working practices in accordance with company safety culture, safety programs and policies and relevant state and federal laws, regulations and requirements; designs and provides safety training to contractors when necessary.

Claims and Issue Resolution

Develops effective communications and mechanisms for resolving conflicts; identifies and resolves contractor performance issues or problems and contractor claims, including settling disputes with and among contractors and subcontractors.

Education / Experience / Certifications

Education

Requires a bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering or other related field or equivalent experience.

Experience

P3: Typically five or more years of experience in construction management, project management, engineering or related field.

P4: Typically eight or more years of experience in construction management, project management, engineering or related field.

Certifications, Licenses and Training

Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Requires valid driver’s license.

Minimum Competencies

P3: Intermediate

P4: Advanced

Construction practices, codes and standards; T&D design, construction and maintenance practices; Procurement and contract administration; Project controls and estimates; Heavy civil construction materials and processes; Safety laws, regulations and company safety programs; Construction project management tools and systems.

General Competencies

• Analytical thinking
• Conflict management
• Decision-making
• Diplomacy
• Negotiation
• Organization and prioritization
• Problem-solving
• Project management
• Communication skills

Physical, Schedule/Attendance, and Cognitive Demands

The following requirements apply to both P-levels of this position.

• Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Frequently (at least once a week or more)
• Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use: use computer regularly for entire work shift
• Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 50lbs.
• Carrying: Up to 10lbs.
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance: Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings)
• Walking distances and surfaces: Long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces
• Stairs: Over 10 steps
• Ladders: Over 10 rungs
• Environment: Office, Plant, Field

Equal Employment Opportunity

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do.

One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting.