Utility Construction Project Manager

GMB Powerline Services LLC; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

GMB Power Line Services is seeking an experienced Utility Construction Project Manager to oversee distribution, substation, and transmission projects. You will plan, execute, and close out complex utility infrastructure initiatives, ensuring safety, schedule, cost, and client satisfaction.

You will lead multi-discipline teams, coordinate with safety, operations, and field leadership, and implement disciplined project controls.

Qualifications

• 5+ years utility construction experience with at least 3+ years in a Project Manager role
• Proven delivery in both planned capital work and storm restoration environments
• BS in Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent field experience
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA 1910.269, OSHA 1926 Subpart V, NESC, switching & tagging, and commissioning practices
• Proficiency in project controls software (Primavera, MS Project, Excel, Microsoft 365)
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable MVR; ability to pass DOT and utility background requirements
• Willingness to travel extensively and support storm mobilizations (nights/weekends/holidays)
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

• Translate RFPs into executable work plans, budgets, and schedules (Primavera/MS Project/Gantt) and support development of proposals in response to RFPs
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) tailored to distribution, substation, and transmission scopes
• Lead job kickoff planning including crew loading, equipment planning, outages and energization coordination
• Maintain 2–6 week look‑ahead schedules and manage distribution, substation, and transmission scopes
• Coordinate with safety, operations and field leadership to ensure schedule adherence, material usage and cost control
• Deliver complete closeout packages including test/commissioning records and O&M documentation
• Provide regular performance reporting to VP Operations and manage project budgets across multi‑discipline scopes
• Travel extensively to support storm mobilizations and client interfaces

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Project controls

Education

BS in Construction Management or Engineering

Tools

Primavera

MS Project

Excel

Microsoft 365

Job description

GMB Power Line Services is a family-owned, West Virginia utility contractor. Our IBEW crews deploy rapidly from regional hubs—spanning the Gulf Coast, Northeast, Midwest, and beyond—to restore and maintain power infrastructure with uncompromising safety and quality. Committed to operational excellence, we’re growing our fleet and workforce while prioritizing a safer, more reliable energy grid. Join our tight-knit, union-proud team and help power progress in every community we serve.

Position Summary:

GMB Powerline Services seeks an experienced Utility Construction Project Manager with demonstrated delivery experience in distribution (OH/UG), substation, and transmission construction projects. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and closing out utility infrastructure projects across voltages and scopes—including planned capital work and emergency storm restoration. The Project Manager owns schedule, cost, quality, safety, compliance, and client satisfaction, while directing work through Construction Project Senior Managers, Superintendents, General Foremen, and Foremen, and coordinating closely with Safety, Operations and Fleet.

The successful candidate brings hands‑on understanding of utility construction practices across distribution, substation, and transmission environments and applies disciplined project controls, strong field presence, and data‑driven decision‑making to ensure contract compliance and operational excellence.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Project Planning & Preconstruction

• Translate utility Requests for Proposal (RFPs), one‑lines, Issued-for-Construction drawings, relay schematics, switching orders, and technical specifications into executable work plans, budgets, and schedules (Primavera/MS Project/Gantt) and support development of proposals in response to RFPs
• Develop Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) tailored to distribution, substation, and transmission scopes
• Lead job kickoff planning including:
• Crew loading strategy (linemen, substation techs, transmission crews)
• Equipment and specialty tool planning
• Outage windows and switching/tagging coordination
• Commissioning and energization strategy
• Coordinate permitting, environmental and Right-of-Way constraints, dig‑safe/locates, material submittals, and vendor onboarding

Execution & Field Coordination

• Maintain 2–6 week look‑ahead schedules across distribution, substation, and transmission scopes and manage:
• Overhead and underground distribution installation and cutovers
• Substation construction and Protection & Control integration
• Transmission structure erection, stringing, and energization readiness
• Resolve RFIs, field changes, and constructability issues in real time
• Conduct weekly check‑ins with field leadership to review:
• Schedule adherence
• Material inventory and usage
• Productivity metrics
• Cost exposure and risk mitigation
• Remove constraints impacting outages, switching approvals, and access

Safety Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Champion GMB’s Power Safe culture across all voltage classes and project environments
• Integrate Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), tailboards, and switching/tagging planning into project execution
• Ensure compliance with:
• OSHA 1910.269
• OSHA 1926 Subpart V
• National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
• Utility-specific construction standards
• Coordinate with Safety Representatives on audits, near‑miss investigations, and corrective actions
• Enforce energized work controls, Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)/clearance procedures, PPE standards, and Hours of Service compliance for CDL crews
• Work orders
• Redlines and as‑builts
• Switching documentation
• Inspection reports
• Material reconciliations
• Timekeeping and equipment logs
• Ensure timely identification and documentation of change orders
• Coordinate with Billing to ensure contract‑compliant invoicing
• Deliver complete closeout packages including:
• Test and commissioning records
• Photographic evidence
• O&M documentation per utility specifications
• Provide regular performance reporting to VP Operations
• Manage project budgets across multi‑discipline utility scopes
• Monitor labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and storm costs
• Forecast cost‑to‑complete and identify risk exposure early
• Take corrective action to avoid margin erosion
• Escalate financial concerns to VP Operations and Executive Leadership as needed

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Serve as primary client interface for assigned utility projects
• Coordinate with utility engineering, operations, and outage control teams
• Maintain vendor and supplier relationships to ensure timely procurement and compliance with specifications
• Support Ben Anderson as a shared resource for periodic tasks until additional Blue‑Sky work becomes available, while maintaining direct reporting accountability to Jeremy Lienert

Other:

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals, including tasks outside of the primary job function as operational needs evolve.

Qualifications

Technical Scope Expectations (Required Experience)

Candidates must demonstrate working knowledge and project oversight experience in the following:

• Substation Construction (Greenfield & Brownfield)
• Foundations and structural steel erection
• Bus work, breakers, switches, and high‑voltage apparatus installation
• Raceway and cable tray systems
• Outage coordination and switching plans
• Distribution Construction (OH/UG 4–35kV)
• Framing, setting poles, and line construction
• Conductor stringing and sagging
• Reclosers, regulators, capacitor banks
• URD duct bank, directional bore, and terminations/splicing
• Cutovers and make‑ready coordination
• Switching/tagging with utility operations
• Transmission Construction (69kV–345kV+)
• Structure erection and foundation installation
• Specialized access planning and heavy equipment logistics
• Right‑of‑Way and environmental compliance
• Outage planning, clearances, and energization readiness

Required:

• 5+ years utility construction experience with at least 3+ years in a Project Manager or equivalent leadership role overseeing distribution, substation, and/or transmission projects
• Proven delivery in both planned capital work and storm restoration environments
• BS in Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent field experience
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA 1910.269, OSHA 1926 Subpart V, NESC, switching & tagging, and commissioning practices
• Proficiency in project controls software (Primavera, MS Project, Excel, Microsoft 365)
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable MVR; ability to pass DOT and utility background requirements
• Willingness to travel extensively and support storm mobilizations (nights/weekends/holidays)
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Preferred:

• PMP or equivalent certification
• Journeyman Lineman or Substation Technician background highly valued
• Experience managing energized work planning
• Experience coordinating with relay/testing vendors and third‑party commissioning teams
• Strong understanding of electrical theory and high‑voltage construction sequencing
• Familiarity with Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and IEEE standards
• Experience with utility QA/QC inspection processes

Job Type:

Full‑Time, Salary (Exempt)

• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance Options
• Voluntary Benefit Options
• 401(k) Plans

Physical & Travel Requirements:

This role requires up to 40% travel, including overnight travel and occasional short‑notice travel during storm or emergency response events. Travel may include visits to project sites, storm locations, utility partners, and corporate offices. A valid driver’s license and ability to travel by vehicle and air are required.

The position is primarily office‑based but includes periodic field visits to active construction and utility sites

Candidates must be able to sit for extended periods, work at a computer, communicate effectively, and occasionally stand, walk uneven terrain, climb stairs, and wear required PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, high‑visibility vest, composite‑toe boots). Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally is required.

Storm Duty & Operational Support Requirement

As a company supporting critical infrastructure and emergency response operations, all employees share a responsibility to support storm restoration and emergency response efforts when activated. Storm duty may require extended hours, travel to affected areas, and temporary reassignment of duties to meet operational needs. While on storm duty, employees may be required to assist in functions outside of their regular role or department to support restoration, logistics, safety, or administrative efforts. Flexibility, teamwork, and a willingness to respond where needed are essential components of employment.