Project Manager - Electrical Construction

Job Description

Job Description

We are hiring an experienced Senior Electrical Project Manager to oversee public works electrical construction projects from contract award through closeout across Southern California. This full-time exempt role operates out of our local office with regular travel to job sites. The position serves as the primary contact for school districts, municipal entities, county departments, and federal agencies, while directing field foremen, journeymen, and apprentices to ensure projects finish on schedule and on budget.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple public works electrical construction projects concurrently from preconstruction through project closeout.
• Maintain direct ownership of project schedules, job costs, quality control, and jobsite safety compliance.
• Act as the lead point of contact for project owners, agency project managers, general contractors, architects, electrical engineers, and Division of the State Architect (DSA) and Inspector of Record (IOR) personnel.
• Prepare, process, track, and close out RFIs, submittals, change orders, schedule of values (SOV), monthly progress billings, and project closeout packages.
• Review electrical design drawings, schematics, and technical specifications against the National Electrical Code (NEC) and California Electrical Code to eliminate constructability issues prior to field installation.
• Estimate, negotiate, and process change order proposals, including cost analysis, labor impact, time extensions, and public owner documentation.
• Establish and monitor project budgets, cost-to-complete forecasts, cash flow, and labor hour projections, providing monthly financial reports to executive management.
• Direct and schedule electrical superintendents, foremen, journeymen, and apprentice electricians across multiple project sites.
• Coordinate material procurement, buyout, and staging for long-lead equipment including switchgear, transformers, distribution panels, generators, and commercial lighting control systems.
• Enforce public works compliance rules including California prevailing wage, certified payroll, Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requirements, and mandated apprentice ratios.
• Lead and attend owner-architect-contractor (OAC) meetings, preconstruction meetings, and jobsite progress walks.

Qualifications

• 10 or more years of commercial electrical project management experience working for an electrical subcontractor on public works installations.
• Direct experience running projects for public agencies, municipal bodies, K-12 school districts under DSA oversight, or federal facilities.
• Thorough technical knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and California Electrical Code Title 24.
• Proven ability to interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, engineering specifications, and architectural blueprints.
• Hands-on experience preparing and executing construction administration documents including RFIs, change order requests, schedule of values, and pay applications.
• Background managing field manpower, crew labor allocation, and trade foremen across concurrent commercial construction jobs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for writing contract letters and presenting to agency stakeholders.
• Professional interpersonal skills to collaborate with building inspectors, general contractors, trade partners, and field crews.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Valid California driver license with an insurable driving record for operating a company vehicle.
• Physical capability to walk active construction jobsites, inspect physical work in progress, and navigate uneven terrain.
• Ability to pass required Live Scan and Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) background checks for public agency site clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active California Journeyman Electrician or General Electrician certification, or extensive field trade background.
• Bachelor degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience using Electrical Bid Manager (EBM) or Accubid estimating software for change order calculations.
• Working proficiency with construction management software including Procore, Bluebeam Revu, and Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project.
• Knowledge of federal construction standards, Davis-Bacon compliance, SAM registration, and NAVFAC or USACE project submittal procedures.
• OSHA 30, Project Management Professional (PMP), or DBIA certification.

Mel Smith Electric, Inc. is a mid-sized electrical contractor that has served Southern California for 50 years, with a focus on public works. Our projects include K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, fire stations, police stations, and federal facilities. We are looking for a Senior Electrical Project Manager who knows how public agency work is run and can own projects from award through closeout.

Company Description

Mel Smith Electric, Inc. is a mid-sized electrical contractor that has served Southern California for 50 years, with a focus on public works. Our projects include K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, fire stations, police stations, and federal facilities. We are looking for a Senior Electrical Project Manager who knows how public agency work is run and can own projects from award through closeout.