Assistant Project Manager

Job Description Job Description Summary We are representing a well-established and highly regarded General Contractor seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Project Engineer (SPE) or Assistant Project Manager (APM) with direct experience supporting Division of State Architect (DSA) and Public Works projects throughout the Greater Los Angeles and Orange County regions. This role is ideal for a construction professional who is ready to take the next step in their career — someone who has built a strong foundation supporting complex public sector projects and is eager to grow into greater project ownership and leadership. The ideal candidate is highly organized, technically sharp, and comfortable navigating the unique compliance requirements, documentation standards, and stakeholder demands that come with DSA and publicly funded work. The ideal candidate thrives in structured, process-driven environments and brings familiarity with DSA inspection protocols, public agency requirements, and the documentation-heavy nature of publicly funded construction. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across project teams, inspectors, design professionals, and public agency representatives are essential. Projects typically include K–12 school modernizations and new construction, community college facilities, municipal buildings, public infrastructure upgrades, and other DSA-regulated or publicly bid construction. Key Responsibilities Project Support & Execution Support Project Managers in the day-to-day management of DSA and Public Works projects from preconstruction through closeout Assist in developing and maintaining project schedules, logs, and documentation in compliance with DSA and public agency requirements Review and track drawings, specifications, RFIs, submittals, and change order logs Coordinate with DSA inspectors, Field Engineers, and design professionals to ensure timely approvals and inspections Assist with procurement tracking and subcontractor coordination Financial & Contract Administration Assist in tracking job costs, budgets, and cost-to-complete forecasts Prepare and log RFIs, submittals, change order requests, and potential change orders (PCOs) Support monthly owner pay applications and subcontractor payment processing Maintain organized and complete project files in accordance with public contract requirements Client & Team Coordination Attend and document OAC meetings, DSA coordination meetings, and internal project huddles Support clear communication between field Superintendents, Project Managers, and public agency representatives Assist in coordinating with inspectors of record (IOR), DSA field engineers, and project design teams Maintain updated RFI, submittal, and change order logs and distribute to appropriate parties Quality & Closeout Support quality control efforts in the field by tracking open items, punch lists, and inspection milestones Assist in DSA closeout documentation, including certified payroll compliance, DSA Form 6 closeout, and project record submissions Coordinate closeout deliverables including as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties, and final inspections Project Experience Required DSA-Regulated K–12 School Construction & Modernization Community College / Higher Education Facilities Public Works Infrastructure & Municipal Projects Publicly Bid Projects (DIR, Prevailing Wage, Certified Payroll) Projects ranging from $5M – $50M+ Experience with DSA inspection protocols, IOR coordination, and public agency documentation requirements strongly preferred. Qualifications 3–7+ years of Project Engineer or Assistant Project Manager experience in DSA or Public Works construction Solid understanding of DSA submittal, inspection, and closeout processes Familiarity with public contracting requirements including DIR compliance, prevailing wage, and certified payroll Experience coordinating with Inspectors of Record (IOR), DSA Field Engineers, and public agency owners Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, MS Project, and Microsoft Office Suite Strong organizational skills with attention to documentation accuracy and completeness Excellent written and verbal communication skills Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field preferred Compensation & Benefits Competitive base salary based on experience Performance-based bonus opportunities Medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with employer match Paid holidays and PTO Mileage reimbursement or vehicle allowance where applicable Long-term career growth opportunities within a stable, project-rich organization