Project Manager

Project Manager

West County Wastewater (WCW) is an award-winning wastewater treatment and resource recovery agency that collects and treats wastewater for reuse. We are committed to protecting public health, our community and the environment. WCW's administrative office and Water Quality & Resource Recovery Plant are located in beautiful Richmond, California where we serve west Contra Costa County.

The Position

WCW is seeking a Project Manager to lead capital projects that support reliable service, environmental stewardship, and the community WCW serves. This position manages work from planning through completion, including scope development, procurement, consultant and contractor coordination, budget and schedule oversight, design, construction, implementation, and closeout.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, collaborative, organized, and solutions-oriented project leader who communicates clearly, builds strong working relationships, and coordinates effectively across departments. They bring sound judgment, follow-through, and a practical approach to advancing projects while balancing competing priorities and stakeholder needs. The successful candidate will be comfortable supporting a variety of District priorities, including internal operations, with professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to public service.

We are looking for someone who can:

• Manage multiple projects while keeping work organized, on track, and aligned with District priorities.
• Coordinate staff, consultants, contractors, and resources to support successful project delivery.
• Prepare clear project updates and present information to the Board of Directors, stakeholders, and the community.
• Approach challenges with sound judgment, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Support a culture of equity, inclusion, collaboration, and public service.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Your work will directly support essential public services and community impact.
• You will work on meaningful projects in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• You will have opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to District-wide priorities.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will manage multiple projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• You may need to navigate complex stakeholder needs and expectations.
• Accuracy, follow-through, and attention to detail will be important in a fast-paced environment.

Competencies Desired:

• Decision Making: Making timely decisions based on facts, circumstances, and organizational needs.
• Strategy Development: Understanding how projects affect operations, departments, and the overall organization.
• Critical Thinking: Evaluating project information, progress, and risks to support sound decisions.
• Writing: Communicating clearly and effectively in writing.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Self-Management: Demonstrating organization, self-discipline, dependability, and follow-through.
• Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Drawing meaningful conclusions from quantitative and qualitative information.
• Communication: Conveying information clearly to key stakeholders in written and verbal formats.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.

Essential Duties

Depending on assignment, duties may include but are not limited to, the following:

Directs the work of the project team, including but not limited to, construction inspectors, drafters, administrative staff and professional services consultants.

May perform or direct investigations, design, drafting, survey, mapping and data collection tasks, reviews completed work and evaluates staff performance.

Manages capital improvement program projects, including master/program plans, planning studies, design, consultant planning, design and/or construction contract administration/ construction management and may perform construction inspection.

Provides technical input on operating and modifying District facilities, including treatment plant process and administrative facilities, lift stations, sewer mains and related projects.

Prepares or directs the preparation of progress payments, change orders; completes reports, including text, charts, maps, diagrams and sketches.

Prepares project status reports and makes oral and written presentations to staff, supervisors, regulatory agencies, elected officials and the public.

Prepares high quality Board documents, staff reports and presentations for senior management and the Board on projects.

Performs construction inspection as needed.

Advises others on status of technical issues related to assigned design work and projects.

Researches publications and industry information sources to remain current with modern developments, principles and procedures.

May participate in the planning, checking, review and processing of plans for private developments affecting sewers and related District facilities and ensures that they meet all District-imposed requirements; analyze materials and design submitted to the District.

Prepares various applications for state and federal grants and loans and administers such grants and loans.

Coordinates work between departments and consultants.

Assists Senior Project Manager and Capital Program Manager with project management related tasks.

Makes periodic clear and effective written and verbal presentations to the Board, stakeholders and others to keep them informed of project status and updates.

Assists in procurement and selection process for consultants.

Assists in reviewing the design of capital projects in order to determine potential obstacles and works with engineers and others to develop a resolution.

Ensures that the project moves forward in a timely, cost-effective manner, making changes and adjustments as necessary.

Evaluates, recommends and implements procedures for data acquisition, management and quality control.

Plans and participates in meetings, discussion groups and other types of events to promote project visibility.

Serves as a key resource for project information and resolves problems or questions referred by internal and external sources.

Conducts final inspections and reports for the project.

Prepares Requests for Proposal, Requests for Qualification, and Invitations to Bid; assists in the negotiation, preparation and administration of professional services and construction contracts.

Participates in the establishment and implementation of project goals and objectives, and maintains adherence to project administration techniques, policies and procedures.

Develops and implements project budgets.

Reviews and approves invoices from contractors. Monitors financial reports to ensure proper accounting of project expenditures and works with financial staff to resolve issues.

Skills

The following skills are required to perform the essential duties of this classification.

• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Coordination
• Monitoring
• Time management
• Project management
• Interpersonal/active listening
• Judgment and decision making
• Complex problem solving
• Directing the work of the project team

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation, if needed) will be considered. A person with the following training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process. Education and Experience Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in project management involving the monitoring and control of project scope, budgets, scheduling, and/or oversight of design and construction of wastewater and recycled water facilities; or six years of progressively responsible work in construction contract administration including construction management, coordination and management of capital projects. OR An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, civil, mechanical or sanitary engineering, construction management, or public or business administration can substitute for two year of experience. The Associate's degree plus four years of progressively responsible experience in project and/or construction contract administration involving project cost estimating, scheduling, cost control activities, and/or oversight of engineering design and construction of wastewater and recycled water facilities also qualifies in meeting minimum requirements. OR A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in architecture, civil, mechanical or sanitary engineering, construction management, or public or business administration can substitute for four years of experience. The Bachelor's Degree plus a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience project and/or construction management involving project estimating, scheduling, cost control activities, and/or oversight of engineering design and construction of wastewater and recycled water facilities also qualifies in meeting minimum qualifications. Licenses and Certificates A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) or equivalent organization can substitute for three years of experience. A Construction Management Certification from an accredited two or four-year university or college system, or an equivalent organization, can substitute for one year of experience. Must possess a valid California driver'