Project Manager - Civil/Public Works

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview

The Project Manager is responsible for leading public works, civil infrastructure, and general engineering construction projects from preconstruction through final closeout. This role manages project budgets, schedules, contracts, procurement, subcontractor coordination, documentation, and client relationships while partnering closely with field operations to ensure successful project delivery.

Projects may include water and wastewater facilities, pump stations, underground utilities, parks and recreation facilities, athletic complexes, site improvements, concrete, paving, earthwork, environmental infrastructure, and other municipal or public agency projects. The ideal candidate has experience managing public works or heavy civil construction projects and understands the financial, contractual, and operational requirements associated with government-funded construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage public works and civil construction projects from preconstruction through final closeout.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, forecasts, cost controls, and procurement plans.
• Lead subcontractor procurement, scope reviews, negotiations, buyout, and contract administration.
• Coordinate with owners, engineers, public agencies, inspectors, subcontractors, suppliers, and field personnel.
• Manage RFIs, submittals, change orders, purchase orders, meeting minutes, and project correspondence.
• Review plans, specifications, and contract documents to identify scope gaps, risks, and constructability concerns.
• Monitor project financial performance, including job costs, commitments, billing, forecasting, and profitability.
• Partner closely with Superintendents to monitor field progress, labor productivity, schedule performance, and quality.
• Coordinate procurement of long-lead equipment, materials, and specialty systems.
• Lead owner, engineer, subcontractor, and internal project meetings.
• Manage permitting, inspections, testing, agency documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Support preconstruction activities including estimating, value engineering, constructability reviews, and project planning.
• Evaluate change conditions and prepare or negotiate change order proposals.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and ensure contract obligations are being met.
• Identify potential project risks and implement solutions to protect schedule and budget.
• Oversee punch list completion, turnover documentation, warranties, and final closeout.
• Maintain strong working relationships with clients, agencies, engineers, and project partners.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of construction project management experience.
• Strong experience with public works, heavy civil, municipal infrastructure, or general engineering construction.
• Experience managing projects involving sitework, underground utilities, concrete, paving, water/wastewater, or related scopes.
• Proven ability to manage projects from preconstruction through completion.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, procurement, and contract administration.
• Experience working with public agencies, inspectors, engineers, and municipal owners.
• Ability to read and interpret civil, structural, mechanical, and utility drawings and specifications.
• Strong understanding of change management, billing, project controls, and job costing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with water/wastewater facilities, pump stations, pipelines, parks, athletic complexes, or municipal improvement projects.
• Familiarity with prevailing wage, certified payroll, public bidding, and agency contracting requirements.
• Experience with self-perform civil construction.
• Proficiency with Procore, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, HCSS, or similar construction software.
• Experience with design-build, design-bid-build, or alternative public works delivery methods.