Project Manager III

About our opportunity:
The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Project Manager III in the Water Resources department. This department manages a variety of construction and infrastructure projects that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the Asheville Water System. The ideal candidate blends technical engineering expertise with robust project management skills to deliver cost-effective, reliable water systems for the community. 

The purpose of the Project Manager III position is to manage all phases of multi-faceted construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation projects from inception to completion. This role oversees projects from conception through completion, managing budgets, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, and ensures full compliance with City, County, and regulatory standards. This includes programming, planning, design, coordination, plan review, bid administration, contract award, and construction administration.

The focus of this Project Manager position within the Water Resources Department will be to primarily support and advance capital improvement projects related to water treatment and production, reservoir infrastructure, and watershed improvements. Initially the projects under this position’s purview will have an emphasis on disaster recovery and resiliency efforts, which will require closely working within FEMA and NCEM protocols. As recovery and resiliency projects are completed the position's emphasis will transition to support of typical water treatment and production projects.

Position is Full Time at 37.5 Hours per Week, with a typical schedule of 5 days, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

Minimum Hiring Annual Salary for Project Manager III: $80,140.83, actual hiring rate will be determined based on candidates skills and qualifications.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Leads and coordinates daily work activities of assigned co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers; assists with complex/problem situations and provides technical expertise; assists with training and instructing co-workers regarding operational procedures and proper use of equipment; and assists with supervision of co-workers by reporting employee problems and provides expert technical advice, information, and consultation in field of specialty to consultants, contractors, engineers, City staff and officials, and the public regarding applicable procedures, regulations, and standards; and contributes formulation of City policies pertaining to area of expertise.

Assists with planning, implementation, and administration of assigned projects: develops and maintains list of potential infrastructure improvement projects; and analyzes and prioritizes projects for maximum impact and return on investments.

Serves as the project liaison to the public, media, other government agencies, and other City departments/officials regarding project planning, design and construction progress: solicits input and feedback; coordinates public relations and education activities; responds to inquiries; makes presentations to City Council, and neighborhood and civic groups; develops press releases and public information materials for distribution; and participates in legal activities relating to assigned projects.

Represents the project internally for all City concerns: consults with City administrators, managers and officials to review status of projects, review and resolve problems, receive advice and direction, and provide recommendations; facilitates and coordinates project meetings, communications, and work activities between key business units, project teams, government agencies, and other participants; assists in resolving problems or conflicts between project participants; recommends solutions to problems and facilitates implementation; and prepares executive summaries and reports for presentation to BOC, commissions, boards, or other officials as requested.

Manages administrative aspects of the project: negotiates and monitors budget and expenditures; updates project schedules and monitors progress of project in meeting established schedule; processes purchase order requisitions, work orders, and invoices; reviews project progress reports submitted by contractors and work crews; coordinates acquisition and/or maintenance of required permitting; schedules inspections to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements; facilitates adherence to all reporting and documentation requirements; and evaluates and monitors progress against performance and quality measurements.

Supervises and provides direction and assistance to consultants, contractors, and work crews: organizes, prioritizes, and coordinates work activities; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work to ensure compliance with contracts, including costs, schedule, specifications, and quality of work; and provides technical expertise and assistance with complex/problem situations. Coordinates and participates in the programming phase of the project, including planning and preliminary design and concepts: identifies user needs and requirements; confers with all appropriate parties to solicit input and feedback; develops cost projections, engineering specifications, project budgets, and schedules; and facilitates approval of project and final design.

Coordinates process for bidding and contracting of services of various project components in conjunction with departmental or City contract administrators; prepares various type of procurement documents; prepares bid packages; conducts pre-bid and pre-construction meetings; issues addendum to clarify questionable issues; participates in negotiations of scope of services and fees for professional services agreements; and makes recommendations regarding selection of vendors and awarding of contracts.

Manages projects during construction phases; attends regular project progress meetings; works with consultants, contractors, and work crews to resolve problems and initiate the appropriate solutions; assists with field decisions and approves change orders as appropriate; prepares, reviews, and processes change orders for changes to contracted scope of work; monitors adherence to project schedules; inspects quality of construction work and materials; coordinates final inspections with contractors and engineers; and facilitates project acceptance with other City departments or government agencies.

Prepares, coordinates, and/or reviews construction and engineering plans, designs, and specifications pertaining to assigned projects: performs or requests the consultant to provide modeling, testing, planning, and engineering studies in support of project analysis and design; reviews and verifies engineering calculations and analysis submitted by consultant engineers meets specifications and professional standards; verifies compliance of consultant recommendations to City policy; and makes recommendations concerning improvements, modifications, design strategies, structural systems, or other aspects of project development.

Communicates with (edit /add as appropriate) City administrators and elected officials, supervisor, subordinates, other City employees, contractors, the public, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, budget and financial records, project plans and designs, schedules, staff and progress reports, communications materials, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management, Engineering or a related field required; supplemented by five years of progressively responsible experience in applicable project management; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and local government project management experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license. Must possess and maintain Professional Engineer’s license. Licenses must be registered in the State of North Carolina or have the ability to receive reciprocity in NC within 6 months of hire.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City and departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Working knowledge of FEMA programs and protocols as related to disaster recovery is desired.

Performance Aptitudes:  Data Utilization; Human Interaction; Equipment, Computer, and Materials Utilization; Verbal Aptitude; Mathematical Aptitude; Functional Reasoning; Situational Reasoning.

ADA Compliance:

• Physical Ability: Occasional tasks in the field require very moderate physical effort, typically involving some combination of balancing, climbing, negotiating uneven terrain, crawling, crouching, bending or twisting, and may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (25-50 pounds). Other tasks associated with the position may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

• Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

• Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com .

About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person’s age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.