Program and Operations Manager - Construction

Salary : $98,790.00 - $164,976.00 Annually
Location : 400 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 35M00000608
Department: Public Utilities
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: 6/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y ? R espect. E quity. A ccountability. D iversity... YOU !!!


This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• T uition Assistance Program

Description
**PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT RE-APPLY**

The City of Richmond, Department of Public Utilities is seeking a dynamic and experienced Program & Operations Manager - Construction to oversee the execution of natural gas distribution capital improvement projects (CIP), including renewal and new business initiatives. This position will be responsible for managing a $30,000,000+ annual CIP budget and ensuring compliance with the Richmond Gas Works Operations & Maintenance Manual and all federal, state, and local regulations.

The Program & Operations Manager will lead a team of inspection staff responsible for verifying contractor compliance, ensuring project quality, accurate recordkeeping and payment, and maintaining operational efficiency. This role requires a strong leader with knowledge of natural gas distribution systems, project management, and regulatory compliance.

Duties include but are not limited to

• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of renewal and new business natural gas distribution capital improvement projects.
• Manage a $30M+ annual CIP budget, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance project efficiency and quality.
• Coordinate with internal teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and alignment with operational goals.
• Analyze and report on project performance metrics, providing recommendations for improvements.
• Ensure all work adheres to the Richmond Gas Works Operations & Maintenance Manual and complies with PHMSA, OSHA, and all other state and local regulations.
• Supervise a team of inspection personnel, providing guidance on compliance standards and best practices.
• Conduct audits and inspections to verify contractor compliance and project specifications.
• Address non-compliance issues and work with stakeholders to implement corrective actions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of inspection staff, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Promote professional development opportunities and ensure the team is trained in the latest industry standards.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and finance departments to align project goals with overall company objectives.
• Act as a liaison between contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on project progress, risks, and financial performance.
• Work closely with local government agencies, utility companies, and community stakeholders to coordinate project activities.
• Address public concerns and inquiries related to natural gas infrastructure projects.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance or public administration or field related to assignment
• Six years of journey-level professional experience in area related to assignment
• Two years of supervisory experience
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in natural gas distribution, utility construction, or capital project management.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing inspection teams or construction staff.
• Experience managing large-scale capital improvement projects.
• Familiarity with federal and state regulations governing natural gas operations (PHMSA, OSHA, etc.).
• Excellent budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Proficiency in project management software, GIS mapping and Microsoft Office Suite.
• P.E. (Professional Engineer) License or PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
TYPICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.


Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Accounting, budgeting, accounts payable/receivable
• Computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite
• Cultural development
• Data analysis
• Data management
• Electronic databases and related software applications
• Federal regulations pertaining to assigned area
• Federal, state, and local laws and legal procedures related to focus area
• Processes and procedures related to the assigned area
• Project management
• City guidelines and standards
• In-depth knowledge in area of focus

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Communicating and coordinating with various internal and external departments
• Creating and implementing policies and procedures
• Gathering and interpreting data routinely
• Interpreting and applying federal regulations for programs
• Managing contracts, projects, data, reports, etc.
• Overseeing the daily accounting and procurement functions
• Overseeing the financial and operational aspects of programs of focus
• Overseeing daily operations and directing work flow
• Setting timetables, achieving milestones, tracking progress, and taking corrective actions
• Supervising, including conducting performance evaluations, mentoring, etc.
• Understanding a program's intent and application
• Writing standard operating procedures
• Coaching
• Conducting, attending, and participating in various meetings; providing input as needed
• Reviewing, preparing, and submitting reports
• Customer service
• Oral and written communication

Abilities (some combination of the following):

• Adapt
• Think critically
• Grasp overall objectives and determine steps to achieve the objectives
• Multi-task
• Organize
• Problem solve
• Manage time effectively
• Evaluate and analyze data

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently finger; and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, list, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be light work, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at


This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company .

The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program.
With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".


The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01


10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02


5-point Veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following:Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a valid Virginia Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

04


Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High school diploma/GED
• Some college
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's/ Advanced Degree
• None of the above

05


Do you have ten (10) years of natural gas distribution, utility construction of capital project management work experience?

• Yes
• No

06


Are you familiar with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49.192 governing the transportation of natural gas?

• Yes
• No

07


Which best describes your years of supervisory experience?

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of experience
• Ten (10) or more years of experience
• No experience

08


Please select the area(s) in which you have experience.

• Reading construction drawings
• Reading gas map books
• Reviewing and analyzing data
• Developing and implementing budgets
• Working with State Corporation Commission inspectors

09


Which best describes your years of experience overseeing large natural gas projects?

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience
• Five (5) or more years of experience
• Ten (10) or more years of experience

Required Question