Public Works Capital Project Manager (Permanent, Full-Time)

Job Description

Job Description

Public Works Capital Project Manager (Permanent, Full-Time)

Department: Public Works
Reports to: City Engineer
Supervises: None
Wage Scale Grade: 30
2026 Wage: $101,952-$123,888 Based on Experience
Application Window: June 22-July 10, 2026

Purpose of the Position:

This position leads and manages complex, high-visibility capital projects that enhance the City of Chelan’s infrastructure and community assets. Responsibilities include directing all phases of project and construction management, preparing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating with stakeholders such as city departments, contractors, and the public. The role emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and quality, with a focus on delivering projects on time, within budget, and to high standards. By fostering collaboration, resolving challenges, and driving process improvements, this position supports the City’s strategic goals, CLEAR values and enhances the community’s quality of life.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Management Tasks:

• Direct and control multiple projects which are large, complex, highly visible, involve multiple and dissimilar functions and issues
• Prepare and manage consultant agreements for various services including design, surveying, environmental, right-of-way acquisition, construction inspection and other project services.
• Assist the Public Works Director and City Engineer in preparing budgetary considerations relating to capital projects.
• Coordinates and collaborates with accounting staff, planning and development staff, regulatory agencies, permitting and grant agencies, WSDOT and utility companies in the development of assigned projects.
• Develops exhibits and schedules open houses to inform, receive feedback and educate the public on the plans and details of assigned projects.
• Create, update and implement process improvement procedures, tasks, workflows and systems.
• Participate in conceptual and construction project design review. Review construction plans and specifications for conformance to applicable codes. Make recommendations for revisions and improvements to construction plans and specifications.
• Represent the City at public meetings, administrative hearings, and when working with regulatory and other governmental agencies. May also attend and represent projects at Transportation Advisory Board meetings, City Council meetings, and other board meetings as needed. Initiates and maintains contact with all affected and interested parties.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel in developing engineering solutions for maintenance problems. Establish maintenance techniques, procedures, and schedule as needed.

Construction Management Tasks:

• Oversee the bid advertisement, bid opening, and bid award process.
• Lead preconstruction and weekly construction meetings with external consultants and contractors.
• Coordinate construction material submittals and material inspections to ensure compliance with plans and specifications
• Oversee and completes construction administrations tasks which include but are not limited to daily inspection reports; agendas and minutes for meetings; monitoring project schedule and budget; processing payment requests; processing change orders, field orders, and requests for information; punch list development; as-built drawing review and preparation; and project closeout.
• Support and may take the lead in resolving disputes with contractors and in the settlement of claims by or against contractors, as necessary.

Working Conditions & Schedule

Work is performed in a combination of professional office and field environments. Duties include prolonged sitting and computer use, as well as standing, walking, and site visits to development and construction locations. The position requires effective communication in person, by telephone, and electronically; operation of standard office equipment; and sufficient manual dexterity and visual acuity to perform essential job functions.

Field work may involve exposure to active construction sites, uneven terrain, noise, dust, and varying weather conditions. The position may require walking over rough surfaces, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, and occasionally lifting or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Appropriate personal protective equipment may be required during site visits.

Regular work hours are generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours; however, evening or weekend hours may be required to attend public meetings, hearings, or respond to urgent matters. Travel to various City facilities, project sites, and off-site locations is required.

The City of Chelan provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable federal and state law to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge, Abilities & Skills:

• High Quality Work & Integrity: a strong work ethic, and a commitment to quality work are overarching qualities that will contribute to success in this multifaceted role.
• Flexible Responsible Team player: Manages and operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with high expectations for producing quality work, clearly articulating expectations, holding others accountable, and listening effectively while being honest, open, and transparent.
• Multi-department Collaboration: Participates in and leads collaborative and consensus-building efforts of experienced professionals across multiple departments, including Public Works, Facilities, Finance, Planning, etc. in support of meeting timely department and community objectives and needs at a high quality.
• Follow-Through: Takes ownership and ensures forward progress on special projects as assigned, navigating complex group dynamics often involving collaborative organizations, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Analytical Problem-Solving: Given the dynamic and fast-paced environment, the Capital Project Manager needs strong problem-solving skills. This includes making decisions on difficult issues, addressing citizen complaints, resolving disputes with vendors or contractors, and taking ownership of special projects.
• Strong Communication: Effective communication is vital in this role. You need to communicate with various stakeholders, including the Director, staff, citizens, consultants, and vendors/contractors. Collaborative skills are also important for leading cross-departmental efforts, working with partners, and supporting advisory boards and city council.
• Financial Management: The role involves financial responsibilities, such as assisting in the preparation of budgets, managing expenditures, and negotiating and monitoring contracts. Financial acumen and the ability to navigate budgetary constraints are important for success in this position.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in civil engineering, construction management, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field, with extensive experience in administering multi-faceted projects, is required.
• Advanced MS Office skills and some project management software.
• Mix of soft skills and work ethics built through experience: Willingness to share ideas, opinions, and information that is challenging, contradictory, or different; Ability to foster collaboration in pursuit of shared goals; Ability to manage a variety of tasks, responsibilities, and projects while being organized and detail oriented; Excellent written, oral and visual communication skills; Resourcefulness and creative problem-solving skills.
• A valid driver’s license with a driving record that meets an acceptable standard for safety at the point of hire and throughout employment in this position.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as needed, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or to otherwise balance the workload.

Benefits for Full-Time Employees:

• Paid Vacation
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Deferred Comp Plan and 5% City Match
• Medical, Vision and Dental Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Employee Wellness Program