Area Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Area Operations Manager plays a crucial role in the project. This role will oversee daily field operations and contractor activities while focusing on safety, quality, schedule, cost, and performance to meet contract requirements and DOT standards.

The responsibilities include planning and deploying crews and equipment, setting up safe work zones, and coordinating supervisors and subcontractors for effective roadway maintenance and construction. This position will track production and budgets, monitor KPIs, and develop clear reports and action plans. Additionally, it will lead incident responses, manage risks, support training, and drive improvements in safety and artistry. This position requires a strong field presence, regular communication with DOT representatives, and flexibility for night or weekend work as needed.

This salaried position reports to our Holly Hill, FL office. A dedicated take-home company pickup truck and fuel card are assigned for work-purposes only.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide daily oversight of field operations, including resource allocation, activity scheduling, workload prioritization, issue resolution, customer service, and direct interface with FDOT representatives.
• Supervise company personnel and subcontractors performing maintenance and field operations. Ensure work is delivered safely on time and within budget by FDOT contract and subcontract terms.
• Own and implement the project safety program. Update the site-specific safety plan, lead safety training and tailgate talks, verify regulatory compliance, and promote a strong, proactive safety culture.
• Develop weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans for maintaining highway and bridge assets, aligning people, equipment, and materials to meet program goals.
• Ensure transportation assets meet FDOT Maintenance Rating Program (MRP) standards, specifications, and reporting requirements; monitor scores and drive corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with Department-designated personnel. Provide clear written and verbal communication to plan, coordinate, and accomplish daily work.
• Use the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to manage work orders, capture production and quantities, perform quality control checks, and generate accurate reports and dashboards.
• Coordinate quality, schedule, cost, and performance tracking, including budget adherence, unit production, and KPI reporting; escalate risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Support traffic control compliance by verifying that MOT setups and removals meet MUTCD and FDOT standards; assist as needed to protect work zones.
• Lead incident and storm response within the area of responsibility, mobilizing crews and equipment, setting priorities, and providing timely updates to FDOT and project leadership.
• Maintain ethical conduct and integrity consistent with the Company's Code of Business Conduct; model professionalism in all interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Manager to meet contract requirements and client expectations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge

• Transportation maintenance practices and DOT standards for roadway and bridge assets, including work zone safety and MOT fundamentals.
• Field operations for maintenance and construction, equipment capabilities, and vehicle use in highway environments.
• Basic budgeting, scheduling, and KPI tracking for production, quality, and cost control.

Skills

• Lead and manage crews and subcontractors on similar-sized projects, set clear priorities, and hold teams accountable.
• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally with FDOT, clients, and field teams; Spanish bilingual ability is a plus.
• Use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and standard software, including CMMS, for work orders, reports, and dashboards.
• Analyze issues, resolve field problems quickly, and coordinate resources to meet safety, schedule, and quality targets.

Abilities

• Make sound decisions under pressure, especially during incidents and storm response.
• Work outdoors in all weather, day or night, and maintain situational awareness near live traffic.
• Travel within the project area, drive company vehicles safely, and support hands-on field oversight as needed.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 23 years old (per company insurance requirements).
• Must possess an active and valid Florida driver’s license with no restrictions and be able to pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and maintain insurability under company policy.
• Basic math, reading, and recordkeeping skills to complete work orders and material logs accurately.
• Ability to obtain Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) or Flagger certification within company timelines
• Willing and able to travel within the assigned district and report to different work sites; living within a reasonable response time to the yard is preferred.
• Compliance with the company's Drug and Alcohol Policy; able to pass pre-employment and random testing. A background check and job-related physical may be required.
• High school diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, operations management, or a related field preferred.
• Ten or more years of field operations experience in transportation, roadway maintenance, roadway construction, or public works. Experience managing similar-sized projects is expected.
• At least five years in a supervisory or operations management role leading crews and subcontractors, with responsibility for safety, schedule, quality, and cost.
• Direct experience working with DOT standards and contracts; prior work with a state or local DOT or toll authority is a plus.
• Hands-on familiarity with highway maintenance and construction equipment and field operations.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or similar work-order/asset systems.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered (for example, a high school diploma plus 10+ years of relevant field operations leadership).
• Completion within one month of role start: Basic and Intermediate Work Zone Traffic Control, NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800, and FDOT Level 1 Incident Commander training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, operations management, or a related field; a master’s degree in business or engineering is a plus.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in highway/bridge maintenance or construction operations, including direct responsibility for safety, schedule, quality, and cost.
• 3–5 years in a supervisory or management role leading multiple crews and subcontractors on DOT contracts.
• Prior experience managing FDOT, VDOT, or SCDOT asset maintenance projects, including familiarity with MRP/AMPER performance measures.
• Proven experience overseeing multi-project or multi-district portfolios and coordinating regional resources (people, fleet, equipment).
• Track record of mobilizing new contracts (start-up staffing, equipment procurement, work plan development) and improving underperforming operations.
• Documented participation in incident and storm response operations with after-action reporting and program improvements.
• Experience collaborating with client representatives and agency inspectors and preparing audit-ready documentation and reports.