Construction Senior Engineer Associate

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Construction Senior Engineer Associate works in the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Construction & Materials Division on Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Minor Improvement Program (MIP) projects. The role manages and coordinates project documentation, records, reporting, tracking, contracts, payments, and federal compliance. It serves as the Construction Branch’s contract management role, overseeing on-call construction management consultant, constructability, and job order contracts. The position uses software systems for construction management, scheduling, cost analysis, federal labor compliance, and DBE reporting, and is responsible for contract management, constructability reviews, and staff training.

The role coordinates construction project delivery and administration, including contract preparation, expenditure monitoring, cost and cash-flow review, project setup, records management, compliance checks, closeout, and audit responses. It also leads procurement and administration of assigned contracts, develops and updates policies and procedures, delivers training, conducts constructability reviews, and represents MCDOT in meetings with internal and external stakeholders. The role supports compliance with county, state, and federal requirements, including labor, DBE, Buy America/BABA, FHWA, ADOT, and Department of Labor requirements.

Work occurs in both office and field environments. The position is eligible for hybrid flexibility after a brief training period. Physical demands include exerting 20–25 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly. Exposure may include loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, chemicals, electricity, moving mechanical parts, varying weather, fumes, dust, mists, gases, and poor ventilation.

Requirements

• Two years of professional pre-registration civil engineering experience or hydrology experience; certification as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) may substitute for the experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Structural, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or another listed engineering field), Landscape Architecture, Surveying, Hydrology, Environmental Science, Geology, or a related field.
• A valid Arizona driver’s license by the time of hire, or the ability to obtain one by that time.
• Ability to pass any required pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation, including drug and alcohol testing for positions designated as safety-sensitive.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience in federal construction projects, federal-aid highway or grant-funded services at the federal, state, or local government level, or construction contract compliance of horizontal projects.
• Postgraduate degrees or professional-level related experience may substitute for education or experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver construction projects for the Transportation Improvement Program and Minor Improvement Program, including contract preparation and administration, expenditure monitoring, cost review, financial information collection, and cash-flow tracking and forecasting.
• Review special provisions and plans for compliance with construction standards and constructability; participate in developing upcoming projects and interpret plans, specifications, and contracts against applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Monitor consultant-managed construction activities, deliverables, project timelines, meetings, partnering activities, project issues, change orders, punch lists, final walkthroughs, and lessons learned.
• Set up assigned federal and non-federal projects in department applications, organize project folders and documents, attend project meetings, and review subcontracts, Subcontract Request Forms, insurance certificates, bid documents, and bidder costs.
• Maintain Construction Branch records and reporting, and verify that construction contracts, subcontracts, and submittals meet county, state, and federal requirements; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Track and close out TIP and MIP projects; manage construction record documents, conduct independent compliance audits, coordinate project documentation, research audit responses, and organize meetings and agendas concerning contract requirements and compliance.
• Monitor project documentation and consultant requirements, including file structures, record documents, construction management software, and weekly and monthly updates; identify and resolve missing files in closeout packages.
• Oversee and update filing structures across the division drive, SharePoint, ATSER, consultant files, and project files.
• Manage Job Order, Construction Management, and Constructability On-Call Contracts, including preparing solicitation documents, leading procurement through contract award, monitoring assignments, renegotiating fees, tracking usage and monetary limits, advising staff and contract holders, and providing information for future contracts.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve construction project compliance and efficiency; train internal and consultant staff as procedures change and as staff are onboarded.
• Represent MCDOT in stakeholder meetings, including pre-bid meetings, and provide guidance on county requirements; coordinate partnering meetings with contractors, subcontractors, MCDOT communications, and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Serve as backup for contractor and agency interfaces; develop and distribute Construction Branch procedures and directives and interpret applicable federal, state, county, and departmental requirements.
• Initiate and oversee corrective actions for contractor, subcontractor, or construction management firm noncompliance; answer questions and review Buy America and BABA paperwork.
• Maintain and review workplace poster requirements and the Bulletin Board checklist, and visit sites to verify Bulletin Board compliance.
• Lead the Construction & Materials Division’s ADOT CA recertification effort; compile audit responses, reconcile findings, and update manuals and processes.
• Share regulatory and agency updates, attend quarterly CA Peer group meetings, present challenges and requirements, report findings, and mentor new peer group members.
• Act as a primary consultant contact for contract compliance, subcontractor coordination, federal compliance, agency and department updates, directives, procedures, and policy questions.
• Lead periodic updates to the Construction Manual, including its Federal section, track needed revisions, and keep construction forms relevant and updated as regulations and policies change.
• Conduct comprehensive constructability reviews to identify design, scheduling, and construction challenges before project implementation; develop and deliver training to enable EA staff to conduct reviews independently.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Hybrid work schedule option after a brief training period
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for the employee and qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to the Maricopa County Kids Club
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit with an 11.98% per-paycheck contribution rate and 100% employer match on Day 1

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior