Dams, Levees and Civil Works Construction Business Class Lead

HDR•Omaha, NE

32d

About The Position

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES The Dams, Levees and Civil Works (DLCW) Construction Business Class (BC) Lead is responsible for technical and programmatic leadership for the planning, design integration, and construction delivery of HDR’s Dam and Levee projects, and for 3rd party CM projects where HDR is not the designer. The position will report to the DLCW BC Director. The duties of the DLCW Construction BC Lead are to lead strategic planning, risk management, and direct and oversee all aspects of HDR’s DLCW projects during the construction phase of work, and to work with design teams to consider constructability and costs during the design phase.The position will be required to work closely with other business class leaders within HDR, including but not limited to, the Construction Management Business Class Director. The selected candidate will direct and oversee HDR’s DLCW construction support activities, with a focus on making sure the design intent is met, providing engineering support during construction, developing scope for and providing construction administration services, in evaluating QC and QA test data and observations, and in avoiding or supporting the management of claims. The selected candidate may also be required to serve as the lead engineer, technical lead, or project manager on DLCW design projects. The position will lead or support development and maintain HDR’s presence in the industry through building our reputation and through participation in professional organizations to maintain and raise the profile of HDR’s DLCW program. The duties of the DLCW Construction BC Lead are to lead strategic planning, risk management, and direct and oversee all aspects of HDR’s DLCW projects during the construction phase of work, and to work with design teams to consider constructability and costs during the design phase. The position will be required to work closely with other business class leaders within HDR, including but not limited to, the Construction Management Business Class Director. The selected candidate will direct and oversee HDR’s DLCW construction support activities, with a focus on making sure the design intent is met, providing engineering support during construction, developing scope for and providing construction administration services, in evaluating QC and QA test data and observations, and in avoiding or supporting the management of claims. The selected candidate may also be required to serve as the lead engineer, technical lead, or project manager on DLCW design projects. The position will lead or support development and maintain HDR’s presence in the industry through building our reputation and through participation in professional organizations to maintain and raise the profile of HDR’s DLCW program. This position plays a key role in aligning design decisions with construction realities, including staging, access, materials, foundation treatment, design changes, and risk management during construction. The DLCW Construction BC Lead supports corporate portfolio risk management, assists with project development and delivery, and builds strong client relationships, particularly with owners, construction contractors, and oversight boards. The role includes mentoring mid- and junior-level engineers with an emphasis on constructability, field engineering, and effective collaboration between design and construction teams. The position will be responsible for supporting reviews and actions according to HDR’s Matrix of Authority (MOA) and risk management. The selected individual will work closely with the DLCW BC Director and other DLCW leaders, Hydropower BC leaders, Field Services Group leadership, project managers, and operations leaders in reviewing go/no go decisions, SOWs, contracts, and project pricing. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying construction risks early and helping make sure they are addressed in design, through contracting strategy, and construction execution plans. The position will also require coordination with HDR’s other regional and corporate business class technical leads and advisors. The position will be responsible for supporting reviews and actions according to HDR’s Matrix of Authority (MOA) and risk management. The selected individual will work closely with the DLCW BC Director and other DLCW leaders, Hydropower BC leaders, Field Services Group leadership, project managers, and operations leaders in reviewing go/no go decisions, SOWs, contracts, and project pricing. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying construction risks early and helping make sure they are addressed in design, through contracting strategy, and construction execution plans. The position will also require coordination with HDR’s other regional and corporate business class technical leads and advisors. Keyword(s): dam, levee, reservoir, spillway, flood control, water, construction, coastal, riverine. Location and Travel The geographic location of this position is non-specific; however, a location with significant HDR presence is preferred. The estimated average travel requirement is 50%25 or greater, with monthly variations between 0%25 and 100%25.The anticipated UT range for this position is 70 to 80%25.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
10 years of experience
Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience
Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 15 years of experience in dam design, construction support, inspection or related field.
Leadership experience on dam, levee, or related flood control projects requiring close integration of design and construction.
Experience in the design of large heavy civil multidisciplinary projects and with construction cost estimating.
Extensive understanding of various contract delivery methods, including but not limited to design-bid-build, construction manager at risk, design-build, and progressive design-build.
Experience in identifying potential claims and in managing or supporting the resolution of construction claims.
Experience related to the design and construction of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) and earthen dams.
Experience related to foundation preparation and treatment including grouting of new or existing dam foundations.
Experience working with consultant review boards, independent technical review panels, or construction oversight boards.
Experience in considering risk informed decision making (RIDM) during design development and construction execution.
Familiarity with the USACE risk management tools and/or other federal risk programs, including USBOR and FERC.
Experience with construction oversight and engineering during construction of new high hazard dams or for major modifications to existing high hazard dams.
Master’s degree in civil, mechanical, geotechnical, and structural engineering.
Certified Construction Manager (CCM) by the Construction Management Association of America
Applicants must be self-starters that are highly motivated and team oriented.
Strong technical writing abilities, solid engineering background, and effective presentation skills are necessary for this position.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning
Risk management
Direct and oversee all aspects of HDR’s DLCW projects during the construction phase of work
Work with design teams to consider constructability and costs during the design phase
Direct and oversee HDR’s DLCW construction support activities, with a focus on making sure the design intent is met
Provide engineering support during construction
Develop scope for and providing construction administration services
Evaluate QC and QA test data and observations
Avoid or supporting the management of claims
Serve as the lead engineer, technical lead, or project manager on DLCW design projects
Lead or support development and maintain HDR’s presence in the industry through building our reputation and through participation in professional organizations to maintain and raise the profile of HDR’s DLCW program
Supports corporate portfolio risk management
Assists with project development and delivery
Builds strong client relationships, particularly with owners, construction contractors, and oversight boards
Mentoring mid- and junior-level engineers with an emphasis on constructability, field engineering, and effective collaboration between design and construction teams
Supporting reviews and actions according to HDR’s Matrix of Authority (MOA) and risk management
Reviewing go/no go decisions, SOWs, contracts, and project pricing
Identifying construction risks early and helping make sure they are addressed in design, through contracting strategy, and construction execution plans
Coordination with HDR’s other regional and corporate business class technical leads and advisors