DFCM Program Manager for Public School Construction Oversight

State of Utah • Taylorsville, UT

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are looking for a Program Manager who knows how to run a complex program, build strong political partnerships, and keep statewide development on track. Step up to direct Public School Construction Oversight —setting cost benchmarks, streamlining permits, and leaving a lasting legacy for local communities!

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in construction management, including project planning, design, construction, commissioning.
• Working knowledge of building permitting, plan review, inspections, and occupancy processes and requirements.
• Working knowledge of the State’s security standards for public education facilities.
• Knowledge of Utah Procurement Code (Title 63G, Chapter 6a), including qualifications-based selection.
• Knowledge of Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) delivery methods.
• Knowledge of facility condition assessment and deferred maintenance methodologies, including APPA and BOMA standards.
• Knowledge of public administration, program management, and regulatory compliance principles.
• Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, and administer large-scale statewide regulatory programs.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and statutory deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex statutory and technical requirements to diverse audiences.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and consensus-building skills.
• Strong analytical skills, including evaluation of construction cost data, benchmarking, and policy recommendations.

Nice To Haves

• Comprehensive knowledge of public school construction, including project planning, design, permitting, plan review, construction inspection, commissioning, and occupancy.
• Working knowledge of the International Building Code and related I-Codes as adopted by the State of Utah.

Responsibilities

• Serves as DFCM's primary resource for LEA administrators, school districts, design professionals, contractors, and other stakeholders regarding program requirements, policy interpretation, and dispute resolution.
• Serves as DFCM's primary point of contact for Local Education Authorities, the Legislature, and other public and private stakeholders in K-12 construction.
• Provides Public School Construction program direction and support to DFCM staff providing program support, including DFCM Building Officials, project management and support staff, and potential future staff hired to support the program in the administration of statewide public school construction oversight activities.
• Develops, implements, and maintains program policies, procedures, standards, forms, and guidance consistent with statute and administrative rule.
• Evaluates program performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and implements operational enhancements.
• Coordinates program implementation with governmental agencies, industry organizations, design professionals, contractors, and school districts.
• Prepares and presents annual reports to the Education Interim Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee as required by statute.
• Makes recommendations to the Division’s leadership team regarding possible administrative rule or statute changes.
• Coordinates with DFCM leadership and project managers on projects requiring or being requested to be managed by the Division.
• Monitors statewide workflows for early project applications, application reviews, approvals, and issue resolutions where needed while ensuring regulatory oversight does not unnecessarily delay project delivery.
• Actively manages the Public School Construction Online Portal activity to ensure project requests, A/E contract fee approval requests, and construction contract approval requests, upholding statutory compliance and ensuring regulatory oversight does not unnecessarily delay project delivery.
• Works with the DFCM Building Officials to oversee and monitor construction building permit and occupancy statuses, ensuring regulatory oversight does not unnecessarily delay project delivery.
• Ensures optimal communication practices are upheld between DFCM and LEA staff in all oversight and administration activities.
• Conducts and directs annual compliance audits of active projects and special audits involving safety concerns, statutory compliance, or construction cost benchmarking anomalies.
• Administers the Division's enforcement program, including written warnings, compliance orders, administrative penalties, and referrals of significant violations to the appropriate authorities.
• Represent the Division in the case of an appeals filing.
• Administers the Division's School Construction Facility Condition Assessment and Deferred Maintenance Reporting Program, including development of assessment standards, reporting requirements, and implementation schedules, and prepares statutorily required annual reports for submission to the appropriate legislative committees.
• Ensures DFCM Building Code Officials effectively coordinate with school construction project teams, consistently meet statutory review timelines, and verify the timely issuance of Construction Permits, Certificates of Occupancy, and Certificates of Completion.
• Assists DFCM Building Officials in coordinating concurrent plan reviews with the State Fire Marshal and State Security Chief through EDMS, maintains effective working relationships with both offices, and resolves escalated review issues to maintain project schedules.
• Monitors statewide permitting performance and recommends process improvements to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Develops, maintains, and periodically updates statewide public school construction cost benchmarks by school type and geographic region as required by statute.
• Oversees A/E contract fee submissions for compliance with the Division's published fee guidelines and provides oversight for alternative delivery methods, including CMGC, Design-Build, and Design-Bid-Build.
• Reviews construction contract benchmark submissions, evaluates cost-per-square-foot metrics against published benchmarks, and recommends approval or variance justification.
• Works with DFCM Support Services team in the administration of the Qualified Contractor Registry, including contractor applications, qualification standards, performance evaluations, and periodic registry updates.
• Coordinates with the Utah State Board of Education, the Legislature, the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, and other state agencies on public school construction policy and implementation.
• Coordinates an annual Public School Construction Conference for LEAs, design professionals, contractors, inspectors, and other industry stakeholders.
• Participates in the development and delivery of statewide training programs for LEAs covering program requirements, Construction Management Portal use, permitting, code compliance, procurement, and cost reporting.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed