Principal Construction Manager

Sound Transit•Seattle, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Construction Manager will initially split time between closeout activities for the Federal Way Link Extension and startup of the West Seattle Link Extension, eventually transitioning to full-time support of the West Seattle Link Extension. Under the direction of the Director of Construction Management, this position manages assigned areas within the Construction Management Division and oversees construction projects for Link Light Rail, Sounder Commuter Rail, and/or Bus Rapid Transit. The role represents the division during planning, design, and pre-construction; establishes and implements systems and procedures for construction projects delivered through Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and/or GC/CM methods; manages construction management staff and consultants; resolves construction, design, and facilities issues; coordinates with internal teams and outside agencies; and provides complex construction-related administrative support to senior project and construction management leaders. The position directs assigned staff and manages the work of Project Coordinators, Construction Managers, and Deputy Construction Managers. It provides construction management direction for assigned projects, including contract administration and interpretation, and oversees consultant scope, staffing, performance, and contract documentation. The role also contributes to planning and pre-construction activities, budget development and monitoring, project coordination, and compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. The position works from a central or field office and makes frequent construction-site visits to review conditions, safety, security, construction activities, and incident response. The work environment is hybrid, with a minimum of three days per week in the office. Active construction-site work may involve physical activity and exposure to dangerous machinery, extreme weather, physical harm, and extreme noise. The position includes on-call duties and occasional weekend or night shifts for project response and safety situations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five years of construction management experience that includes heavy civil, buildings, and underground structures experience, contract administration, and design management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience; transit or transportation experience is preferred.
Valid state driver's license.
Knowledge of civil engineering and construction management operations, services, and activities.
Advanced knowledge of project management, civil engineering, and construction management practices for Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build delivery.
Knowledge of contract document production, coordination, administration, and interpretation, including General Conditions, Special Conditions, Division 1 Specifications, and Technical Specifications.
Knowledge of construction materials, equipment, labor, means and methods, safety, temporary structures, and risks.
Knowledge of contract negotiation and administration, schedule development and management, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Knowledge of financial management, including budget preparation, expenditure tracking, variance identification, and revenue tracking.
Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
Ability to prepare business letters and basic reports; strong English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Knowledge of modern office procedures, equipment, and computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, statistical databases, scheduling, and contract management programs.
Ability to use personal computer software to complete assigned work, analyze complex data, and prepare spreadsheets and reports.
Knowledge of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the public.
Ability to research, interpret, and administer policies and procedures consistently.
Ability to oversee and participate in a comprehensive civil engineering and construction management program involving interrelated projects or complex functional areas.
Ability to negotiate and administer construction and engineering services contracts and third-party agreements.
Ability to develop and administer divisional or departmental goals, objectives, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; resolve complaints; and apply critical and strategic problem-solving.
Ability to respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing and to develop and monitor departmental and project budgets, costs, and schedules.
Ability to supervise, lead, and delegate tasks and authority.
Ability to perform inspections at active construction sites, stations, and facilities, including locations not currently served by transit, and drive an agency vehicle to monitor construction and respond to emergent situations at any time of day.

Nice To Haves

Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the State of Washington.
Certification as a Certified Construction Manager issued by the Construction Management Certification Institute.
Certification as a Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.
Transit or transportation-related leadership, budgetary, planning, and workforce management experience.

Responsibilities

Plan, direct, coordinate, and review assigned staff work; assign activities, coordinate schedules and programs, provide feedback, and evaluate performance.
Coach, train, motivate, and advise staff; manage employee relations, workflow, training, developmental work plans, and corrective actions as appropriate.
Manage the work and performance of assigned Project Coordinators, Construction Managers, and Deputy Construction Managers.
Make frequent site visits to observe site conditions, safety and security, construction activities, and incident response.
Provide overall construction management direction for assigned projects and ensure consistent understanding and application of contract requirements and changes.
Manage Construction Management Consultant and/or Design-Build Project Management consultant activities, including scopes of work, tasks, staffing, qualifications, performance, lessons learned, contract-document review, and contract administration and documentation.
Manage, participate in, or coordinate construction management activities during planning, design, and pre-construction, including risk and constructability assessments, value engineering, and contracting-method selection.
Resolve construction, design, and facilities issues related to design and construction of agency facilities.
Participate in developing and administering program or project budgets; forecast resource needs; document and monitor costs and expenditures; review and approve expenditures; and implement adjustments.
Support the department and division, serve on committees, prepare and present staff reports and correspondence, and participate in professional group meetings.
Maintain awareness of relevant developments and ensure processes, policies, and practices are consistently and effectively interpreted and applied.
Ensure accountability and compliance with applicable state and federal laws, agency policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Model Sound Transit's core values and values-based behaviors, and contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Follow agency safety rules and procedures and integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Two medical plan choices, a dental plan, and a vision plan at no cost for employee coverage, with comprehensive coverage available for employees and eligible dependents.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
401(a) retirement plan with a 10% employee contribution and a 12% Sound Transit match.
457(b) retirement plan with employee contributions up to the IRS maximum.
25 days of paid time off annually, with increases after four, eight, and twelve years of service; director-level employees and above accrue additional days.
12 paid holidays, up to two paid floating holidays, and up to two paid volunteer days per year.
12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
Pet insurance discount.
No-cost ORCA card for full-time employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for approved expenses.
Inclusive reproductive health support services.
Work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and recognition from colleagues.