Utility Project Manager

SOUTHEASTERN SURVEYING & MAPPING CORP•Hickory, NC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Project Manager, you will provide overall management and direction for utility projects. Responsibilities include customer interface, client development, project scoping, scheduling, procurement, cost and progress monitoring, management, and reporting. This role involves supervising and managing all utility activities, ensuring projects are completed within budgetary, regulatory, and time constraints. You will implement change management routines, ensure bids and estimates align with company objectives, and create detailed scopes of work through client negotiation. The position also requires ensuring all client correspondence follows standard company formats, overseeing technical and QA/QC implementation, identifying service delivery improvements, and coordinating project activities with external entities. A comprehensive job packet creation, development of long-term project schedules, and providing day-to-day guidance and training to field personnel are key aspects. You will also be responsible for verifying research, organizing post-project meetings to identify areas for improvement, managing project folder organization for scanning, generating new business leads, engaging in client marketing, and strengthening existing client relationships. The role requires participation in developing long-term goals and objectives, the ability to interpret engineering plans and construction documents, and responding to client inquiries professionally.

Requirements

2-year degree, from an accredited vocational school, college, university or combination of experience and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the above-described duties.
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of managing/surveying infrastructure projects supporting state and local government agencies.
Has thorough knowledge of municipal construction, maintenance, and repair of utility infrastructure, and the methods, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment applicable to establishing and maintaining efficient and effective production.
Thorough knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
Clearly understands the occupational hazards and safety precautions required to perform the essential functions of the work.
Familiarity and experience in using MicroStation is required as it relates to supporting all aspects of FDOT transportation projects.
Proficient with AutoCAD, other CAD programs, and Microsoft Office suite
Computer skills and technical competence.
Proven working experience in project management.
Outstanding written and communication skills and understanding how to provide overall client/project management is a must.
Problem-solving skills to come up with strategic solutions to effectively address operational issues.
Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills.
Time management skills to achieve operation objectives within a set deadline.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Works with the team; contributes to positive team environment; welcomes feedback.
Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Accepts and adapts to frequent change.
Must have the ability to communicate well with clients and other members of the project team.
Works with integrity and acts ethically; supports organization’s culture, goals, and values.
Requires a valid driver’s license and must maintain eligibility to drive as per the Company Vehicle policy.
May occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Regularly required to sit, talk, or listen.

Nice To Haves

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for supervision and management of all utility activities.
Undertakes responsibility for assigned services and activities related to the management of specific utility projects, including bid, construction, and related functions and professional contracts, to ensure completion of projects within budgetary, regulatory, and time constraints.
Implements change management routines to assess change requests, make recommendations, secure client approvals, and issue change orders.
Ensure that all bids and estimates for work are established based on the profit and growth objectives of SSMC.
Create a scope of work for all projects through client negotiation and knowledge of the project, which will define all the details of the project and be used as a communication tool between the Field Manager, the Field Teams, and other Technicians.
Ensure that all letters and proposals sent out to a client, or a potential client are in the form of standard correspondence for SSMC.
Ensure technical and QA/QC on the final product are being implemented before being submitted to a client.
Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; and implements improvements.
Ensure that all RFPs are submitted in a timely manner and that all bids and estimates for work are established based on SSMC's profit and growth objectives.
Coordinates utility project activities with those of other divisions, outside agencies, and organizations and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
Ensure that a comprehensive job packet is created consisting of research materials, the scope of work, the work order, and all necessary forms to complete the project.
Develop comprehensive schedules for long-term projects that reflect the estimated time frame for completion of work based on the scope of work negotiation with the client.
Provide day-to-day guidance and direction to field personnel, including providing feedback on performance.
Provide proper training and support to field staff in survey procedures, as necessary.
Verify that proper research is performed on all projects prior to being released to the field team.
Organize and document a post-project meeting that will highlight any phases of the project that could have been improved either through organizational structure, communication with field and/or client, estimated scheduling, and a review of the job cost (estimated to actually include a variance report).
Organize project folders under your direction to be purged and ready for scanning.
Generate new business leads using various marketing strategies.
Engage and assist in client marketing.
Strengthen existing client relationships.
Participates in and supports the development of long-term goals and objectives.
Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and construction documents.
Accommodate client and job site needs by responding to all inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
Occasionally work in the field performing utility tasks.
May perform light office duties including but not limited to filing, making copies, and scanning.
May carry out other duties as assigned by management.