*Contract Role
Salary: $48.55 hourly

 

Primary Function

Under general supervision, this position provides project management and related services within an assigned area. The role involves planning, managing, coordinating, and executing all project activities to ensure work is completed on schedule and within the approved budget.

The position leads the development of project, resource, and staffing plans; secures necessary resources; tracks and reports progress; and troubleshoots issues to ensure all project results meet technical quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness standards. Responsibilities include maintaining a reliable work plan and schedule, resolving resource and support issues, and ensuring efficient system performance.

This role also monitors performance, recommends schedule adjustments, cost forecasts, or resource additions as needed, and performs risk management to evaluate how changes affect project status, budget, and timeline. It requires establishing and maintaining cooperation between various work groups and overseeing one or more projects that may involve multiple tasks, disciplines, employees, and contractors.

Projects may include analysis, permitting, engineering design, construction, testing, and implementation of new facilities intended to enhance District business processes. The goal is to improve project success rates through the consistent application of project management principles, methods, tools, and standards.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics 

The Project Manager is distinguished from the Project Coordinator by the higher level of expertise, independence, and accountability required in managing complex projects. Project Managers independently oversee the full range of assigned projects, performing duties with minimal guidance across multiple business disciplines.

They lead diverse and specialized work involving decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and technical oversight. This includes resolving resource support issues, integrating contract and District work groups, and addressing complex technical problems. Project Managers may also supervise Project Coordinators or support staff within their assigned department, collaborating closely on contracts, department operations, and civil, electrical, and/or information systems engineering activities.

Project Managers lead initiatives from start to completion — coordinating activities, allocating resources, managing equipment, and maintaining all project plans, reports, and technical documentation. They serve as the primary point of contact for the project team, ensuring effective communication and seamless coordination among stakeholders.

Typically, individuals in this role are certified Professional Project Managers (PMP or equivalent) who apply their expertise across a wide range of functions and project types. Advancement to higher levels is not automatic and depends on the availability of vacant positions and demonstrated capability at the next level.

The incumbent must be available after regular business hours to respond to project-related issues impacting the District or to perform on-site inspections during construction. This position may require irregular hours, frequent travel, and extended periods away from the office.

Additionally, the Project Manager may be called upon to present written reports or oral updates to the Board of Directors, Advisory Committees, or other related committees on project progress and outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The examples of essential functions listed below are representative but not necessarily exhaustive. The incumbent may be assigned other related duties if such functions are a logical fit for the position.

• Manages and completes multiple projects concurrently, varying in size, scope, budget, and impact from initiation through completion. Leads, plans, executes, monitors, and controls all project phases, including initiation, scope, cost, time, communications, human resources, quality, procurement, risk, and stakeholder management. Responsible for achieving results in terms of costs, methods, and outcomes.

• Develops comprehensive project management plans to obtain authorization. Collaborates with the project team to assemble requirements for major work approvals, including scope of work, justification, deliverables, project cost, schedule, permitting, environmental and risk analyses, purchasing requirements, and quality plans. Oversees all work activities and project processes.

• Leads the project team in executing the project management plan across environmental review, permitting, estimating, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, procurement, materials management, constructability reviews, construction, testing, commissioning, and closeout. Achieves results through matrixed teams consisting of professionals, vendors, and contractors.

• Monitors compliance with approved project costs, schedules, and scopes. Identifies risks and potential issues, plans and implements mitigation strategies, and develops recovery plans to keep projects within established boundaries. Exercises judgment in developing plans, budgets, and resources, directing activities, and determining deliverables.

• Collaborates with project owners and stakeholders to define project scope. Measures performance against baselines, identifies variances, and evaluates corrective actions. Prepares and implements change orders and updates project documentation accordingly.

• Develops detailed project schedules, including critical path analyses. Works with the project team to identify tasks and activities required for successful deliverables. Monitors schedule progress, identifies delays, and applies schedule compression techniques to ensure timely project completion.

• Resolves issues and conflicts by setting priorities and ensuring task completion. Escalates complex or high-impact issues to management as needed for resolution.

• Develops and manages project budgets and cost estimates. Works with project owners to secure budget approval, monitors and controls expenses, prepares forecasts and estimates for completion, and uses cost performance indices to identify and implement corrective actions.

• Oversees and coordinates the work of district employees, suppliers, contractors, and consultants involved in analysis, permitting, design, construction, testing, and implementation. Serves as liaison to maintain effective communication between project team members.

• Maintains strong communication with stakeholders, providing updates on project plans and progress. Resolves issues related to work procedures, schedule delays, or construction problems. Conducts meetings such as project kickoffs, planning sessions, progress updates, change reviews, and post-project lessons learned.

• Manages project documentation, both physical and digital. Ensures all records—authorization documents, contracts, change orders, specifications, drawings, budgets, schedules, correspondence, memos, minutes, and reports—are accurate, complete, and properly maintained.

• Leads procurement processes in coordination with the purchasing section and key stakeholders. Prepares solicitation requests, evaluates proposals, coordinates contract negotiations, and presents award recommendations to oversight committees.

• Manages approved contracts to ensure deliverables are met. Provides direction to suppliers, contractors, and consultants, monitors performance, reviews invoices, and manages change orders and amendments through contract closeout.

• Prepares and delivers project reports detailing status updates, completion notices, cost reports, variances, and issue resolutions. Presents findings to management, boards, customers, and agency representatives, and supports reporting on key performance indicators such as schedule and budget compliance.

• Inspects construction sites to verify appropriate progress and address emerging issues. Provides management support during construction and coordinates with engineers and other project team members to ensure successful project delivery.

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities 

• Exhibits high personal standards of professionalism, commitment, and integrity in all work activities.

• Takes ownership of all aspects of project management throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring accountability from initiation through completion.

• Leads and engages project teams to achieve deliverables and performance goals. Mentors and coaches team members to foster professional growth and collaboration.

• Cultivates and maintains positive working relationships with customers, contractors, consultants, vendors, and partners while overseeing work assignments and personnel performance related to the project.

• Makes independent, informed decisions and recommendations that directly impact project outcomes and organizational objectives.

• Exercises sound judgment and discretion in determining methods, processes, and courses of action that significantly influence project success.

• Promotes and models safety practices, adhering to District policies, customer safety protocols, OSHA standards, and all other applicable regulations.

• Delivers consistent, high-quality results that align with customer goals and objectives while maintaining strong work standards and an understanding of business processes.

Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental or organizational objectives.

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Information Systems, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project management within the area of assignment.

• Experience should include applying critical path analysis, project controls, cost estimation, and scheduling; developing and managing contracts and documentation; reviewing drawings and specifications; and using project management–related software systems.

• Progressively responsible, directly related experience may be substituted for education at a ratio of two (2) years of experience for one (1) year of education.

Licensing and Certification

• A valid California Driver’s License issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles is required.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) or an equivalent credential is highly desirable.
   

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Principles and practices of supervision, engineering, and comprehensive project management.

• Project management disciplines, including scope development, work breakdown structures, estimate development, cost control, schedule development, earned value analysis, change management, project financials, and risk management.

• Financial impacts of projects on the District and methods for conducting cost estimates and cost-benefit analyses.

• Contract law and procedures for developing and managing solicitations, service agreements, RFPs, and RFQs.

• Use of project management software and office applications such as Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project.

• Techniques for measuring and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Safe work practices and applicable regulations.

• Engineering principles relevant to civil, electrical, and information systems disciplines.

• Reading and interpretation of engineering drawings, specifications, and construction documents.

• Practices associated with water and energy operations, including maintenance, construction, generation, transmission, and distribution systems.

• Understanding of information systems networks, electrical theory, wiring systems, and substation and transmission infrastructure.

• Relevant laws, codes, and standards, including:

  • Local, state, and federal building codes

  • General Orders 95 & 128

  • State of California Electrical Safety Orders

  • National Electrical and Safety Codes

  • Federal Power Commission regulations

  • California Water Codes

  • CEQA requirements

• District policies, power rate schedules, and service area regulations.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP or Oracle, particularly modules related to project management.

• Civil engineering principles related to water conveyance infrastructure design, hydraulics, and bid specifications.

• Business office methods and procedures, report writing techniques, and principles of planning, budgeting, and accounting.

 

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates accountability for successful project completion and exhibits strong leadership in directing, organizing, motivating, and monitoring project teams, including both employees and contractors.

• Applies effective supervisory and performance management techniques with indirect reports and external partners.

• Exercises strategic planning and continuous improvement to guide project execution.

• Understands and applies contract law, representing the District’s interests during negotiations and dispute resolution.

• Assesses the financial impact of projects and provides informed recommendations.

• Reviews complex problems and develops innovative, practical solutions.

• Prepares and delivers clear, concise written and oral reports for varied audiences and levels of management.

• Determines project requirements, evaluates team capabilities, and delegates effectively.

• Analyzes, organizes, and prioritizes project phases, ensuring efficient documentation and execution.

• Demonstrates analytical and critical thinking when evaluating proposals, bids, and project alternatives.

• Identifies the critical path and manages schedules to meet deadlines.

• Reads, analyzes, and interprets regulations, codes, contracts, and technical procedures.

• Exercises sound judgment in coordinating safety protocols during fieldwork and supervises work under emergency conditions.

• Communicates technical issues clearly to non-technical audiences.

• Maintains composure, adaptability, and professionalism in changing environments.

• Writes accurate and well-organized reports, correspondence, and procedural manuals.

• Works with engineering and mathematical concepts, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.

• Uses strong negotiation skills to lead effective contract discussions with consultants and contractors.

• Demonstrates attention to detail, persistence, and initiative with minimal supervision.

• Effectively interacts and collaborates across departments and stakeholder groups to maintain open communication.

• Communicates technical and economic concepts clearly at all organizational levels.

• Understands and adheres to safety regulations, modeling compliance and best practices.

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with employees, contractors, agencies, and the general public.

• Exhibits reliability, punctuality, and professionalism in attendance and conduct.

Tools and Equipment

• Standard office equipment, computer, and project management software.

• Telephone, fax, copier, calculators, and reference materials.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hat, safety glasses, vest, and boots.

• Field tools such as measuring tape, stakes, hammer, spray paint, shovel, and vehicle for site visits.
   

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and direction to support staff, contractors, and consultants on assigned projects.

• Assigns and reviews work related to project planning and implementation.

• Oversees matrixed teams and vendors who may not be direct reports but for whom the Project Manager is accountable to ensure project success.

• ---

  Work Environment

  While performing the duties of this position, the employee works in a variety of environments:

• Primarily in a well-lit, climate-controlled office setting.

• Frequently in outdoor environments, including construction sites with exposure to varying weather conditions, direct sunlight, and occasional wet or humid environments.

• Regular exposure to dust, fumes, moving equipment, and airborne particles.

• Noise levels range from moderate to loud in construction zones or near machinery.

 

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to talk, hear, sit, and use hands to operate tools, controls, or equipment.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and maintain balance.

• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

• Visual requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus as needed.

• Degree of Physical Effort – Level 3: Work may occasionally require moderate physical effort, coordination, and dexterity.

•  

• Public speaking and presentation preparation.​​​​​​​