Design and Construction Project Manager

  • Full-time

Company Description

With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and opportunities in more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia is the fifth largest city in the United States and one of the largest employers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia operates through the guiding principles of service, integrity, respect, accountability, collaboration, diversity and inclusion. Through these principles, we strive to effectively deliver services, to resolve the challenges facing our city, and to make Philadelphia a place where all our residents have the opportunity to reach their potential. 

Agency Descriptions:

The Managing Director’s Office (MDO) manages and oversees the operations of the City.  Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) is an initiative of the City of Philadelphia (City) MDO to improve physical conditions in selected parks, recreation centers and libraries.  Rebuild is anticipated to be a $500 million initiative funded with bond proceeds, philanthropic funds, City capital funds, and state and federal grants. 

To implement Rebuild, a new office was created within MDO.  Rebuild is led by a senior management team comprised of an executive director and three deputy directors –design & construction, diversity & inclusion and community engagement & communications.  Each deputy director reports to the Rebuild executive director who, in turn, reports to the Deputy Managing Director for Community & Culture.  The Design and Construction Project Manager will report to the Deputy Director of Design & Construction. This position is grant-funded and exempt from City Civil Service requirements.   

Job Description

Salay: $75,000 –90,000/yr commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: 11/1/18

The Rebuild Design and Construction Project Manager will assist in overseeing the delivery of Rebuild park, recreation center and library projects.  The Project Manager will work with the entities completing Rebuild projects to ensure that projects are of high quality and delivered in the most expeditious, efficient manner possible.  Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, providing oversight and direction to enable projects to be completed on time and on budget; serving as a liaison for those managing design and construction and various city departments to ensure smooth project delivery; assisting in the sequencing and grouping of projects; creating systems to ensure efficient City review and approval pathways; reviewing plans and documents and providing feedback to various entities, and researching best practices to help inform Rebuild’s project delivery.  Contact with program management consultants, engineers, planners, architects, contractors and representatives of civic, community and governmental organizations is a significant aspect of the work.  The Design and Construction Project Manager will be responsible for program implementation with the Deputy for Design and Construction and the Program Manager consultant.

Essential Functions:

  • Work with the Rebuild team and Rebuild’s Program Management consultant to create a program management framework for coordinating and overseeing project users and other entities delivering Rebuild projects; help design systems for sound, efficient project delivery and refine systems on an ongoing basis
  • Act as a primary point person for project users and other partners with primary responsibility for delivering Rebuild projects; which will include being knowledgeable with the work of architects, engineers, contractors and other design and construction related consultants 
  • Assist Rebuild team in work with City Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation (PPR), the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) and other partners with various aspects of the Rebuild site selection process and program delivery
  • Coordinate with multiple city agencies to ensure coordinated and successful project delivery; including creating an efficient pathway for all levels of project reviews and approvals
  • Create mechanisms to operationalize the program, e.g., grant application and contracting, oversight, milestone creation and monitoring, completion and handoff
  • Coordinate with PPR, FLP, and other City departments to ensure a smooth transition from construction to operations and maintenance; coordinate with operations and maintenance staff, skilled trades, and procurement functions as appropriate
  • Assist in the review of grant applications from entities applying to work on Rebuild sites
  • Review site designs, plans, specifications, bids and other documents for feasibility, adherence to departmental and professional standards and practices, and compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations; recommend revisions to the plans and specifications, if warranted
  • Oversee and track project progress
  • Attend regular Rebuild design/construction project meetings and meet with consultants and staff to resolve design problems
  • Prepare reports, and perform other ancillary administrative responsibilities related to assigned projects; conduct general administration and oversight of design and construction process; assist in review and recommendation of approval of invoicing, change orders, etc.
  • Disseminate information regarding project status; make written and oral report presentations during stages of the projects
  • Work with Rebuild Deputy Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Mayor’s Office of Labor and the entities overseeing Rebuild projects to achieve projects’ EOP goals and coordinate with Rebuild workforce development programs
  • Coordinate with Rebuild Deputy Director of Community Engagement to ensure project design and delivery is coordinated with results of community engagement process and results
  • Assist with Design Excellence committee and review process
  • Research best practices to help inform pilot projects and future Rebuild projects
  • Research and help inform standards for design excellence
  • Assist with project budget development and adherence; coordinate with Rebuild Office financial management staff
  • Assist the Rebuild Compliance Manager in the development, implementation and maintenance of a policies and procedures “Rulebook” for Rebuild Project Users and contractors, and assist in regular training on the Rulebook for Rebuild Project Users and contractors
  • Act as a resource to Rebuild Project Users and contractors, and assist them in complying with the terms of the “Rulebook” and Rebuild grant agreements

Qualifications

 

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree program in architecture from an accredited college or university
  • 8-10 years experience managing renovating large buildings for multiple business use
  • Experience working with a diverse set of partners, including government, non-profits and residents/community members
  • Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD and project tracking systems such as e-builder or Primavera P6
  • Registration as a professional registered architect with the Pennsylvania State Architects Licensure Board preferred 
  • PA Driver’s License required

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of:

  • The principles, practices, techniques and instruments used in project documentation
  • The principles, theory and practices of architectural planning and landscape architecture
  • The materials and methods used in the construction and renovation of building projects
  • The principles of project management
  • The principles of architectural supervision
  • Computer-aided design, drafting and project management software as related to the work

Ability to:

  • Review design and construction documents with a critical eye toward the restrictions imposed by budgetary appropriations, project schedules, and practical, functional and safe usage by the public
  • Prepare sketches, schematics and presentation and mechanical drawings as necessary
  • Learn municipal procurement and contracting practices
  • Review and coordinate architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, and related design documents
  • Read and interpret architectural and engineering plans and specifications
  • Prepare requests for and evaluate proposals submitted by consultant design firms
  • Prepare requests for and evaluate construction bid documents and construction bids
  • Monitor cost estimates and time completion schedules
  • Plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinates and consultants
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, contractors, departmental officials, and community and city council representatives
  • Develop technical assistance materials and trainings for diverse audiences
  • Resolve architectural design and interpretation problems
  • Inspect projects under construction for adherence to plans, designs, ordinances, specifications and standards, as needed

Capacities Required: 

Integrity – a pattern of honest and ethical decision-making, and the ability to guide others toward ethical decisions and outcomes

Attention to detail – strong organization skills, careful about details, thorough in completing tasks, and persistent in pursuit of goals

Critical thinking – proven ability to use sound and accurate judgement to resolve complex problems and the ability to multi-task under tight deadlines

Adaptivity – ability to drive change in challenging and complex projects, and to be a self-starter with the flexibility to both work independently and as part of a team

Effective communication – strong oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, a track record of building effective relationships with various types of people, and a demonstrated customer-service orientation

Creativity – capacity to think beyond existing systems and processes and the ability to develop new ones

 

Additional Information

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx