Position Overview:

The position will manage multiple capital improvement projects, ensuring they are constructed following the sealed plans of the Engineer of Record/Architect of Record and Harris County specifications. Senior Project Managers are responsible for delivering Harris County’s capital portfolio, composed of numerous projects valued at approximately $100 million per team member, spanning a wide range of public infrastructure. This position ensures that project goals and objectives are achieved through effective resource allocation, facilitation of project solutions, risk identification and mitigation, and the promotion of team cohesion. It also requires maintaining a solid working knowledge of the assigned portfolio to respond quickly to client or management inquiries, identify systemic challenges, and initiate appropriate solutions.

The position may supervise Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Graduate Engineers, architects, and/or administrative professionals. The CIP Division focuses on the design and construction of roads, drainage systems, bridges, parks, facilities, trails, and bicycle paths. The division oversees multiple teams, including engineers, landscape architects, engineers-in-training, CAD designers, project managers, construction managers, inspectors, constructability technicians, and consultants working across various disciplines.

The Senior Project Manager will oversee a variety of projects within the Vertical Portfolio, many of which exceed $100 million in construction value. These projects may include the renovation and new construction of 15-story high-rise buildings, individual component upgrades, full-site developments (such as parks and greenways), and major energy and resiliency initiatives, among others.

Harris County offers one of the best work-life balance schedules in the industry, along with some of the most comprehensive benefits programs available. These benefits include exceptional health and life insurance, one of the top pension plans in the country, eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, and a Professional Licensure Training Program that provides reimbursement for certifications, licenses, and related training expenses.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Deliver projects from pre-planning through close-out.
• Develop and negotiate scopes of work, resource needs, schedules, and cost estimates with clients, consultants, and the project team.
• Facilitate and negotiate consultant procurement and manage internal and external resources to build the project delivery team.
• Coordinate with the project delivery team to prepare final deliverables, including engineering reports and/or constructible plan sets.
• Ensure deliverables meet client preferences, the Engineering Department’s standards, regulatory compliance, and permitting requirements.
• Evaluate and implement risk management strategies to ensure project scope, schedule, and budget expectations are met.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with management, Harris County elected officials and representatives, external agencies, and the public as needed.
• Assist with emergency and recovery efforts following local disasters to ensure safe infrastructure is restored.
• Assist in leading a team to achieve program goals and objectives through mentoring, resource management, project facilitation, and fostering team cohesion in a positive work environment.
• Oversee consultant procurement and manage internal and external resources to adequately staff the project delivery team, including contract negotiation and project budget management.
• Promote project controls, tracking, and enhanced reporting using project management software (e.g., e-Builder), advancing projects from planning through design, construction, and occupancy. Utilize the software to manage project scope, costs, schedules, and documentation.
• Assist and coordinate with clients and the Capital Infrastructure Projects – Inspections & Quality Assurance staff across all phases of project delivery, from negotiation and initiation through the warranty phase and close-out.
• Maintain responsibility, oversight, and knowledge of the entire portfolio of projects assigned to the Project Management Team; meet regularly with department management and senior client representatives to discuss the program.
• Identify and address risks to schedule, budget, or performance in collaboration with subordinate project managers, and escalate to management as necessary to resolve issues and mitigate risks.
• Assist in managing and supervising Assistant Project Managers, Graduate Engineers, consultants, and other subject matter experts in the preparation of planning and construction documents, and complete ancillary support tasks to successfully bid and award capital roadway projects.
• Ensure quality assurance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and permitting are properly executed, using the Project Management Institute (PMI) business model; work closely with Division leadership to track and report project status.
• Coordinate with inspectors, design engineers, consultants, and contractors to resolve construction-related issues; maintain a project presence in e-Builder.
• Coordinate with Office of the County Engineer department personnel to conduct pre-construction field walks, review plans, and resolve design issues, utility conflicts, and other challenges as required.
• Review and recommend approval of change orders related to changed conditions, quality improvements, cost justifications, and viable solutions to issues found during project construction.
• Identify the client/user group’s needs (as outlined in the design program) and understand the project’s budget and schedule requirements.
• Proactively identify and address critical schedule, budget, or performance issues with team members, and engage management as necessary to resolve problems before they impact project outcomes.
• Conduct the full range of supervisory duties for assigned Project Managers, including (but not limited to): workplace safety, training and development, performance management, staffing, policy compliance, and workload distribution.
• Assist in disaster recovery efforts as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and a commitment to the smooth operation of the department. 

Education:

Experience:

Licensure

• A valid driver’s license (Texas upon hire). Applicant must provide and maintain proof of automobile liability insurance upon employment.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

• Proven ability to lead negotiations with consultants, other agencies, and stakeholders to procure resources and formalize cooperative relationships that achieve project goals.
• Knowledge of building products, systems, and construction details.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes and regulations.
• Excellent drawing skills and proficiency with computer-aided design.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend construction plans, estimates, and specifications.
• Works well in a team environment and demonstrates strong leadership skills.
• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities and demands.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:

In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF)

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in project management, architecture, engineering, or construction, including capital improvement projects.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• Commercial construction experience in the field.
• Familiar with the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and federal agency/jurisdiction review.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

• In-depth experience managing federally and state-funded grant programs.
• Advanced knowledge of e-Builder project management system, including cost tracking and scheduling.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending on the project or workload.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).
• This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunity.

Flexible spending account.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).