Position overviewThe Project Manager will serve as a dedicated, full-time project management resource supporting the client's execution of the MassDOT Knowledge Corridor Fiber Optic Cable Project. This is a 40-hour-per-week position supporting preconstruction, construction, testing, acceptance, and closeout activities along approximately 50 miles of active railroad right-of-way.
The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating project planning, schedule and project controls, cost and contract administration, railroad and field interfaces, project documentation, stakeholder coordination, and overall execution. The Project Manager will work within delegated authority and coordinate closely with client leadership, field supervision, MassDOT, railroad representatives, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders to support safe, compliant, and timely delivery of the work.
Location: Deerfield, MA area
Reports To: Client's Area Manager
Classification: Exempt
Key ResponsibilitiesProject Management & Contract Administration- Manage project activities from preconstruction and mobilization through innerduct and conduit installation, fiber installation, splicing, testing, acceptance, and closeout.
- Coordinate project priorities, responsibilities, resources, and decision-making across client leadership, field operations, subcontractors, and support functions.
- Monitor project performance, identify risks and constraints, resolve issues, and coordinate corrective or recovery actions to maintain project commitments.
- Maintain visibility of project cost, committed cost, forecast-to-complete, change exposure, billing status, and other key financial indicators in coordination with client management.
- Identify and track potential changes, differing site conditions, owner-directed changes, delays, and other cost or schedule impacts; coordinate required notices, supporting documentation, pricing, schedule analysis, and change-order resolution.
Planning, Schedule & Project Controls - Manage project schedule performance and coordinate preparation and updating of the baseline schedule, periodic CPM updates, recovery plans, and short-term look-ahead schedules with project controls and field leadership.
- Coordinate weekly and near-term work planning with field operations, procurement, subcontractors, railroad resources, safety, quality, and project controls.
- Monitor actual progress against planned production and contractual milestones; identify schedule risks and coordinate mitigation or recovery actions.
- Integrate railroad operating constraints, access requirements, work windows, material availability, submittal status, and other project constraints into planning and schedule decisions.
Railroad & Field Coordination - Coordinate project activities with client field supervision, MassDOT, Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E), Amtrak, subcontractors, and other affected parties.
- Support advance coordination of Employee-in-Charge (EIC)/flagger services, work-train operations, track access, work windows, and other railroad support required to execute the work.
- Participate in planning for rail-plow operations, trenching, conduit installation, bridge and grade-crossing work, fiber installation, splicing, testing, and commissioning.
- Coordinate with utilities, municipalities, property owners, railroad representatives, and other third parties as required to maintain access and advance the work.
Submittals, Documentation & Change Management - Establish and maintain a project deliverables and submittal register and coordinate timely preparation, review, and submission of Site-Specific Work Plans (SSWPs), RFIs, shop drawings, material submittals, schedules, testing documentation, progress reports, as-built information, and closeout documents.
- Maintain accurate and timely project records supporting contract compliance, progress, changes, delays, decisions, testing, acceptance, and closeout.
- Coordinate resolution of submittal comments, RFIs, field questions, and outstanding action items with the responsible project team members.
- Ensure potential cost and schedule impacts are documented promptly and elevated to client management for appropriate action.
Client & Stakeholder Coordination - Serve as a primary day-to-day project management liaison, on behalf of the client and within delegated authority, with MassDOT representatives and other project stakeholders.
- Lead or support regular project meetings, provide progress updates, and communicate project risks, constraints, issues, and planned resolutions.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, follow-through, and reliable project delivery.
- Coordinate stakeholder expectations regarding project priorities, deliverables, milestones, access, and upcoming work activities.
Safety, Quality & Compliance - Support compliance with MassDOT specifications, contract requirements, FRA and railroad requirements, applicable regulations, and client safety and quality standards.
- Coordinate with client safety, quality, field supervision, and other responsible personnel to ensure required inspections, testing, documentation, and corrective actions are addressed and closed.
- Support planning and execution that protects active railroad operations, track infrastructure, existing utilities, installed systems, and the public.
- Coordinate testing, documentation, punch-list resolution, acceptance, turnover, and closeout of completed fiber optic installations.
Candidate requirements - 5+ years of progressive construction project management experience in utility, telecommunications, railroad, heavy civil, or comparable infrastructure construction.
- Demonstrated experience managing project schedules, costs, subcontractors, contract administration, project documentation, and client or owner coordination.
- Experience coordinating field operations and multiple project stakeholders in an active construction environment.
- Working knowledge of fiber optic construction activities, including conduit and innerduct installation, fiber installation, splicing, testing, and acceptance procedures.
- Strong understanding of construction scheduling, change management, risk management, forecasting, and project controls.
- Excellent organizational, communication, leadership, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management/scheduling tools; Primavera P6 experience is preferred.
Preferred skills & qualifications - Experience managing construction within an active railroad right-of-way or similarly constrained transportation environment.
- Experience with MassDOT, MBTA, other State DOTs, railroads, or public transportation/infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with fiber optic networks, railroad rights-of-way, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and associated communications infrastructure.
- Experience managing public-sector construction contracts, submittals, documentation, notices, and change-order processes.
- PMP certification or equivalent project management experience.
Benefits - Health insurance
- Paid time off
- 401K match
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
Success in This RoleThe successful candidate will demonstrate strong ownership of project commitments, anticipate and resolve constraints, maintain disciplined project controls and documentation, build trusted relationships with the client, MassDOT, railroad representatives, and other stakeholders, and consistently support delivery of the project in accordance with safety, quality, schedule, budget, and contractual requirements.
