The Project Manager - Valve & Hydrant Assessment Program (Civil Engineer III) serves as a specialized technical lead and owner's representative responsible for project managing a major municipal valve and hydrant assessment, inspection, and flow testing program for a key utility client. Acting on behalf of the client, this position directly oversees and manages the primary vendor/contractor executing field assessment activities.
Key responsibilities include rigorous submittal and invoice reviews, establishing operational workflows and asset assessment criteria, performing quality assurance on field data, and ensuring strict compliance with client specifications and safety protocols.
What you will do:- Client Contract & Contractor Oversight: Serve as the primary Project Manager overseeing the third-party valve and hydrant assessment vendor, ensuring work is performed strictly within agreed scope, schedule, budget, and performance standards.
- Workflow & Assessment Criteria Development: Collaborate with client operations teams and the contractor to establish, refine, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), assessment criteria, and field workflow guidelines for valve exercising, operational scoring, and hydrant flow testing.
- Submittal & Technical Document Review: Conduct comprehensive reviews of contractor submittals, field methodology plans, GIS/asset management updates, traffic control plans, and technical reporting for compliance with utility engineering standards.
- Invoice & Pay Application Authorization: Review and validate monthly pay applications, contractor invoices, itemized quantities, and milestone deliverables against field verification logs and quality control documentation.
- Quality Assurance & Field Audit Oversight: Perform routine field audits and quality assurance checks on vendor operations, verifying accuracy of valve/hydrant operational assessments, GPS mapping, condition scoring, and leak detection records.
- Data & GIS Integration Coordination: Ensure seamless integration of contractor field assessment data into the client's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and GIS enterprise databases.
- Stakeholder & Client Communication: Facilitate regular progress meetings, deliver monthly executive progress reports, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and address client operational inquiries or community concerns proactively.
- Risk Management & Safety Compliance: Monitor program risks, water quality/discoloration risks during valve operations, high-pressure zone isolations, & traffic management.
- Asset Condition Induction and CIP support: Partner with clients to evaluate program outcomes, leveraging asset condition insights to define priority Capital Improvement Project (CIP) needs and establish long-term asset management strategies.
Who you are:- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field from an ABET-accredited institution.
- 6-8 years of progressively responsible civil/water resources engineering experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years of direct experience managing or oversight of water utility infrastructure programs, specifically including distribution system appurtenances (valves, hydrants, water mains).
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required (District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia preferred, or ability to obtain).
- Water Distribution Appurtenances: In-depth technical knowledge of water distribution system components including gate valves, butterfly valves, pressure reducing valves (PRVs), backflow preventers, and fire hydrants.
- Contract & Vendor Management: Proven ability to manage specialized field contractors, negotiate task orders, review pay requests, and track deliverable quality.
- Utility Asset Management & CMMS: Familiarity with asset condition assessment frameworks, AWWA standards (e.g., M44 Distribution Valves, M17 Fire Hydrants), GIS spatial data tools, and CMMS software (e.g., Cityworks, Maximo).
- Project Management Proficiency: Strong skills in scheduling, scope control, risk mitigation, and budget tracking utilizing project management digital software.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills to articulate technical findings, interface with utility leadership, and resolve contractor disputes efficiently.
$127,800 - $156,200 a year
The actual base pay depends upon many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
While we provide a range, we'd love to hear from you if you are in or outside of this range as we are always looking to cater roles to the Talent we find!
