Senior Project Manager

Job Class:                   Senior Project Manager

FLSA Status:              Exempt

Effective Date:            June 2026

Definition

Under general direction, this position plans, organizes, supervises, and directs assigned projects, including those of an advanced and complex nature; assumes project and construction management duties during planning, design, construction, and execution, and leads and coordinates the work of assigned professional and support staff. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced journey level classification, fully competent to independently perform a variety of technical duties in support of District activities.  Incumbents are expected to possess specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience, and receive only occasional instruction, assistance, or direction as new or unusual situations arise. They often exercise independent judgement and may provide technical/functional or first-line supervision over lower-level positions.

Examples of Essential Duties

The following duties are typical for this position.  Depending upon the assignment, the employee may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.  Management retains the right to add, remove, or change duties at any time.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, administers, develops and implements various District projects and their scope, schedule, and budget, oversees all phases of project management.  
• Reviews and/or evaluates project reports, plans, specifications and technical standards; analyzes special conditions/circumstances as they arise and recommends appropriate improvements or modifications.
• Prepares and oversees Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for complex projects, documents, contracts, grants applications, professional services contracts and agreements.
• Develops specifications for contracted work and obtains and participates in evaluating bids and other activities related to projects; assists in selection of consultants and vendors.
• May supervise, train, and evaluate the work of professional and technical staff.
• Monitors and inspects the work of contractors and vendors to evaluate work progress, resolve issues, and determine additional needs, including coordination with operations and field activities as applicable.
• Manages various regulatory compliance requirements and permitting from project planning through construction and closeout.
• Prepares and administers budgets; manages project expenditures and recommends expenditure levels, including the review and approval of payments/applications associated with projects; prepares cost estimates.
• Represents projects in coordination with other agencies, vendors, and consultants.
• Participates in the development of planning documents; provides updates as directed.
• Responds to emergency situations, difficult customer inquiries and complaints.
• Manages, inspects, reviews, and approves all aspects of projects to ensure conformance with associated documents, specifications, rules, requirements, laws, and standards.

• Collaboratively and effectively coordinates with other District departments/stakeholders. 
• Recommends and assists in the implementation of assigned goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures.
• Reviews and prepares technical and administrative reports and written correspondence.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Rules, regulations and codes applicable to the District.
• District policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Urban water agency statutes, codes, and regulations, including water quality issues.
• Project planning and management.  
• Work safety standards and requirements.
• Principles of budget development and expenditure control.
• Principles of supervision, training and management.
• Common office computer software and database programs, including the Microsoft Suite of Programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint).
• Principles and practices of modern methods of personnel management, organization and administration.
• Contract development, administration and construction management of public works projects.
• Permitting and environmental aspects of public works projects.
• Principles and practices of contract and project management.

Ability To:

• Organize, implement, and direct staff and consultants to achieve efficient operations to meet District goals.
• Oversee multiple simultaneous projects, including contracts and budgets, to effectively achieve objectives and control risk. 
• Read, understand, and interpret documents, including studies and reports, construction specifications, operating and maintenance procedure manuals.
• Effectively review plans and specifications to verify completion, accuracy, and constructability.
• Effectively manage regulatory compliance activities for assigned projects.
• Effectively represent District projects in meetings, presentations, and discussions with the public, contractors, and other organizations.
• Make sound decisions regarding design, construction, cost analyses, management and coordination of significant sized projects.
• Effectively manage negotiations with consultants and contractors.
• Identify flaws in design, construction methods, materials and operational impacts to ensure compliance with contract plans and specifications, permits, codes, regulations, and laws.

• Develop recommendations and implications of different alternatives to resolving problems; interpret laws, legislative ordinances, administrative policies and procedures.
• Prepare concise and comprehensive correspondence, agreements and responses to consultants/contractors/vendors; review a variety of outgoing correspondence as needed.
• Effectively supervise and train staff.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers, outside agencies, vendors, consultants/contractors, local community groups, public officials and the general public.
  • • Operate a computer for word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation applications, and department specific software.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Initiate and maintain effective safety practices that relate to the nature of the work.
• Pass pre-employment physical and background check.

Experience and Education:

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible project leadership or management experience in relevant field, preferably in government-related projects.

AND

Education: bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, construction management, public works administration, or related technical/management field.

OR equivalent to an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, construction management, public works administration, or related technical/management field with two (2) additional years of full-time project leadership or management work experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree requirement.

OR an additional five (5) years of full-time project leadership or management work experience, for a total of ten (10) years, may be substituted for the educational requirements above with a high school diploma or equivalent.

License and/or Certifications:

• Valid California Driver’s License issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and proof of good driving record as evidenced by freedom from multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents for at least two (2) years duration.  The driving record will not contribute to an increase in the District’s automobile rates.  Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered for accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Travels occasionally by airplane and frequently by automobile conducting District business.
• Communicates frequently with District staff, consultants, contractors, and the public in one-to-one and group settings.
• Regularly uses telephone and email for communication.
• Regularly uses office equipment such as computers and copiers.
• Occasionally walks in uneven terrain, in an outdoor environment, making inspections of District facilities and construction projects.
• Sits for extended time periods.

• Hearing and vision within normal ranges with or without correction.
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and follow safety protocols when visiting field or construction sites.

The specific statements shown in each section of this class specification are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Salary : $112,195 - $160,306