Principal Contract Engineer

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Contract Engineer, Engineering Contracts Unit, the selected candidate will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise on a variety of construction contract project delivery methods and for managing production and delivery of project manuals (contract books) as part of the contract documents for soliciting bids on capital construction projects and major work projects of a wide variety of cost and complexity for all Port Authority facilities.

Responsibilities

• Work with Chief Contract Engineer in assuring timely delivery and quality of final design construction contract documents
• Oversee PA-Wide reviews, including review all project manual related elements of the construction contract, in compliance with the Engineering Department's contract documents standards for construction contracts
• Direct preparation of and audit final construction contract books to ensure applicable contractual administrative, federal and technical requirements have been met, and ensure coordination with intended project
• Ensure deliverables meet established schedule and budget
• Provide contractual subject matter expert assistance to Engineering staff and other Agency departments to ensure consistency and quality of contract specifications during the design and bidding periods
• Assist with additions and updates to the Engineering Department's technical Specifications library
• Maintain, contribute to, and organize documentation of Contracts Unit processes, standards, policies and procedures to ensure clarity, uniformity and efficiency of processes and deliverables
• Ensure timely completion and accurate documentation of QA/QC process by Contracts Unit staff. Perform internal quality audits, as prescribed
• Assist with ongoing maintenance and updates to Contracts Unit contract book standard provisions and templates
• Prepare contract books for specialized procurement methods, such as alternate bidding, design-build, multi-bid work order and Construction Manager/General Contractor, as well as grant funded contracts as required
• Assign, track and balance Contract Engineer workload, manage, supervise and train Contract Engineer staff
• Participate in recruitment and hiring of qualified staff
• Manage staff performance review process for direct reports.
• Manage staffing of on-site consultants, including task order request preparation, candidate interviews and selection, training, supervision and invoice approvals

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or Architecture from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience relating to the review and delivery of engineering or architectural contract drawings and development.
• A minimum of 6 years in preparation of front-end contract documents for construction of multidisciplinary capital projects with construction costs exceeding $5 million
• A min of 3 years of supervisory experience is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction contract terms and conditions clauses (sometimes referred to as the front end or general conditions of the contract) relating to various solicitation and payment methods, contract administration requirements, grant-funding provisions, staging requirements and operational constraints required for the preparation of the contract book
• Demonstrated ability to manage and meet schedules and budgets for project deliverables
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative effectiveness, including demonstrated experience interacting with project stakeholders to achieve project success and client satisfaction, ability to give clear written and verbal direction, and demonstrated excellent technical writing skills in construction contract preparation
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, exercise independent judgment and reach sound conclusions for establishing and negotiating resolutions of contracts related issues
• Demonstrated leadership, reliability and achievement of results at increasing levels of responsibility.]

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design delivery process
• Demonstrated experience in developing and reviewing the technical and contractual aspects of preliminary and final design contract drawings and specifications
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite at an intermediate proficiency, especially Word, and ability to quickly learn and become adept with all Contracts Unit related software
• Familiarity with Authority or other public agency procurement practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical specifications and Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) 3-part specification format. Possession of CSI - CDT, CCCA and/or CCS certification