The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating large infrastructure improvement projects, with a particular focus on streetscape improvements. This position coordinates and directs all activities involved in the implementation and completion of planning, design and construction projects including but not limited to: defining and controlling scope, schedule, budget, design review, and construction compliance.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Responsible for the successful delivery of a program to improve the City’s streetscapes and provide transportation equity for pedestrians of all abilities, bicycles, public transit, and motor vehicles.
• Oversee the planning, design and construction of municipal utility improvement projects including roadway, sidewalk, water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.
• Manage, organize, coordinate and monitor activities of consultants, design professionals, contractors, City staff, outside agencies and other project professionals to insure that construction projects are designed, conducted and completed in accordance with goals established by the Engineering Division with respect to quality of work, schedule and budget.
• Coordinate with the Engineering Division, the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, the Office of Sustainability and Environment, and other City departments to implement project design standards and recommend critical design elements in the planning of the City’s transportation and utility system infrastructure
• Work cooperatively with other City employees and private organizations to facilitate project implementation and completion.
• Interact with utility companies and other governmental agencies to obtain necessary permits and clearances and to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Meet and work with elected officials, community representatives, business owners, residents and other stakeholders to review proposed projects and activities, address questions and comments and educate community on the value and need for proposed projects.
• Attend and facilitate public meetings outside of regular work hours.
• Solve problems and work through unusual situations using professional judgement and by adapting methods or interpreting instructions to resolve a particular problem.
• Exhibit judgment and ingenuity to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of the guidelines or policies.
• Develop program and project budgets, schedules, work plans, and cost estimates and projections.
• Manage projects through the public procurement process including bidding and construction.
• Review and approve Amendments and Change Orders on design and/or construction projects.
• Review and approve Contractors’ Certificates for Payment and/or consultant invoices.
• Analyze and prepare written reports on program and project performance using quantitative and qualitative analyses and other project management techniques.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, and streamline work processes.
• Plan and execute the design and construction of municipal utilities in conformance with Federal, State and local regulations and design standards ensuring that the work meets or exceeds expectations.
• Supervise and mentor engineering project managers.

Requirements: 

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering or Management with nine to twelve (9-12) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Professional Engineer’s License in Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Valid Class D driver’s license

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering, research methods and report presentation; knowledge of the principles and practices of project management, work breakdown structures, communications planning, team management, scheduling, budgeting, accounting and finance methods; knowledge of environmental laws and regulations as they pertain to municipal water and sewer system design, construction and operation; knowledge of applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations related to engineering, environment, ADA compliance, infrastructure and procurement; knowledge and expertise with various local, state and federal funding mechanisms for infrastructure.

Abilities: Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation and grammar; use and interpret graphical information such as construction plans, schematic drawings, flow charts, layouts and other visual aids, and electronic project management applications; interpret information accurately and make decisions according to existing laws, regulations and policies; ability to manage multiple projects of various complexities with competing interest and multiple funding sources

Skill: Proficient communication skills, both verbal and written as well as the ability to deal with the public in tense situations; proficiency with computers in all office software along with various engineering software applications like GIS or Arc View.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices; field work will require exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Work may require some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain, or standing or walking most of the work period. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here 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 position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills: Employee will spend time in the office and in the field during construction projects. Work effort involves an equal mix of sitting, standing and walking to perform work tasks. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment, and computer paper (up to 30 lbs). During construction season, employee may be standing for periods longer than two to three (2-3) hours at a time and may encounter inclement weather.

Motor Skills: Duties may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include operating a motor vehicle, using a personal computer, or climbing a ladder.

Visual Skills: Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes, making detailed visual observations, and routinely reviewing non-written materials such as maps and blueprints for analytical purposes; the employee is required to determine color differences.

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.

Benefits Somerville Offers

• 4 weeks of Paid Vacation to start (for non-union classified positions)
• Health Insurance
• Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Wellness Release & Cancer Screening Paid Time Off
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Deferred Compensation
• Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• MBTA Pass Program
• FREE BlueBikes membership!
• Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville.

COVID-19 Vaccination Required

To better protect the health and safety of staff and the public, all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. Exemptions and/or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed and will be reviewed by the City of Somerville Human Resources Department on a case-by-case basis. Learn more at somervillema.gov/HR/COVID19.