Senior Construction Manager

Senior Construction Manager

Salary: $152,043.84 - $204,480.64 Annually

Location : Kearny Mesa, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2025-09-1323

Department: Engineering

Opening Date: 09/25/2025

Description

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!

We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 22 member agencies serving the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.

The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.

The Engineering Department

The Engineering Department is responsible for the design and construction of regional water facilities in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP); identifying and employing value engineering design concepts to optimize facility and aqueduct system performance; managing major emergency facility repairs; and providing overall CIP programmatic monitoring and controls. It also manages the Water Authority's real-estate interests by acquiring, disposing of, and leasing real property; patrolling and managing 168 miles of right of way; and providing survey services. In addition, the department provides technical support to other agencies, departments, and member agencies. The Water Authority’s Energy Program also resides within the Engineering Department, focused on generation revenue and reducing energy costs; improving the Water Authority’s energy resilience; fostering collaborative energy relationships; and supporting the Water Authority’s legislative energy initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced construction manager in public/water utility construction management. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of construction inspection techniques, design principals for pipelines and flow control facilities, construction techniques and construction contract administration. This person will be a self-starter, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and will be experienced in guiding and mentoring professional staff.

The Position

The Senior Construction Manager serves as construction coordinator for complex projects; conducts technical analysis, research, and construction management for a variety of capital improvement, major maintenance, and /or other Water Authority projects; plans, organizes, supervises, and reviews the work of assigned professional and technical staff; and performs related duties as assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types 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 class.

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of a project team of professional and technical staff chartered with responsibility to manage the construction phase of projects.
• Coordinates with staff and team members to develop, implement, and monitor construction phase of projects to achieve the Business Plan's Water Supply and Water Facilities focus areas vision, strategies, and goals; achieves key performance indicators; manages a project team to identify critical path events and success factors and achieve a successful resolution.
• Monitors performance against the project plan, schedule, and budget; manages project standards, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve goals and objectives.
• Provides daily leadership and project management to project team staff to ensure a high-performance work environment which supports achieving the department's and Water Authority's mission and goals; supervises assigned staff as necessary.
• Manages the construction phase of assigned projects using in-house staff, consulting firms and construction contractors; establishes the scope, administers and manages agreements for geotechnical services, construction management, inspection and other specialty services; collaborates with project team members and other departmental personnel in a participative manner.
• Reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with Water Authority standards; interprets specifications and Water Authority policies; ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates project engineering design, planning and construction activities with Water Authority departments, member agencies and other entities.
• Proposes revisions to design and construction standards, and to Water Authority processes to improve methods, procedures, and practices; makes interpretations of applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards.
• Reviews design drawings and specifications for constructability and provides comprehensive cost estimates of the work.
• Prepares periodic project reports; coordinates and responds to requests for information from consultants and contractors; initiates, prepares, reviews, and/or negotiates change orders and obtains Water Authority approval for contract changes.
• Represents Water Authority with consultants and contractors; prepares and finalizes correspondence on technical engineering, contract management and community issues.
• Coordinates construction activities with Water Authority departments, member agencies and other entities; proposes revisions to design and construction standards, and to Water Authority processes to improve methods, procedures and practices; interprets applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards; reviews storm water pollution prevention plans relative to applicable laws, permits and standard practices; conducts constructability reviews.
• Assists management in the preparation and review of CIP and Operating Budget recommendations for assigned projects as well as review of other projects in the Construction Management Group; authorizes the purchase of materials and monitors work activities and expenditures to control costs, quality, and safety.
• Analyzes and responds to requests for information from member agencies, regulatory agencies and the public.
• Tracks, evaluates, prepares, and delivers reports and presentations on project progress and issues to Water Authority management and Board.
• Represents the Water Authority at meetings and public hearings; prepares and maintains procedural manuals; evaluates consultants; supervises warranty activities.

For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Senior Construction Manager

Work Schedule:

Employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. This position is not eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

Qualification Guidelines

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in construction management, civil engineering or related field supplemented by eight years of professional construction management experience, including experience in public water/utility construction management with and at least four years supervisory experience

OR

A valid certification as a Certified Construction Manager through the Construction Management Association of America supplemented by eight years of professional construction management experience, including experience in public water/utility construction management and at least four years supervisory experience.

Licenses and Other Requirements

A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California, or Certified Construction Manager through the Construction Management Association of America.

A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire. This recruitment is open until filled. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.

To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.

The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.

The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER, on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org.

Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.

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• San Diego County Water Authority