Contracting Officer/Senior Construction Manager
Location: Friant-Kern Canal – Porterville, CA 93257
Interviewing Qualified Candidates Now
US Citizenship Required

JOB SUMMARY
Contracting Officer/Senior Construction Manager (CM) will be responsible for managing Reclamation awarded construction contracts, quality assurance (QA) inspection, direct communications with the construction contractor(s) and directing the full scope of construction administration activities with Reclamation personnel on assigned Reclamation construction project(s) in the California-Great Basin Region in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley. Projects involve complex multi-million-dollar projects and/or may involve simultaneous management of multiple construction sites dispersed over a large geographical area. This position is relied upon to provide technical guidance and expertise in the coordination and resolution of complex technical problems involving soils and earth materials, concrete, mechanical and electrical features in connection with the construction, modification, and rehabilitation of a broad range of facilities and structures. The position oversees the performance of lower graded professional personnel engaged in the full range of construction activities.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Contracting Officer/Senior Construction Manager shall perform the following tasks:
Reviews project plans, specifications, and schedules prior to contract advertisement to determine constructability, whether physical obstructions or other construction difficulties have been anticipated; and whether materials specified are readily available. Attends pre-bid and preconstruction conferences to discuss principal construction features and requirements in terms of methods, equipment, and safety. Recommends changes that will facilitate or improve construction and provide a basis for such recommendations.

Manages and provides technical direction and expertise during construction. Resolves controversial issues and questions resulting from inspection, quality control, material testing, safety, and technical consideration of contractor operations, methods, procedures, operated equipment, etc. Confers with contractor representatives on matters pertaining to construction activities to resolve differences of opinion; explain changes in plans, specifications, or policy; and to ensure good construction practices.

Works with representative of the Reclamation Area Office or other cooperating agencies to ensure the integration of contractor activities with existing operations and activities. Keeps the Area Office or cooperating agency staff fully informed of construction activities. Collaborates with other divisions on work-related issues affecting their operations. Collaborates with stakeholder contacts for resolution of construction related or regulatory issues to ensure the timely completion of the contract.

Plans and coordinates all schedules relative to assigned construction projects. Frequently monitors construction and points out potential problems to contractors directly or through subordinates.

Observes and investigates construction operations at all stages to identify problems. Informs contractor of requirements concerning construction scheduling, progress reporting, safety measures, wage and hour law observance, labor relations, and payroll records.

Rejects or disapproves contractor's methods when known results will not meet specifications. Provides field interpretation of plans and contract requirements for the benefit of contractor, subcontractor, and project employees, particularly where confusion or disagreement exists.

Approves minor deviations to accommodate actual conditions, such as, deviations from schedules, substitutions of materials, etc. and approves changes (which do not extend the overall construction contract or increase cost) to correct deficiencies found in operations or to eliminate delays and/or interruptions to schedules. Recommends approval of any major changes (i.e., situations which will increase the cost or duration of the contract) as required to correct design deficiencies or to meet unusual or unforeseen field conditions. Review’s construction inspection and progress reports showing work accomplished by the contractor during the shift and reflecting such items as amounts of earth materials placed, concrete placed, materials and equipment installed, instructions given or conversations with the contractor, problems encountered, and related progress data. Prepares or reviews technical data on specific phases or features of construction for inclusion in special and periodic reports and memoranda or correspondence relating to the overall construction management program.

Makes clear recommendations on any changes in the content, priority, and handling of the program, especially those having impact on other programs.

Cooperates with the Safety Manager from the Willows Construction Office (WCO) to develop, implement, and monitor a safety program for the field work. Ensure field operations conform to construction law, safety standards and Reclamation regulations.

Schedules, coordinates, and reviews the work accomplished by project personnel in accomplishing a broad range of construction inspection and monitoring activities. Explains work requirements, methods, and procedures on assigned projects. Directs field investigates needed for contract change orders, considering contract requirements, conditions at work site, field measurements and computations, and local prices.

Investigates and reports on situations in controversy with contractors which may lead to formal claims by the contractor. These may arise from such things as contract changes, differing site conditions, labor strikes, or unusual weather.

Attend and document meetings with the Contractor including the weekly Progress Meetings, meetings to discuss RFI’s, RFC’s, Schedule, and related work. If the CM is in place prior to start of construction the CM shall participate in Partnering Session, Design Risk Coordination Meetings, Preconstruction Meeting, and the Preconstruction Safety Meeting. Prepares and/or reviews collected data by subordinates used in making progress payments to contractors.

Resolves conflicts arising from discrepancies between Reclamation and contractor data regarding progress payments. Initiates and prepares formal correspondence for Reclamations signature regarding construction and supply contracts. Reports current construction status to management and senior management when required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Skills:
The candidate shall have extensive experience meeting the below qualifications.

Extensive experience with civil engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to the full range of construction, and extensive in-depth practical knowledge of a variety of construction techniques to plan, manage and monitor construction inspection activities and to identify and resolve complex and interrelated engineering and operational problems and issues.

Extensive knowledge of contract construction law and contract administration principles as they relate to Federal Acquisition Regulations (Comparable to a FAC – COR Level III) to provide oversight for construction contracts and monitor work for compliance with contract specification.

Knowledge of and skill in reading, interpreting, and advising others on engineering specifications, drawings, and contract documents to plan, schedule work, and ensure compliance through all stages of construction operations. Practical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles and practices.

Proven ability to apply analytical, diagnostics, qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze project data and objectives and apply sound technical judgment to develop plans to accomplish goals, review accomplishments toward meeting goals, establish work standards, determine construction methods the contractor should meet, monitor all aspects of a construction project from a technical and contractual perspective to ensure compliance with contract plans and specifications, to resolve intricate construction problems and to provide recommendations to supervisor or project engineers in the resolution of complex engineering problems.

Skilled in written communications to prepare correspondence and technical reports; and to prepare clear and concise supporting data. Skilled in negotiation, collaboration, and oral communications to coordinate project activities, provide advisory and technical support, and to effectively resolve controversial issues and questions with designer personnel, engineers, other Reclamation personnel, contractor, and stakeholders.

Extensive experience with managing the processing, placement, and testing of zoned earth embankments, horizontal construction, and pumpstations.

Preferred knowledge of Reclamation Safety and Health Standards and OSHA as they apply to construction safety.

*BOR Background Check will take about 4 weeks prior to start.

https://olhinc.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/da61e83d-5f66-e761-6640-7f0ee96ab8b3/apply?source=2954173-CS-54382