Capital Projects Manager I (Open and Promotional)

The Department of Public Works is seeking well-qualified applicants for the position of Capital Projects Manager I to join a diverse team of hard-working and dedicated construction professionals.  

Capital Projects Managers spearhead a diverse array of construction and capital improvement initiatives. This pivotal role entails managing the lifecycle of essential facility constructions, including major building remodels, renovations, upgrades, and tenant improvements, from the initial planning stages through to completion and the warranty period.

Positioned at the first level of the Capital Projects Manager series, the Capital Projects Manager I role involves managing various projects with distinct budgeted costs, deadlines, and levels of political sensitivity and visibility. This position will exercise discretion and latitude of judgement within established policies and communicate project information orally and in writing with department heads, Board members, the County Executive, heads of other governmental agencies, contractors, county staff, and the public.

Under general supervision, the Capital Projects Manager I will:

• Perform construction and capital improvement project management work involving the planning, design, bidding, and construction of assigned capital facility construction and major building remodel, renovation, upgrade, and tenant improvement projects.
• Integrate all phases of work, from the initial planning stages to the completion of construction and warranty period.
• Manage simultaneous capital improvement and major maintenance projects with varying budgeted costs, completion deadlines, and levels of political sensitivity and visibility.

 
Taking on the role of project leader, the Capital Projects Manager I will oversee all the elements of a project, from initial scope development, to assembling the right team to execute the work, to ensuring the project runs smoothly.
  

The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience managing a variety of public building and facility projects that may involve work on administrative, medical, detention, judicial, parks, and support facilities, or will have at least three years of experience working with multidisciplinary building design and construction teams of engineering, architectural, planning, geotechnical, environmental, mechanical, electrical, drafting, inspection, and support staff.

The Department of Public Works is involved in the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects within the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. Our mission is to provide the public with safe, accessible roads and structures that make our communities more livable. The Capital Projects Group is responsible for delivering a wide variety of building construction projects for the County's airport, hospital, parks, correctional facilities, and state courts. Your role as the project leader will require you to have technical, organizational, project administrative, and budgeting skills.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage major and/or complex capital projects from program planning through final acceptance of construction and warranty period.
• Oversee major maintenance and construction projects, which may include infrastructure, underground, structural, system upgrades, retrofits, and replacement of building equipment and components.
• Conduct needs assessments, cost analyses, and feasibility studies to determine project requirements, space needs, options, and cost estimates.
• Manage the consultant, contractor, and vendor selection process, including soliciting and evaluating bids, coordinating requests for proposals, and obtaining Board of Supervisor’s approvals.
• Provide guidance and coordination of work to consultants and contractors related to project criteria, regulations, codes, standards, and schedules.
• Communicate orally and in writing with county officials, other county departments, consultants, contractors, architects, engineers, outside agencies, and the public on assigned projects.
• Research and plan the various mechanisms used to finance projects such as state and federal grants, county funding, lease purchase agreements, certificates of participation, and joint powers agreements.
• Keep projects within approved budget, and on their approved schedule; analyze claims and project costs, verify expenses, obtain fiscal approval when required, and approve contractor/ consultant payment requests.
• Prepare, review, and manage contracts, construction documents, and technical reports for the development of new county facilities and the alteration of existing facilities or major maintenance projects; and manage requests for proposals and selection of various consultants.
• Assure that the pre-architectural work and conceptual designs meet the County's needs and are compatible with master plans.
• Evaluate existing facilities and conduct on-site visits to identify repair or renovation projects and/or observe and approve work.
• Prepare correspondence, communication, and reports for the Board of Supervisors.
• Administer construction contracts, including inspection work, contract revisions, submittals, payments, schedules, budgets, and project closeouts.
• Act as coordinating liaison with county officials, consultants, contractors, architects, engineers, outside agencies, and the public regarding capital improvement projects.
• Maintain all project documents, recommend acceptance of assigned projects as being complete, and perform project closeout.
• Manage permit applications, resolve claims and disputes, and file notices.
• Serve as a point of contact for county departments and act as liaison on projects; provide input and recommendations regarding technical and financial aspects and coordination of various construction activities.
• Work with consultants, architects, engineers, end users, building inspectors, maintenance and operations staff, contractors, and vendors during the course of projects.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to qualify is:

• Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Experience:  Three years of experience as a construction superintendent, project manager, or estimator for commercial or industrial construction, or as a superintendent of buildings and grounds for large complexes, or as a construction contract administrator in a public agency.

Knowledge of:

• Concepts of cost estimating, budgeting, and scheduling techniques.
• Architectural planning, detailing, and design practices and standards.
• Modern construction design methods and practices including building construction materials.
• Principles, practices, theories, and techniques of construction management including management of all phases of project delivery from project planning to post-construction.
• Structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering principles as related to capital projects.
• Project development, management, and finance mechanisms.
• Contract negotiation and management practices.
• Codes, ordinances, laws, and environmental standards and requirements, including LEED.
• Construction administration including the roles and responsibilities of the various architectural/engineering disciplines, construction managers, contractors, and other professionals in the design/construction process.
• Construction safety standards, procedures, best practices, and personal protective equipment.
• Construction project management software and other various computer programs and applications relevant to the position.
• Contract negotiation, building cost estimates, and budget preparation and control.
• Computer technology and management information systems.
• EV charger, solar, and/or fire alarm project experience preferred.

 
Skill/Ability to:

• Analyze department and County needs for new or remodeled facilities, make recommendations, and prepare project scopes, budgets, and schedules to meet those needs.
• Adhere to and manage project deadlines and time constraints, both practical and contractual.
• Negotiate and prepare contract agreements for construction and remodeling projects.
• Manage construction projects from inception to completion.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Anticipate, investigate, and research a wide spectrum of technical problems and develop alternative solutions.
• Apply architectural and/or engineering techniques and methods.
• Review and approve designs and contract documents for program compliance.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor accurate project budgets, schedules, and records.
• Prepare and present a variety of reports and correspondence.
• Use a personal computer for basic spreadsheet, word processing, and project management programs.
• Drive to and from jobsites located throughout the County; walk construction sites and/or natural terrain; climb ladders, scaffolds, and lifts, and inspect confined spaces to observe and approve work.

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.  Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. 

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidate's application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%), which may include the evaluation of a brief written and/or performance exercise given immediately preceding the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the ''Apply'' button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

Final Filing Date for Applications: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Application Screening: Thursday, February 20, 2025

Civil Service Interviews: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Analyst: Sarah Huynh (01292025) (Capital Projects Manager I – N001)

Salary : $111,696 - $139,630