Project Manager II

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is?dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.  

Campus Planning and Development at the Oregon Zoo is seeking a Project Manager who will lead and oversee the design and construction of capital projects funded by the 2024 general obligation bond. These projects will span across public spaces, animal care facilities, live animal habitats (both aquatic and terrestrial), life support systems, system integration, and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements. The role demands strong project management skills, effective community engagement, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including zoo staff, external contractors, local government, and community members. 

The Project Manager will report directly to the Design and Construction Manager at the Oregon Zoo and will work autonomously to manage multiple projects simultaneously while building relationships with a wide range of internal and external teams. This role is critical in ensuring the successful completion of capital projects that meet the Zoo's vision and the needs of the community. 

The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome almost 1.4 million visitors each year. Our zoo is home to more than 200 different animal species. Our mission is to create a better future for wildlife, with a focus on fighting extinction locally in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is widely recognized for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and research.  

As the Project Manager you will 

• Plan, develop, and execute programs, objectives, strategies, and budgets for complex, high-budget, and high-risk capital projects for Oregon Zoo. 
• Develop, prepare, and review drawings, bid specifications, contracts, and other various requirements for each project, with attention to accessibility.
• Initiates identifying, developing, and executing alternative procurement strategies for capital projects ensuring alignment with the COBID procurement process. 
• Acts as contract administrator, promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability throughout the procurement process.
• Coordinates, monitors, and evaluates construction progress. Inspects work and ensures compliance with specifications and timeliness of work completion.
• Analyzes suggestions for modification and recommends appropriate action to department administration, architects, and contractors. 
• Develop, organize, and compile all data to prepare records from the initial planning design through construction, completion, operational testing, and after-test modifications. 
• Monitor ongoing status and notifies Zoo and Metro administration of project progress, issues, and compliance.
• Supervise the activities of architects, engineers, and contracts on Zoo capital projects by creating and sustaining a collaborative work environment. 

• Coordinate activities and ensures flow of information between architects, engineers, contractors, and Zoo and Metro administration providing transparency and collaboration across all levels of the project.
• Review and recommend action on contract progress payment requests, ensuring fair and timely payments in line with contract terms and project progress.
• Prepare reports and maintain files on the design process, construction process, and equipment procurement.
• Effectively facilitates design and construction meetings with staff, union representatives, and contractors to build a cohesive, collaborative, and innovative team culture. Ensures all voices are heard, moves the project forward, identifies next steps and who is doing that work, and moves the group from discussion to decision-making.

Attributes for success 

• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes, and regulations that affect and impact work.
• Methods, practices, and procedures used in the construction, maintenance, and remodeling of capital and construction projects.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, CAD, blueprints, and architectural drawings.
• Analyze information using logic and empathy to resolve issues and problems calmly.
• Prioritize and multi-task; be organized and flexible to change course of work/projects circumstances dictate.
• Organize and conduct research, projects, and business activities.
• Planning, leadership, and technical oversight in developing goals and objectives for assigned area.
• Communicate successfully with Metro executives, staff, managers, the public, contractors, community partners, and outside stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all persons contacted in the course of work including contractors, community partners, and outside stakeholders.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION  

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.  

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan 

TO QUALIFY 

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.  

Minimum qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or construction engineering or related field; AND
• Four years of supervisory experience in public construction management; OR
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Required qualifications  

The candidate selected for the position will need to pass a Driving Record check prior to being hired. Speeding tickets do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Working Conditions  

This position will require you to work on site at the Oregon Zoo and will also include working in an office environment along with working on active construction sites during all types of inclement weather, construction equipment.  

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply 

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years. 

Like to have qualifications 

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position. 

• Previous experience working in Zoo, Museum, Aquarium
• Previous experience working with live animal exhibits
• Previous experience working in a Union environment 
• Previous experience working in a Government Organization 

SCREENING AND EVALUATION 

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an?incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment. 

• A completed online application
• A cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position and how your experience aligns with the qualifications of this position. Please also include:
• A list of no more 3 projects you worked on
• Your role in the projects 
• The Budget of the projects 
• The Timeline of the projects 
• Did the budget come in over or under and why
• Did the project come in on time, and if not, why not
• Four (4) current references with one of them being your current or most recent supervisor/manager

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change. 

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference checks
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON 

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $93,496.00 to step 7 $125,257.60. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 $93,496.00 to the equity range Step 4 $108,222.40 

This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME 3580 It is classified as a Construction Project Manager II  

Classification descriptions are typically?written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description. 

Questions? 

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Kara Hill