A story about a company and its growing pains.
Four years ago I stopped doing business with them for a variety of reasons. I didn’t care for management and relationship decisions born out of what might have been arrogance stemming from their incredible and all too apparent rise to success.
To be fair, even with their previous flaws, anyone with this company on their resume is sitting pretty well right now. Theirs was a proving ground like none other in Western New York. There is little question that if you came up through the ranks at this company, you are now well seasoned and likely expert in your vocation.
The come to Jesus moment
I took a phone call from a recently minted Operations Manager. He’s been part of the organization since forever, but now he’s steering the ship. We talked for more than an hour about how much he has learned, grown, and matured with his company. We talked about the future, the companies values, and how he wants his people to share in that vision. It was almost as pretty as when a job seeker owns his own shortcomings and the real reason he was sacked by his last employer.
Just like no person is perfect, its rare that a company is either—but personal accountability will win me over every single time. As Mad Money’s, Jim Cramer would say, “This stock is now a buy.” I believe this would be a good career move for most folks in this industry.
They are searching for a project engineer to groom up into either management or estimating.
Following is their job description:
Under the direction of a project manager, a project engineer would coordinate various project tasks to provide for an efficient and productive completion of company construction projects including project documentation, vendor/subcontractor relations, field support, maintain project schedule, owner and engineer contact, contract progress and payment monitoring, and field production monitoring.
Job Tasks
- Coordinate transition of successful bids to active projects including working with project manager, Accounting and Contracts department to set up jobs in project management software.
- Review plans and specifications to identify project requirements for recordkeeping, safety, materials, and subcontracts. Work with other staff to complete contract requirements.
- Use working knowledge of project scope and requirements to assist project managers and field supervisors in work planning and field support.
- Perform quantity take-offs from plans and assisting in marking up drawings for field production.
- Compile and prepares project correspondence; maintains data; assists with record maintenance using project management software systems
- Assist with the preparation, monitoring and submission of project schedules using various scheduling software.
- Responsible for obtaining previous days’ time/production sheets and required paperwork from the field.
- Enter productions on a daily basis to provide payroll, job costing, and production P&L reports for Project Manager.
- Communicate with the Contracts department to ensure all field, vendor, and subcontractor paperwork are received timely and executed accurately.
- Prepare quotation requests to vendors for project materials and services.
- Prepare vendor and subcontractor price evaluations and recommendations for buyout.
- Draft subcontracts in company standard form for approval by project managers.
- Coordinate submittal process with vendors, subcontractors, and architect/engineer; prepares and enters submittals into the project management system and then sends them out upon project manager’s review.
- Assist in the Change Management process, tracking changes, pricing time & material work, and completing processes to ensure accurate and timely submission of change requests.
- Work with field supervisors to ensure materials and other requirements are on-site and on time.
- Interact with owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and vendors regarding project evaluation activities, pay requests, and other project concerns.
- Assist Safety Manager with site inspections, audits, and safety compliance.
- Participate in continuing education programs in both formal and field settings to enhance job skills including safety and project management training.
- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
Required
- An Associate’s Degree in construction management, construction technology, or civil engineering (Bachelor’s Degree is given preference), or 2+ years of paid construction project or field engineering, administration or management experience is acceptable.
- Must be highly organized and capable of multi-tasking in a fast-paced work environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as strong ability to read and understand construction plans, “blueprints”, drawings, and specifications.
- Effective time management skills and logical decision-making ability are necessary.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, familiar with project scheduling programs, and be very knowledgeable and adaptable to new computer software and technology.