Senior Construction Specialist-Electrical Engineering

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Position Senior Construction Specialist, Electrical Engineering

Organization KFI Engineers (KFI)

Reporting Relationship Director of Electrical Engineering

Website

COMPANY BACKGROUND

KFI is a recognized industry leader in process and facility infrastructure design and performance. Since 1996, our culture of collaboration and unique capabilities have allowed us to make a difference in the way infrastructure and processing projects are delivered. We serve clients in numerous markets and geographical areas including the United States, Canada, and Central America.

Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with eight regional offices and a team of over 250 professionals, we have a people-first culture that offers opportunities to continue your career with mentorship programs, career growth support, and continued education. With KFI, we find a way to provide creative solutions to unique projects while providing the same care we would expect if we were the client. For more information about KFI Engineers and our culture, please visit

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Construction Specialist plays a key role in KFI's delivery of technical services by field consulting as part of a construction project or contract. This individual plays a key role in the successful execution of projects both in the office during design and on site with clients and the project construction team. This person is focused primarily on coordination of communications and work between different stakeholders (KFI project team, client, general contractor or construction manager, subcontractors, vendors, etc.). The Senior Construction Specialist is also responsible for trouble-shooting problems in the field, communicating with design Engineers, and facilitating the timely execution of decisions directly affecting the timeliness and quality of our work and the overall satisfaction of our client. The objective of this position is to leverage the individual's knowledge and experience across all KFI's relevant business units and projects.

The successful candidate will have a pragmatic and applied approach, enjoy working in the field, and directly with customers and contractors. The person filling this position will have a strong attention to detail. The successful candidate will possess strong communication and influencing skills. This person will also be self-directed but thrive in an environment where consultation and collaboration leads to superior outcomes.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Project Execution

• Works alongside and provides consultation to various project managers, according to assignment.
• Will often serve as contact with client, other professionals, contractors and suppliers.
• Attend construction meetings, ensuring full representation of the needs of both the client and KFI.
• Gather information from the field as required to assist the overall team.
• Carry out the research necessary to identify and address the root cause of problems.
• Inspect equipment and critically observe testing of same.
• Review and provide clarification to construction documents as required.
• Communicate, both verbally and in writing as necessary, with the appropriate staff at KFI who can expedite the resolution of customer problems.
• Review drawings and documents to ensure compliance with company design standards.
• Review project requirements and attend meetings as necessary during the design phase. Work with project team to produce construction documents.
• Research non-routine code issues and obtain interpretations from code officials. Prepare addendum and change orders and turn them over to the project manager for review.
• Review shop drawings.
• Monitor the work of all contractors and subs, ensuring that the quality of the work meets or exceeds both KFI and our client's standards.
• Assists Commissioning efforts by conducting building performance evaluations and audits, including commissioning, re-commissioning, and retro-commissioning activities.
• Primarily executes electrical, lighting, and life safety functional tests, including point verification and sequence tests. Will be expected to assist other KFI personnel in the creation of, or witnessing of, other systems tests such as HVAC, fire protection, or plumbing systems.
• Directs electrical commissioning meetings, recording action items and distributing these to all key stakeholders.
• Assist in project management, including developing a construction administration plan, requesting and securing resources, and keeping the project on track for on time delivery.
• Support the lead discipline engineer in problem definition, design approach, and technology selection.

Business Development

• Support project pursuits by participating in pre-proposal meetings and discussions, contributing to and/or reviewing proposals.
• Engage current and prospective clients through participation in conferences, trade associations, and technical society activities.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations or seminars for KFI's clients on topics relevant to their business.
• Maintain an active role in a technical society or professional association.
• Regularly present and/or publish in forums that provide exposure for KFI.

Standards Development

• Develop and maintain standard requirements for the quality and content of construction administration deliverables including submittal logs, observation reports, and punch lists.
• Identify and guide the development of tools to improve productivity and quality of construction administration.
• Maintain the currency and technical quality of commissioning scripts.

Staff Development

• Mentor the technical development of peers and junior staff through regular interaction with project teams.
• Utilize project QC reviews and lessons-learned sessions as teaching opportunities to increase staff knowledge and eliminate repetitive errors.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• 15+ years of experience required.
• The successful candidate will have strong construction and field experience, along with an ability to engage others and build credibility quickly. Ideally, the person filling this position will be able to comprehend technical work in the field and be able to convey situations and problems concisely to others.
• The person will possess strong communication skills, and influencing skills, and has demonstrated the maturity and self-confidence to work with a wide variety of individuals.
• The successful candidate will be naturally collaborative and possess the ability to assimilate a range of ideas, programs or alternatives into a set of recommendations. This person will be self-directed, but able to adapt quickly to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Field experience in startup and commissioning of power generation systems.
• Master Electrician license preferred.
• Fundamental understanding of all disciplines (millwright, piping, mechanical, electrical, and civil/structural).
• Central energy and distribution project experience.
• Thorough understanding of power systems as applied to the design of commercial and industrial power systems.

WORK TRAVEL

• Much of our work is located in the St. Paul, MN or Fargo, ND area. However, we have a number of clients located throughout the United States. Generally, travel can be coordinated (i.e. not directed), and share this workload among our staff. We typically do not have to travel on weekends. This position is expected to be able to travel, and up to approximately 50% of the work may require overnight travel.

CORE BEHAVIORS

Accountable

• Demonstrates persistence in the achievement of goals.
• Acts with a sense of urgency.
• Takes responsibility for own actions.

Business Focus

• Demonstrates agility, adapts well to changes.
• Works well under pressure.
• Meets commitments to internal/external customers.

Project Execution

• Plans projects well, managing last-minute rushes and disruptions.
• Balances Speed and Quality.
• Looks for improvement in our delivery, tools and processes.

Demonstrates Respect for Others

• Keeps others adequately informed.
• Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
• Adapts communication style and method based on audience and situation.

Team Player

• Balances team and individual responsibilities.
• Shares expertise with others.
• Inspires respect and trust.

EDUCATION

Technical degree from an accredited technical institution.

KFI Engineers is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.