Utilities Project Manager

Salary: $75,260.24 - $90,062.46 Annually
Location : Hickory, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 200-01245
Department: PS Public Utilities
Opening Date: 12/03/2025
Closing Date: 12/31/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Salary Depends on Qualifications: Yes

Description

For doers and makers seeking a well-rounded community, Hickory is a bridge between Asheville and Charlotte at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along Interstate 40, where a collective spirit of craftsmanship strengthens any endeavor with detail, artistry and quality.

Hickory, North Carolina, is a three-time All-American City on the Catawba River, approximately one hour east of Asheville and one hour north of Charlotte. More than 45,000 residents call Hickory their home, the hub of a 365,000-metropolitan area. Hickory has outstanding school systems, recreation facilities, libraries, golf courses, theatres, art museums and gorgeous parks. Beautiful Lake Hickory is over 4,000 acres and has many public access areas. Please check out for a virtual, interactive tour of the area and for a web portal all about Hickory and Life. Well Crafted.

Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability. U.S. Law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer functional prework screen and a drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves, or others. All applicants are subject to a background check.

Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid Class C driver's license from N.C.

This position provides professional-level support and technical evaluation on projects by overseeing, coordinating and planning, technical analysis and design, permitting, public relations, and construction management of projects. This may include inspecting water, wastewater, storm drainage systems, and structural elements to ensure compliance with applicable codes, ordinance and contract documents. This role will involve working closely with contractor/client manager to conduct all project management duties including onsite staffing needs, technical review of field and project reports, attendance of onsite meeting with clients and regulatory representatives.
Major Duties
• Ensures that safety and integrity are always the highest priority.
• Manages a comprehensive program using modern and complex principles of construction inspection and management
• Use interpersonal relations, professional communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to collaborate with design professionals, contractors, employees, and citizens
• Provide engineering, technical and administrative guidance, and direct supervision of consultants and contractors.
• Track and ensure compliance with plans, specifications, schedules, and contract documents by reviewing and approving technical submittals, conduct progress meetings, on-site inspections, and negotiation of contract disputes; oversee and participate in examination and analysis of construction materials; prepare and review materials used as well as construction progress reports, change orders, and pay estimates.
• Incorporate design or construction changes into the work product to address unforeseen conditions.
• Attends, participates and prepares presentations for various project meetings, required continuing education, training classes and other training opportunities as appropriate.
• Works successfully and independently with: Contractors, architects, engineers, sub-contractors, professionals, department heads, with minimal supervision.
• Coordinates and administers the design of construction projects, reviews plan and specifications, coordinates bidding phase and contractor selection and assures all related permitting required for the project is in place.
• Coordinates and administers construction projects by overseeing the work of consultants, design firms, architects, federal and local agencies, and coordinates with other City departments as required.
• Prepares project status reports and regularly monitors budgets; Approves expenditures and authorizes design firms and contractor payments.
• Assists budget coordinator and finance department for grant reporting and reimbursement requests
• Keeps accurate records and electronic database of all elements of each project.
• Interprets and applies city ordinances, regulations, and policies pertaining to project design and implementation in coordination with city departments.
• Provides engineering management and guidance for construction work.
• Provides information and technical assistance related to the bond program to developers, contractors, engineers, architects and the general public.
• Coordinates and works with engineers, planners, architects, and with a variety of government agencies, utilities and property owners to obtain all necessary permits and agreements needed for projects.
• Coordinates with other city departments to ensure their concerns are being addressed
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Qualifications
• Knowledge of the techniques, equipment, and supplies used in engineering, construction and maintenance.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of budgeting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of utility construction including distribution, collection and treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of construction scheduling, traffic control, trench safety,
• Knowledge of city policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety policies and procedures.
• Exceptional skill in organizing and prioritizing work.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting data.
• Skill in developing and interpreting plans and specifications.
• Skill in operating a computer and all associated software.
• Exceptional skill in oral and written communication.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelors' degree from a four-year college or university in Engineering or Construction Management and five years related experience in Civil Engineering or construction management and/or project management tasks.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or certified Engineering Intern (EI) with municipal experience in construction management and implementation preferred.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require three to five years of related experience.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
Supplemental Information
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Public Utilities Department assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of operations.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include relevant state and federal laws, city ordinances, department policies and procedures, and state department of transportation specifications. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops project guidelines.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied management and technical engineering duties. Multiple projects and changing priorities contribute to the complexity of the work.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to oversee the construction and management of projects within the Public Utilities Department. Successful performance helps ensure the effective and efficient operation of the affected agencies and affects the public image of the city government.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, city employees, other local government personnel, contractors, engineers, architects, developers, surveyors, representatives of state and federal agencies, and the general public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, and justify, defend, and negotiate matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, bending, crouching, or walking. The employee frequently lifts light and occasionally heavy objects, uses tools or equipment requiring high degree of dexterity, and must distinguish between shades of color. Visits construction and project job sites which have difficult and rough topography.

SAFETY SENSITIVE: This position has been identified as safety sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third-party vendor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, where the employee is exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, irritating chemicals, and occasional inclement weather.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This position does not supervise directly.
The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package, in addition to salary:

• 11 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick leave days per year
• Paid vacation
• City-paid individual health insurance (H.S.A.)
• Low-cost dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program - 5 FREE visits
• 14.35% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System
• Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k
• Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On-site Wellness Clinic
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, Short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance; All at very competitive rates.
• Benefits package valued at over ($15,000) annually.

*Employees working in seasonal/part-time positions are not eligible for benefits.*
01

Are you at least 18 years old?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a Licensed Professional Engineer in NC?

• Yes
• No
• No, I am a Licensed Professional Engineer from another state.
• No, however I have an E.I. (or E.I.T) designation from Northi Carolina
• No, However I have an E.I. (or E.I.T) from another state.

03

Describe your supervisory experience.
04

Describe the scope and level of your experience as it relates to the job description.
05

Please list the type(s) of project management software you have used and list your level of expertise (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
06

What specific training/education have you had that would be relevant to this project manager position?
07

This position requires knowledge of state and federal funding guidelines and experience in grant administration. Describe your experience and knowledge.
Required Question

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