Engineering Project Manager

Job Description:

Engineering Project Manager

Description

Position Description

Are you an experienced project manager with a passion for projects that truly make a difference? Do you find personal satisfaction in building something from the ground up that will bring real value to a community well into the future? Are you the type who enjoys solving complex puzzles? Do you like the idea of being a part of a team focused on your personal success and professional growth, as well as of those we serve? If any of this resonates with you, this job and Tacoma Power might be the place for you.

Tacoma Power’s Power Shared Services (PSS) Project Delivery Team in partnership with the Power Project Management Office (PMO), is focused on the successful delivery of projects critical to the operations of Tacoma Power. With the expansion of this team, we offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced and talented Engineering Project Manager to join our PSS Project Delivery Team. As an Engineering Project Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and successfully delivering medium to complex engineering projects, managing external consultants throughout the project lifecycle, and developing and managing on-call design services contracts to support the delivery of the portfolio of PSS projects.

In this role you will be joining a team that is truly focused on your success and professional development. This is a cornerstone of our PSS team culture. With the PSS Project Delivery program continuing to grow, the potential for career advancement opportunities in this role is substantial and exciting.

"We deliver clean, reliable services essential to the quality of life" is Tacoma Power’s strategic principle. We consider our decisions and prioritize resources and programs based on the impact on our customers and the community we serve.

PSS is a division within Tacoma Power and is led by Rachel Allen (Section Manager). PSS focuses on serving the operational needs of our organization.

As part of the PSS Project Delivery team, you will partner with Tacoma Power’s Project Management Office (PMO). Both teams are managed by Ryan McLaughlin. The PSS Project Delivery team is managed by Garth Nelson, who serves as the Portfolio Manager for the Facilities projects across the organization.

Rachel, Ryan, and Garth strive for a servant leadership philosophy, promoting a culture of trust where ideas for improvements are freely shared in the interest of maximizing value to the customers we serve. As part of his team, you will have the freedom to share your ideas, thoughts, and experiences. You will be empowered to successfully deliver the PSS projects that help keep our organization operational.

The role of the Engineering Project Manager contributes to the organization's mission by leading the delivery of various PSS projects and contracted services supporting organizational objectives across Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU).

You’ll be responsible for the development and administration of various service contracts to provide architectural, geotechnical, and engineering services, construction management support, as well as procurement of contractor services for facility-related projects, replacements, and repairs in support of operations across TPU.

Responsibilities include:

Project Management Contract Oversite

Develop, administer, and manage on-call consultants hired to develop designs and provide construction support associated with construction projects critical to TPU’s operations, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Develop, administer, and manage consultant contracts, schedules, budgets, and payments as needed to complete assigned projects.
• Oversee consultants' alignment with Tacoma Power’s PMO project delivery processes, and progress reporting in alignment with project delivery standards.
• Lead collaboration and address questions between project stakeholders, sponsors, and consultants in aligning on project deliverables, scope, schedule, budget, and overall project success criteria.

Project Management:

Coordinate all phases of select internally managed projects from planning and design through construction/implementation and project closeout on assigned projects, which includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Identify stakeholders and develop and manage project scope, schedule, budget, and risks.
• Build and lead project teams through feasibility studies, alternative analysis, and development of design criteria.
• Obtaining all applicable permits.
• Lead project teams in developing and preparing specifications, and bid documents.
• Developing contract terms and conditions with Legal, Purchasing, and Risk Office.
• Lead procurement initiatives, including bidding, contract negotiation, award recommendation, and contract management.
• Lead project meetings, scheduling, organizing, and communicating project status with stakeholders, team members, management, and customers.
• Oversee construction progress, including writing and reviewing change orders, settling contractor disputes, processing contractor and consultant payments, and overseeing the work of construction inspectors and coordinators.

Project Monitoring, Controlling, and Reporting:

• Establish and maintain communication with project stakeholders, sponsors, and management;
• Develop routine reports and project KPIs to ensure projects meet performance goals and document project artifacts for communicating to management and stakeholders for situational awareness and any follow-up action;
• Evaluate project effectiveness and make changes as necessary to align projects with established performance measures;
• Manage stakeholders, sponsors, teams, and resource managers by understanding needs, establishing expectations, and following through;
• Provide leadership and direction to other staff in the organization regarding best practices for Project Management.

Personal Development:

• Participate in career development planning and training.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, project management or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
4 years of progressively responsible professional capital construction project management experience

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification may be required based on assignment
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills

Desirable:

• Project Management Certificate (PMP)
• Experience working on projects related to medium to large-scale complex capital and O&M construction projects
• Ability to prepare and present effective oral communications for professional and general public use;
• Public sector or utility experience preferred;
• Contract Management experience preferred
• Knowledge of various project management tools/ software packages MS Office Suite, scheduling software, Smartsheet software, earned value reporting.
• Knowledge of Public procurement processes and Public Works requirements

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We’re committed to eliminating racial and other disparities and actively seek candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

We believe diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our innovation and collective success. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission-even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications-we encourage you to apply. We value transferrable skills and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $110,281.60 - $155,251.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Application Process
This recruitment is being managed by Kye Merritt, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a resume and cover letter that includes how your background, experience, and training align with this position. Applications without the required materials may not be considered.

Application Deadline
Submit your application by the closing date listed on the job posting.

Assistance
For questions about the job announcement or application process, contact Human Resources at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. on the job closing date.

For technical support with the NEOGOV system, call 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Important Communication Notice
The City of Tacoma primarily communicates via email. Please ensure emails from @tacoma.gov and @governmentjobs.com are added to your safe senders list. Check your junk/spam folders to avoid missing updates.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 9/25/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$110,281.60 - $155,251.20 Annually