Project Initiation & Planning Manager

Position Description

Position Overview

Project Initiation & Planning Manager manages the successful project initiation and project charter program across a broad spectrum of public infrastructure projects for the Harris County Engineering Department- Portfolio Management Office (PMO). The Manager ensures that project scoping and objectives are achieved through allocating resources, facilitating project solutions, and identifying and creating costs, schedules, and scopes. This includes maintaining a solid working knowledge of the PMO project portfolio to rapidly respond to inquiries from the client or management, identify systemic challenges, and initiate solutions through the project charter. The position directly supervises 3 Project Initiation Managers.

• Leads the PMO Team in achieving program goals and objectives through mentoring, resource management, facilitating project solutions, and promoting team cohesion by encouraging a positive, working team atmosphere.

• Assist with consulting procurement and managed internal and external resources to adequately staff the project initiation team, including project initiation, cost estimating & scheduling.

• Promote project initiation controls, tracking, and enhanced reporting, which includes advancing projects to the project delivery teams.

• Maintain responsibility, oversight, and knowledge of the entire portfolio of projects assigned to the PMO Team; meet regularly with department management and senior client representatives to discuss the project initiation.

• Identify and address risks to schedule, budget, or performance with subordinate project delivery managers and engage management as necessary to resolve issues and mitigate risks before impacting project charters.

• Manage and supervise project delivery managers and other related subject matter experts in preparing project charter documents.

• Ensure that quality assurance, risk management, regulation compliance, and permitting are properly evaluated utilizing the Project Management Institute (PMI) business model. Work closely with the Division leadership to track and report project initiation status.

• Work closely with management to monitor and adjust internal processes that promote efficient project execution. This includes assisting with developing written documents and methods for use by PMO staff, support staff, and outside team members to ensure consistency of project initiation.

• Conduct the full range of supervisory duties for assigned Project Initiation Managers and team (but not limited to) workplace safety, training and development, performance management, staffing, policies and procedures, and balancing workload.

• Assist with the review and recommended approval of change orders for condition changes, quality changes, reasonable costs, and appropriate solutions to issues found during the project lifecycle.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Science or Construction Management from an ABET accredited university.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in project management or design of civil works projects in a professional team or resource group environment including 2 of the 5 years must be focused on project management of roadway, drainage, transportation and/or vertical related projects.

Licensure

• Valid driver's license (Texas upon hire), a good driving record and, the ability to drive a County vehicle to various job sites as needed to accomplish tasks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Effectively communicate with team members with an emphasis on stakeholder engagement

• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, and the ability to deal tactfully with a diverse group of people in a professional manner in a complex organization.

• Ability to read and comprehend construction plans, estimates and specifications.

• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities, demands, and schedules.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education

• Master's degree or higher in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Science or Construction Management from an ABET accredited university.

Experience

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in project management or design of civil works projects in a professional team or resource group environment, including 4 of the 8 years, must be focused on project management of roadway, drainage, transportation and/or vertical-related projects.

• Licensed Professional Engineer

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities, demands, and schedules.

• Working knowledge of Harris County government and procedures

• Knowledge of eBuilder project management software

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week

• Hybrid schedule: Three days in the office and two days working from home.

• Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary:

• Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).

• This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance

• Wellness

• Professional development opportunity

• Flexible spending account

• 457 deferred compensation plans

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)

• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program)

• Disability and life insurance

• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage

• Dental Coverage

• Vision Coverage

• Wellness Plan

• Life Insurance

• Long-term disability

• Employee Assistance Program

• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service

• Accrual rates increase based on years of service

• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Reimbursement Account

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or higher

• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Engineering

• Engineering Technology

• Construction Science

• Construction Mangement

• Other Related Field

03

How many years of Professional experience do you have in project management or design of civil works projects?

• More than 5 years

• 5 years

• less than 5 years

• None of the Above

04

If you answered yes to the above question, please give a detailed explanation of your experience that is focused on project management of roadway, drainage, transportation and/or vertical related projects.

05

For this position, a valid Texas Driver's License is necessary. Please choose the option that best describes your situation: (Please be sure to include all related details in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)

• Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas Driver's License.

• Yes, I possess a valid Out-of-State Driver's License, but I am aware that I must acquire a valid Texas Driver's License before the start date.

• No, I do not currently have a driver's license, but I commit to obtaining one before the start date.

• No, I do not currently have a valid driver's license.

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx