ABOUT THE ROLE & THE DEPARTMENT:

Capital Building Projects is a newly established City department that provides high-quality professional management of municipal building renovations. The department plays a key role implementing strategic City priorities around climate change mitigation and resiliency. The department has 18 full-time employees, and a building project portfolio valued at greater than $500 million of planned and ongoing construction. The size of the staff team and the value and complexity of the project portfolio are expected to grow over time.

The Director of Construction position is the Owner’s Project Managers (OPM) position for the City of Cambridge managing all Capital Projects. Under the new organization, this position shall report to the Director of Capital Building Projects Department. Major program areas include Design, Construction, and System Performance. This organizational structure will ensure that consideration of strategic priorities such the Net Zero Action Plan and the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance is embedded in all aspects of project lifecycles. The Director of Construction is a key member of the Capital Building Projects Department.

Projects are located throughout Cambridge. Building types include schools, youth and senior centers, office buildings, libraries, public works facilities, garages, firehouses, and other public safety buildings. Projects may include new construction, complete building renovations, MEP/FP upgrades, energy efficiency improvements, envelope improvements, photovoltaic installations, accessibility upgrades, and interior or FF&E upgrades.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• The Director of Construction is the City of Cambridge Owners Project Manager (OPM) as described under MGL 149 & 149A Office of the Inspector General and must perform in these functions on all projects

• Oversee a growing division of 7 staff members, guiding building projects from conceptual design through construction. The Staff are located on site helping with the overall management of the construction process

• Participate in the procurement and management of a variety of capital building projects including new construction and renovation and repair of existing municipal buildings

• Supervise direct report staff and participate in the hiring of staff and consultants

• Manage and review consultant team progress and documentation of construction, programming from all phases of design from Feasibility Study, through the construction documents phase. At each phase work with closely with the Director of Design, to aid in cost estimating and bid phase, and construction administration and project close out

• Perform OPM and/or owner’s representative duties at construction project team meetings, supporting an integrated team approach.

• Review, process, and track contractor and consultant invoices, proposals, change orders, and contract amendments

• Perform high level organization and management duties for the department requiring excellent interpersonal skills, sound decision-making, financial responsibility and problem-solving

• Support the development of the department’s annual operating and capital budget submission

• Support in shaping the long-term construction program, collaborating with colleagues to help develop and oversee a multi-year capital improvement plan for municipal buildings, working towards the goal of developing a safe, healthy, livable environment and planning for a sustainable future

• Interact and coordinate design and planning of city building construction projects with residents, property owners, business owners, other city departments, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders

• Provide mentoring and oversight to staff in order to support their growth and performance

• Update the OPM guidelines at the direction of the Director of Design, Construction, System Performance & Maintenance Develop the construction and design budget for current and future projects before construction begins

• Track each project budget and provide monthly reports of project progress to dept leaders and stakeholders

• Develop detailed design and construction schedules

• Effectively collaborate with other City departments to meet multi-disciplinary goals and objectives for the built environment including the Net Zero Action Plan, the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance, roofs, bicycle facilities, maintenance of public facilities.

• Employ best practices around process improvement, team management and communications.

• Act as the Capital Building Projects Director’s representative

• Perform related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or construction management, or similar related field required.

• 10+ years of experience in architectural or construction project management with demonstrated experience managing the design and construction of large-scale ($50M+) building projects

• OPM certification from the MA Office of the Inspector General or the ability to obtain it within 12 months of hire

• Ability to manage and administer multiple design and construction contracts projects and demonstrated commitment to public service

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Exceptional organization skills.

• Ability to effectively lead complex design processes and collaborate with the community.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a busy work environment under tight deadlines.

• Strong problem solving, decision making and mediation abilities.

• Proficiency with a variety of computer software typical to professional office environment including Word, Excel, Smartsheet, Teams, and Zoom.

• Strong working knowledge of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction computer software, such as AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat, and other Adobe Suite programs.

• Experience with and successful responsibility for large-scale construction program management projects which include planning/programming; management of designer and consultant contracts; construction documentation and review; public bidding; construction management; installation of fixtures, furnishings and equipment along with other components of total project fit-out; occupancy and move management; and post-occupancy evaluation.

• Ability to negotiate change orders

• Model the City’s values and culture, and act with the highest integrity and ethics.

• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion. The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with state and municipal procurement laws and regulations.

• Knowledge and understanding of local and national building codes and standards as they relate to building design and construction.

• A thorough knowledge of all aspects of public building construction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly the construction reform law, Chapter 193 of the Acts of 2004, including the filed sub-bid laws and contractor pre-qualification requirements, and Construction Management at Risk experience with all process and procedures

• Knowledge and understanding of public building construction in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly c.149/149a as well as bidding and procurement laws and regulations.

• An understanding of Green Building design and construction, as well as a working knowledge of LEED, building commissioning procedures, and Net Zero buildings

• Knowledge of state and federal accessibility requirements and experience designing and constructing accessible facilities.

• Working knowledge of capital budgeting, formal project management (including related software).

• LEED AP accreditation in Building Design and Construction preferred. Additional accreditations in LEED AP O&M and Passive House are also preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work involves frequent site visits, requiring travel to and through construction zones, driving, walking, bending, squatting, reaching and stretching. Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to operate office equipment including copiers, printers and scanners. Executes multiple tasks involving keyboarding, telephones, writing, bending, reaching and lifting boxes of files (up to 10 lbs.).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Outdoors including construction sites under all weather conditions. Standard office environment, which includes fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Busy office work environment characterized by multiple work demands from staff interaction. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance

• Vacation and Sick leave eligible

• Paid parental leave

• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible

• 3 Personal days

• 14 Paid Holidays

• Management Allowance, $2,700/year

• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please upload the following documents to complete your application.

• Resume
• Cover Letter