Position Description

Position Overview:
The Office of the County Engineer (OCE) manages a large and complex capital program with more than 700 active projects valued at approximately $4 billion. Over the next year, OCE will oversee hundreds of design and construction projects, making this role critical to the successful delivery of the County’s capital program and broader operational objectives.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing multiple capital improvement projects within OCE’s Vertical Portfolio, ensuring construction activities comply with the Engineer of Record and Architect of Record’s sealed plans, Harris County specifications, and all applicable codes and standards. Projects may include high-rise renovations and new construction, facility upgrades, full-site developments such as parks and greenways, and major energy, sustainability, and resiliency initiatives.

This position plays a key role in supporting disaster recovery and emergency preparedness efforts, including continuity of operations under the County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). The Project Manager works closely with County departments, contractors, consultants, testing laboratories, coordinating agencies, and external partners to proactively address issues, manage risk, and resolve challenges throughout the design and construction process, helping protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

Job Duties:

• Deliver assigned capital projects from pre-planning through construction and close-out, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards using several delivery methods.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage project scopes of work, schedules, resource plans, and cost estimates in coordination with clients, consultants, and project teams.
• Lead consultant procurement efforts, including contract negotiation, staffing coordination, budget oversight, and ongoing consultant performance management.
• Manage and coordinate internal and external project delivery teams to produce final deliverables, including engineering reports and constructible plan sets.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet client expectations, departmental standards, regulatory requirements, and permitting guidelines.
• Implement proactive risk management strategies to identify, mitigate, and resolve issues impacting project scope, schedule, budget, or performance.
• Oversee project controls and reporting using project management systems (e.g., e-Builder) to ensure accurate tracking of scope, budget, schedule, documentation, and approvals.
• Coordinate closely with CIP Inspections & Quality Assurance staff, inspectors, design engineers, consultants, and contractors throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Conduct pre-construction site walks and field coordination to resolve design issues, utility conflicts, and construction-related challenges.
• Review and recommend approval of change orders related to changed conditions, constructability, cost reasonableness, and viable technical solutions.
• Maintain oversight of assigned project portfolios; provide regular updates, reports, and briefings to senior management, client stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Lead and mentor assigned staff, including Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Graduate Engineers, consultants, and subject matter experts; oversee training, workload distribution, performance, and adherence to County policies and procedures.
• Coordinate effectively with County departments, elected officials, external agencies, and the public to support transparent and successful project delivery.
• Support emergency response, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations efforts as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or similar fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of 4 four years of proven experience managing vertical projects; candidates should submit a list of projects and/or a portfolio of representative work when applying.

Licensure

• A valid driver’s license (Texas upon hire). Applicant must provide and maintain proof of automobile liability insurance upon employment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Demonstrated ability to lead negotiations with consultants, regulatory agencies, and diverse stakeholders to secure resources, resolve issues, and support successful project outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of building materials, systems, and construction methods, with the ability to evaluate constructability, quality, and long-term operational impacts.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements related to vertical construction projects.
• Proficiency in reviewing and coordinating construction drawings and technical documents; familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) and related project documentation tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction plans, cost estimates, schedules, and technical specifications to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and team-building skills, with a practical, solution-oriented approach to project delivery.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing project conditions, and maintain high performance in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
  Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

Preferences

Education

• Hold an advanced degree in architecture/engineering from an accredited university.

Experience:

• Commercial construction experience in the field
• Familiar with the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and federal agency/jurisdiction review.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• LEED-AP
• PMP

• Licensed by the Texas State Board of Architectural Examiners, OR, licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, or have the ability to transfer license within 6 months of arriving in Texas.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.
Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Occasional driving of a vehicle with automatic and four-wheel drive controls.
• Frequent standing and walking; prolonged sitting for extended periods of time.
• Frequent stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying items up to 10 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• Extensive use of a video display terminal (computer monitor).
• Occasional sorting, filing, shelving, and handling documents, books, files, materials, and equipment.
• Frequent standing and walking on rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces and ground during field visits.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time:

• Approximately 90% of duties will be performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditioning, and noise levels.
• Approximately 10% of duties will be performed outdoors, where there will be exposure to heat, cold, moisture, air pollution, wind, and dust.
• Must be willing to work in various weather and working conditions when visiting a field location.

FEATURED BENEFITS:
Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
Wellness.
Professional development opportunities.
Flexible spending accounts.
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).

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.