Project Manager - Comet Houston

Raba Kistner, Inc. is a premier Engineering Consulting and Program Management firm. Our purpose is to build a better and more sustainable world for our employees, their families, our clients, and the communities we serve. Our Core Values are:

• Community "We care for our communities"
• Integrity "We act with integrity"
• Passion "We infuse passion into everything we do"
• Quality "We believe quality comes from a culture of innovation and continuous improvement"
• Growth "We dedicate ourselves to personal and business growth"

Raba Kistner is seeking a detailed-oriented, dependable Project Manager to join our CoMET team in the greater Houston, TX area. The Project Manager’s primary responsibilities encompass the technical management of assigned technical projects in construction materials engineering and testing (CoMET). The Project Manager’s responsibilities also encompass the support of activities required to grow and effectively conduct Raba Kistner, Inc. (RKI) CoMET business in the Houston marketplace. These responsibilities also include developing new and enhancing existing relationships with clients and influencers. The Project Manager shall be assigned project management responsibilities ranging from scope development, budget and proposal preparation, production work, project/client meetings, project site visits, invoicing and accounts receivable collection. The Project Manager shall support the firm’s objectives of meeting our clients’ expectations in a timely manner while achieving the Corporation’s financial objectives. The Project Manager shall also assist in the pursuit, management and execution of Construction Materials Engineering and Testing projects as required based on workload and/or the manager’s area of expertise. This includes reviewing CoMET reports and temporary management of CoMET personnel, technical/project management training and mentoring of CoMET staff members. The Project Manager shall also assist in the execution of field and laboratory CoMET activities, as required to meet the Client needs. The Project Manager’s primary responsibility is to manage staff (as needed) and oversee and/or manage projects and field and laboratory activities to ensure achievement of profitable CoMET project growth in the Houston marketplace. Other responsibilities include:

• Serve as Project Manager, Construction Materials Engineering/Project Professional on engineering and CoMET projects including project management from the beginning to the end of the project.
• Complete projects and reports in a timely and accurate manner within the specified budget.
• Provide mentorship and professional development to other professional, technical, clerical and support staff members.
• Perform CoMET consulting activities as required on company projects, and working in unison with staff members in the designated office and other offices.
• Coordinate materials testing activities with subcontractors and Raba Kistner’s field staff.
• Prepare laboratory-testing assignments on projects in accordance with the testing program.
• Analyze field data, laboratory test results, perform engineering calculations and provide required opinions/recommendations for completion of client reports.
• Submit draft materials testing and engineering reports for review and final reports for co-signature of assigned staff members.
• Perform field observation services in support of the CoMET activities, as well as for construction engineering investigations.
• Assist the designated office in expanding the scope and technological level of excellence currently provided in our engineering, environmental and construction materials services.
• Adhere to and support the Raba Kistner Safety program implementation and maintenance.
• Participate in growth efforts by establishing and managing key client relationships and involving other technical staff in the division's growth. As directed by your profit center leader, serve as a member of the Marketplace growth team coordinating relationship management activities and project pursuits with Business Development professionals and other growth team members. Work with Corporate Development to develop customized statements of qualifications, public relations and sales collateral, as required.
• Serve as sales professional/company representative while working with clients and professional organizations.
• Prepare proposals as assigned.
• Actively participate in specific technical and/or professional organizations as directed.
• Review prebilling invoices on projects for which the Project Manager is assigned.
• Contact and follow up with Clients on invoicing and status of payment.
• Within the first, three-month period, achieve average billing level of no less than 50 percent.
• Immediately notify direct report of all potential disputes that may lead to legal claims or litigation.
• As requested, support Chief Operating Officer to settle disputes or defend against litigation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED required. 5 - 10 years experience in construction materials testing and engineering preferred. Must have 5 -10 years of Project Management Experience. Project Management skills to manage all aspects of large projects (proposal development, contract negotiations, and project execution). Demonstrated experience building and leading successful teams. Possess or have the ability to attain relevant certifications for Materials Testing (NICET, ACI, TXAPA). Possess knowledge of the testing procedures used in a geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory (ASTM, TxDOT, AASTHO, USACE, etc.). Possess a competent understanding of construction plans and specifications, as well as good accepted engineering practices to be used in the review of assigned engineering reports and construction documents.

Ability to read and understand instructions, labels, reports, etc. Good oral and written communications skills and ability to work in teams at different levels within the organization. Intermediate in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

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

While performing the functions of this job, the employee may frequently stand, walk, and drive vehicle short and/or long distances. Regularly sit, talk or hear. Occasionally use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

May be required to occasionally work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.), work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.), fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.), risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff), risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.), vibration (jackhammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.). Frequently work in outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather). Noise level for this position is moderate (business office with computers/printers, light traffic, etc.).

Position may require protracted or irregular hours. Flexibility to work irregular hours is necessary due to client needs. Possess valid driver’s license in applicable jurisdiction and meet firm’s auto insurability requirements. Able to travel to project sites and maneuver over rough and uneven terrain. Work responsibilities require out of town travel to Raba Kistner offices, client offices and project locations.

EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran
Drug Free Workplace