Assistant Project Management Jobs in Salem, OR (NOW HIRING)

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued.  We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Transportation Planning and Design

Join our dynamic team of transportation planners and designers dedicated to creating innovative, practical solutions that improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility. Collaborating closely with our traffic engineers, you'll help develop and implement roadway improvements that solve immediate traffic challenges while supporting long-term community goals. If you're passionate about shaping smarter, safer transportation systems, we’d love you to be a part of our team!

Summary

DOWL is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Transportation Project Engineer 1 to lead the design and delivery of our most complex and impactful transportation projects. From highways and freeways to local streets, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping the transportation systems that connect communities.  In this senior-level role, you’ll take ownership of advanced engineering calculations, 3D corridor modeling, geometric design, and project documentation, while also managing client coordination, cost estimating, and scope development. You'll lead site visits, oversee CAD mark-ups, and contribute to project specs and technical reports with precision and efficiency.

We’re looking for a professional with mastery in design and drafting software, a strong work ethic, and the ability to mentor junior staff, provide quality control, and quickly learn and teach new design concepts. If you’re ready to bring your expertise, leadership, and passion to a collaborative and fast-paced environment, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact at DOWL and on the future of transportation infrastructure.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Advanced
• Market Sector Software (AutoCAD C3D) - Advanced
• Market Sector Software (Microstation Connect and OpenRoads) - Advanced (if applicable)
• 3D design and visualizations (e.g., Revit, Infraworks) - Proficient (if applicable)
• Task Specific (e.g., AutoTurn, GuideSign)

Technical Expertise

• Mastery of technical fundamentals
• Highly efficient at providing technical solutions to the most complex challenges and guides others towards the same
• Works with market sector leaders to advance technical skills within the team
• Performs quality control of moderately complex deliverables

Teamwork

Technical leader/mentor on large/complex projects, has excellent communication skills, answer questions from those with less experience, take action based on the needs of the team.

Project Delivery

Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:

• Technical reports and memos
• Specifications
• Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates
• Design documents and construction plans
• Breakdown of costs and scope of work - Advanced
• Schedules - Advanced
• Proposals - Advanced

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Develops budgets and schedules for complex tasks and projects. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentors others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Expertly interprets, selects, and employs the following design codes:
  • AASHTO and FHWA - Advanced
  • Local Client - Advanced
• Actively mentors others in design code deviations and interpretation
• Understands limitations of design codes and when deviation from design codes is appropriate

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Engages as industry expert on complex projects and pursuits. Leads technical aspects of project interviews. Mentors others on above.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Efficiently performs the most technically complex and demanding technical work without supervision. Reviews the work of others and mentors others on complex project tasks. May also perform assistant project management and project management duties as needed. May perform the role of project engineer on large and/or complex multidiscipline projects. Leads technical approach on proposals.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team
• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks
• Recruits and hires new employees
• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff
• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa
• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching
• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance
• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Master's Degree preferred
• Years of experience required: 15 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 14 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE required
• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver’s license is required to support legitimate business purposes

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands 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.  While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.