Design Construction Project Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $73,975.99 - $123,935.59 Annually
Location : 810 Union Street, Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 13361
Department: Public Works
Division: Division of Design
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
The Department of Public Works Design Division plays a critical role in building new facilities and infrastructure as well as renewing and modernizing our vintage ones. We are an energetic and collaborative group of professionals in architecture and interior design and civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and construction engineering. Our projects include a wide variety of public buildings and venues, and development of parks, streetscapes, coastal and waterfront structures that are both integral and iconic to the Hampton Roads region. An exciting assortment of upcoming projects includes Renovations to the historic Chrysler Hall, Scope Arena Seating Expansion and Amenities Improvements, Half Moone Cruise Operations and Terminal Enhancements, and brand new facilities such as the new Maury High School, a Recreation/Library Facility with aquatics features, East Street Parking Garage, Norfolk Animal Care Facility, and a Public Safety Facility, as well as a host of bridge and waterfront projects, parks improvements, and streetscape and drainage improvements.
The Design Division is looking to add an array of eager and talented professionals to our team to embark on an ambitious Capital Improvement Program approved by our City Council. We manage projects from cradle to grave, through design, procurement, and construction. We are seeking project managers with backgrounds in civil, structural, mechanical/electrical, and construction engineering, and architecture/interiors, as well as other specialists in construction and procurement/contracting, to join our vibrant team in delivering high quality facilities to our citizens and visitors. We are currently seeking a Project Manger to provide leadership and administer construction administration responsible for the coordination, management, development and/or implementation of special construction projects. Although this position may be responsible for a variety of projects, it is anticipated that it will focus on vertical and horizontal projects (both new construction and renovation) managed in the Construction Bureau. Performs administrative duties related to such projects.
Essential Functions
Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Manages and leads CIP projects through construction by planning scheduled and budgets, implements approved construction programs, coordinates design work with other city departments, outside agencies, and community representatives approves drawings and specifications prepared by consultants for large construction projects.
• Manages construction document preparation by preparing drawings and specifications for bidding and construction purposes, monitors the production of architectural and engineering drawings and calculates cost estimates.
• Manages contracts by procuring services of architectural and engineering firms, negotiates, prepares and manages consultant contracts, reviews and approves invoices for design services, prepares amendments to contracts and monitors consultants for adherence to the schedule and budget.
• Manages the construction administration of selected projects, including inspection of construction activities, review of project schedules, coordination of design changes, review of change order proposals, and processing of contract documents and invoices.
• Acts as an architectural or engineering consultant by serving on committees and provides technical expertise in design, construction, operations, or maintenance related issues.
• Acts as the City and/or Departmental representative on assigned projects. Advises the affected Department of best practices, estimates budget and best course of action on Departmental project. Works to ensure projects are completed in the most timely and cost-effective manner.
• Prepares written documentation of project status, manages project budgets, makes presentations to City Council and other city officials, and community and business groups and individuals.

Education/Experience
Bachelor's Degree required;Master's Degree in a relevant field is desirable

• Work requires specialized knowledge in a professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering, architecture, construction management, or related field.
• Over five years' experience in engineering, architecture or construction is required.
• Two years of experience is required in lead role in managing the design and construction of a large, complex construction project.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of architecture/interiors, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, construction, or related field.

Additional Information & Requirements
Professional licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia (or ability to receive reciprocity) in engineering or related technical field is preferred.
Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5000 sign on bonus.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

03
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
04
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
05
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

06
Do you have education/training in engineering, architecture, construction or a related field?

• Yes
• No

07
If yes, please explain. If no, type N/A.
08
Do you have experience managing design and/or construction of large projects?

• Yes
• No

09
If yes, please explain. If no, type N/A.
10
Do you have experience overseeing construction project budgets?

• Yes
• No

11
Do you have a professional license or certification in engineering, architecture, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

12
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question