Project Assistant Jobs in Springfield, 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.

Bridges and Structures

With thousands of projects under our belt, we're proud to be a regional leader in heavy, unoccupied civil structures such as water reservoirs, pump stations, bridges, port and marine facilities and other significant concrete, masonry, steel and timber structures. Our proven approach provides clients with creative, efficient solutions. Our structural design team offers decades of experience in both new and existing construction, specializing in public infrastructure and industrial structures. If you are inspired to engineer structures that have significant impact on the communities we live and work in, we’d love you to be a part of our team!

Are you an experienced Certified Bridge Inspection Team Leader interested in taking the next step into team management, or a current manager looking for a new opportunity in the Pacific Northwest? DOWL is seeking a skilled bridge inspection leader to oversee our in-service inspection portfolio.

In this role, you’ll manage bridge inspection projects for state and local agencies to ensure compliance with the National Bridge Inventory System. In addition, you’ll work with public and private clients on non NBI structures such as culverts and pedestrian bridges.

You’ll also have an opportunity to lead a variety of in-service inspection efforts across the Pacific Northwest, including port and marine structures, water and wastewater facilities, dams, and irrigation infrastructure.

At DOWL you’ll also be able to manage bridge and structural design or construction engineering management projects if that aligns with your experience and career goals.

This position offers autonomy and resources to grow our inspection services throughout the region.

Summary  

The Project Manager for In-Service Bridge Inspection is responsible for winning, managing, monitoring, and delivering projects that are high-quality, profitable and result in client satisfaction. People in this position have a broad technical background across a variety of disciplines, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to quickly assimilate complex technical information in order to make informed decisions. The person in this position will demonstrate an advanced understanding of managing single-discipline projects, a basic understanding of managing aspects of a multidisciplinary project and learn how to fit each task together for successful marketing strategy followed by successful project delivery. A Project Manager for In-Service Bridge Inspection must demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency along with providing trusted leadership and guidance to less experienced team members as necessary. This position requires a seller-doer mentality and includes business development, client relations, staff leadership and business management responsibilities. This role also requires excellent interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, solid judgement, and a desire to learn and grow. The Project Manager for In-Service Bridge Inspection is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.

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, PowerPoint, Project) - Proficient
• Projectwise, Newforma, Deltek Vison, UKG, Bluebeam - Proficient

Technical Expertise

• Demonstrates clear understanding of project-related technical terms and fundamentals
• Coordinates resolution of technical issues with project staff
• Reviews and interprets technical drawings and documents
• May prepare technical documents as necessary

Teamwork, Communication, and Leadership

Demonstrates excellent communication and collaboration skills in both a leadership and supporting role. Interacts with clients, teaming partners, and contractors resulting in client satisfaction. Takes responsibility for personal and team results and proactively seeks to assist and mentor others.

Project Schedule and Delivery

Plans and develops a project schedule that balances client needs and internal capacity. Oversees the on-time submittal of technical work products and deliverables. Schedules/leads internal and external project meetings to maintain project progress. Coordinates with resource managers to ensure adequate staffing is assigned to projects.

Understanding Scope and Budget

Demonstrates full proficiency with preparing scope of work and fee breakdowns that result in financial success for the firm. Monitors project financials, burn rate, and earned value and takes appropriate action to make adjustments as needed. Identifies project changes (e.g., scope, schedule, budget, project team, client team) quickly and obtains contract amendments or conducts other change management activities as needed.

Business Development, Marketing, and Industry Standards

Participates in business development and marketing efforts by meeting with clients and teaming partners, identifying leads for future work, identifying which leads are the best to pursue, positioning the firm to win those projects, and collaborating with others to successfully propose and win. Accountable for winning work for the firm.

Client Interaction

Frequent communications with clients and teaming partners during project meetings, industry conferences, and other events. Manages communications between client, DOWL, and/or subconsultant staff. Serves as a company ambassador that fosters client satisfaction and loyalty.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Provides management and leadership for multiple projects of moderate size and complexity. Leads the development of scope, schedule and budget for projects. Responsible for project quality, client satisfaction, and financial outcomes of assigned projects. Works independently with minimal oversight to complete pursuit development and business development tasks. Follows established procedures and exercises independent judgment on administrative projects under broad minimal management direction.

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
• Years of experience required: 6 years (0 years as a PM)
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 5 years (0 years as a PM)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE, required (depending on discipline)
• Certified Bridge Inspection Team Lead according to CFR 650.309

Driving Requirements

Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Project Managers and project management staff are responsible for coordinating and overseeing project activities across various locations, which often requires in-person engagement. Their duties include:

• Visiting job sites to monitor progress, resolve issues, and ensure quality control.
• Meeting with clients, contractors, and team members at off-site locations to facilitate communication and decision-making.
• Attending stakeholder meetings, public hearings, and industry events that support project development.
• Traveling to municipal offices or partner organizations for permitting, documentation, and coordination.
• Responding to urgent project needs that require immediate on-site presence.

These responsibilities demand flexible and reliable transportation, making the ability to drive essential for effective and timely project management.

Physical Demands

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 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.