Student Construction Jobs (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY

Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) provides job training programs, wrap-around support, and alternative high school education with the mission to support low-income young adults, ages 17-26, who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community. At PYB, students develop marketable employment skills in construction and technology to launch successful careers. PYB’s state certified pre-apprenticeship construction training is offered through two programs: a year-long YouthBuild program, which offers high school completion along with vocational training; and the 8-week Bridge to Construction program offering pre-apprenticeship training for high school graduates.  PYB offers construction vocational training onsite at our two facilities (in the Lents neighborhood of southeast Portland and near downtown Beaverton), as well as at a partner construction sites such as Habitat for Humanity, Taking Ownership PDX and Sabin CDC, where PYB provides volunteer construction contracting services.

PYB is deeply committed to continuously working to make our organization a more equitable and just place for both students and staff. As it is written in our equity statement: At PYB, we believe that communities are strengthened when diversity is honored. We believe we have a responsibility to interrupt and confront inequity. At PYB, we commit to continuously reflect and challenge the ways in which we, as a community, and as individuals, perpetuate inequity. It is not only vital to our students’ success but essential to our purpose.

The Construction Manager will lead PYB’s Construction Department, managing construction components of the Bridge and YouthBuild programs.  They will supervise a team of construction trainers; manage all PYB construction projects, whether in-house or at partner organization sites; establish and maintain community partnerships to bring PYB’s construction contracting services to new projects that serve the community and train PYB students; and ensure the overall quality of PYB’s construction program. The Construction Manager will oversee their team’s work to provide wraparound supports to participants, which is centered in cross-departmental case management teams.  These collaborative efforts help students develop personal skills and overcome barriers as they strive to define, and prepare to achieve, their career goals, ensuring their readiness for construction jobs.    

The ideal candidate will be committed to our mission and equity statement, and will be inspired by working with young people from diverse backgrounds as they transform their lives through hands on learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

·       Supervise Construction Department staff, including weekly individual supervision meetings and weekly team meetings, at a minimum

·       Identify eligible projects for PYB’s construction training program, prepare applications and proposals as needed, prepare project estimates, solicits bids, and select and oversee subcontractors

·       Oversee and evaluate the work-site activities of the construction trainers

·       Lead/work in partnership with other construction staff to plan daily student crew assignments, project schedules, and share teaching responsibilities

·       Provide daily oversight, organization, safety and quality control of work performed on assigned projects near PYB’s Multnomah County and/or Washington County locations.

·       Collaborate with colleagues in other PYB departments on shared curriculum, policies, trainings, and other initiatives

·       Oversee the Construction Department’s work to track and improve student outcomes in compliance with PYB funder requirements.

·       Oversee implementation of PYB’s new welding curriculum (training provided)

·       Ensure compliance with all construction project regulatory and funding agencies, including but not limited to: YouthBuild USA, OSHA, BOLI, DOL, Davis-Bacon, Construction Contractors Board, etc.

·       Lead the Construction Department in the review, development, and implementation of new policies and procedures; continual assessment of construction related skills on site; and scheduling of regular site visits to assess quality control

·       Periodically assess and update construction training curriculum to ensure quality and compliance with safety and BOLI certification standards.

·       Provide mentorship and career explorations with current students and graduates as time allows

·       Represent PYB, as time allows, at appropriate community networking events/meetings

·       Serve as substitute construction trainer when needed to cover for staff absence

QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE

·       Minimum 5 years’ experience working in the construction industry or construction related trades

·       Minimum 5 years’ experience managing construction projects and crew

·       Strong carpentry skills, with hands-on experience in most phases of residential construction; strong wood and finish carpentry skills required; metal framing skills a plus; welding skills a plus

·       Demonstrated construction project management skills such as proficiency in budget management, cost estimation, scheduling, safety compliance, subcontractor management, technical knowledge of building codes,  and effective communication with stakeholders

·       Strong interest in working with and supporting a diverse group of young adults to help them develop and achieve goals

·       Preference given to candidates with training and/or teaching experience

·       Capacity to collaborate with students, colleagues, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners

·       Ability to clearly communicate and problem solve with people who may have a different communication style from your own, and an ability to learn to bridge communication gaps to achieve shared goals

·       Experience organizing and supervising construction sites and crew, as well as experience managing staff        

·       Able to work in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Suite (docs, sheets, slides, and classroom) and email; capacity to competently use a database to track student data after training is provided; other computer skills a plus

·       A good driving record with a valid Oregon Driver’s License, the ability to drive various personal and construction vehicles, and small buses

·       Ability to lift 50 pounds and to perform work in all typical residential construction conditions including roofs and crawl spaces

·       Ability to assess quality control on high production techniques

·       Applicants must be cleared through a fingerprint-based criminal background check and drug screening before a final offer of employment

SUPERVISION, SALARY & BENEFITS

Reports To:                             Executive Director

Schedule:                               40 hours per week (1.0 FTE)

Start Date:                              Upon successful recruitment of applicant

Compensation:                       Starting salary range of $85,000-$100,000/year

Employment Status:              Full-time, Regular, Exempt

Benefits:                                  Seven weeks paid vacation per year during PYB closures -4 weeks Summer Break, 2 weeks Winter Break, and 1 week Spring Break; most state recognized holidays paid; 12 days per year Personal Time Off; $700/month added to salary for Section 125 cafeteria plan to cover employee’s health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, and/or retirement savings;  dollar-for-dollar employer match for retirement contributions up to 3% of salary with immediate vesting; employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance; dynamic environment with great team of students and staff.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply: email resume and cover letter to Rana Uzzaman, Executive Director at rana.uzzaman@pybpdx.org. Immediate applications are encouraged and will be reviewed as received. Interviews will be conducted to fill the position as soon as a qualified candidate is identified.

No phone calls or visits please

For more information, please visit our website at www.pybpdx.org.

Portland YouthBuilders’ mission connects us to people and communities across Portland. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and an equal opportunity program.  Portland YouthBuilders does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or any other classifications applicable by law. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. TTY 1-800-735-2900. To place a free relay call in Oregon dial 711.  

The Bridge program is financed in whole or in part with funds provided through Worksystems from the U.S. Department of Labor and Agriculture  (USDA Nondiscrimination Statement), Washington County, Prosper Portland, Metro, Multnomah County, and TriMet, as well as been made possible in part by grants from the City of Portland, Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, and the Bureau of Labor and Industries. 

The YouthBuild program is funded 25% through a Federal award of $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor–ETA for the YouthBuild Program Initiative as well as financed with funds provided through Worksystems from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and Prosper Portland. The YouthBuild program is also an AmeriCorps program, and students have the opportunity to become AmeriCorps members. 

PYB employees and full-time volunteers must successfully complete a criminal background and drug test check prior to employment. Portland YouthBuilders is a Drug Free Workplace and adheres to the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act. Portland YouthBuilders’ students and staff may be subject to random drug tests.