Utilities Project Manager Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Who is CenTrio

CenTrio is a leading provider of sustainable energy services for higher education, healthcare campuses, and cities, managing utility infrastructures across 10 U.S. cities and serving over 170+ million square feet. We deliver efficient electricity, steam, hot water, and chilled water, offering reduced costs, lower emissions, and exceptional reliability. As a subsidiary of a global Infrastructure Investment Consortium, CenTrio benefits from strong financial backing and manages high-quality, long-term assets that ensure stable, growing cash flows.

CenTrio is planning an aggressive growth strategy during the next 30 years. CenTrio will expand the existing district energy grids, build new systems in other parts of the cities already located, pursue growth to expand its public-private partnerships with higher education and healthcare customers (both Design-Build-Finance-Operations-Maintain and other types of long-term concession arrangements), add to its power generation portfolio, introduce alternate fuels and technologies, and provide services to other municipalities.

Job Summary

The Project Manager of Utilities will be a key member of the Ypsilanti Plant reporting directly to the General Manager. The successful candidate will have regular visibility and direct access to the Vice President of Project Management and the PMO.

The Utilities Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing, supervising and coordinating the management of specific utilities projects; will coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the public; and will provide highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the applicable management representative.

Core Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for assigned services and activities related to the management of specific utilities projects, including budget development, design, bid, construction and related functions and professional contracts, to ensure completion of projects within budgetary, regulatory and time constraints.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities; and additionally, recommends and implements policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; and implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates and reviews the work plan for utilities project activities; assigns work activities and projects, including organizing and scheduling the work of professional and paraprofessional engineering staff and private contractors; monitors workflow; reviews and elevates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Drives the capital projects in the annual program to completion to achieve scope, budget, and schedule targets.
• Coordinates with Procurement to delineate responsibilities for purchasing and bidding activities.
• Manage the Ypsilanti annual sustaining CAPEX maintenance projects for CenTrio and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) per the terms of the Concession Agreement.
• Work as part of a collaborative team with EMU staff to develop successful projects that meet the needs of both CenTrio and EMU.
• Reviews the design of assigned utilities projects; directs the preparation and/or review of plans, specifications, estimates, Authorization for Expenditures (AFE’s), contracts, and internal and executive reporting for assigned projects.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned program budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; and monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments, as necessary.
• Provides staff assistance to management; conducts a variety of studies and investigations; develops and recommends modifications to utility facility programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Coordinates utility project activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies, organizations, and utility franchises; resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Performs a variety of applicable, project conflict resolution duties; resolves engineering problems in the construction phase; acts on behalf of the client/representative in meeting with and resolving engineering problems with project contractors, private engineers, owners, and developers.
• May serve as a representative on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees, planning and other public meetings; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field.
• May respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints.

The duties above are typical for this role. Incumbents may not perform all the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below, as applicable to business necessity or changes in business practices.

Professional Experience & Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in chemical, mechanical or electrical engineering, construction management, construction technology or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience, including two (2) years of project management, administrative and/or supervisory responsibility
• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a utility facilities program, as well as applicable principles and practices of utilities program management.
• Principles and practices used in the planning, design and relocation of utilities facilities.
• Contract administration principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, including public contract law.
• Civil, structural, electrical, traffic, geotechnical, and mechanical engineering principles and practices.
• Estimating principles and practices.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively leading and managing a project team.
• Proven ability to prepare and administer program budgets, and prepare cost estimates, and concise and accurate administrative and financial reports.
• Ability to effectively interpret and apply applicable federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Able to prepare and review the preparation of plans and specifications.
• Commitment to following all applicable company and client policies, procedures and work rules, and model appropriate actions and behaviors.

Technical Skills & Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Office applications (emphasis on Word, Excel, Project), Internet and E-mail, as necessary to meet the requirements of the job.
• Ability to read and understand utility drawings and as built drawings on MicroStation, AutoCAD or other relevant applications.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills; proven negotiation and consensus-building skills a must. Able to effectively address internal and external customer concerns.
• Willingness to adhere to various PPE requirements, including hearing protection, eye protection, hand protection, steel toe footwear, head protection, fall-protection, respirators (half-face and full-face)

Working Style to Be Successful in This Role:

• Highly analytical with a keen attention to detail
• Demonstrates exceptional initiative and execution skills
• Have an engineering foundation and a superior project management background.
• Strong oral and written communication abilities
• Collaborative with excellent interpersonal skills
• Capable of developing and maintaining positive relationships internally and externally
• Adapts quickly in a dynamic, complex, and fast-paced environment, managing changing priorities effectively
• Delivers high-quality work with speed and accuracy
• Self-motivated and proactive, able to work independently with minimal supervision

Why Join CenTrio?

• CenTrio offers a dynamic and friendly work environment, dedicated to nurturing a top-notch team culture! Additionally, CenTrio offers an array of fabulous benefits and perks.
• Medical Benefits first day of hire
• Medical, dental, vision, Life & AD&D benefits
• Option of supplemental Life & AD&D benefits
• Company paid High Deductible Healthcare Benefit Plan
• 401k plan with % match
• Training Opportunities and career progression
• Competitive salaries that reflect the value of skills and experience
• Dynamic and friendly work environment in a rapidly expanding industry with a national presence
• Remote, Hybrid, and In Office schedules available dependent on job responsibilities
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Program/Hotline
• Corporate discounts (Travel, Entertainment, Home, Auto, Apparel, Health and Wellbeing, and other various retail options)