Utility Project Manager Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Residential & Commercial Solar Construction Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

Vital Energy is growing our commercial solar division and is seeking an experienced Residential & Commercial Construction Manager to oversee the field execution of solar, battery storage, generator, and related electrical construction projects.

Vital delivers residential and commercial solar, battery storage, generator, and energy-resiliency solutions. We are looking for a construction leader who values quality, accountability, teamwork, safety and continuous improvement—and who wants to help strengthen and grow our construction operations.

This position is responsible for coordinating crews, subcontractors, schedules, materials, safety, quality, and jobsite performance from preconstruction handoff through project completion. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can manage high-volume residential installations while supporting the planning and execution of more complex commercial projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee residential and commercial construction projects from mobilization through final completion.
• Proven ability to manage field superintendents, foremen, installation leads, electricians, laborers, and subcontractors. 
• Coordinate field crews, Team Leads, subcontractors, equipment, material deliveries, and jobsite access.
• Review plans, scopes, schedules, budgets, permits, engineering documents, and site conditions before construction.
• Confirm projects are ready for installation before crews are dispatched.
• Monitor jobsite safety, workmanship, productivity, schedule performance, and documentation.
• Conduct preconstruction meetings, site visits, quality inspections, and project closeout reviews.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Engineering, Permitting, Warehouse, Logistics, Fleet, Service, and other departments.
• Develop short-term construction schedules and forecast labor, equipment, and material needs.
• Track labor hours, overtime, material usage, subcontractor costs, rentals, and construction budget performance.
• Identify and resolve field conflicts, delays, missing information, and unforeseen site conditions.
• Document scope changes, additional work, customer-caused delays, and potential change orders.
• Coordinate inspections, shutdowns, commissioning, punch-list work, and final turnover.
• Enforce OSHA, Cal/OSHA, electrical, building, fire, company, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Reduce failed inspections, rework, return trips, property damage, material waste, and emergency purchases.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate Field Superintendents, Foremen, Team Leads, electricians, installers, and other field personnel.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, and development of field employees.
• Improve construction procedures, checklists, reporting requirements, and installation standards.
• Provide leadership with timely updates regarding project risks, staffing needs, budgets, and performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Five or more years of construction management, superintendent, or field leadership experience.
• Experience managing residential, commercial, agricultural and public works construction is preferred.
• Solar, battery storage, generator, electrical, or renewable-energy construction experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of PV, battery and generator installation methods, clearances, shutdown methods, electrical balance of system, roofing, trenching, equipment setting, service upgrades, commissioning, and utility PTO requirements. 
• Demonstrated experience managing field teams, subcontractors, schedules, budgets, safety, and quality.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, electrical drawings, scopes, specifications, and project schedules.
• Working knowledge of California Electrical Code requirements applicable to solar and storage.
• Familiarity with NEC/CEC Articles 690, 705, 706, and related grounding, interconnection, disconnect, labeling, and rapid-shutdown requirements.
• Understanding of California Building, Fire, Energy, and workplace-safety requirements
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA/Cal-OSHA requirements and applicable building and electrical codes.
• Experience with prevailing wage requirements, documentation and reporting.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Google workspace, construction-management, CRM, scheduling, reporting, inventory and mobile field applications such as ProCore, JobNimbus, Sunbase, Monday, etc.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel regularly to jobsites.
• OSHA, NABCEP, electrical, contractor, or project-management certifications are a plus.

What Success Looks Like

• Projects are properly prepared before crews arrive.
• Residential installations and commercial milestones are completed on schedule.
• Work meets safety, quality, code, manufacturer, and customer requirements.
• Labor and construction costs remain within approved budgets.
• Field issues are identified early, documented, and resolved promptly.
• Crews receive clear direction, materials, information, and accountability.
• Rework, failed inspections, return trips, overtime, and material waste are minimized.
• Project Managers and leadership receive accurate, timely construction updates.

Work Requirements

• Regular travel between residential and commercial jobsites.
• Ability to work in active construction environments and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to climb ladders and access roofs, electrical equipment areas, and other construction locations.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Occasional early-morning, evening, or weekend availability may be required for shutdowns, inspections, emergencies, or project schedules.

COMPENSATION & GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

• Great pay with range dependent on experience.  Benefits include unlimited PTO, holidays and sick leave, professional development assistance, employee discounts, and referral programs.
• Great opportunity for growth and advancement.  We believe in nurturing and promoting from within, whenever possible. 
• Friendly, down to earth and deeply collaborative work environment in our beautiful offices in central Sebastopol.
• Full Time, Salary Position (7am-4pm) with flexibility for some remote.  We support living wages and a healthy work/life balance. 
• Base compensation: $90,000–$110,000 annually

ABOUT US

Vital Energy is a Sonoma County based solar energy provider for over 30 years, serving residential and commercial customers. Our work includes solar energy, battery storage, generators, service and maintenance, microgrids, and advanced energy and resiliency solutions. 

We value integrity, collaboration, accountability, practical problem-solving, and respectful communication. We are looking for a dependable operational leader who can support our employees, develop our internal support team, and help us build an organized and sustainable company.

We believe in serving, supporting and empowering our team, our customers, and our community with a focus on providing holistic and sustainable energy solutions for all. We look forward to hearing from you!

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

• Best of the Bay - SF Gate
• Best of North Bay - Bohemian
• Best Place to Work - North Bay Business Journal
• Our Mission:
  https://youtu.be/I_J8GQB22fw?si=Kuuiz6BjQsjezLro
• One of our community projects:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5tM2069zzE

Vital Energy is an equal-opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and are committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace.