Assistant Project Manager

About the Position 

Are you ready to lead transformative infrastructure projects in the heart of the nation's capital? We’re seeking a skilled Assistant Project Manager to oversee the final design and planning phases of major heavy civil rail initiatives. In this role, you’ll coordinate scope reviews, prepare cost estimates, and negotiate contracts with consultants, while directing multidisciplinary teams through technical evaluations, design reviews, and construction planning. You’ll play a key role in managing change orders, ensuring schedule compliance, and driving engineering solutions in the field, all while collaborating with contractors, consultants, and agency stakeholders to deliver high-impact transit projects on time and within budget. 

This is a long-term, full-time, hybrid position located in Washington DC.  

Responsibilities 

• Coordinates the review of scope of work for final designs prepared by consultants; prepares independent cost estimates for the final design effort and negotiates contacts with general consultants to perform the final design.  
• Directs and controls the other consultants during the design and planning phases of a construction project by reviewing and analyzing designs, drawings, life-cycle costs, and specifications.  
• Controls and coordinates technical reviews of shop and working drawings for projects.  
• Confers periodically with contractors, consultants and Owner’s officials concerning construction plans, specifications, costs, unusual conditions, and work coordination.  
• Analyzes design and construction change orders, claims and supplemental agreements; assists in negotiating changes with the section design consultants and contractors.  
• Recommends appropriate changes in contractor schedules for completion of the project within time constraints and reviews and recommends variations from plans and specifications. Prepare activity reports to describe the changes to the project.  
• Develops or obtains engineering and administrative data necessary for the planning, scheduling, and control of the project. Controls design costs and schedules for assigned sections.  
• Secures approvals from Owner’s operating department on final design as well as construction contract documents; schedules presentations for the consultants to brief Owner’s operating department at the preliminary, intermediate, and final submittals of the final design; and obtains operating department's approval of the construction contract documents prior to advertisement of contract.  
• Makes timely field inspections for effective performance of construction activities and conformance with plans and specifications.  
• Investigates and analyzes field, cost, reliability, and safety problems. Develop and implement engineering solutions to the problems identified.  
• Reviews and updates construction records and reports periodically for effective control of project information. Reviews, analyzes, and prepares the documentation required for staff summaries.  
• Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling, and reviewing work per quality standards. Plans organizational structure and job content.  

Attributes 

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills. 
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships. 
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, construction management, business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 8+ years' experience demonstrated progressively responsible project management 
  and/or construction experience. 
• 2+ years’ professional work experience in the transit or rail industry. 
• Demonstrable experience effectively negotiating with outside contractors/consultants; and/or supervising professional engineering, trade staff (e.g., electrics, mechanics, technicians, welders, or similar), and other technical staff. 
• Knowledge and understanding of how to develop and comprehend various types and levels of technical, contractual, and legal documentation.  
• Skilled in project controls including critical path method scheduling and budgetary control systems.  
• Ability to acquire the Roadway Worker Protection Training Level 2 (RWP) within six (6) months from hire  
• Experience with industry standard project and construction management software (e.g., Primavera P6, Procore, TILOS, MS Project, Bluebeam, RSMeans, etc.)   
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365/Suite (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in project management, construction management, business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Active professional certifications such as CCM (CMAA) or PMP (PMI). 
• Experience in project management roles supporting owners. 

Compensation Details 

The salary range listed for this role is $104k-$166/yr ($50-$80/hr.) The final salary offered is based on multiple factors and is thoughtfully aligned with each candidate’s level of experience, breadth of skills, total education achieved, certifications/licenses that have been obtained, etc. 

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer! 

• Unlimited Flexible Time Off 
• Paid Holidays 
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Health Insurance 
• Dental Insurance 
• Vision Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent/Elder Care) 
• Long Term Disability Insurance 
• Short Term Disability Insurance 
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy 
• 401(k) Plan with Guaranteed Employer Contribution 
• Formal Career Planning and Development Program 
• $2,500 Annually Towards Professional Development 
• Wellness Program with Monthly Wellness Stipend 
• Company Cell Phone or Cell Phone Plan Reimbursement 
• Free Personalized Meal Planning & Nutrition Support With a Registered Dietitian 
• Free Personal Financial Planning Services 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Employee Discounts 
• Employee Referral Bonus 
• Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer. #IN-LNJS 

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.