Construction Specialist I

Summary

Accountable for the daily management and coordination of NYPA’s overall operations, including Overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the operational performance; directing the preparation of operating budgets and proposals for capital expenditure and investments in infrastructure, technology, equipment, systems, or other assets and resources; analyzing and approving operational investments that best meet the organization's business needs.

Provide direct oversight of contractors and onsite management of construction projects. Develop and execute construction strategies for various projects. Ensure that quality workmanship is maintained at all times and in accordance with applicable construction procedures, methods, codes and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the activities of others by creating project schedules and job scopes. 
• Monitor construction activities to ensure design, specifications, and contracts are followed and that work is done according to schedule and within budget.
• Monitor “critical activities” when being performed. Critical activities include but are not limited to; excavation, lifts, core drilling, system activation and switching, system testing and commissioning. Critical activities will be discussed and defined by the Resident Construction Manager regularly. 
• Provide inspection of all work in place; review and approve construction check-off lists to ensure that work performed is in accordance with the contract specifications and applicable codes.
• Prepare daily construction reports documenting progress.  Recommend corrective courses of action to the Resident Construction Manager when progress is not in accordance with plan.
• Review new contract specifications and drawings to ensure that designed work is constructible.  Prepare recommendations to achieve cost reductions and to minimize AWR’s and change orders during the work.  Recommend changes in the work plan if efficiencies in work practices can be improved. 
• Monitor the contractor’s work force to achieve optimum productivity.
• Implement and comply with Configuration Management Policy and Construction Inspection / Monitoring Program (CI/MP) on all assigned projects. Modify the CI/MP inspection forms accordingly for each project as deemed necessary.
• Hold CPP-1 clearances as needed to support projects managed by the Project Management Department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge to be able to inspect in-progress construction work to ensure compliance with the contract documents, specifications, permits, and drawings. 
• Knowledge of industry-wide practices and safety regulations. Understanding of how laws and regulations affect construction activities.
• Knowledge of skilled trades function and interface
• Understanding of quality control and safety standards
• Basic understanding of scheduling and logistics management
• Awareness of code compliance   
• Ability to interface and coordinate work on a daily basis with other NYPA divisions and external organizations. 
• Good negotiation skills with clients, contractors, and vendors. 
• Demonstrated ability to view tasks logically, break them down into essential requirements, and generate a solution to meet the project goals. 
• Ability to investigate what is not intuitive, anticipate problems and field construction constraints, and make recommendations as to the best course of action. 
• Ability to handle smaller projects (< $100K) from start to finish, with only major decisions being brought to the Resident Construction Manager.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal daily supervision.
• Ability to identify and solve problems. 
• Ability to become a “clearance holder” within three years if not already qualified.

Education, Experience and Certifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Associates degree (or higher) in an engineering field or construction management preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years in construction management.
• Inspection experience associated with Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation & Control projects.
• Additional training and/or certifications in technical or management skills would be a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Daily inspection of work areas throughout facility.
• Willingness to enter confined spaces and climb/scale power system apparatuses is required.
• Some travel within New York State may be required.