Provisional Construction Specialist I

Summary

The Construction Specialist coordinates, inspects, and controls the work of construction contractors assigned to perform contract work at Authority facilities. Ensures that quality workmanship is maintained at all times and in accordance with applicable construction procedures, methods, codes and specifications. Projects will include electrical, civil, mechanical, instrumentation & control disciplines. It is expected that the incumbent’s experience and understanding of construction and construction management techniques will substitute the need for an engineering degree.

The duration of a provisional position is not to exceed three years but is subject to change based on performance and business needs.

Provisional employees are eligible for:

• a range of benefits customized to your individual and family needs such as medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts
• a retirement plan
• 401(k)plan
• employee assistance program
• vacation, sick time, holidays, medical and parental leave

Responsibilities

• Be present at the work area and 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 work performed is in accordance with 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 plans.
• 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 course of 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.
• Review and comment on bid packages prepared by NYPA Engineering and / or Architect-Engineers to ensure design adequacy and constructability.
• Review and make recommendations to the Resident Construction Manager on all payment items, including partial payments (contractor invoices), change orders and claim issues.
• Prepare extra work documentation in the form of AWR’s for approval by the Resident Construction Manager. 
• Provide assistance during the NYPA/Contractor estimate negotiation process.
• Coordinate with plant Operations in obtaining and holding “clearances” for project assigned.
• 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.
• Attend the Contractor’s Weekly Safety Toolbox Meetings as well as the Daily Task Meetings for the Contractors. Any scheduling conflicts will be brought to the Resident Construction Manager’s attention well in advance and coordinated accordingly.
• Hold CPP-1 clearances as needed to support projects managed by the Project Management Department.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of state-of-the-art construction techniques, project management, and contract administration. 
• Basic knowledge to be able to inspect in-progress construction work to ensure compliance with the contract documents, specifications, permits, and drawings. 
• Knowledge of related disciplines and the effects on the Authority and its customers. 
• Knowledge of NYPA’s policies and procedures as well as industry-wide practices and safety regulations. 
• Awareness of changes and advancements in the industry, and develop industry-wide expertise. 
• Understand the various laws and regulations and how they affect NYPA and construction activities. 
• Familiar with NYPA’s budgets, costs, operations, and policies.
• Good interpersonal skills.  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

• Minimum of 5 years of construction experience.
• Minimum of 3 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.