Construction Manager / Resident Project Representative

Description

The Opportunity

RETTEW is seeking an experienced Construction Manager / Resident Project Representative III to provide construction observation and field representation for municipal infrastructure projects in southeastern Pennsylvania.

This position is ideal for a construction professional who understands utility installation, can independently interpret construction plans and specifications, and communicates effectively with contractors, engineers, municipal representatives, and clients.

You will serve as RETTEW’s representative in the field, monitoring construction activities, documenting project progress, identifying deviations from approved plans and specifications, and helping project teams resolve issues before they affect quality, schedule, or cost.

This is a field-based position supporting an immediate and steady workload for established municipal clients. The position may be based from RETTEW’s Berwyn, Lancaster, or Lehigh Valley location, depending on the selected candidate’s location and assigned projects.

What You’ll Do

As a Construction Manager / Resident Project Representative III, you will:

• Provide construction observation and field representation for municipal infrastructure and utility projects.
• Observe work in progress to determine whether construction procedures, workmanship, and materials conform to approved plans and specifications.
• Monitor the installation of water, wastewater, stormwater, roadway, and other municipal infrastructure improvements.
• Interpret construction plans, specifications, details, and applicable project requirements in the field.
• Discuss deviations, questions, and changed conditions with contractors and promptly communicate significant issues to the Project Manager.
• Measure distances, dimensions, quantities, and installed work to verify construction accuracy and project progress.
• Examine completed installations for conformity with approved plans, specifications, and applicable standards.
• Maintain accurate daily logs of construction activities, personnel, equipment, weather, materials, progress, conversations, and field conditions.
• Prepare photographs, sketches, quantity records, observation reports, and other required project documentation.
• Document installations or field conditions that differ from the approved plans and provide the information needed for record drawings.
• Review contractor-reported quantities and assist with preparing or verifying estimates of completed work for payment.
• Compare observed construction progress with project schedules, reports, and contractual requirements.
• Identify work that may not conform to the contract documents and communicate observations through the appropriate project channels.
• Coordinate with contractors, municipal representatives, engineers, property owners, utility representatives, and other project stakeholders.
• Provide clear, timely updates to Project Managers concerning construction progress, potential risks, field conflicts, and client concerns.
• Participate in constructability and design-finalization reviews.
• Support project closeout activities, including punch-list observations and documentation.
• Serve as a technical resource to less-experienced Resident Project Representatives when needed.
• Follow RETTEW’s quality-management procedures, safety requirements, and project-specific documentation standards.
• Use RETTEW systems and applicable software to complete and submit field documentation accurately and on time.
• Maintain professional and productive relationships with clients, contractors, and project-team members.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Significant construction experience involving underground utilities or municipal infrastructure.
• Experience providing construction observation, inspection, field representation, construction coordination, or comparable project-site oversight.
• Ability to independently interpret construction plans, details, specifications, and project requirements.
• Ability to identify, document, and communicate construction deviations, changed conditions, quality concerns, and potential project risks.
• Experience maintaining daily construction records, photographs, quantity documentation, field reports, or similar project records.
• Ability to measure and verify installed work and construction quantities.
• Strong verbal communication skills and the confidence to communicate appropriately with contractors, clients, engineers, and municipal representatives.
• Clear and accurate written communication skills.
• Working computer skills and the ability to complete construction documentation electronically.
• Ability to work independently in the field while maintaining consistent communication with the Project Manager and project team.
• Strong organization, judgment, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide dependable field coverage for active construction projects.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather, terrain, traffic, and construction-site conditions.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet RETTEW’s requirements for operating a company vehicle.
• Ability and willingness to drive daily to municipal construction sites and other project locations.

Candidates may qualify through one of the following combinations of education and related experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering technology, engineering, or a related field and at least four years of relevant experience;
• Associate’s degree in a related field and at least six years of relevant experience; or
• At least eight years of relevant construction experience without a degree.

Equivalent combinations of directly related education, training, and experience may also be considered.

Preferred

• Experience observing municipal water, wastewater, stormwater, roadway, or utility construction.
• Experience representing an engineering consultant, municipality, authority, or public infrastructure owner during construction.
• Experience reviewing or verifying contractor quantities, progress estimates, or payment applications.
• Experience preparing sketches or documentation for record drawings.
• Experience supporting project closeout and punch-list activities.
• Experience participating in constructability reviews.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania municipal construction practices and public-infrastructure projects.
• Experience providing technical guidance to less-experienced inspectors or field representatives.
• Experience working with consistent municipal clients across multiple construction assignments.

No professional license or certification is required for this position.

Why RETTEW

Construction observation protects the quality of the finished project and helps municipalities receive the infrastructure they contracted to build.

At RETTEW, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Support a steady workload with established municipal clients.
• Represent RETTEW on meaningful public-infrastructure and utility projects.
• Work directly with contractors, engineers, municipal representatives, and Project Managers.
• Apply your construction knowledge and professional judgment in the field.
• Help project teams identify and address construction issues before they become larger problems.
• Build long-term relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Share your experience with developing field professionals.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, water and wastewater, transportation, environmental, and construction services.
• Build ownership in the company through RETTEW’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

RETTEW also offers competitive compensation, comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, paid time off and holidays, and professional-development opportunities.

Environment

Workplace Designation: Field

Locations: Berwyn, Lancaster, or Lehigh Valley, PA

This is a 100% field-based position. The selected candidate will report directly to assigned municipal construction sites rather than following RETTEW’s standard hybrid office schedule.

The position requires daily driving for company business. A company vehicle will be provided in accordance with RETTEW policies.

Work locations and schedules may change based on construction activity, client needs, weather, project schedules, and contractor operations. Assignments may require early starts, extended workdays, or work outside standard office hours.

Fieldwork may involve active construction sites, roadways, excavations, underground utilities, heavy equipment, uneven terrain, varying weather conditions, noise, dust, and other typical construction-site conditions.

Safety & Compliance Requirements

This position is designated as safety-sensitive. The selected candidate must successfully complete all required pre-employment screenings, which may include a background check, drug and alcohol testing, and motor vehicle record review, where applicable.

Ongoing compliance with RETTEW’s safety policies, client requirements, traffic-control procedures, project-specific safety requirements, and applicable regulations is required.

About RETTEW

RETTEW is a 100% employee-owned engineering consulting firm that has been helping clients solve complex challenges since 1969. Our teams collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative, practical solutions that strengthen infrastructure and support the communities we serve.

Built on a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we empower our employee-owners to grow their careers while delivering meaningful results for our clients.

RETTEW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact us at jperalta@rettew.com to request assistance.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associates degree in related field and a minimum of 6 years of experience
• Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of 4 years of experience
• Master’s degree in related field a minimum of 4 years of experience
• No degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills including the ability to utilize required software as applicable
• Customer-service driven
• Applicable registration or certification