Assistant Construction Managers will receive hands-on exposure to all phases of project management and construction, working alongside experienced project leaders while gradually taking on increased responsibility and eventually managing projects independently. Regularly report project status to Senior Project Managers and clients, including construction progress, cost and schedule performance, procurement issues, safety and environmental concerns, design questions, potential project impacts, and issues requiring additional support.

Assistant Construction Manager

Contract-to-Hire | Reading, PA | Catonsville, MD | Glen Allen, VA | Akron, OH

Position Overview

We are seeking an Assistant Construction Manager for a contract-to-hire opportunity supporting a long-term utility infrastructure program in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio markets. This program has been underway for more than 11 years and has a projected runway of 5+ additional years, providing an excellent opportunity for long-term career growth and development.

The Assistant Construction Manager will support Senior Project Managers in managing the cost, schedule, construction, and successful completion of electrical utility infrastructure projects. This position will work closely with engineering teams, clients, contractors, subcontractors, and other project stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.

This is an excellent opportunity for a construction professional looking to expand their project management expertise and develop into a full Project Manager. Assistant Construction Managers will receive hands-on exposure to all phases of project management and construction, working alongside experienced project leaders while gradually taking on increased responsibility and eventually managing projects independently.

Project Types

Projects may include:

• Substation Projects: Complete substation rebuilds and conversions, including ring bus, breaker-and-a-half, and double-breaker configurations.
• Terminal upgrades involving breakers, relays, and other electrical equipment.
• Relay-only and equipment replacement projects.
• Transmission Line Projects: Complete line rebuilds, line rehabilitation, switch replacements, and customer connections.
• Communications Projects: RTU replacements, cell antenna installations, microwave towers, MPLS, ADSS, and OPGW fiber installations.
• Transmission Customer Connections and Generator Interconnections: Supporting connections for solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, and other generation projects.
• Projects range in size from approximately $250K to $50M+.
• Approximately 90% of projects are performed in brownfield environments, including modifications to existing substations and rebuilding transmission lines to increase capacity.
• Typical electrical voltage ranges include 34.5kV–500kV for substations and 46kV–138kV for transmission lines.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Construction Manager will support Senior Project Managers with day-to-day project management responsibilities, including:

• Assist with managing multiple projects from inception through completion.
• Review initial project scopes and assist in developing project work plans with engineering and client stakeholders.
• Develop outage requests and sequenced work plans in coordination with subject matter experts and client contractor partners.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to facilitate major and minor material and equipment procurement.
• Coordinate environmental and non-environmental permitting reviews and submittals.
• Develop construction RFP packages, including written scopes of work, baseline schedules, and permitting documentation.
• Assist with evaluating contractor bids and making recommendations for contractor selection.
• Facilitate pre-construction meetings and regular project progress meetings.
• Monitor construction activities and drive project schedule and progress, including regular field visits.
• Complete pre-energization activities and project closeout requirements.
• Develop strong working relationships with construction teams through on-site meetings, regular calls, and ongoing communication.
• Work with project schedulers to develop, update, and maintain detailed Primavera P6 project schedules.
• Assist with maintaining project budgets and financial forecasts.
• Update monthly financial forecasts and track project accruals.
• Utilize client systems for financial reporting, contract management, project documentation, and other project requirements.
• Regularly report project status to Senior Project Managers and clients, including construction progress, cost and schedule performance, procurement issues, safety and environmental concerns, design questions, potential project impacts, and issues requiring additional support.
• Maintain clear communication between project sites, project offices, engineering teams, contractors, and clients.
• Support Senior Project Managers with other project management and construction-related responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field from an accredited curriculum.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of industry, government, client, contractor, and public stakeholders.
• Strong interest in developing detailed knowledge of electrical utility construction, including substations, transmission lines, or communications/network infrastructure.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to travel to project sites within the assigned geographic region.
• Ability to meet and maintain company vehicle driving requirements.

Preferred:

• 2–5 years of experience in construction project management or a related role.
• Experience supporting electrical utility, transmission line, or substation construction projects.
• Experience with project cost management and scheduling.
• Familiarity with Primavera P6.
• Experience working in brownfield construction environments.
• Experience with utility infrastructure, electrical construction, telecommunications, or related projects.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Aspen Technical Staffing
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
          ~2001-2026~

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under the law. Assistance with the application process is available upon request.