Lead Construction Specialist - 90222568 - Chicago

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Lead Construction Specialist reports to the Senior Manager Capital Construction for the Central and Southeast Regions. 

The Lead Construction Specialist will directly manage construction on small to medium sized projects.  This position also has the responsibility to coordinate, supervise and inspect construction projects assigned to them and performed by Amtrak forces, contractors hired by Amtrak, outside, third-party agencies or contractors working on, over, or above Amtrak property and consultants hired to act as Amtrak’s agent.  Coordinate and report on project scope, schedule, and budget with all affected stakeholders and provide technical, logistical, and administrative support to ensure the successful completion of all projects within their assigned scope, schedule, and budget. The Lead Construction Specialist will also assist with design and constructability reviews for projects in the design phase.  They may investigate the need for a future project and participate in developing the initial scope of work for these projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manage numerous construction projects at the Division level.
• Performs design and constructability reviews on projects during their design phase.
• Represents a division or sub-department as required for third-party design and construction projects.
• Participates in Manages the review of contract documents and quality control/quality assurance procedures for in-house and third-party construction projects on Amtrak owned or operated property and makes recommendations for improvements in the quality control/quality assurance functions.
• Works with Amtrak design staff to effect changes in standards and contract documents and recommends modifications to standards and contract documents as required.
• Coordinates internal Amtrak technical reviews of third-party submittals (30, 60, 90,100, IFB percent designs; calculations; shop drawings: demolition and erection drawings, etc.) to ensure timely responses.
• Works with Amtrak Document Control personnel to maintain all correspondence logs including general correspondence with the contractors, designers, internal Amtrak personnel, regulatory agencies, and private interest groups.
• Responsible for day-to-day control and construction management of projects.
• Ensures that construction work is progressed in accordance with standard plans, specification and established Amtrak and FRA requirements.
• Coordinates proposed work with other Amtrak departments, outside agencies, municipalities and other railroads as required.
• Performs construction inspections necessary to protect the integrity and safety of railroad operations and determines necessary remedial actions that may need to be taken on Amtrak performed, Amtrak contractor, or on projects by third-party contractors, to correct deficiencies.
• Updates project schedules and tracks overall project performance.
• Reviews, analyzes, and approves or denies potential change orders or potential claims received from the contractors in accordance with terms and conditions of the contract to determine whether extra work or delay issues are justified.
• Responsible for participating with the customer in draft invoice reviews to ensure accurate and complete invoicing to Amtrak and the Project Delivery department’s customers.
• Resolves customer-billing exceptions.
• Performs and coordinates project closeout functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive construction experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with contractors.
• Demonstrated experience in working with multiple team members.
• Ability in the exercising of considerable judgment and initiative
• Demonstrated experience in Planning/Scheduling, administration, and contracts management.
• Demonstrated experience in Construction Management.
• Prior satisfactory job performance is required.
• Demonstrated skill using PC-based word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) sufficient to prepare effective business analyses and presentations.
• Demonstrated years of experience
• Demonstrated experience in using PC-based word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) sufficient to prepare effective business analyses and presentations.
• Excellent writtern and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 6-9 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Demonstrated railroad experience.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of train operations, railroad maintenance and construction methods.
• Knowledge of NORAC, MW1000, AMTII and RWP requirements
• Knowledge of FRA regulations
• Extensive experience in Construction Management
• Extensive experience in Planning/Scheduling, Administration and Contracts Management
• Extensive experience in managing complex programs in an operating environment.
• CCM Certification is a plus, or ability to obtain in two years.

WORK ENVIORNMENT:

• Combination of Office and field environment.  Position is subject to respond to emergencies in all weather conditions, 24/7.

• Fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities.

• Travel Requirement: 75%

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $94,300-$122,256.  Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:161618
Posting Location(s):Illinois
Job Family/Function:Engineering 
Relocation Offered:Yes 
Travel Requirements:Up to 75% 
 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.