Senior MEP Project Manager

Please add to the posting to coincide with the MEP Project Manager: This position is being filled at either the MEP Project Manager (JobID: 78140) or Sr. MEP Project Manager (JobID: 78143). Applicants are encouraged to apply for the position level you are best qualified for, if in doubt please apply for both.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 05-27-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department includes operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry forth the duties necessary for the campus' development and operation.

More information can be found at: https://ppdo.ucsc.edu/design-construction/

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior MEP Project Manager operates independently as a project management professional in the planning, design, construction, and commissioning phases of medium-scale to large-scale capital construction projects. The incumbent helps improve the design and performance of physical infrastructure and building engineering systems. Assigned projects include new construction, alterations, and work inside buildings, site work, and exterior utilities. Project scopes include architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and landscape. Project management assignments typically follow project inception through completion. The Senior MEP Project Manager oversees the conceptual phase of engineering studies, defining initial scope and budget, setting design criteria, obtaining project approvals; the design phase of managing the A&E design consultants, coordinating stakeholder input, design reviews, compiling bid documents, budget reconciliation, value engineering, and obtaining final approvals; and the construction phase of soliciting bids, awarding contracts, schedule management, submittal review, project meetings, utility shutdown coordination, inspections, progress reports, payment review, change order negotiations, budget management, start-up, commissioning, and contract closeout, including warranty work. Projects are often characterized by their complexity and impact on campus operations. The incumbent exercises independent judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and oversees, supervises, or provides guidance to other facilities project managers as needed. Job emphasis is on delivering projects that meet the functional design requirements, are reliable, easily maintained, energy efficient, sustainable, have low visual impact, and have a long operating life. Turnover of fully functioning systems to campus operation personnel (Physical Plant Services) is a high priority.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $115,000 - $140,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: FAC PROJECT MGT SPEC 4 (000364)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

25% - Project Management

• Bids or negotiates construction contracts, reviews and manages construction activities, including contractor's schedule, RFIs, submittals, change order requests, and punch list.
• Specializes and focuses in monitoring construction milestones and critical path activities.

20% - Design Development

• Hires architectural, engineering, and consultant firms to develop project requirement definitions, and design criteria, and prepare layouts and detail drawings.
• Provides leadership expertise, direction, and management of the architects and engineers.
• Prepares and approves cost estimates and functional studies.
• Establishes project schedule and budget, and reviews with clients
• Establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Develops criteria and performance specifications required to meet unique operating. requirements and building and safety codes; ensures plans and specifications conform to all building codes, University and the Office of the President requirements and regulations.
• Drives clients and vendors around campus in a University vehicle to visit job sites.

10% - Programming

• Manages the project program, including meeting with clients to help define both project scope and program.

10% - Planning

• Formally establishes project plan, including working with other units, departments, and the Office of the President (i.e., SMCP, Budget Office, and other Capital Project Units) to facilitate this effort and ensure funding transfers.

10% - Conflict Resolution

• Acts as a liaison among project participants and resolves problems or conflicts, including recommending a range of solutions to disputed issues or contractor claims.

10% - Supervision

• Oversees and directs other project managers and analysts.

5% - Closeout

• Ensures project is properly closed out and operations and maintenance manuals and record drawings are turned over to Physical Plant Services.
• Ensures training is provided for campus stakeholders.

5% - Reporting

• Creates a project schedule and budget in project management software, including systematic reporting and updating of project status as required by the University, regulatory agencies, and the Office of the President, including monthly written reporting and KPIs.

5% - Organizational Activities

• Performs organizational, departmental, and administrative activities not directly relating to projects, including serving on committees representing the department or PPDO.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Advanced working knowledge of building and construction practices, design, construction contract administration and California Building Codes, including a full understanding of industry standards.
• Ability to administer a construction project through all phases of construction including contract document assembly, budgetary estimating, obtaining approvals, bidding, addendums, contract award, submittals, scheduling, progress meetings, contract compliance, change order negotiations, commissioning, punch-list, contract closeout, and enforcement of warranty period.
• Advanced project management skills, including skills to manage complex projects. Proven ability to manage contractors and consultants while maintaining compliance with the agreed-upon scope of work and budget. Minimum eight years of progressively responsible experience in construction project management.
• Demonstrated technical familiarity with at least five building systems or project disciplines, including: Architectural, Civil, Building Envelope, Landscape, Hardscape, HVAC, Process/Hydronic Piping, BMS, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Fire Alarm, Electrical, Lighting, Elevators, Life Safety, Site Work, and Underground Utilities.
• Proven analytical, organizational, and advanced problem solving abilities to resolve complex issues, frequently without precedent or structure.
• Comprehensive written communication skills.
• Comprehensive verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including highly developed political acumen. Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and understandably to a non-technical audience.
• Functions with a high level of autonomy and a minimum of supervision.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of software programs including, but not limited to, MS Office, MS Project, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and database systems (FAMIS, Tririga, Filemaker, or equivalent).
• Significant work experience requiring team and consensus building, facilitation, and public speaking skills. Ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports and correspondence. Ability to work effectively with project stakeholders and be responsive to their needs.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Construction Management.
• Possession of a valid California Professional Engineering (PE) license upon employment, or ability to seek reciprocity and obtain a CA PE within 12 months of employment.
• LEED AP or Green Associate
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Knowledge of the University, including its infrastructure and short and long-range strategic building plans.
• Familiarity with Public Works contract law and statutes.
• Minimum five years of experience leading and/or directly managing Project Managers, Architects, and Engineers to implement project management and construction of complex technical systems.
• Experience with energy efficiency projects, including payback periods and cost-benefit analysis.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to conduct outdoor site visits, including use of required personal protective equipment, as required to conduct investigations, inspections, or view work in place.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The selected candidate will be subject to the annual financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.