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Senior Project Manager - Capital Projects

$126,348 - $153,576

Plus excellent benefits!

Apply by July 9, 2025. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. 

THE CITY

San Rafael is the economic and cultural heart of Marin County, and its high quality of life is centered on its commercial districts, engaged neighborhoods, active lifestyle, and natural environment.

With a population of approximately 60,000, San Rafael is a full-service city with a City Council/City Manager form of government with 12 departments, more than 400 employees, and an annual budget in fiscal year 2024-2025 of approximately $180 million. The City’s vision is to be a vibrant economic and cultural center reflective of its diversity.

San Rafael’s Organizational culture framework is an initiative called “Together San Rafael.” City employees are our greatest asses, and we seek talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are creative, curious, and excited about a challenge. We are a results-driven team focused on the needs of community members. The Together San Rafael initiative is focused on modernizing City services and increasing the engagement of employees. This initiative recognizes the interconnectedness of the customer and employee experience.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Public Works (PW) is committed to providing the highest standards of service delivery to its citizens as it works to build, maintain, and update the City’s civic infrastructure. Public Works is comprised of approximately 50 employees with a general budget of $33 million and a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget that ranges between $15–$30 million depending on the City’s annual infrastructure needs.

Its mission is to ensure San Rafael’s infrastructure meets the needs of a vibrant and growing city through careful management of major improvements and the maintenance of the City’s assets. By hiring highly trained, dedicated, responsive, and service-oriented personnel, PW is actively making its mission a reality. 

Recently, the Department underwent a process of restructuring as management of all City engineers was placed under the Assistant Director for enhanced oversight, communication, and workflow.

The City has recently championed the Dean Allison Award internship program, which shepherds talented young graduates into local government and encourages engagement with the public sector of California. PW is also currently completing several exciting initiatives to improve transformation, accessibility, and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure while also adding recreation spaces for the public to enjoy. For an overview of the City of San Rafael’s upcoming Capital Improvement Projects, see this page for active and upcoming CIP projects. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in completing projects, particularly in capital and municipal construction. Strong written and verbal communication skills, organizational abilities, and critical thinking are essential. They must manage all phases of multiple capital programs effectively, keeping contractors, collaborators, and partners on schedule. Key attributes include strong leadership, problem-solving, proactive planning, relationship-building, and budget awareness. A strong sense of customer service and the ability to solve complex challenges are necessary. As part of the Public Works Team and Measure P project team, they will deliver various capital improvements, including the new Albert Park Library and Community Center Project.

CORE COMPETNCIES

• Communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills
• Collaborative
• Flexibility
• Strong time management skills
• Budget management
• Relationship-building

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to - view the full job spec HERE)

• Plans, organizes, directs and controls all parts of projects from concept through design, permitting, bidding, and construction to the closeout for a portfolio of complex capital improvement projects.
• Prepares and monitors project budgets, including support for obtaining funding.
• Coordinates work of a multi-disciplinary development team across organizational boundaries, including design architects and construction professionals.  
• Develops and maintains detailed project schedules and budgets, tracks expenditures, and recommends cost control strategies.
• Reviews and processes change orders, ensures quality control, and oversees contractor compliance with plans, specifications, and safety standards.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and communications to inform internal and external stakeholders, including City Council.
• Ensures that contractors are maintaining safe work sites and that the needs of the staff at each project are being protected.
• Coordinates final project closeout including punch list items, documentation, and transfer to operations.
• Manages consultant contracts and coordinates with engineers, architects, construction managers, and inspectors.
• Facilitates cross-departmental coordination and public outreach related to project scope, impacts, and progress. 
• Supports grant application processes and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal funding requirements.

UPCOMING PROJECTS

• Albert Park Main Library and Community Center Project
• City Hall Layout Assessment and long-term planning
• Citywide Buildings and Facilities Plan

Additional projects can be found in our Capital Improvement Program: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/public-works-projects/

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge and abilities listed. 

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in construction management, project management, civil, structural or mechanical engineering, facilities planning, design management, architecture, business, economics, planning or a related field

AND

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in project management related to the area of assignment.

The required education is interchangeable with project management experience related to the area of assignment on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years.

Possession of a master's degree in a field noted above, professional registration or licensure, or Project Management Institute (PMI) / Construction Management Institute (CMI). Either may be substituted for one year of required experience 

• Valid CA driver’s license required.  
• Registration as a licensed architect or engineer in the State of California is desirable.  
• Project Management Institute (PMI) / Construction Management Institute (CMI) certification is desired. 

BENEFITS

This position is a regular position of the City’s Unrepresented Mid-Management group and is eligible to receive benefits including but not limited to:

• MEDICAL | City group health coverage, with the City paying a fixed dollar amount toward the cost of the monthly insurance premium. Employee only: $950.00; Employee plus one: $1,900.00; Family: $2,400.00
• DENTAL AND VISION | Premium fully paid for employee plus eligible dependents.
• VACATION LEAVE | 15 days annually, increases after 5 years of service
• SICK LEAVE | 12 days annually
• ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE | 10 days each calendar year, prorated if hired after the first of the year
• HOLIDAYS | 12 paid City holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year
• BEREAVEMENT LEAVE | Up to 5 days paid leave
• END OF LIFE CARE LEAVE | Up to 80 hours paid leave
• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE (if eligible) | Up to 300 hours paid leave. Unrepresented Mid-Management employees also contribute to State Disability Insurance (SDI)
• LIFE INSURANCE & AD&D | $300,000
• LONG TERM DISABILITY | 66.67% of salary, up to $7,500 per month
• RETIREMENT | Enrollment in the Marin County Retirement System (MCERA) pension plan, a defined benefit retirement program
  • Tier 2 - hired on or after 7/1/2011: 2% @ 55, Average of 3 highest years
  • Tier 3 PEPRA - hired on or after 1/1/2013: 2% @ 62, Average of 3 highest years
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION | City will contribute one percent (1.06%) of base pay into a City-provided deferred compensation plan
• GYM MEMBERSHIP REIMBURSEMENT | Up to $198 per year
• BILINGUAL PAY (if eligible) | Up to $250 per month