Construction Manager / Resident Project Representative

Job Type: Full-time

About the Role

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. The role involves interpreting construction plans and specifications, communicating with contractors, engineers, municipal representatives, and clients, and ensuring quality, schedule, and cost objectives are met. The position is field‑based and may be located in Berwyn, Lancaster, or the Lehigh Valley, depending on the candidate’s location and project assignments.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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 confidence to communicate appropriately with contractors, clients, engineers, and municipal representatives.
• Clear and accurate written communication skills.
• Working computer skills and 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.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet RETTEW’s requirements for operating a company vehicle.
• Willingness to drive daily to municipal construction sites and other project locations.
• Education/experience combinations:
  • Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering technology, engineering, or a related field + at least four years of relevant experience.
  • Associate’s degree in a related field + at least six years of relevant experience.
  • 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.
• Representing an engineering consultant, municipality, authority, or public infrastructure owner during construction.
• Reviewing or verifying contractor quantities, progress estimates, or payment applications.
• Preparing sketches or documentation for record drawings.
• Supporting project closeout and punch‑list activities.
• Participating in constructability reviews.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania municipal construction practices and public‑infrastructure projects.
• Providing technical guidance to less‑experienced inspectors or field representatives.
• Working with consistent municipal clients across multiple construction assignments.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional‑development opportunities.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) participation.
• Steady workload with established municipal clients.
• Opportunity to work on meaningful public‑infrastructure and utility projects.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, water and wastewater, transportation, environmental, and construction services.

Work Environment

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. Work locations include Berwyn, Lancaster, or the Lehigh Valley, PA, and daily driving for company business is required; a company vehicle will be provided. Schedules may vary based on construction activity, client needs, weather, project timelines, and contractor operations, and may require early starts, extended workdays, or work outside standard office hours. Fieldwork involves 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

The 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. Teams collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative, practical solutions that strengthen infrastructure and support the communities they serve. Built on a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement, RETTEW empowers its employee‑owners to grow their careers while delivering meaningful results for clients.