Deputy Director of Construction Claims

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Advises HART senior management on procurement protests, construction claims, utility agreements, third-party agreements, and insurance risk management.
• Participates in top-level management meetings to develop strategies and goals.
• Develops, reviews, and updates policies and procedures related to construction claims and third-party agreements.
• Oversees and coordinates the overall Construction Claims Program, ensuring timely resolution of disputes.
• Utilizes knowledge of Hawaii's Public Procurement Code to analyze and draft responses to bid protests and assists in preparing briefs for hearings at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• Collaborates with HART departments to identify escalating issues and disputed change orders, providing advice to prevent or support future claims.
• Performs cost and schedule analyses for mediation or court proceedings, working with experts on technical issues such as delays and economic damages.
• Manages interactions with insurance companies, requiring knowledge of surety policies, and coordinates with legal counsel on claims proceedings including depositions, motions, and document reviews.
• Prepares for mediation, dispute resolution boards, and court proceedings by drafting high-level documents and strategies.
• Conducts forensic reviews of project documentation for elevated claims and ensures compliance with Federal Transit Administration requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possess at least 10 years of experience in litigation, contract administration, or construction claims, including experience with procurement, contract law, and complex state and federal court proceedings.
• Have proven ability to supervise staff effectively.
• Demonstrate strong skills in contract drafting, negotiation, and dispute resolution.

Physical Requirements

• Candidates must meet the health and physical condition standards necessary to perform the essential duties of this position effectively.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, and life insurance plans.
• Generous vacation and sick leave, earning up to 21 days per year.
• 13 paid holidays annually (14 days during election year).
• Retirement plan contributions through the Employees' Retirement System (ERS).
• Deferred compensation options to invest pre-tax income for retirement.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses.
• Pre-tax transportation benefits, including TheBus and vanpool options.
• Access to confidential counseling services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Additional perks include training opportunities and employer-funded Holo Card for eligible employees to use on public transit.
• Eligibility for the public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, supporting employees dedicated to public service.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8-hour shift.

Location

The work for this position is conducted on-site at the HART offices located in Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Telecommuting is not currently available for this role.

Relocation

HART does not cover relocation costs. Candidates must be able to reliably commute or relocate to Honolulu by the first day of employment.