Project Manager Trainee

Company Overview

We provide industry-leading, end-to-end fire protection, mechanical, and HVAC services. Our skilled tradespeople work in virtually every market across the nation. S.A. Comunale has been a local industry leader for end-to-end mechanical, fire protection and HVAC services for nearly 100 years. We offer our clients significant financial strength, unmatched bonding capability, an award‑winning safety program, and large‑scale purchasing power. With 16 locations and over 1,450 employees, including 850 skilled tradesmen throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia, S.A. Comunale can work in virtually every market sector and facility type.

Watch a short video about S.A. Comunale

About the Role

A Project Manager Trainee will be assigned a mentor(s) to observe their functions and processes. The trainee will assist the Project Manager mentor in overseeing all aspects of the project using planning, monitoring and controlling processes, and will help coordinate and complete multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Accurately define project requirements.
• Assist with creating job schedules.
• Coordinate the delivery of tools and fabrication.
• Identify and manage the personnel assigned to each project and track their labor efficiency.
• Attend job progress meetings and initiate change orders and contract progress billings with the Project Manager.
• Learn how to estimate remaining “cost‑to‑complete” for monthly WIP reporting.
• Manage the day‑to‑day operations of assigned projects so that they are completed on time and on budget in correlation with the Project Manager.
• Work with clients to brainstorm creative solutions to their problems and ensure their needs are met through customized solutions.
• Ensure projects follow established guidelines that promote efficiency.
• Communicate with team members regarding project needs.
• Read and analyze job cost reports.
• Respond timely to inquiries from management.
• Assist with collections as required.
• Meet with designers regularly.
• Learn the company’s scheduling program.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (required).
• Currently enrolled full‑time at an accredited university, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management or a related field (required).
• Knowledge of sprinkler systems/plumbing and previous construction internship/experience (a plus).
• Significant experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) (required).
• Experience with MS Project scheduling software (a plus).
• Ability to think strategically, make sound decisions, and produce accurate and timely results (required).
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills (required).
• Ability to build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees and management (required).
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and commitment to company values (required).
• Ability to prioritize in a fast‑paced, multi‑task environment (required).
• Proficiency in basic business mathematics (required).
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and effectively in a team environment (required).
• Compliance with all operating policies, procedures, plans, and programs (required).

Language Skills

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of employees, government agencies, customers, vendors, and suppliers.

Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, see, talk, and hear; use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, pull/push, or crawl. Vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment. The position is classified as medium work, requiring occasional exertion of 20‑50 lb, frequent exertion of 10‑25 lb, and constant exertion of up to 10 lb. Protective equipment for eyes, feet, and head is frequently required; occasional protection for arms, hearing, full body, leg, respirator, and skin may be needed. Operations of a computer, telephone, calculator, and copier/fax are required. Understanding of advanced math (calculus, algebra, geometry), shop math, technical drawings, reports, financial statements, legal documents, and business correspondence is required. The employee must regularly commute to customer and company locations by land and air.