**Initial review of applications starts on 8/4/2026**
The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.
Our efforts are guided by our core values:
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Integrity
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Stewardship
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Service
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Community
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Innovation
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Teamwork
Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!
THE OPPORTUNITY
Build Your Career. Shape a Community. Leave a Legacy.
The City of Palm Desert is seeking an exceptional Construction Project Manager to join a Capital Projects team that is redefining how municipal infrastructure is planned, delivered, and experienced. Recognized for its outstanding quality of life, visionary leadership, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to public service, Palm Desert is making unprecedented investments in the facilities, transportation systems, parks, and public spaces that will serve residents and visitors for generations. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Stewardship, Service, Community, Innovation, and Teamwork, we are building more than infrastructure, we are creating places that strengthen neighborhoods, enhance quality of life, and shape the future of our community.
This is a rare opportunity to lead the construction of some of the City's most transformative projects, including a new state-of-the-art Library, the landmark Dave Erwin Park, future fire stations, and a diverse portfolio of roadway, drainage, traffic, active transportation, parks, landscape, and civic improvement projects. As a key member of our Capital Projects team, you will work alongside dedicated professionals and executive leadership to deliver projects that improve public safety, expand recreational opportunities, enhance mobility, and provide lasting value to the community.
At Palm Desert, we believe great projects are built by great people. We are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement where employees are empowered to lead, encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, and supported in their professional growth. This is more than an opportunity to manage construction projects, it is an opportunity to build a rewarding career, make a meaningful impact, and leave a legacy through projects that will define Palm Desert for decades to come.
Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $106,621 to 123,448 annually; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range.
Under general direction, plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages the delivery of the construction phase of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, including public facilities, transportation, utilities, parks, drainage, and other municipal infrastructure improvements;; coordinates projects and activities with other City divisions, developers, and outside agencies; conducts field inspections of City facilities and City-maintained areas; In addition, may serve as the City's representative throughout project planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout, providing technical expertise in project delivery, contract administration, cost estimating, scheduling, constructability, value engineering, and risk management. Coordinates consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, City departments, and stakeholders to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with approved plans, specifications, applicable laws, and City standards; provides highly responsible staff assistance in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISE
Receives supervision from the Director of Capital Projects or assigned supervisor. Does not directly or indirectly supervise other employees.
Knowledge of:
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Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, including the California Public Contract Code, prevailing wage requirements, environmental permitting requirements, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
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Principles and practices of project construction management, including project planning, goal setting, scheduling, the development of objectives, work planning and organization, budgeting, purchasing, procurement, contract administration, contractor management, quality assurance and quality control, risk management, project closeout, and evaluation.
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Principles and practices of planning, engineering, and public works construction, including the design, construction, maintenance, and delivery requirements of municipal capital improvement projects; construction means and methods; constructability reviews; value engineering; construction cost estimating; scheduling principles, including Critical Path Method (CPM); and alternative project delivery methods
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Principles and practices of contract negotiation, claims management, change order administration, consultant management, project documentation, records management, and funding and budgeting for Capital Improvement Programs.
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Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
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Current principles, trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in construction management, public works, engineering, and capital project delivery.
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Capital Improvement Program budgeting and funding practices.
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Records management principles and practices.
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Modern office practices, procedures, technology, and computer equipment and applications.
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English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
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Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
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Principles and practices of alternative project delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build and Progressive Design-Build.
Ability to:
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Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contract requirements, and applicable construction standards.
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Research, design, prepare, review, and evaluate plans, specifications, contracts, schedules, cost estimates, and other technical documents for accuracy, constructability, and conformance with accepted engineering standards, compliance with appropriate laws, codes, regulations, and community needs.
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Examine engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates, legal descriptions, and construction schedules for a variety of capital improvement construction projects.
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Develop, administer, and monitor professional service and construction contracts in a public agency setting, including contractor performance, contract compliance, change orders, claims, and project documentation.
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Manage multiple capital improvement projects simultaneously; conduct project planning; evaluate alternatives; identify project risks; make sound recommendations; monitor project budgets and schedules; and prepare technical reports and presentations.
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Analyze contractor means and methods, construction sequencing, Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules, schedule impacts, and project risks to support successful project delivery.
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Identify problems, research and analyze relevant information, develop and present recommendations, and negotiate effective solutions to project, contract, and construction related issues.
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Monitor and direct the work of contractors, consultants, and other project participants to ensure compliance with project requirements, schedules, budgets, quality standards, and safety requirements.
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Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner; and monitor project costs throughout implementation.
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Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
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Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
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Establish and maintain accurate databases, records, files, and project documentation.
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Organize, prioritize, and coordinate a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
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Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
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Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of tasks.
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Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
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Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
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Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in project management, civil engineering, construction management, architecture, public administration, or a related field; AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in construction project management, public works construction administration, capital project delivery, engineering, including the planning, design, and construction of public facilities.
Licenses and Certifications:
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Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license by the time of appointment.
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Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (PE), Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD), Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) are desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
When in the field, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 25 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees occasionally work in the field and may be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
