Construction Manager (0081585)

Title: Construction Manager
Position Number:  0081585
Hiring Unit: Administrative Affairs, Office of Facilities Planning and Management (OFPM)
Location: UH Hilo
Date Posted: October 9, 2026 
Closing Date: October 26, 2026
Band: B
Salary: salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time
Month: 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Funding: General Funds

Other Conditions:  Appointment to begin approximately November 16, 2026, pending position clearance and availability of funds.

Position Overview:

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawai'i, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawai'i System, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development for the State of Hawai'i.

The Division of Administrative Affairs provides the administrative and operational foundation that enables UH Hilo’s academic mission to thrive.  The division oversees critical non-academic functions including budget development, fiscal management, human resources, facilities planning and construction, physical plant management, information technology, campus security, and environmental safety and health, ensuring that campus operations remain efficient, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities.  

The Office of Facilities Planning and Management (OFPM) plays a central role in translating UH Hilo’s strategic goals into the physical spaces and infrastructure that support student learning, faculty research, and community engagement.  By integrating long-range capital planning with maintenance management, the office enhances campus stewardship and ensures that UH Hilo’s physical environment evolves in alignment with its academic mission and institutional priorities.  Its work provides the essential foundation upon which teaching, research, student life, and community engagement can thrive.    

The Construction Manager contributes directly to this mission by providing technical expertise, project leadership, and operational oversight of campus construction and renovation projects.  Working within the Facilities Planning and Management Office, this position ensures that all projects are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with UH System standards and state requirements.  UH Hilo’s Construction Manager collaborates with contractors, consultants, and campus stakeholders to maintain project schedules, budgets, and quality standards that directly contributes to UH Hilo’s long-term vision by helping shape a campus that supports academic excellence, student success, and long-term institutional goals.

Duties and Responsibilities (* denotes essential functions):  

Design Review & Technical Guidance
1.  *Reviews architectural and engineering plans and specifications for constructability, completeness, and adherence to UH Hilo standards prior to bidding; evaluates proposed materials and equipment for durability and long-term maintenance cost.
2.  *Collaborates with the Director, Project Managers, and consultants to clarify scope of work, resolve technical questions, and interpret design intent; advises on phasing, site logistics, sequencing, and long-lead procurement.

Construction Oversight & Field Coordination
1.  *Provides daily oversight and coordination of construction activity across contractors and subcontractors on multiple concurrent projects, safeguarding scope, cost, quality, and schedule outcomes.
2.  *Plans and coordinates construction impacts to minimize disruption to academic, research, residential, and event operations; develops and communicates utility outage, shutdown, access, and noise plans with affected stakeholders.
3.  *Conducts daily site visits to inspect work in progress, documents field observations, and verifies conformance to contract plans, specifications, and quality standards; reports on delays and impacts.
4.  *Monitors the contractor's construction schedule against contract milestones; identifies potential problems and impact to schedule; recommends corrective actions and requires recovery plans to maintain project momentum and compliance.
5.  *Maintains complete and current project documentation, including daily reports, correspondence, submittals, and records that build the compliance and closeout record.

Quality Management 
1.  *Coordinates and manages inspections, materials testing, and special inspections; assesses and recommends corrective action for deficiencies and non-conforming work.
2.  *Reviews submittals, shop drawings, samples, and RFIs for constructability and maintainability.

Cost Management
1.  *Reviews proposed change orders to determine impact on budget and schedule; prepares cost analyses to support approval or negotiation aligned with campus priorities.
2.  *Reviews and verifies contractor payment applications against the schedule of values and work in place.
3.  *Identifies and flags potential cost overruns, differing site conditions, and out-of-scope work early.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance
1.  *Verifies contractor site-safety and health programs and monitors job site compliance with OSHA and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) requirements.
2.  *Monitors contractor compliance with applicable building codes, accessibility standards, and environmental regulations.
3.  *Enforces job site safety requirements, including site barricades, traffic control, and emergency access lanes.
4.  *Responds to job site emergencies and safety incidents to protect life safety and minimize project impact; documents and reports findings to the Director.

Commissioning, Closeout & Turnover
1.  *Coordinates building commissioning and systems testing for operational readiness.
2.  *Manages final inspections and punch-list closure through final completion.
3.  *Administers the warranty period and ensures all warranty work is completed before warranty expiration.
4.  *Coordinates turnover, training, documentation, and system integration with Facilities Maintenance.
5.  Captures lessons learned and performance data to inform design standards, lifecycle, and long-term capital planning.
6.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Education and Professional Work Experience:
1.  Possession of a baccalaureate degree in construction management or project management or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for construction management and/or project management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated. 
2.  Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of construction management as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
3.  Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with construction management.
4.  Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
5.  Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
6.  Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
7.  Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and apply spreadsheet software.
8.  If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications:  

1.  Considerable working knowledge of County of Hawai’i building code requirements.
2.  Considerable experience preparing and reviewing construction cost estimates, including detailed quantity takeoffs and cost analysis.
3.  Extensive experience negotiating contractor change order proposals, and preparing written cost analysis to support cost reasonableness and contract time extensions. 
4.  Extensive working knowledge and ability to conduct construction site inspections, monitor construction progress, identify deficiencies, and ensure conformity with plans, specifications, schedules, and quality standards. 
5.  Extensive working knowledge of construction methods, materials, building codes, and industry standards.
6.  Ability to interpret and review architectural and engineering drawings, technical specifications, schedules, cost estimates, and related construction documents.
7.  Proven ability to facilitate and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, subcontractors, design consultants, inspectors, and stakeholders on construction projects.
8.  Proficiency in project management software program(s) to track progress, milestones, and project performance for multiple construction projects. 
9.  Considerable experience managing contractor force-account work.
10.  Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, accessibility standards, and environmental health and safety regulations applicable to construction in Hawai’i.
11.  Experience reviewing contractor payment applications, change orders, and contract modifications for accuracy and compliance.  
12.  Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with sound judgment.
13.  Demonstrate strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
14.  Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
15.  Physical demands: standing, walking, and climbing.
16.  Comfortable working outdoors in varying conditions with appropriate PPE.

Desirable Qualifications:  

1.  Knowledge of University of Hawai’i or the State of Hawai’i construction procurement and contract administration procedures and practices.
2.  Knowledge of University of Hawai’i or an institution of higher learning, facilities planning and construction procedures.
3.  Extensive working knowledge of DCCA contractor licensing requirements applicable to construction projects. 
4.  Extensive working knowledge of the Davis-Bacon Act, and Chapter 104 prevailing wage requirements.
5.  Two (2) years of construction management and/or project management experience on government construction projects exceeding $2 million. 
6.  Working knowledge of Trimble Unity Construct.

To Apply: Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. 
A complete application must include:
 
   1. Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met;
   2. Current resume; 
   3. The names and addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three [3] current
professional references;
     4. Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment.

Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.

All requested documents/information become the property of the University. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Failure to submit all required documents and reference information shall deem an application to be incomplete.
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Inquiries: Ken Kaleiwahea, kjakalei@hawaii.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled