Railroad Public Projects Manager - Civil (Remote)

Simply Put, A Great Place to Work

Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country – creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference.

We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you'll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share.

At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. We are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don't be so hard on yourself—apply for the job!

Railroad Public Projects Manager - Civil (Remote)

We are looking for a highly motivated Public Project Manager to join our Railroad team, supporting projects across the entire U.S. As a Public Project Manager, you will work under the guidance of the Group Manager and collaborate with other Project Managers to oversee and manage railroad public projects. This mid-level management position offers excellent opportunities for professional growth and project management training within the dynamic railroad industry.

As a key player in our Railroad Division, you'll lead projects that make transportation safer and more efficient nationwide. You'll manage high-profile assignments from planning and analysis through design and construction, while also building client relationships and driving business growth. Projects you'll own include railroad grade crossing safety upgrades, road widenings, trails, and railroad-roadway interface design and analysis.

If you are a motivated and experienced professional seeking an exciting opportunity to grow your career in the railroad industry, we encourage you to apply.

Location

This role can be based in any of our Benesch office locations across the country. We are also open to fully remote arrangements. Occasional travel will be required to support project needs and connect with clients and project teams.

The Impact You Will Have

• Provide railroad project management services and work with various local and state government agency project sponsors on public highway projects that require railroad coordination, including design oversight and construction coordination for at-grade railroad-highway crossings.
• Review and handle initial project requests from local and state government agencies, citizens, consultants, and developers that may impact railroad property/right of way.
• Review Outside Party plan submissions for compliance with client railroad standards, MUTCD, and AREMA.
• Serve in a seller-doer role, balancing technical delivery with client interaction and relationship building
• Prepare reports, documentation, and technical memoranda relied on by clients and stakeholders
• Report and communicate with the owning railroad's managers and manage cost-effective coordination.
• Review project work plans in collaboration with team members with other areas of expertise and Agency designers.
• Manage project updates, implementation of new processes, and continued maintenance of project databases.
• Monitor project budget, scope, quality control, and schedule estimates.
• Coordinate inspection and construction monitoring requirements with the field personnel.
• Apply design standards, codes, and safety requirements across all projects.
• Perform project reporting and other project file-related practices.
• Travel to project sites as needed to meet client and project requirements
• Oversee day-to-day operations and maintain up-to-date records.
• Prepare and review project correspondence and reports.
• Schedule and conduct project meetings with internal and external project stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain positive client relationships.
• Coordinate work with sub-consultants and assist with agreements.
• Assist in contract negotiations and conflict resolution.
• Complete necessary project initiation and compliance forms.
• Verify invoices and prepare contract compliance support.
• Ensure compliance with quality guidelines and procedures.

What We Are Looking For

• Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal skills, and aptitude with MS Office, PDF, MicroStation, and other productivity software.
• Strong understanding of MUTCD, AREMA, regulatory codes, standards, and industry best practices related to Railroad-Highway At-Grade Crossings.
• Experience either as a railroad employee working in public projects, or as a DOT employee working on railroad coordination.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• BS in Civil Engineering preferred, any engineering degree preferred.
• Leadership skills and ability to take ownership of assigned projects.
• Experience leading projects within multiple states and successfully progressing projects through the preliminary engineering phase into the construction phase.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of railroad and highway infrastructure projects preferred.
• Knowledge of DOT project delivery processes, Railroad-DOT agreements, phasing, and regulatory rules.
• Proficient in collaborating with local and state agency project sponsors. # #LI-AG1

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Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch!

At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch!

Professional Development

• Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Team Leaders, Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders
• Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
• Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions
• Personalized training and career development plans with your manager
• Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications
• Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement

Retirement Benefits

• Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge
• Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%)

Work/Life Balance

• Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role)
• Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career
• Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events
• Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement

Employee Engagement

• At Benesch, we encourage our team members to extend their impact beyond their core responsibilities. Join our employee resource groups and committees to enhance your work-life balance and contribute to our community-focused initiatives. We support a variety of programs including community service, student scholarships, and matching gift opportunities, reflecting our commitment to a vibrant and diverse workplace.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

Benesch is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants in all protected groups, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found.

Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment.

If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailing [email protected]. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: Benesch is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to a Benesch employee without a recent, current, and fully executed agreement on file. Please direct all communications to the HR team at [email protected]