Principal Contract Engineer

The Engineering Contracts unit within the Engineering/Architecture Design Division serves a unique role within the Port Authority by providing expert coordination, review, development, and distribution of Engineering Construction contractual agreements.

Reporting to the Chief Contract Engineer, the Principal Contract Engineer will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise on a variety of construction contract project delivery methods and for managing production and delivery of project manuals (contract books) as part of the contract documents for soliciting bids on capital construction projects and major work projects of a wide variety of cost and complexity for all Port Authority facilities.

• Work with Chief Contract Engineer in assuring timely delivery and quality of final design construction contract documents
• Manage staffing of on-site consultants, including task order request preparation, candidate interviews and selection, training, supervision and invoice approvals
• Direct preparation of and audit final construction contract books to ensure applicable contractual administrative, federal and technical requirements have been met, and ensure coordination with intended project
• Participate in recruitment and hiring of qualified staff
• Provide contractual subject matter expert assistance to Engineering staff and other Agency departments to ensure consistency and quality of contract specifications during the design and bidding periods
• Ensure timely completion and accurate documentation of QA/QC process by Contracts Unit staff. Perform internal quality audits, as prescribed
• Prepare contract books for specialized procurement methods, such as alternate bidding, design-build, multi-bid work order and Construction Manager/General Contractor, as well as grant funded contracts as required
• Maintain, contribute to, and organize documentation of Contracts Unit processes, standards, policies and procedures to ensure clarity, uniformity and efficiency of processes and deliverables
• Oversee PA-Wide reviews, including review all project manual related elements of the construction contract, in compliance with the Engineering Department's contract documents standards for construction contracts
• Manage resources and assign, track and balance staff workload
• Assist with ongoing maintenance and updates to Contracts Unit contract book standard provisions and templates
• Manage, supervise and train Contract Engineer staff and manage performance reviews
• Ensure deliverables meet established schedule and budget
• Assist with additions and updates to the Engineering Department's technical Specifications library

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design delivery process
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction contract terms and conditions clauses (sometimes referred to as the front end or general conditions of the contract) related to various solicitation and payment methods, contract administration requirements, grant-funding provisions, staging requirements and operational constraints required for the preparation of the contract book
• Demonstrated leadership, reliability and achievement of results at increasing levels of responsibility.]
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, exercise independent judgment and reach sound conclusions for establishing and negotiating resolutions of contracts related issues
• Demonstrated ability to manage and meet schedules and budgets for project deliverables
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Building Construction, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Over 12 years of experience in the preparation and review of engineering/architectural construction contract documents, including a minimum of 5 years preparing front-end contract documents for multidisciplinary capital projects over $5 million, and 2+ years supervising and mentoring junior staff.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite at an intermediate proficiency, especially Word, and ability to quickly learn and become adept with all Contracts Unit related software
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative effectiveness, including demonstrated experience interacting with project stakeholders to achieve project success and client satisfaction, ability to give clear written and verbal direction, and demonstrated excellent technical writing skills in construction contract preparation
• Familiarity with Authority or other public agency procurement practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical specifications and Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) 3-part specification format. Possession of CSI - CDT, CCCA and/or CCS certification
• Demonstrated experience in developing and reviewing the technical and contractual aspects of preliminary and final design contract drawings and specifications

Minimum Qualifications