DAM SAFETY PROJECT MANAGER
WATER RESOURCES / SURFACE WATER SERVICE LINE
MICHIGAN
POSITION SUMMARY
Spicer Group is seeking a Dam Safety Project Manager to join our Surface Water division. This role will be responsible for managing dam safety projects from initiation through completion, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, coordination of technical resources, client communication, and delivery of high-quality project documents. The Dam Safety Project Manager will lead and support projects involving dam inspections, evaluations, rehabilitation, design, permitting, regulatory compliance, and construction-phase services while ensuring adherence to project schedules, budgets, quality standards, and applicable dam safety requirements.
Additionally, the position involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams, supporting proposal development, assisting with contract scope and fee preparation, and maintaining strong client and regulatory relationships. The Dam Safety Project Manager will collaborate with internal technical leaders, mentor project staff, identify and mitigate project risks, and support business development efforts related to dam safety services.
THE COMPANY
Spicer Group is a multi-disciplinary engineering, surveying, and planning company. With offices in Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia, Spicer Group continues to expand its geographic footprint. We are committed to providing our teams with technical support throughout these offices to continually build upon our success year after year. Spicer Group is committed to maintaining its tightly held private ownership, with no interest in selling to larger AEC firms. This commitment provides significant ownership opportunities for high performers and people that uphold our core values and build successful teams. Spicer Group was given the prestigious 2026 Circle of Excellence Platinum Award, recognized by PSMJ.
Spicer Group prides itself on our core values of commitment to growth, great client relationships, excellent services and solutions, maintaining a team environment, and having integrity in all we do. We are seeking a candidate who will strive to uphold these values.
Spicer Group, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our respect and commitment for our employees, their contributions, professional goals, and personal goals. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Competitive Pay
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options
- 401(k)-match program
- Paid Holidays
- Sick and Vacation Days
- Profit Sharing
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Professional Development
- Excellent Working Conditions
- Work-Life Balance
- Fitness Reimbursement
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Project and Financial Management
- Manages dam safety project deliverables within the Surface Water service line, ensuring high-quality execution and adherence to approved scopes, schedules, and budgets
- Develops project work plans, schedules, budgets, and staffing plans in coordination with technical leaders and project teams
- Monitors project financial performance, including budget tracking, revenue forecasting, invoicing support, and accounts receivable coordination
- Implements quality management processes, reviews project deliverables, and identifies and mitigates project risks
- Coordinates technical staff and subconsultants to support dam inspections, assessments, design, permitting, and construction-phase services
- Prepares and assists with invoicing, progress reporting, and collection of A/R for assigned dam safety projects
- Supports proposal development by contributing technical approaches, scopes of work, schedules, staffing plans, and fee estimates
- Participates in client interviews, contract scope discussions, and project kickoff meetings when proposals are awarded
- Coordinates project teams, communicates expectations, and manages project execution in alignment with client needs and regional business development priorities
- Serves as Project Manager on dam safety projects and may serve as a technical contributor or task lead on larger multidisciplinary efforts
- Partners cross-functionally with Practice Leads, technical specialists, and other service areas to deliver multidisciplinary project solutions
- Prepares professional service agreements, amendments, and related project documentation as requested
Strategic Planning and Communication
- Communicates project status, risks, milestones, and resource needs to clients, project teams, and internal leadership
- Supports dam safety planning efforts by identifying project opportunities, resource needs, and client service priorities
- Establishes effective communication among project teams, technical reviewers, clients, agencies, and regulatory stakeholders
- Supports dam safety marketing efforts through project experience summaries, client presentations, proposal materials, and industry engagement
Employee and Client Engagement
- Maintains and supports client and partner relationships for assigned dam safety projects and related service opportunities
- Engages in industry initiatives, regulatory updates, and professional organizations related to dam safety and surface water services
- Represents project expertise through client meetings, technical presentations, conferences, publications, and professional associations as appropriate
- Participates in client maintenance plans and follow-up activities as directed by regional staff
- Mentors and supports technical staff assigned to projects by providing guidance on project delivery, client expectations, quality standards, and professional development
The list of specific duties and responsibilities is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility does not preclude assigning duties not listed herein if such duties and responsibilities are a logical assignment to the position.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or a related engineering field
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state, or ability to obtain licensure within an agreed-upon timeframe
- Experience managing engineering projects, including scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and quality control responsibilities
- Knowledge of dam safety principles, inspection practices, engineering evaluations, rehabilitation design, permitting, and applicable regulatory requirements
- Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, dam inspections, field investigations, construction observation, and project-related work
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of related engineering experience, with demonstrated experience managing dam safety or water resources projects
- Experience with dam inspections, condition assessments, alternatives analysis, rehabilitation design, emergency action planning, and construction-phase services
- Experience working with state dam safety programs, regulatory agencies, and permitting requirements
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to manage client relationships and lead multidisciplinary project teams
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information regarding our firm and/or this position, please visit the Spicer Group website at www.spicergroup.com. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled
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