About the role
Assistant Project Manager – Underground Division Department: Underground Division Job Title: Assistant Project Manager – Underground Division
Job Summary Hays Electrical Services is seeking a hands-on, technically knowledgeable Assistant Project Manager to support underground electrical construction projects from preconstruction through project completion. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in underground electrical construction, civil underground infrastructure, and electrical distribution systems, with an understanding of how underground electrical installations are executed in the field. Experience with 480V electrical systems, duct banks, conduit installation, trenching, excavation, manholes, vaults, and underground electrical pathways is highly desirable.
This role will work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Foremen, and field crews to support daily project execution, coordinate materials and resources, identify field challenges, and ensure installations are completed according to project drawings and specifications. We are particularly interested in candidates with hands-on underground electrical field experience who are looking to transition into or grow within project management. Estimating, project documentation, cost tracking, and administrative responsibilities can be developed through on-the-job training but experience is a plus.
Key Responsibilities Underground Electrical Construction & Field Coordination
* Support the execution of underground electrical construction projects, ensuring work is completed according to drawings, specifications, and project requirements. * Work closely with General Superintendents, Foremen, and field crews to coordinate daily underground construction activities. * Understand and assist with the installation of underground electrical infrastructure, including duct banks, conduit systems, manholes, vaults, pull boxes, and handholes. * Support installation planning for 480V electrical distribution systems and associated underground electrical pathways. * Review underground electrical drawings and civil site plans to understand routing, elevations, conduit layouts, and installation requirements. * Coordinate trenching, excavation, conduit placement, concrete-encased duct banks, backfill, and related civil activities. * Conduct regular job site visits to monitor progress, verify quantities, and identify potential installation issues. * Help identify field conflicts, constructability concerns, and unforeseen conditions and coordinate resolutions with the project team. * Assist with manpower, equipment, material coordination, and overall field productivity.
Estimating & Preconstruction Support * Assist with underground electrical quantity takeoffs and material estimates. * Review civil drawings, electrical plans, and project specifications to identify scope requirements. * Assist with estimating conduit, duct banks, excavation, concrete, manholes, vaults, and associated underground electrical materials. * Support labor, equipment, and material pricing for underground electrical scopes. * Assist in reviewing subcontractor and supplier pricing. * Help identify scope gaps, potential cost impacts, and additional work opportunities.
Project Management Support * Assist the Project Manager with project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and forecasting. * Monitor project progress and compare field production against estimated quantities and labor assumptions. * Assist with tracking labor hours, material usage, equipment costs, and job performance. * Coordinate material procurement and delivery schedules with vendors and field personnel. * Support project schedule updates and short-term look-ahead planning. * Maintain communication between field operations, project management, general contractors, and subcontractors.
Change Orders & Project Documentation * Assist with identifying and documenting additional work, scope changes, and unforeseen field conditions. * Support change order pricing and extra work ticket preparation. * Assist with RFIs, submittals, drawing revisions, and project documentation. * Maintain accurate project records, material logs, and daily reports. * Support job cost tracking, invoice reviews, billing documentation, and project closeout. * Assist with ROCIP/OOCIP documentation and compliance tracking when required.
Qualifications * Experience in underground electrical construction, electrical civil construction, or underground utility installation. * Strong understanding of underground electrical field operations and construction practices. * Working knowledge of 480V electrical distribution systems and underground electrical infrastructure. * Experience with duct banks, conduit installation, trenching, excavation, manholes, vaults, pull boxes, and underground pathways. * Ability to read and interpret electrical construction drawings, underground layouts, and civil site plans. * Understanding of construction sequencing, field coordination, material requirements, and installation methods. * Experience working with electrical foremen, superintendents, general contractors, or subcontractors. * Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. * Willingness to work in both field and office environments.
Candidates with strong underground electrical field experience who are looking to transition into project management are encouraged to apply. Formal estimating or project management experience is beneficial but not required. Preferred Experience * Commercial, industrial, utility, or data center underground electrical construction. * Medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical distribution systems. * Concrete-encased duct banks and underground electrical infrastructure. * Electrical civil construction and excavation coordination. * Material takeoffs, estimating, or construction quantity tracking. * Bluebeam, Procore, Microsoft Excel, or other construction management software.
Preferred Certifications * OSHA 30 Construction. * Trenching & Excavation Safety Competent Person. * Confined Space Awareness.
Physical & Work Requirements * Ability to regularly visit active construction sites. * Ability to walk job sites, including uneven terrain and excavation areas. * Ability to work in both office and field environments. * Ability to travel locally to project sites as required. * Ability to communicate effectively with field personnel, management, and project stakeholders.
What Success Looks Like * Demonstrates a strong understanding of underground electrical construction and installation methods. * Effectively supports field operations and communicates project needs. * Identifies potential field issues before they impact schedule or cost. * Develops the ability to assist with estimating, cost control, change orders, and project documentation. * Builds strong working relationships with field leadership and project management. * Progresses into an increasingly independent project management role.