Operations Project Manager – Navigation Project Management

Job Description

Operations Project Manager | US Army Corps of Engineers

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the US Army Corps of Engineers, located in Modoc, IL. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages critical water resources and infrastructure projects across the nation, ensuring navigation, flood control, and environmental stewardship. This position is vital for the continuous, safe, and effective operation of the Kaskaskia Navigation Project, impacting regional commerce, recreation, and ecological health. The role calls for dedicated leadership and comprehensive project management to maintain this essential infrastructure and its surrounding natural resources.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Modoc, IL

• Team: Leads a dedicated project crew responsible for site operations and maintenance.
• Mission: To ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation and maintenance of the Kaskaskia Navigation Project, encompassing vast public lands, vital infrastructure, and diverse environmental and recreational programs.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Project Operations Management: Lead and direct all operational facets of the Kaskaskia Navigation Project as its Operations Project Manager. This encompasses strategic planning, daily oversight, and long-term maintenance scheduling for a complex and essential federal water resource initiative, ensuring adherence to all operational guidelines and safety protocols.
• Infrastructure & Navigation Stewardship: Oversee the comprehensive management of critical navigation infrastructure, specifically the Jerry F Costello Lock and Dam and 36 miles of navigation channel. This involves ensuring the structural integrity, functional efficiency, and safe passage capabilities of these vital components that support regional waterways and commerce.
• Public Lands & Environmental Resource Protection: Administer the stewardship of approximately 2,900 acres of public lands associated with the project. This includes actively managing recreation visitor access areas, campgrounds, and implementing programs for the protection of threatened and endangered species, alongside strategic forest management initiatives to preserve ecological balance and public enjoyment.
• Facility & Program Oversight: Direct the ongoing operations and maintenance of all associated buildings and grounds within the project area. Furthermore, develop and execute comprehensive outreach and education programs designed to inform the public and stakeholders about the project’s mission, environmental responsibilities, and recreational opportunities.
• Crew Leadership & Development: Provide primary leadership, guidance, and supervision to the project crew. This responsibility involves fostering a productive and safe work environment, coordinating team activities, assigning tasks, and ensuring the efficient utilization of human resources to meet project objectives and operational demands.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This role requires a professional with a strong background in project management, specifically within the operational management of large-scale public infrastructure projects. Candidates should demonstrate a deep understanding of managing diverse assets, including navigation systems, extensive land areas, and environmental conservation programs within a governmental or public agency context.
• Experience: Proven experience is essential in the comprehensive oversight of complex projects involving water resources, civil engineering structures like locks and dams, and significant natural resource management. This includes direct involvement in managing public access sites, environmental protection efforts, and maintaining operational facilities, along with a demonstrated history of leading and coordinating work teams effectively.
• Skills: Core competencies include robust project and operations management, effective leadership and crew supervision, comprehensive resource management (encompassing natural, financial, and human assets), and the ability to oversee complex infrastructure maintenance. Additionally, strong skills in environmental stewardship, public engagement, and program development are crucial for this multifaceted role.