Project Manager, ERDC

Project Manager, Valley Tailings Facility, ERDC

Location:  Whitehorse, YK, Canada with availability to travel to project site.

Status:  Temporary role based on project timelines

Project Background:  

Elsa Reclamation and Development Company (ERDC), has entered into an agreement with the Government of Canada to manage the reclamation and stabilization of large portions of the historic Keno Hill Silver District. This overall program is titled "UKHM Reclamation Projects". Part of the overall project involves reclamation of the Valley Tailings Facility (VTF). A phased construction approach was utilized for the VTF project: Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Phase 1 was a one-year program which concluded in October Phase 2 includes the finalization of design, contractor procurement and execution of the remaining scope of work for the VTF. Phase 2 will be multi-year program and is scheduled to conclude by 2028, pending final tailings volume.

The scope of services described in this document is considered to begin in January 2026, and the remaining construction scope of work is described below.

• Clearing and grubbing of the tailings impacted areas.
• Management of all site construction water and local ponds.
• Management of the WTP operations, including the management of water at Pond 3.
• Stabilization of existing dams through the construction of dam buttresses, i.e. Dam 1 buttress and Dam 3 buttress.
• Excavation and relocation of 1.2M cubic meters of tailings material to the Tailings Consolidated Area (TCA).
• Construction of the TCA landform as per the EOR specifications.
• Final shaping of the excavated tailings impacted areas.
• Excavation and armoring of the final water management structures, to establish the historic water channels.
• Final cover placement at the TCA and other impacted zones. 
• Successful execution of the revegetation program.
• Installation of geotechnical monitoring instrumentation. 

The purpose of this engagement is to retain a Project Manager (PM) for a minimum period of 12 months to lead and manage all aspects of the project on behalf of ERDC, ensuring a safe, high-quality, and cost-effective outcome. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead all project efforts to achieve safe, efficient, and high-quality results.
• Manage engineering activities to deliver practical, constructible, and cost-effective designs.
• Develop and oversee the procurement of an Earthworks Contractor (Contractor) for all construction scopes.
• Supervise the Contractor during the execution of site works.
• Oversee the onsite Construction Management team.
• Ensure compliance with design documents, permit conditions, and ERDC standards.
• Facilitate coordination, maintain thorough documentation, and resolve issues promptly during construction.

Pre-construction Phase

The PM shall:

• Develop and implement the procurement plan to secure the Earthworks Contractor.
• Oversee the engineering process to ensure the final design is cost-effective and aligned with project objectives.
• Support the preparation and delivery of the Issued for Tender (IFT) drawings.
• Review Issued for Review (IFR) drawings and specifications for constructability, sequencing, and clarity.
• Review final Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings prior to issuance to the Contractor.
• Manage the development of detailed Field Installation Work Packages (FIWPs).
• Develop the Construction Quality Control Plan (CQCP).
• Develop the Construction Baseline Schedule and Schedule Control Plan.
• Prepare Cost Progress and Tracking reports.
• Oversee the Construction Management team.

Construction Phase

The PM shall provide office-based project management and administration services throughout active construction, including but not limited to:

Project Administration and Controls

• Ensure that the project schedule is maintained and updated the project schedule.
• Review the project schedule with ERDC and other stakeholders on a monthly basis.
• Manage correspondence with contractors, RFIs, change requests, and meeting minutes using the ERDC's cloud-based file server.
• Ensure that project submittals and materials accepted onsite are in accordance with approved submittals and issued for construction design documents.
• Oversee the document control process to ensure the latest drawings and engineering specifications are communicated effectively to the CM team and the Contractor.
• Review and provide recommendations on the contractor payment applications.
• Review and issue monthly progress reports summarizing progress, cost performance, schedule status, safety statistics, quality metrics, and risks.
• Lead change order reviews and cost validation, providing technical and commercial recommendations.
• Manage and track key performance indicators (KPI) and maintain a change and risk register.

Construction Management Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Provide overall leadership and oversight to the Construction Management team, ensuring full-time site representation monitors work for general conformance with contract documents and standards.
• Oversee tracking of construction progress against the project schedule, review deviations identified by the Construction Management team, and ensure timely reporting to ERDC.
• Proactively manage the Contractor by directing the Construction Management team to identify and mitigate schedule risks, including material availability, weather impacts, site access, camp space, and required staff and equipment.
• Ensure contractor quality control (QC) procedures are implemented and adhered to, including compliance with approved Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
• Oversee the tracking and resolution of non-conformance reports (NCRs) to ensure timely corrective actions.
• Ensure daily field logs and photographic documentation are maintained accurately by the Construction Management team.
• Confirm material conformance with engineering-approved submittals upon receipt at the Project Site.
• Supervise inspection, inventory, coordination of offloading, and management of Owner-supplied materials, including instrumentation and spare parts.
• Audit contractor "as-built" drawings and ensure the Construction Management team documents as-built conditions accurately.
• Review and manage the communication of design deviations to the Engineering Manager/EOR, ensuring timely submission of RFIs as required.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Oversight

• Ensure compliance with the Owner's Safety Management System and site-specific HSE plans through the Construction Management team.
• Oversee team participation in safety meetings, inspections, and incident reviews.
• Direct the integration of safety into all preparatory work meetings and enforce safe practices on site.

Coordination and Communication

• Chair weekly construction coordination meetings and ensure meeting minutes capture action items.
• Attend weekly and monthly progress meetings with the ERDC Project Director and other stakeholders.
• Review and approve weekly construction progress reports summarizing activities, upcoming work, issues, and risks.
• Maintain proactive communication with the ERDC Project Director and EOR regarding progress, issues, and potential claims.

Project Closeout and Handover Phase

The PM shall:

• Ensure all quality control documentation is completed and approved.
• Ensure the timely submission of the Final Construction Report summarizing:
  • Construction activities and key milestones
  • Cost and schedule performance
  • Quality Turnover Package
  • Safety performance metrics
  • Outstanding issues and lessons learned

Deliverables

The PM shall be responsible for timely submission of the following deliverables at a minimum:

Deliverable

Frequency / Timing

Project Schedule and Updates

Monthly

Weekly Construction Reports

Weekly

Monthly Progress Reports

Monthly

Cost Forecast Reporting

Monthly

Meeting Agendas and Minutes

Weekly

RFI/Change Logs/BAs

Ongoing

Contractor As-Built Documentation Audit

Weekly

Final Construction Report and As-Builts

Project closeout

Staffing and Resources

The Project Manager (PM) shall have a minimum of 15 years of professional experience, including at least 10 years managing mine closure and reclamation projects and proven expertise in heavy civil earthworks. 

Reporting and Coordination

The PM will report directly to the ERDC Project Director or designate and will coordinate closely with the Engineer of Record (EOR) and ERDC representatives, including the Assistant Project Director, Safety Manager, Procurement Manager, Cost Control Specialist, Accountant/Contract Coordinator, and Procurement Lead.