Project Manager, Utilities

Utilities Project Manager, Field Services

Shermco Industries – Canada

Location: Burnaby, BC | Reports to: Operations Leader, ESD | Type: Full-time

Overview

Shermco Canada is seeking a Utilities Project Manager to lead planning, execution, commissioning, and closeout of utilities projects across Protection & Control (P&C), apparatus testing, and related work packages (transformer/breaker commissioning, relay testing, startup/energization). The PM owns schedule, scope, safety, budget, and stakeholder communication. While enabling senior P&C supervisors and crews to focus on safe, high‑quality field execution. The role coordinates allocations under MSAs, prepares budgetary price, manages Work Authorizations (WA), change orders, and ensures documentation and closeout meet Hydro standards.

Intake, Pre‑Planning & Estimating

• Own incoming customer allocations and confirm acceptance based on crew capacity and critical timing.
• Develop budgetary price proposals using prior benchmarks and field inputs.
• Lead pre‑job planning: tailboards, site access, prints/IFCs, pre‑functional checks; align durations with field supervisors.
• Coordinate mandatory training/refreshers (e.g. PSSP, WPP, First Aid, aerial lift, fall protection) before mobilization.

Contracting, WA, and Compliance

• Prepare Work Authorization (WA) packages with agreed scope, pricing schedule, and milestones; manage signatures and NTP.
• Ensure safety planning aligns to customer Safety Practice Regulations, Power System Safety Protection (PSSP)/Work Protection Practices (WPP), and Hydro Life Saving Rules.
• Maintain compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR Part 19 (electrical safety near energized equipment, HV isolation/lockout).

Scheduling, Resourcing & Field Readiness

• Build and maintain an integrated schedule (weeks to months) against customer planned outages.
• Coordinate with Senior P&C supervisors to assign crews and optimize mentoring for juniors.
• Confirm tooling, test sets/software (Doble, RTS/Protest, PowerDB), Starlink/mobile comms, and site logistics.

Execution & Commissioning Management

• Run weekly progress meetings with customer PM/Engineering; track commissioning test plans and documentation (PTS, NTE).
• Unblock field issues (prints, access, telecoms, approvals) to keep supervisors and crews focused on technical work.

Cost Control, Change Management & Billing Hand‑off

• Track T&M spend vs. plan (labor, OT, travel, hotels, materials) and maintain burn‑rates to budgetary expectations.
• Lead change order capture/negotiation as scope evolves; keep written records to support adjustments to WA pricing.
• Deliver cost substantiation and reporting packages to billing/finance and customer per contractor protocols.

Safety Leadership

• Implement an Electrical Safety Program aligned to CSA Z462 (Canada) and site‑specific energized work permits.
• Reinforce Hydro Life Saving Rules; verify authorizations and required contractor training via Hydro SuccessFactors.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Interface with customer CPC contracts, field ops, engineering to align scope, schedule, and site constraints.
• Communicate status, risks, and recovery plans regularly; identify responsible scope expansion under MSAs.

Documentation & Closeout

• Ensure test records, redlines, commissioning packages, and punch lists are complete.

• Support energization and formal project closeout; capture lessons learned to improve estimating and flow.

Diploma/Bachelor's in Electrical Power/Engineering (or equivalent field experience) with 5–8 years delivering utility field services, P&C commissioning, and apparatus testing up to MV/HV.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multi‑week commissioning sequences.
• Practical knowledge of CSA Z arc‑flash/shock requirements and WorkSafeBC OHSR Part 19.
• Experience with test sets/software common in utility work (e.g., Doble, RTS/Protest, PowerDB).
• Strong financial acumen (T&M tracking, change order negotiations, margin protection) and utility stakeholder communication.

Preferred

• PMP or equivalent project management credential (or 35h PM education underway).
• NETA certification (Level II–IV) or service with a NETA‑accredited company.
• Prior utility experience (SPR, PSSP/WPP, Life Saving Rules, SuccessFactors training).

Other

• Valid driver's license; travel and remote work readiness; support extended outages.
• Strong MS Office/Teams; scheduling tools; document control discipline.

Success Measures (KPIs)

• On‑time energization & commissioning vs. plan (no uncontrolled slips).
• Safety performance (zero serious incidents; CSA Z462 program adherence; Hydro Life Saving Rules compliance).
• Budget & margin control (variance within agreed thresholds; timely change order capture).
• Documentation quality
• Client satisfaction & scope growth (expanded allocations under MSAs when appropriate).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER | DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

Shermco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Shermco is a drug-free workplace.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE