Job Title: Substation Construction ManagerJob Description
The Substation Construction Manager oversees a major substation project in Northeast Arkansas in support of a large solar initiative. This role leads construction and commissioning activities in the field, ensuring that subcontractors deliver safe, high-quality work on schedule and in line with contract requirements. The position offers long-term project viability, with the potential to move to additional substation, distribution, and transmission line projects based on performance and a strong project backlog.
Responsibilities
Oversee all construction and commissioning activities for a substation project in the field from start to finish.
Lead and coordinate subcontractor crews, managing teams of up to approximately 25 people at a time.
Drive subcontractor performance to meet production, quality, safety, and schedule targets.
Ensure all work complies with project contracts, company standards, and applicable codes and regulations.
Monitor and enforce safety requirements and safe work practices on site.
Implement and oversee quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes for all substation construction activities.
Review and interpret construction documents, drawings, and specifications to guide field execution.
Manage day-to-day construction operations, including planning, sequencing, and coordinating work among multiple subcontractors.
Track project progress and performance, identifying risks and issues early and implementing corrective actions.
Support and enforce change management processes, including documenting and communicating scope changes.
Participate in risk management by identifying, assessing, and helping mitigate construction-related risks.
Prepare and deliver standardized reports on construction status, performance, and issues to the project team and stakeholders.
Conduct regular construction meetings with subcontractors, internal project teams, and other stakeholders to align on goals, progress, and expectations.
Coordinate closely with project management to ensure alignment between field activities, project schedule, and budget.
Maintain accurate documentation related to construction activities, reporting, and compliance.
Support future project opportunities by demonstrating high performance, strong leadership, and consistent delivery on current projects.
Essential Skills
Proven substation construction management experience, including overseeing construction and commissioning activities.
Experience managing and leading subcontractor crews on utility or power delivery projects.
Background in electrical distribution, power delivery, or related electrical construction environments.
Ability to read, interpret, and work from construction documents, drawings, and specifications.
Strong understanding of QA/QC practices in substation construction.
Demonstrated experience ensuring compliance with safety, quality, reporting, contract, standards, and schedule requirements.
Construction management experience specifically focused on substation projects.
Effective computer skills for reporting, documentation, and communication.
Strong reporting skills, including the ability to produce standardized construction status reports.
Experience conducting and leading construction meetings with subcontractors and project stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced field construction environment.
Willingness and ability to work extended hours, including a base schedule of 5 ten-hour days per week and additional hours as needed.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience with distribution construction management in addition to substation work.
Exposure to transmission line (t-line) construction projects.
Project management experience within construction or power delivery environments.
Familiarity with large utility projects and working with major utility customers.
Strong safety mindset and experience promoting and enforcing safety on construction sites.
Solid understanding of electrical construction practices and terminology.
Experience with construction management, project management construction processes, and risk management.
Prior experience on similar regional utility projects is a plus.
Ability to build strong working relationships with subcontractors, project teams, and stakeholders.
Strong communication and organizational skills to handle multiple concurrent tasks and reporting requirements.
Work Environment
This role is field-based on a large substation project in Northeast Arkansas, working directly on site to push and coordinate the work of subcontractor crews. The project is slated to last 2 or more years, with the possibility of extending to additional projects due to a strong backlog of substation, distribution, and transmission work. The standard schedule is 10-hour workdays, five days per week (5x10s), with a base of at least 50 hours per week and the expectation that hours may increase as project demands grow. Standard per diem is provided for 7 days per week, and overtime is paid at time-and-a-half beyond the base workweek. Holidays and paid time off are available, with time billed back to the customer according to internal policies. The environment is fast-paced and construction-focused, requiring regular presence in the field, close interaction with subcontractor crews, and hands-on oversight of day-to-day activities. The company maintains a growing footprint with major utilities and offers ongoing project opportunities for high-performing Construction Managers.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Covington, LA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Covington,LA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
