Sidewalk Program Manager

Position Summary

We are seeking a qualified Sidewalk Program Manager to plan, coordinate, fund, and oversee the construction, inspection, repair, and long-term improvement of sidewalks and pedestrian facilities throughout the City. The position develops work programs for designated Sidewalk Improvement Districts and manages projects from initial planning through design, bidding, construction, inspection, financial reconciliation, and closeout. The employee works with residents, businesses, contractors, consultants, public works crews, City officials, and state and federal stakeholders. The Sidewalk Program Manager works under the general supervision of the Director of Engineering and exercises independent judgment in administering assigned projects and program responsibilities.
Onsite: In ithaca, New York
Position Summary
The Sidewalk Program Manager is responsible for developing and managing sidewalk construction and repair programs that align with the approved budgets and priorities of the City's Sidewalk Improvement Districts. The employee prepares plans, specifications, construction documents, cost estimates, budgets, procurement materials, contracts, and project reports. The position also manages contractors and consultants, inspects construction, oversees material testing, reviews change orders, responds to public questions, maintains sidewalk maps and inventories, and evaluates overall program performance.
In addition to managing district assessments, the Sidewalk Program Manager develops supplemental revenue sources through grants and long-term borrowing. The position oversees the allocation of project expenses to the appropriate district budgets and coordinates project closeouts and budget reconciliations. The role also supports pedestrian accessibility by overseeing ADA-compliant design, evaluating pedestrian facilities, collecting field data, and participating in long-term pedestrian planning efforts with professional staff, municipal boards, and the Municipal Planning Organization.
Key Responsibilities
Sidewalk Program Planning

• Develop annual and multiyear work programs for sidewalk construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair.
• Align project recommendations with the approved budget of each Sidewalk Improvement District.
• Evaluate sidewalk conditions, accessibility needs, public input, inspection findings, and available funding.
• Recommend project priorities to engineering and leadership.
• Establish project scope, schedule, budget, and delivery requirements.
• Monitor projects from initiation through construction and closeout.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend operational or policy improvements.

Sidewalk Improvement District Administration

• Develop work plans for designated Sidewalk Improvement Districts.
• Coordinate program priorities with district assessments and available budgets.
• Track project activity by district.
• Allocate construction and repair expenses to the appropriate district budgets.
• Monitor the financial status of each district.
• Coordinate financial closeouts and budget reconciliations.
• Maintain records supporting district funding, expenses, work completed, and future needs.
• Provide program and financial information to leadership and the public.

Public Engagement and Communication

• Solicit public input regarding proposed sidewalk programs and district priorities.
• Explain work plans, construction activities, project schedules, and program requirements to residents and businesses.
• Respond to questions regarding project scope, accessibility, funding, schedules, and construction impacts.
• Serve as a liaison among City departments, officials, businesses, residents, contractors, and consultants.
• Communicate technical and financial information clearly to nontechnical audiences.
• Address public concerns professionally and transparently.
• Maintain productive relationships with diverse community stakeholders.

Plans, Specifications, and Estimates

• Develop plans and specifications for sidewalk construction and repair projects.
• Prepare construction documents.
• Develop project cost estimates.
• Review plans and specifications for City pedestrian facilities.
• Evaluate constructability, accessibility, materials, and technical compliance.
• Use computer-aided design software when appropriate.
• Prepare technical recommendations regarding pedestrian infrastructure and accessibility.
• Maintain accurate project files and design documentation.

ADA and Pedestrian Accessibility

• Develop and oversee engineering designs for pedestrian facilities.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable Americans with Disabilities Act technical standards.
• Evaluate sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian routes, and related facilities for accessibility.
• Identify barriers affecting pedestrians with disabilities.
• Recommend practical accessibility improvements.
• Review project plans for ADA compliance.
• Coordinate accessibility requirements with contractors, consultants, City crews, and relevant stakeholders.

Bidding and Contract Awards

• Prepare sidewalk projects for public bidding.
• Advertise construction opportunities according to applicable procedures.
• Review bids and supporting materials.
• Evaluate contractor qualifications, pricing, responsiveness, and project requirements.
• Prepare recommendations regarding contract awards.
• Maintain appropriate procurement documentation.
• Coordinate contract execution and preconstruction requirements.
• Ensure awarded work is consistent with approved budgets and project objectives.

Construction Contract Administration

• Manage and administer sidewalk construction contracts.
• Review budgets, contractor payment requests, and supporting documentation.
• Interpret contract documents, plans, specifications, and construction standards.
• Resolve differences in interpretation with contractors.
• Monitor schedule, cost, quality, and contractual compliance.
• Review and recommend change orders.
• Coordinate project changes with contractors, municipal officials, consultants, and other involved parties.
• Maintain complete contract-administration records.
• Coordinate project closeout and final reconciliation.

Construction Inspection and Quality Control

• Inspect sidewalk construction and repair work.
• Verify conformance with plans, specifications, contract provisions, and construction standards.
• Document deficiencies and required corrective actions.
• Monitor completion of corrective work.
• Oversee material testing.
• Confirm that materials meet designated standards.
• Resolve field questions involving contract requirements and construction quality.
• Maintain inspection reports and supporting project records.
• Prevent incomplete or noncompliant work from being accepted.

Contractor and City Crew Coordination

• Assign sidewalk work to available contractors or City crews as appropriate.
• Coordinate project schedules, access, materials, inspections, and public impacts.
• Monitor contractor and crew progress.
• Communicate technical requirements clearly.
• Resolve scheduling, field, quality, or coordination issues.
• Ensure work assignments align with program priorities and available budgets.
• Maintain professional working relationships with contractors and public works personnel.

Consultant Selection and Management

• Prepare professional-services contracts for surveying, design, inspection, and testing.
• Develop scopes of work and consultant requirements.
• Coordinate consultant-selection processes.
• Evaluate consultant proposals.
• Negotiate and administer consultant contracts.
• Monitor consultant schedules, budgets, deliverables, and performance.
• Review consultant work for technical quality and compliance.
• Address performance or scope concerns promptly.
• Evaluate consultant performance following project completion.

Budgeting, Assessments, and Financial Planning

• Prepare and review sidewalk-program budgets.
• Monitor project expenditures.
• Allocate expenses to the appropriate Sidewalk Improvement District.
• Coordinate project closeouts and financial reconciliation.
• Develop a long-term financial plan for the sidewalk program.
• Maintain documentation supporting assessments, expenditures, revenue, and borrowing.
• Identify funding gaps and recommend financial strategies.
• Provide accurate program-finance information to engineering and City leadership.

Grants and Supplemental Funding

• Identify and pursue grants and other supplementary funding sources.
• Develop funding strategies that complement district assessments.
• Support grant applications and required technical documentation.
• Manage awarded funds according to applicable requirements.
• Monitor grant-supported projects, budgets, eligible costs, and reporting obligations.
• Coordinate with internal City departments and external funding agencies.
• Support long-term borrowing when appropriate.
• Maintain clear and complete funding records.

Mapping and Sidewalk Inventory

• Maintain updated maps of City sidewalks.
• Maintain a current sidewalk inventory.
• Track sidewalk conditions, inspection results, repairs, project history, and accessibility needs.
• Use mapping, database, spreadsheet, and CAD tools to organize infrastructure information.
• Ensure records remain complete, accurate, and accessible.
• Use inventory data to support project prioritization and long-term planning.

Surveying and Field Data Collection

• Conduct surveys involving topography, property lines, street improvements, and related infrastructure.
• Collect field data regarding pedestrian and traffic volumes, movement, and demand.
• Review accident and inspection records.
• Analyze and interpret field-study data.
• Prepare graphs, diagrams, reports, and supporting technical materials.
• Use field data to evaluate safety, accessibility, demand, condition, and project priority.
• Coordinate additional surveying or testing services when required.

Long-Term Pedestrian Planning

• Participate in...

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