Project Manager
Job description
About the role
This role manages facility projects for a DEA client in an Arlington federal office. The position coordinates procurement, construction, and relocations while operating onsite five days per week.
Operations teams keep a business running smoothly. They manage processes, vendors, and logistics across the company. The work includes planning, coordination, and continuous improvement. Strong operators are organized, pragmatic, and comfortable with change. Operations teams run on routines, checklists, and clear escalation paths. Most companies expect operators to document what they do so anyone can step in.
Key facts
What you'll do
Facility operations coordinate centrally managed activities and execute the full program and project management cycle. Project budgets are monitored, and funding proposals are assessed to support new facilities or renovations. Large procurement challenges affecting the organization are evaluated, with complex or unusual items addressed systematically. Domestic field offices receive support for repairs and upgrades at existing office locations. Field inspections of new construction and ongoing renovations happen across multiple office sites. Facilities design criteria, guidelines, and procedures undergo review to ensure specialized organizational effectiveness. Leased space layouts and basic building plans are derived from landlord agreements and checked for requirement compliance. Project milestones are created, cost estimates reviewed, and project schedules coordinated. Technical project requirements and design specifications are defined for each initiative. Proposals are examined for requirement fit, utility access, cost, and employee conveniences. Construction and renovation activities are supervised to confirm that all requirements and expectations are satisfied. GSA proposals for buildings designed to specifications are considered for program needs.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree is mandatory. Eligibility for a U.S. Secret Security Clearance is required. Candidates must be local to the Arlington area.
Practical notes
The position requires onsite presence five days per week in a federal office. Travel is required for market surveys and inspections of facilities. Typical interview steps
Operations interviews usually include a process scenario, an analytics question, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to improve a workflow or plan an event. Attention to detail and clear communication are tested throughout. Interviewers often ask how you would fix a process that is failing. Walking through diagnosis, a plan, and measurement is the winning structure.
Good to know
Project management in federal environments relies on strict adherence to regulations and detailed documentation. Computer Aided Design tools are central to creating technical layouts and specifications for complex equipment. Coordination with government representatives and multiple stakeholders is a regular part of the work. Life cycle planning focuses on optimizing long term value and operational efficiency. Clear communication of requirements helps prevent rework and supports successful delivery.
Questions to ask
Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.
Career growth
Operations careers grow from coordinator to manager, director, and chief operating officer roles. Some people specialize in supply chain, facilities, or program management. Success depends on reliability and on improving the systems you own. Operations careers reward reliability and continuous improvement. Operators who quantify the impact of their fixes move into leadership fastest.
About the company
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