Careers at K-Five Construction

K-Five Construction is rapidly growing and seeks experienced professionals and talented crafts people to join our rapidly growing team. Please fill out the general application below to be considered for the following open positions, or for possible open positions in the future!

Construction intern

Project Manager

Estimator
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Office Administrator

Payroll Specialist

Superintendent

 

Job Title: CONSTRUCTION INTERN
The Construction Intern position provides students with an introduction to the road construction business.  Students will work in several different departments throughout the course of the internship including: estimating, project management, survey, quality control and trucking.  Students will support each department by performing takeoffs, completing paperwork and touring different job sites to become familiar with construction operations. As an intern you will be given the responsibilities of a full-time entry level position.  We carefully match students to positions related to their academic and career goals.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Gain familiarity with plans, specifications and scope of each project managed.
• Calculate take off from plans.
• Create proposals.
• Contribute in pre-construction planning.
• Perform project site visits.
• Work with Quality control and Survey departments.
• Assemble and process project documents.
• Place material orders and other daily communications.

Experience & Skills Required:

• Students must be enrolled in an accredited Civil Engineering or Construction Management program
• Ability to work on multiple projects at one time.
• Must be a self-starter, willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
• Good attention to detail with the ability to recognize discrepancies.
• Strong leadership skills; ability to develop and motivate a project team.
• Highly organized:  can handle multiple projects concurrently; demonstrates proficiency in planning needs assessment and communication of both.
• Knowledgeable of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Must possess strong organizational and time management skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
The working conditions for this job entail a combination of working in an office setting and working in the field.  Offsite jobsite visits include working outdoors in various weather conditions including extreme heat with exposure to loud noises and equipment with moving parts. Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time, as well as operating a motor vehicle.  Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. 

 

Job Title: PROJECT MANAGER
The Project Manager provides overall management direction to multiple projects, establishes project objectives and policies, maintains liaison with prime client contracts, and monitors construction and financial activities through administrative
direction of on-site construction manager. May be top on-site manager on large, extensive projects. Ensures projects are completed within timeline and budgetary requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for managing and directing the project team through communication, coordination and follow up necessary
• to meet project goals and objectives.
• Establish and maintain customer relationships.
• Responsible for project start up, project completion and close out process.
• Develops Critical path schedule and maintains updates throughout the duration of the project.
• Authorizes correspondence to both Owner and Subcontractor when required, acting as primary liaison with Owner over contract matters.
• Chairs progress meetings with the Owner/Consultant and/or coordination meetings with Subcontractor as needed.
• Identifies and secures necessary approvals for all changes in project scope, budget and/or schedule
• Provides ongoing project information and project reviews as required by management.
• Ensures steady cash flow/pay estimate processing by Owner.
• Billing for all contract work, as well as estimating, submitting, negotiation, and billing extra work.
• Prepares and submits all contract documentation.
• Has overall responsibility for profitability of entire job.

Experience & Skills Required:

• Minimum of 5-10 years practical experience as a Project Manager, road construction industry preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management or related field.
• Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office products, especially Excel and Outlook; experience with scheduling software.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprint drawings.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; solid speaking, facilitation and presentation skills.
• Outstanding customer relationship management skills; able to work with many stakeholders; highly skilled negotiator.
• Good attention to detail with the ability to recognize discrepancies.
• Strong leadership skills; ability to develop and motivate a project team.
• Must be knowledgeable in basic accounting functions.
• Must be a self-starter, willing to what it takes to get the job done.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:
The working conditions for this job entail a combination of working in an office setting and working in the field. Offsite
jobsite visits include working outdoors in various weather conditions including extreme heat and cold with exposure to loud
noises and equipment with moving parts. Sitting and/or standing for extended periods of time, as well as operating a motor
vehicle. May require evening and weekend work on a regular basis during periods of heavy workload. Ability to occasionally
lift up to 25 lbs.

 

Job Title: ESTIMATOR
K-Five Construction, a leading heavy highway paving company, currently has a full time opening for an experienced Estimator at our headquarters in Westmont, Illinois (located near Ogden Ave/Route 83).  We offer a competitive compensation package and outstanding benefits in a fast-paced, casual, yet professional environment.  
 
The Estimator helps drive business by preparing complete and responsive bid proposals on large and complex projects including analyzing plans and specifications to develop detailed cost estimates for materials, equipment and labor required to construct the project.  This is accomplished by working closely with Operations, Project Managers, and Materials Managers during the bidding process to ensure accuracy of data used to estimate the project. Once a bid has been accepted, the Estimator will promptly work up and obtain execution of subcontracts and material purchase orders including insurance compliance.  Additionally, the Estimator will lead the hand-off of information to project management to be fully educated in all strategies, opportunities and risks that were recognized in the bidding process.
 
To be considered for the Estimator position, candidates must possess the following:

• A minimum of 8 years estimating experience in private and public markets including Highway, Airfield, Railroad, Streets & Roads, with a focus on paving.
• BS in Construction Management/Engineering, Accounting/Finance, Architecture or similar.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to estimate multiple projects at a given time.
• Ability to work independently with strong attention to detail and resolve issues/problems.
• Excellent verbal & written communications.
• Strong mathematical skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with little or no direction.
• Computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Bluebeam, B2W or HCSS, Microsoft Project.
• Thorough understanding of the money-making process within the road construction industry.

The working conditions for this job entail performing work in an office setting, most often in a seated position.  Occasional offsite visits to jobsites with exposure to a variety of weather conditions. Such offsite visits will require operating a motor vehicle. Occasionally lifting up to 10 lbs.

 

Job Title: SUPERINTENDENT 
Reports to: General Superintendent 

Employment Type:  FT Union, 40+ weeks  
Relevant Work Experience:  3-5 yrs as Crew Foreman 

 
 Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Work together with Project Manager to execute over-all job plan as defined by bid documents, bid estimate, and start-up meeting agenda.   
• Participate in CPM schedule preparation with PM and Scheduler utilizing production rates “as bid” and performing quantity take-offs of major items to verify production rates and proposed durations  
• Locate and mobilize field offices for Engineer and K-Five. 

• Maintain a safe work place per OSHA and K-Five criteria. 
• Daily manage labor, materials, and equipment for K-Five performed work, efficiently to  

       meet or beat bid estimated unit costs, and maintain progress per approved CPM. 

• Calculate/document daily quick costs to verify/measure the above; copy to PM for overall    

        cost and CPM evaluation.   

• Check material yields directly relating to above. 

●     Delegate and/or perform quantity measurements for K-Five items. Quantity book and/or 
       spread sheet updated weekly, and copies to PM for current evaluation of progress  
       payments and CPM updates.  Maintain material ticket files. 
●     Coordinate Subcontractors to maintain progress per approved CPM and enable efficient  
       “as bid” performance of K-Five work. 
●     Provide PM with actual start and actual finish dates for CPM activities for mandatory two 
       (2) week updates. 
●     Identify extra work/plan errors/differing site condition, and advise PM.  Work with PM to  
       quantify potential impact. 
●     Prepare and obtain signatures on daily work reports for T&M work.  Prepare T&M 
       invoice (submit to PM) and/or submit work report to PM for invoice preparation and       
       submittal. 
●     Assist PM with the obtaining of required documentation to substantiate potential change 
       order and/or claim. 
●     Identify back-charge, if required, and provide PM with information to notify Subs in  
       writing and invoice. 
●     Work with PM on preparation of Job Status Report when required. 
●     Work together with PM on final documentation (K-Five’s quantities and material 
       deficiencies). 
●     Has overall responsibility for profitability of K-Five items. 
 
 
 
Experience & Skills Required: 

• HS diploma or GED equivalent and 5-7 years of supervisory experience in road construction; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a road construction superintendent role preferred.   
• Working knowledge of OSHA safety regulations. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; solid speaking and presentation skills. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills. 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Driver’s license, with a very clean driving record. 
• High degree of integrity, strong work ethic and ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Good understanding of equipment, and labor used in road construction projects of various size and scope. 
• Must be a self-starter, willing to do what it takes to get the job done.  
• Able to occasionally lift up to 50lbs. 

 

​Job title: Office Administrator

Department
Human Resources

Supervisor/Coordinator
HR Generalist & Billing Administrator

Position Status
Full Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

 
Job purpose
The office administrator role facilitates a variety of administrative tasks, including billing of plants sales with support, greeting all guests, managing multiline telephone system, updating office lists, tracking office supplies and package orders, off-season assistance with billing audits and oversees scheduling of in-house meeting rooms.
Duties and responsibilities

• Handles material billing of plants sales including weekly processing of invoices
• Answers phone, determines purpose of calls, directs, takes and delivers messages
• Welcomes visitors, notifying staff of arrival and accompanies to designated room
• Manages all meeting room availability and scheduling
• Assists with off-season subcontractor certified payroll documentation tasks
• Oversees communication with office service providers
• Updates office communications lists
• Manages incoming and outgoing mail and package shipments
• Handles ordering of office supplies
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Familiarity with office management procedures and basic accounting principles
• Proven experience as an office assistant or relevant role, including phone systems
• Outstanding professional communication and interpersonal abilities
• Knowledge of MS Office, Word, Excel
• Good organizational skills and ability to multi-task to meet required deadlines
• Ability to work individually and as a team player
• This position requires a combination of sitting, walking and occasionally lifting and bending

Working conditions
This position is in an office environment. Majority of time is spent in seated position, with occasional walking, standing and reaching.
Physical requirements
Ability to occasionally lift 15 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Job title: Payroll Specialist

Department
Accounting

Reports to
Accounting Manager

Position Status
Full time, Exempt

 
Job purpose
 
The Payroll Specialist will work with the Payroll Manager and is responsible for maintaining payroll operations, compiling and recording employee time and payroll data.
 
Duties and responsibilities
 

• Performs data entry and payroll reconciliation, tracking down missing timesheet information when necessary.
• Assists with weekly payroll run using payroll/ERP software (Viewpoint Spectrum & B2W) to compute and post wages, deductions and prepare paychecks.
• Processing of weekly/monthly reports; transmittals of such documentation to various agencies and departments.
• Processing of fringe benefit contributions to various unions.
• Perform a variety of tasks including maintaining files and assisting in answering switchboard when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

 
Qualifications
 

• Associate’s degree and/or minimum 3-4 years of experience processing weekly payroll for mid-size to large company; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires the ability to maintain control over confidential information and documentation.
• Strong computer skills including MS Excel, with ability to develop spreadsheets and formulas; experience using payroll processing software preferred.
• Superior organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment and effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Must have a positive demeanor and be a team player.
• HR knowledge and/or experience working within the road construction industry is preferred.   

 
Working conditions
 
General office environment with individual workstations.  May require longer hours on days in which payroll is processed in order to make deadlines.
 
Physical requirements
 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.  Occasionally lift up to 10 lbs. 

Our Partners

K-Five Construction is a union contractor and hires directly through the following union affiliations:

Operating Engineers Local 150
​Auto Mechanics, Local 701 I.A.M.
​Fox Valley & Vicinity Laborers
​Teamsters Joint Council 25

Construction & General Laborers District Council of Chicago & Vicinity
Cement Masons Local 11​
Cement Masons Local 502