Assistant Project Manager

Assistant Project Manager

Location: Richland, WA

Salary: $18–$25 per hour DOE

About Columbia Energy

Columbia Energy & Environmental Services, headquartered in Richland, WA, is a well-established small business with a strong track record of delivering comprehensive solutions in engineering, design, fabrication, instrumentation and controls, and other specialized services. With expertise in fixed-price design/build/test projects, we serve both federal and commercial clients, consistently delivering high-quality results through innovation and technical precision.

Our collaborative and experienced team is committed to providing practical, client-focused solutions tailored to address a wide range of challenges. With operations in Richland, Washington, and Idaho Falls, Idaho, we have demonstrated planned growth and a dedication to broadening our capabilities. We take pride in maintaining a strong reputation for quality and integrity while ensuring compliance with rigorous industry standards.

Why Join Columbia Energy?

At Columbia Energy, we foster a supportive and innovative environment where team members can thrive. As a growing small business with ambitious goals, we value initiative, teamwork, and a dedication to quality. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on project management experience while supporting impactful engineering and fabrication projects.

Position Overview

We are seeking an organized and proactive Assistant Project Manager to support our Chief Engineer and Project Managers with the coordination, documentation, and tracking of engineering and fabrication projects. This position will assist with project schedules, procurements, budgets, customer requirements, and other day-to-day activities needed to keep projects moving forward.

This is a full-time, long-term position for someone who is comfortable working with numbers, able to manage multiple priorities, and interested in developing a career in project management. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, dependable, technically inclined, and able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and company leadership.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

Project Coordination:

• Assist with project schedules, material procurement tracking, and coordination of customer witness and hold points.


• Track project activities and follow up on outstanding materials, documents, action items, and deadlines.


• Help keep projects organized and moving according to schedule.

Budget & Cost Tracking:

• Monitor project spending and assist with tracking costs against project budgets.


• Review vendor invoices and help prepare project cost reports.

Document Management:

• Prepare meeting notes and maintain action-item lists.


• Assist with requests for information (RFIs), purchase requisitions, subcontract acquisitions, change orders, and other project documentation.


• Maintain accurate and organized project records.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Communicate project updates to engineering, project management, clients, and company leadership.


• Coordinate with internal departments and outside vendors to gather information and resolve outstanding items.


• Provide general technical and administrative support to the Chief Engineer and Project Managers.

Risk & Schedule Support:

• Identify potential project delays, resource constraints, or other concerns and promptly communicate them to the appropriate Project Manager.


• Assist the project team with addressing issues that may affect cost, quality, or schedule.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• Coursework or demonstrated proficiency in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow assignments through to completion.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to work effectively with engineering, project management, production, clients, and vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in an engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, construction, or other technical environment.


• Experience supporting projects, tracking schedules or costs, or maintaining technical documentation.


• Familiarity with purchase requisitions, vendor invoices, RFIs, change orders, or subcontract documentation.


• Interest in developing long-term project coordination and project management skills.

Key Success Attributes

• Organized: Keeps project information, deadlines, and action items accurate and current.


• Detail-Oriented: Produces thorough and reliable work with close attention to technical and financial details.


• Proactive: Follows up on outstanding items and identifies potential concerns early.


• Dependable: Takes ownership of assignments and consistently follows through.


• Collaborative: Communicates effectively and works well across departments.


• Eager to Learn: Demonstrates an interest in growing within a technical project environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Columbia Energy is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.