Monica Choppala
Monroe Township
Summary
Monica is an enthusiastic Civil Engineer accomplished in every aspect of project execution, including marketing, proposals, revision, design, personnel management, construction oversight and public relations with 6 years of experience is the coordinator of projects funded primarily by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 that was passed in the US Senate and became Public Law No. 117-2. These funds are distributed via the U.S. Treasury Department directly to the unit of state or local government (cities and counties) with New Jersey’s $3.6 billion to recover from the impact of COVID-19. Monica coordinates and expedites the projects, working directly with local government contacts, the U.S. Treasury staff, engineers, and other professional service providers. Being part of Construction Management Team Monica also worked for NYCHA and with various General Contractors performing CADD design & drafting as per specifications and ensuring compliance with Quality Assurance procedures and requirements. Pursuing licensure as a professional engineer. Holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Environmental Control Technology) and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Professional manager with significant expertise in overseeing complex projects and ensuring timely delivery. Skilled in strategic planning, budget management, and risk assessment. Strong focus on team collaboration, fostering results-driven environment, and adapting to changing needs. Known for reliability, leadership, and effective communication.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Manager
GrantWorks
01.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: GrantWorks is Texas’ largest and most reputable grant management firm that has been providing services to communities planning, project development and grant program management services.
- Responsibilities-
- Coordinate and manage multiple moderately complex projects at various stages of implementation, in coordination with GrantWorks management and client services/business development staff, and in compliance with state/federal requirements
- Communicate effectively with local officials, professional service providers, and various state and federal agencies through written memos, e-mails, formal letters, and telephone conversations
- Manage financial details of project management including review of contractor pay estimates and professional service invoices, budget tracking, billing projections, and payment thresholds
- Review project documents which may include applications, demographic surveys, maps and environmental assessments
- Periodically host public meetings and present to local elected bodies (councils, commissioners courts) regarding project status
- Track and meet performance milestone and numerous deadline events including reports, contract amendments, newspaper advertisements, and grant-specific requirements
- Interpret government publications and regulations as they pertain to project implementation
- Renew applicable certifications on an annual basis (if needed) and participate in ongoing training to maintain familiarity with grant program requirements
Project Engineer
DESI Consultants
04.2019 - 07.2019
- Responsibilities:-
- Review of Request for Proposal (RFP), construction drawings and specifications, identify potential conflicts in project documents and obtain clarifications from the designer/owner ahead of time
- Identify appropriate drawings and specifications, compile list of scope items, quantities and estimate hours including expenses. Review and provide marketing materials to the existing and new clients.
- Review NY, NJ & CT government agency websites for potential opportunities and present to management in timely manner for teaming as well as to submit as prime.
- Coordinate schedules of staff and notify them in a timely manner; review reports, compile supporting documentation for invoices. Co-ordinate with project personnel for smooth performance.
- Review quality control testing reports and log of Non-Conformance Reports (NCR). Coordinate with Designer/Owner to resolve NCR in a timely manner.
Project Engineer
CM – Atane Consultants (formerly- HAKS Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, D.P.C.)
07.2018 - 03.2019
- Responsibilities:-
- Administrative support for the above-mentioned projects in various stages of design, estimating and construction assisting Project Manager with payment requisition preparation – reviewing drawings, quantities and creating P.O. Boxes with ORACLE Primavera Contract Manager (Expedition);
- Tracking permits and insurances; Initiating, preparing, reviewing, posting and distributing RFIs, and change orders; Receiving, preparing, reviewing, processing, forwarding and tracking status of submittals;
- Tracking work as it was completed and providing progress reports, recommending methodologies, and determining the timeframe and workforce required to address;
- Support Project Manager when the scope of work also includes preparation and maintenance of construction schedules;
- Also, assisting Estimators with analysis of specifications and drawings to determining scope of work and required contents of estimates;
- Maintaining organized and detailed construction files, project records and logs; Keeping-up daily work reports; Maintaining as-built drawings as work is completed.
- Tracking, documenting and managing project issues and conditions; Tracking, maintaining and managing project Dunning letters; Reviewing, coordinating and tracking project meetings and recording meeting minutes;
- Assisting in preparation of Bi-weekly owner project status reports; Assisting in project closeouts.
- Collaborated as required with the closeout process including as-built drawings, punch lists, permits, and other closeout documentations.
- Monitored construction site progress and managed issues that arose. Advised the project manager regarding construction material costs and quantity calculations.
- Reviewed and provided comments on CSQ Reports and took necessary steps to cure any deficiencies.
Project Engineer
General Contractor-Neelam Construction Corp
10.2016 - 07.2018
- Company Overview: New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA): BW1416888, BW1532485, RF1632936 - Smith Houses in Manhattan in Various Locations in New York worth of 32 million Exterior Restoration, 17 million Exterior Restoration and 6.5 million Roofing & Railing Replacement and Roof Top Structural Repair respectively.
- Responsibilities:-
- Managed the execution of contracts and prepared invoices for projects ranging from $6M to $30M.
- Reviewed project materials, including blueprints, RFPs, schematics and specifications to determine scope, identify risks and opportunities, and confirm constructability.
- Reviewed submittals in compliance with sustainability requirements on projects such as manufacturers catalogs and samples, shop drawings, operation and maintenance manuals and testing procedures.
- Created and executed project work plans - Site Safety Programs and Asbestos Abatement Work Plans to meet changing needs and requirements. Co-ordinate with field crew for compliance of these plans as directed by ATANE(HAKS) Construction Management team.
- Directed and managed material analysis by using appropriate tools and equipment. Dispatched equipment and personnel to jobs depending on project needs.
- Prepared preliminary budget reports and progress reports and established company efficiency policies to maximize profits. Met 20% of deadlines, which saved approximately $500K.
- Liaison with consultants, subcontractors, supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors and general workforce on the project and conducted weekly status updates.
- Completed all company insurance renewals including property, Workers' Compensation, general liability and auto. Also, all the Tool Box Meetings at sites were conducted accordingly.
- Prepared feasibility study report, cost tracking reports and Two Week Look Ahead reports.
- Assisted in supervising/inspecting construction & maintenance work and determined conformance problems, review corrections of defective work and made sure they are implemented in the field.
- Led and directed surveyors and junior engineers. Prepared shop drawings; as-built drawings for construction projects using computer drawing programs such as AUTOCAD.
- Aided other departments in the development of plans and cost estimates for bidding on projects such as Sandy Hook, Smith Houses, Webster Houses, Grant Houses, etc. all located in various locations such as Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn using PLAN-SWIFT Estimation software.
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Project A37607- Furnishing and installing coastal storm mechanical closure devices at various locations
- Maintained weekly progress and technical knowledge base photographs and documentation in CONSTRUCTWARE
- Conduct routine quality audit checks to ensure project work makes progress as per the specifications and initiate corrective actions.
- Perform regular job site observations to provide direction for all general contractor personnel. Oversaw technical engineering staff to guarantee the successful completion of the project.
- Updated audits, kept up to date work progress and uploaded daily reports, submittals in CONSTRUCTWARE.
- Managed day-to-day operational aspects and scope of work. Collaborated as required with the closeout process including as-built drawings, punch lists, permits, and other closeout documentations.
- School Construction Authority (SCA): - PS 131 & PS 104 - New York City - ~10 million
- Prepared bid proposal sheets collected Agreement documents, quantities take-off, Submitted bids accordingly.
- Investigated field conditions, reviewed request for information (RFIs), change orders, coordinated with the weekly and monthly meetings.
- Worked with the project manager and inspected the construction operations according to the specifications and drawings and made recommendations to ensure that quality work related requirements are maintained.
- Performed quantity take-offs as required with contractors to assist as required with progress payment quality verification
Assistant Estimator
Powerhouse Paving Company
03.2016 - 05.2016
- Dealt with concrete installations: Sidewalks, Curbing, Handicap Ramps, Compactor & Dumpster Pads, Slabs on Grade, Retaining Walls.
- Watched a professional team of asphalt pavement experts to help decide what is the best approach to a paving project would be.
- Ensured that we got the desired result from the drainage system installations and that they will be on time and on budget.
- Mapping was carried out using Plan Swift for all the pavement planning and maintenance.
Graduate Assistant
New York Institute of Technology
10.2015 - 05.2016
- Environmental Health & Safety Department
- Facility Department
- Worked with Prof. Kristen Panella (President of the Environmental, Health & Safety Department) for Research and Chemistry Laboratory Safety Inspections
- Created and managed Material Data Safety Sheet inventory and database on every chemical NYIT owns.
- Created a user-friendly computer-based laboratory inspection checklist and chemical tank inspection list.
- Maintained permit and regulatory agencies files, find and organize chemical Safety Data Sheets.
Education
Master of Science - Civil Engineering, Environmental Control Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York, NY05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
MVSR Engineering College
05.2014
Skills
- AutoCAD-2D, AutoCAD-3D
- STAAD, ESRI, ArcGIS
- Construct Ware
- Plan Swift - Estimation
- Project scheduling
- QuickBase Portal
- ORACLE Primavera Contract Manager (Expedition)
- OSHA Certified – 40, 30 & 10 HOUR
- Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Power Point, Microsoft access database
- Project management
- Project planning and development
- Project tracking
- Purchasing and procurement
- Construction management
Certification
- Construction cost estimating training program
- 30-HOUR OSHA Construction Industry Outreach
- 40-HOUR OSHA (HAZWOPER)
- 10-HOUR OSHA
Accomplishments
- Slips, trips and falls - Certification
- Safety orientation for field personnel - Certification
- Lead in Construction - Certification
- Radiation Safety – Working with Nuclear Gauges - Certification
- NYIT- 11th annual energy conference
- Hear sustainability experts discuss the latest trends in green building design.
- Learn how micro grids and energy storage are revolutionizing power systems.
- Get insider's perspectives on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies
Languages
English
Professional Working
Hindi
Professional Working
Telugu
Limited Working
Timeline
Project Manager
GrantWorks
01.2024 - Current
Project Engineer
DESI Consultants
04.2019 - 07.2019
Project Engineer
CM – Atane Consultants (formerly- HAKS Engineers, Architects & Land Surveyors, D.P.C.)
07.2018 - 03.2019
Project Engineer
General Contractor-Neelam Construction Corp
10.2016 - 07.2018
Assistant Estimator
Powerhouse Paving Company
03.2016 - 05.2016
Graduate Assistant
New York Institute of Technology
10.2015 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
MVSR Engineering College
Master of Science - Civil Engineering, Environmental Control Technology
New York Institute of Technology
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