Jessica Bickford

Accomplished Senior Management Consultant with 12+ years of specialized experience in federally funded construction projects and grant management. Expertise in CDBG-DR programs, environmental compliance, and federal procurement processes. Proven track record managing multi-million-dollar programs while ensuring strict adherence to state and federal regulations.

Distinguished by exceptional stakeholder coordination, team leadership capabilities, and comprehensive knowledge of Texas state agencies including TDA, GLO, TDEM, TPWD and TDHCA programs.

Project Manager - Traylor & Associates Inc. - Leander, Texas

(2025-09)

• Write competitive grants for rural cities and counties throughout Texas, managing applications to TDA, GLO, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Historical Commission, and private entities
• Prepare Environmental Review Records (ERR) for TDA Office of Rural Affairs and GLO Community Development projects, coordinating with multiple state and federal agencies
• Maintain regular contact with project engineers, city/county representatives, and contractors ensuring exceptional project management of $600+ million in projects
• Provide daily communication with state agency grant managers for seamless project coordination and compliance
• Develop compliance requirements for GLO/HMGP funded projects and process contract documents, invoices, and change orders
• Predict and mitigate potential project delays while charting critical paths to timely completion
• Ensure environmental compliance before, during, and after project development and construction phases
• Resolve complex issues at state and federal agency levels while maintaining excellent client relationships
• Attend continuous training, seminars, and workshops to maintain current knowledge of applicable grant program regulations

Project Manager - Langford Community Management Services, Inc. - Leander, Texas

(2013-12 - 2025-07)

• Write and manage competitive grant applications for rural cities and counties across Texas, securing funding through programs including TDA, GLO, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Historical Commission, and private entities
• Administer full lifecycle grant management for multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects, overseeing compliance, procurement, environmental review, contract execution, and closeout
• Coordinate Environmental Review Records (ERR) for TDA Office of Rural Affairs and GLO Community Development programs, working directly with state and federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance
• Manage and monitor a $600M+ portfolio of projects, maintaining timelines, budgets, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions and funding sources
• Serve as a primary liaison between engineers, contractors, local governments, and state/federal agencies, ensuring alignment across all project stakeholders
• Lead cross-functional coordination across multiple departments (engineering, finance, environmental, and administration) to ensure successful project execution
• Provide ongoing guidance and technical assistance to cities and counties, helping navigate complex grant requirements, eligibility criteria, and compliance standards
• Develop, implement, and oversee compliance requirements for GLO and HMGP-funded projects, including procurement, contract management, and financial documentation
• Review and process contracts, invoices, change orders, and reimbursement requests to ensure cost reasonableness and adherence to funding guidelines
• Identify risks and proactively mitigate project delays by managing schedules, resolving issues, and maintaining critical project paths
• Ensure environmental compliance throughout all phases of project development, from pre-award through construction and closeout
• Resolve complex compliance and regulatory issues at the state and federal level while maintaining strong client relationships and project momentum
• Supervise and mentor staff as needed, reviewing deliverables, providing guidance, and supporting team development across multiple active projects
• Support onboarding and training of new team members and clients on grant processes, compliance requirements, and project workflows
• Maintain consistent communication with state agency representatives to ensure timely approvals, reporting, and issue resolution
• Participate in ongoing professional development, including training, seminars, and workshops to stay current on evolving federal and state grant regulations

Associate of Arts - General Studies - Austin Community College (2022)