Senior Project Controls Specialist

Job Summary

Assists the project management teams by developing, monitoring and updating estimates and/or an integrated project plan and schedule so that the project may be executed in the most efficient manner possible. Provides expertise and develops methods and techniques, standards, processes, procedures, guidelines and templates, for the estimating/scheduling organization, to support efficient development, management and control of project estimating/scheduling. Coaches, mentors, trains and provides oversight of project estimators/schedulers in estimating/scheduling tools, techniques and processes. May lead projects and/or project teams (including assigning work, reviewing progress and evaluating results), mentor, provide guidance and technical direction to less experienced engineering and technical staff, including the provision of input in performance evaluations, but is not responsible for supervising anyone. Span of control: 0; this is an individual contributor job.

Key Accountabilities

• Supports the project teams and estimating/scheduling personnel efforts towards the development of the project plan and translating that project plan into the project estimate/schedule.
• Leads, develops and provides analysis of project estimates or schedules (including, as applicable, CPM software implementation, time impact and delay analysis, and review of periodic schedule updates).
• Ensures the credibility of the information contained in the estimate/schedule.
• Assists with the preparation of project time and/or cost claims.
• Oversees the development and recording of the projectÆs historical estimate/schedule information and lessons learned.
• Provides expertise to develop methodologies, techniques and tools, software, standards and guidelines for estimating and/or planning/scheduling; expert knowledge in application of estimating/scheduling software and application of the software.
• Provides direct support and expertise to project personnel and estimators/schedulers regarding estimating and/or planning/scheduling.
• Ensures that required project estimating and/or planning/scheduling controls are appropriately implemented and maintained.
• Provides means of continuous improvement of the estimating/scheduling organization through benchmarking and maintaining affiliations with industry estimating/scheduling organizations and local/national chapters. Scheduling Specific:
• Develops master and detail schedules inclusive of major milestones, detailed WBS, assignment of costs, labor and equipment to activities, resource leveling, etc.
• Monitors and updates schedule progress toward achieving the desired project completion date and informing management team of changes to schedule outcome.
• Prepares and provides schedule progress reports, trending charts, and schedule analysis and re-ports forecasts for all significant project activities. Analyzes the effects to the critical path activities; identifies changes to the project that affect the schedule, and develops the recovery schedules and alternate courses of action.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

This is a dual track base requirement job; education & experience requirements can be satisfied through one of the following options:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, Business Administration or a related field & 6+ years of job-relevant experience.
• Associate degree in engineering, Construction Management, Business, Accounting, Math, or related field & 8+ years of job-relevant experience.
• High School or GED, & 10+ years of job-relevant experience. 

Other Qualifications

Preferred

• Scheduler - 4+ years of experience working with Primavera, preferably P6
• Estimator - 4+ years of experience in construction estimating on large projects

Other Requirements

• May require the physical ability to work in a power plant environment (e.g. climb stairs, work in hot, confined environments).
• Communicate effectively (verbally & in writing) with individuals at all levels, inside and outside the Company.
• Written and verbal communication & advocacy skills consistent with the ability to present results of projects & research, and engage in persuasive written & verbal interaction with all levels of the business unit.
• Analytical & problem-solving skills consistent with the ability to identify key issues from a broad range of alternatives, and recommend optimal solutions for various situations.
• Ability to develop / coordinate cross-functional work groups and projects, yielding optimal outcomes.
• Working knowledge of financial & economic analysis, project & risk management.
• Scheduler:
  • Knowledge in design scheduling, construction scheduling, program scheduling, and cost & resource loading. This includes developing detailed WBS, milestones, activities definition, logical sequences, durations, activity dependencies and interdependencies, and activity contingencies.
  • Understanding of schedule models and methods, schedule quality analysis, schedule strategy, schedule integration techniques, Monte Carlo Analysis, schedule performance analysis techniques, etc.
• Estimator:
  • Expert knowledge in design, construction, program estimating. This includes developing various levels of cost estimate classifications (ROM, conceptual, parametric, definitive, etc.), financial and economic estimating and analysis, establishment of contingencies based on type of estimate and risk models.
  • Understanding of estimating models, techniques and methods, estimating quality and accuracy analysis, estimating strategy and estimating optimization (creating estimating models, simulations and sensitivity analysis), life cycle costing, budgeting, cash flow and forecasting, developing estimate basis, understanding of market conditions and how they affect estimates.
  • Expert knowledge in cost elements, cost dimensions, cost classifications, cost types (material, equipment, labor, overhead and profit), subcontract and purchased costs, pricing strategies, development of code of accounts, quantification, estimating factors, ratios and indices, product and project costs.
• Ability to apply project planning & implementation and/or continuous improvement principles (typically acquired through several years of experience in these areas) to affect tangible, positive outcomes.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and project management software applications sufficient to apply/support them with minimal instruction or guidance; this level of proficiency is typically attainable through 3-plus year(s) of substantive experience with the applications.
• Promotes an atmosphere conducive to the open exchange of new ideas, and alternatives to orthodox approaches.
• Ability to work in a team or matrix structure that will support multiple clients.
• A flexible demeanor and the ability to work with shifting priorities while embracing new and evolving responsibilities.

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.