Project Controls Scheduler

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives-we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we're transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to our people and our communities because our future-and the future of generations to come-depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco-where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

The Project Controls Scheduler III is an experienced professional responsible for performing aspects of individual project and task planning, scheduling, and change control documentation for large capital and other high-cost strategic projects that require strict governance. This role supports Project Managers on projects of varying size and complexity and involves developing, maintaining, and analyzing integrated project schedules. It requires an understanding of project controls principles-including critical path method (CPM), earned value management (EVM), and performance measurement-as well as proficiency in analytical tools used for planning, scheduling, and risk management, specifically Primavera P6. Serving as a scheduling subject matter expert, the position ensures schedules are logically sound, resource-loaded where required, and aligned with project governance standards while delivering accurate, timely, and decision-ready schedule and performance insights to Project Managers and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Champions a corporate culture that emphasizes transparency, integrity, safety, environmental responsibility, employee development, sense of belonging, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Develop, maintain, and control integrated, resource and cost loaded project schedules using Primavera P6, aligned to approved Work Breakdown Structures and project execution plans.
• Establish and maintain baseline schedules; perform periodic updates and ensure changes follow approved change controls processes.
• Apply Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling techniques to identify critical activities, near-critical paths, float, and schedule risk.
• Analyze and incorporate change orders and scope changes into the baseline schedule.
• Owns the baseline schedule and updates project team and management with intuitive information.
• Performs needed QA/QC on multiple project schedules to ensure alignment across available work crews.
• Analyze resource allocation across large capital projects and coordinate with fellow Project Controls Schedulers to ensure proper resource allocation.
• Ensures project schedule is well defined and effectively planned and scheduled to optimize resource loading and available time while also providing project manager and other stakeholders with dynamic information, dashboards, and tools for decision making.
• Implement and maintain earned value management (EVM) metrics within P6, including planned value (PV), earned value (EV), and actual cost (AC) as applicable.
• Calculate, analyze, and explain Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI), including trends, variances, and forecast impacts.
• Support development of forecast and schedule at completion scenarios based on performance trends.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Cost Controls, Engineering, Construction, and external contractors (when applicable) to validate progress, logic, and forecast assumptions.
• Coordinate schedule integration with cost controls analysts and ensure alignment between schedule progress and financial actuals where applicable.
• Provide guidance and training to project team members on scheduling best practices and P6 functionality as needed.
• Produce weekly and/or monthly schedule updates, dashboards, and executive-level reports that clearly communicate status, risks, and required actions.
• Support governance, stage-gate, and sponsor reviews by providing schedule narratives, milestone status, and performance indicators.
• Prepare schedule health assessments, variance analyses, and recovery scenarios for project and portfolio reporting.
• Exhibits safety awareness and recognizes hazards, communicates with others to prevent accidents and unsafe acts.
• Works as a team player and fosters collaboration with others in accomplishing targeted tasks along with providing training and sharing data.
• Communicates and coordinates between individuals and departments to manage schedules and update progress.
• Works independently with Project Managers to develop project schedules and reports on schedule.
• Works with a moderate level of guidance.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management or related field with 5+ years of scheduling experience (preferably in Primavera P6) or an equivalent of 7+ years of scheduling experience (preferably in Primavera P6) in lieu of degree
• Strong business acumen pertaining to the Utility industry.
• Strong planning and scheduling skills.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6 or equivalent mainstream scheduling software (schedule development, baselines, updates, layouts, and reporting)
• Strong understanding of CPM scheduling, earned value management, SPI, CPI, and schedule risk concepts.
• Requires experience in critical path schedule analysis, integrated cost-schedule planning, scheduling performance assessment, and reporting
• Progressive experience in project scheduling and project controls on large-scale capital projects, with demonstrated use of P6 (or similar mainstream scheduling software) and earned value concepts.
• High attention to detail with strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze complex schedules and clearly communicate impacts, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies on the job.
• Requires excellent computer skills, preferably in SAP and Primavera P6 (or equivalent mainstream scheduling software)
• Proficient at functioning effectively within a team environment and presenting ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner.
• Progression to this level is strictly restricted based on critical individual capabilities and business requirements; must be supported by market survey data.

Licenses and Certifications

• Planning and Scheduling Professional certification desirable

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• Driving for Results
• Energizing the Organization
• Driving Execution
• Building Trusting Relationships
• Driving Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Safety
• Establishing Strategic Direction

TECHNICAL

• Schedule design
• Schedule implementation
• Scheduling technical support
• Scheduling software technology (preferably Primavera P6 or equivalent mainstream scheduling software)
• Software Testing

May perform other duties as assigned.

Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.