Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) - Construction

CLMI Group is seeking a Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) to support the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) BuildLACCD capital construction program at Los Angeles Mission College.

The Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts across a campus-specific capital program with multiple funding sources. This role is embedded within the BuildLACCD program and supports the College Project Director (CPD) and the Project Management Office (PMO) on cost management, variance analysis, and financial reporting.

Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst)

Budget & Forecast Management

• Maintain and manage the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring compliance with established cost management procedures and policies.
• Collaborate with Project and Construction Managers in drafting white papers for project establishment, re-baselining, and securing funding for capital projects.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of budgets and costs to ensure month-end data reporting accuracy.
• Review project budgets and expenditures across multiple funding sources to ensure alignment with overall financial goals and objectives.

Estimate at Completion & Cost Analysis

• Participate in monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews, collaborating with the PMO to provide in-depth variance analysis and identify underlying causes.
• Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs) for projects, including change order proposals, task order requests, online vendor portal requests, and PBAs, to ensure continued alignment with financial objectives.
• Conduct detailed analysis of cost variances, performance data, and trends to identify potential impacts on budgets, recommending corrective actions where necessary.
• Track and analyze trends in project costs and the effectiveness of mitigation plans, comparing these against actual performance and forecasts.
• Work with scheduling teams to assess the impact of cash flow and schedule performance on project costs, identifying variances, cost overruns or underruns, and potential forecasting issues.

Change Management & Risk Assessment

• Participate in change management and risk assessment meetings to analyze cost-related trends, risks, and exposures, contributing to proactive cost mitigation strategies.
• Examine staffing plans to identify resource demand peaks and recommend cost-effective strategies to level resources and reduce unnecessary financial strain.
• Assist in the preparation and validation of contract amendment exhibits, task order requests, change orders, and PBAs for proper budget allocation, cost coding accuracy, and adherence to reporting and financial standards.

Reporting & Systems

• Generate detailed financial and budget reports for campus-specific budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking using systems such as Proliance, Deltek Costpoint, and other standard applications.
• Create and deliver tailored financial, budget, and schedule reports in response to directives from the College Project Director (CPD) and other stakeholders.
• Review and analyze financial reports, cost performance, and progress data to ensure accuracy, providing insight into potential financial risks on a regular and as-needed basis.
• Collaborate with the PMO to validate and collect project budget data, contributing to the development of accurate dashboard reports for stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary contact for College financial information requests from CPLT and the PMO, providing timely and accurate budget and cost details.

Financial Controls & Documentation

• Administer the processing of budget transfers, financial closeouts, contract requests, purchase requisitions, amendments, PBAs, and change orders into the cost management systems.
• Manage and reconcile project control data, ensuring accuracy in program control databases and related financial reports.
• Oversee the review and approval process for contractor and consultant payment applications, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance.
• Assist in assembling contract requests, purchase requisitions, amendments, PBAs, and change orders, ensuring proper accounting treatment and alignment of supporting documents.
• Assist in gathering physical completion data and perform necessary data entry to adjust project budgets and forecasts accordingly.
• Ensure compliance with BuildLACCD policies and procedures regarding cost management for capital projects with multiple funding sources.

Requirements

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Five (5) to ten (10) years of professional experience in program and/or project controls on a construction program.
• BS/BA degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field. An additional four (4) years of qualifying experience in excess of the minimum stated above may be substituted for the required education.
• Experience working through the entire project lifecycle.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of cost/schedule management, earned value management, change management, forecasting, and risk assessment.
• Ability to present data to management in an organized manner.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing requirements and situations and to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment, maintaining professionalism in all communications and demeanor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office with advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with Proliance, Data-Warehouse, or other systems used by a large capital program.
• Educational facility or public agency capital program experience.

Benefits

Offered rate of compensation will be based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $130,000

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• 401k Matching
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term / Long Term Disability / Life