Project Controls Specialist

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts is seeking a Project Controls Specialist for their Whittier, CA location.

The Project Controls Specialist provides comprehensive project controls support to ensure capital projects are planned, monitored, and delivered in alignment with approved scope, schedule, and budget. This role is responsible for preparing and maintaining construction schedules and cost estimates, conducting value engineering analyses for complex and detailed facilities construction and alteration projects, and developing forecasts and performance reports. The Project Controls Specialist analyzes project performance, identifies risks and variances, and supports mitigation strategies while partnering closely with project managers, engineering, construction management, and key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to deliver data-driven insights that support informed decision-making and successful project execution.

Job description.

• Under the general supervision of the Supervisor of Design Technology, the incumbent will:
• Prepare and update detailed Critical Path Method (CPM) construction schedules using Primavera Project Planning and Scheduling software
• Analyze contractor schedule submittals including review of work sequencing, work durations, cost loading, and resource loading
• Monitor schedule progress and review progress payment requests
• Prepare time impact analyses of changes and unforeseen events
• Review delay, disruption, and acceleration claims
• Set project baselines and prepare layouts, reports, charts, and graphs to depict contract progress and monitor key milestones and interface points
• Develop budget and engineering estimates based on prevailing wages and using applicable software
• Generate reports on schedule, costs, and other data
• Prepare clear and concise project status reports and dashboards for management and stakeholders
• Prepare cost estimates, budget forecasts, cash flow projections, and variance analyses
• Implement and maintain project controls standards, procedures, and best practices
• Assist in resource planning, schedule recovery analysis, and scenario modeling
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of project controls data within enterprise systems

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must possess:

• A valid California Class C driver license or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Five (5) years of experience in construction cost estimating and scheduling and bid preparation for large-scale construction projects.
• A bachelor's degree related to engineering may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Knowledge of California labor classification codes and class specifications, including how to use this information for bid preparation and cost estimating, and the ability to locate and utilize relevant resources and websites.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of scheduling and cost estimating systems, change management, and risk analysis
• Experience with software used for scheduling, cost estimation, and business such as:
  • Primavera P6
  • Microsoft Project
  • Sage/Timberline
  • RSMeans Database
  • Bluebeam
  • Microsoft Excel
  • On-Screen Takeoff (OST)
  • PowerBI

EXAMPLES OF ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The competitive selection process may cover:

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of the construction trades
• Engineering techniques and quantity mathematical calculations
• Factors affecting materials and labor costs
• Current material prices and wage scales of the construction trades

Ability to

• Read and interpret engineering plans and specifications
• Use Primavera Project Planning and Scheduling software
• Perform quantity determinations of materials needed
• Calculate cost estimates of material, labor and overhead for a variety of construction projects
• Coordinate construction cost estimates with engineers and contractors
• Prepare comprehensive and detailed reports of construction schedules, cost analyses and projections

Salary: $113,388-$140,868 annually

Benefits:

• CalPERS Retirement (2% @ 62 or 2% @ 55 for eligible “classic” members)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Match (up to 3%)
• Annual Salary Increases & Promotion Opportunities
• Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
• Medical Insurance (District-paid; substantial family coverage)
• Dental Insurance (District-paid for employee & dependents)
• Vision Insurance (employee-paid)
• Life Insurance (District-paid; optional additional coverage)
• Vacation (up to 208 hours based on tenure)
• Sick Leave (8 hours per month)
• Personal Leave (up to 24–40 hours/year)
• Paid Parental Leave (up to 80 hours per event)
• 13+ Paid Holidays Annually
• Tuition Reimbursement (for approved coursework)
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance (up to $5,250/year)
• Flexible Work Schedules (e.g., 9/80 options)
• Health & Safety Programs
• Commuter/Carpool Incentives
• Mission-Driven Work Environment