Project Controls Specialist

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts; Whittier (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts is seeking a Project Controls Specialist in the Engineering Department's Design Technology Group in Whittier. You will develop and maintain CPM schedules, cost estimates, forecasts, and performance reports to keep capital projects on scope, schedule, and budget.

Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and construction staff to deliver data-driven insights for decision-making and risk assessment throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in heavy construction cost estimating and scheduling.
• Two (2) years of which included responsibility for cost estimation, scheduling and bid preparation for large construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and update detailed CPM construction schedules using Primavera P6.
• Analyze contractor schedule submittals including review of work sequencing, 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 progress.
• Develop budget and engineering estimates based on prevailing wages and using applicable software.
• Generate reports on schedule, costs, and other data.
• Prepare project status reports and dashboards for management.
• Prepare cost estimates, budget forecasts, cash flow projections, and variance analyses.
• Implement and maintain project controls standards and procedures.

Skills

Project controls

CPM scheduling

Cost estimation

Data-driven reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Project

Sage/Timberline

RSMeans Database

Bluebeam

Microsoft Excel

On-Screen Takeoff (OST)

PowerBI

Job description

NOTICE OF JOB OPPORTUNITY POSTING #BR-189-26E

Do you thrive on turning complex project data into actionable insights? Join the Design Technology team within the Engineering Department at the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and play a key role in delivering major infrastructure projects that protect public health and the environment across Los Angeles County.

As a project controls professional, you'll develop and maintain construction schedules, analyze contractor submittals, prepare cost estimates and forecasts, and track project performance using industry-standard tools including Primavera P6. Collaborating closely with engineers, project managers, and construction management staff, you'll help keep capital projects on scope, on schedule, and on budget — while delivering the clear, data-driven reporting that guides critical decisions.

If you're ready to bring your analytical skills to meaningful, real-world infrastructure work and grow your career with a mission-driven organization, we'd love to hear from you.

LOCATION

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, DESIGN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, JOINT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, WHITTIER

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To prepare construction schedules and cost estimates; and to conduct value engineering studies for a variety of complex and detailed facilities construction and alteration projects.

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Controls Specialist provides comprehensive project controls support to ensure capital projects are planned, monitored, and delivered in accordance with approved scope, schedule, and budget. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining project schedules, cost estimates, forecasts, and performance reports, while supporting project teams with data-driven insights and risk-informed decision-making. The Project Controls Specialist works closely with project managers, engineering, construction management, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

The major job responsibilities are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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

Applicants must possess:

• A valid California Class C driver license.

AND

• Five (5) years of experience in heavy construction cost estimating and scheduling.
• Two (2) years of which included responsibility for cost estimation, scheduling and bid preparation for large construction projects.
• Note: a bachelor's degree related to engineering may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent verbal and written 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

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

SELECTION PROCESS

• All applications will be reviewed to determine if the conditions and qualifications for testing are met.
• The selection process will consist of an interview weighted at 100%.
• The initial review of applications is expected to begin the week of September 28.

NOTES

• The individual(s) recommended for hire must undergo a job-related reference check, DMV report, and a drug test.
• Candidates who have completed their college or university coursework outside the United States must provide a comprehensive evaluation of their foreign transcripts and degrees upon selection for this position.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Brandi Reyes at [e-mail].

As an equal opportunity employer, the Districts strongly encourage people with disabilities and people from historically marginalized communities to apply.

To learn more about how the Sanitation Districts converts waste into resources, please visit the following video: Converting Waste into Resources.