Project Cost Engineer

portlandgeneral; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Portland General Electric (PGE) in Oregon seeks a Project Cost Engineer to support capital construction projects, focusing on budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.

We offer opportunities at P2 or P3 levels within the Generation, Transmission and Distribution Project Management Organization, with a mission to advance clean energy and reliable service.

Responsibilities

• Project Planning: Provides project controls for multiple small- to medium-sized generation, transmission and distribution projects and programs; analyzes project needs and determines the appropriate project cost controls; assists with preparations needed to gain project authorizations and support requests from various areas.
• Project Cost Engineering: Maintains project budgets, cost baselines, and funding forecasts for multiple small to medium sized projects and programs. Tracks project costs against budgets and cash flow schedules.
• Process Analysis and Improvement: Develops processes, analyzes throughput and refines and streamlines processes; translates processes into quantitative metrics/KPIs for measuring and reporting on project performance.
• Metrics: Recommends or develops project metrics or operational performance metrics to report on project performance.
• Project Controls: Implements project controls to help ensure cost control, regulatory, reporting and other project requirements are met. Updates forecasts in systems as appropriate.
• Monitoring: Monitors project during all or assigned phases to identify deviations; communicates variances and seeks change approvals.
• Project Reporting and Documentation: Works with PM to issue timely, accurate project reports on costs, problems, risks and other significant issues.
• Database Administration: Administers applicable project management computer systems; archives project documentation.
• Coordination and Communication: Communicates with stakeholders to coordinate tasks and provide updates.

Job description

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

SUMMARY

As a Project Cost Engineer at Portland General Electric (PGE), you will play a crucial role in supporting capital construction projects with a strong emphasis on budgeting, forecasting and cost control.

Key Responsibilities:

P2 - Intermediate: This level requires expanded professional-level knowledge and experience in the employee's own area, with incumbents continuing to acquire higher-level knowledge and skills. Employees at this level expand their high-level knowledge of the company, processes and customers; solve a range of complex problems; analyze possible solutions using advanced knowledge and established protocols; and operate independently with only a moderate level of guidance and direction.

P3 - Career: This level requires in-depth knowledge and experience, applying best practices and knowledge of internal or external business issues to improve products or services. Employees at this level solve complex problems by taking a new perspective using existing solutions; work independently with minimal guidance; and act as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

We are excited for someone who enjoys working with capital construction projects and is passionate about meeting PGE's goals for clean energy and reliable service. Join our Generation, Transmission and Distribution Project Management Organization team and play a vital role in shaping the future of energy in Oregon!

We have 1 position available at either a p2 or p3 level. See determining levels below.

Your Role:

P2 - Associate Project Cost Engineer

Project Planning:

Provides project controls for multiple small- to medium- sized generation, transmission and distribution projects and programs; OR, supports assigned elements or phases of large capital construction projects. Analyzes project needs and determines the appropriate project cost controls that will help ensure stakeholder and regulatory compliance and meet financial goals; assists with preparations needed to gain project authorizations and support requests from various areas, including but not limited to System Planning, Corporate Planning, Substation Operations, Distribution Engineering, Transmission Engineering and large projects, PSES and other company entities.

Project Cost Engineering:

Maintains project budgets, cost baselines, and funding forecasts for multiple small to medium sized projects and programs. Tracks project costs against budgets and cash flow schedules. Prepares monthly cost forecasts and variance reports. Identifies cost risks and mitigation strategies early. Assesses cost impacts to schedule and scope changes. Prepares cost reports for project teams, leadership, and regulatory stakeholders. Maintains change log and decisions affecting forecasts and budgets.

Process Analysis and Improvement:

Contributes to teams in the analysis of business processes, resource requirements and work efficiency; develops processes, analyzes throughput and refines and streamlines processes; recommends improvements; translates processes into quantitative metrics/KPIs for measuring and reporting on project performance.

Metrics:

Recommends or develops project metrics or operational performance metrics to report on project performance.

Reports on progress to financial metrics.

Project Controls:

Implements project controls to help ensure cost control, regulatory, reporting and other project requirements are met. Updates forecasts in systems as appropriate.

Monitoring:

Monitors project during all or assigned phases to identify real or potential deviations to project plans; identifies changes to project due to scope creep, and/or material changes and internal/external resourcing and determines impacts to project success. Communicates variances and works with project manager (PM) to obtain appropriate level change approval as required.

Project Reporting and Documentation:

Works with PM to ensure coordination of efforts to issue timely, accurate project reports on project costs, problems, risks and other significant issues; provides information, reports and presentations to key stakeholders and other company entities.

Database Administration:

Administers applicable project management computer systems; manages updates of project documentation; archives project documentation in accordance with records management requirements.

Coordination and Communication:

Communicates with stakeholders to coordinate tasks and provide updates. Develops communications specific to each aud