Project Controls Specialist

Salary: $9,757.00 - $12,121.00 Monthly
Location : JAO - Joint Administration Office, Whittier, CA
Job Type: Open to all
Job Number: BR-189-26E
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 9/24/2026 12:00 AM Pacific

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
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.

-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

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.

TO APPLY:
Please apply online at within this application period. By using the online application system, you will receive confirmation via e-mail that your application was received for this position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed LACSD Employment Application or online application. Check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as notifications may be sent via e-mail. Please verify that your registered email address is accurate and current. To ensure proper delivery, addinfo@governmentjobs.com to your contact list.
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 BrandiReyes@lacsd.org.

RETIREMENT

• CALPERS: The Districts belong to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and all monthly status new hires will be enrolled in CalPERS. Most new hires will be enrolled in the defined benefit formula of 2% @ 62 in accordance with the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and are required to contribute to the plan (7.75% for the 24/25 fiscal year). Those who qualify based on current or previous public service may be enrolled in the defined benefit formula in place on December 31, 2012, which was 2% @ 55 and are considered "classic" members. For "classic" members, the Districts pay the "employee share." Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information regarding contribution rates. Although Districts employees are exempt from Social Security, employees are required by federal law to contribute a percentage of their salary for Medicare coverage.

• DEFERRED COMP MATCH: For some bargaining units, the Districts provides a matching contribution to an eligible deferred compensation plan pursuant to Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. The match with each paycheck will be the lesser of: 3% of the employee's base monthly salary as listed in the Salary Schedule; and the amount the employee is contributing with that paycheck. The annual total combined employee and employer contribution are subject to IRS limits.

COMPENSATION

Employees receive annual salary increases until reaching step 5 of the salary range and are provided with opportunities to promote. Cost of living adjustments are implemented annually in accordance with labor agreements.
HEALTH INSURANCE

• MEDICAL: Districts paid. Employees may choose from several HMO and Indemnity plans. As of January 1, 2026, the Districts contribute $2,417.99 per month for medical insurance. Depending on the choice of health plan, the Districts contribution covers all or a large portion of the premium for family coverage.

• DENTAL: Districts paid. Employees can choose from prepaid and indemnity dental plans. The Districts pay the full premium for employee and dependent coverage. The indemnity dental plan will has an annual in network maximum of $1,750, and an out of network maximum of $1,000.

• VISION: Employee paid.

• LIFE: The Districts pay for a term life policy. Employees can buy additional types and amounts of life insurance coverage at group rates.

LEAVE TIME

• VACATION: Employees receive 88 hours of paid vacation after one full year of service, increasing up to 128 hours per year after five years, 168 hours per year after 15 years and up to 208 hours after 25 years. Prior to one year of full service, employees are given partial vacation time on January 1, based on the time worked in the preceding year.

• SICK LEAVE: Eight hours of full-pay sick leave per month.

• PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees may use up to 24 hours per calendar year from current sick leave for personal reasons. Some bargaining units allow up to 40 hours per calendar year from current sick leave for personal reasons.

• PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Employees may use up to 80 hours of paid parental leave for each birth, foster placement and/or adoption (regardless of the number of children involved) as determined by the parental leave policy.

HOLIDAYS
13 paid holidays and one-half paid holiday depending on the employee's work schedule.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement for approved accredited course work.

STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT
For some bargaining units, the Districts will provide student loan payment reimbursements for principal or interest paid by the employee on a qualified education loan incurred by the employee for the education of the employee. The annual maximum reimbursement is $5,250 and the lifetime reimbursement limit is $21,000.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER BENEFITS

• A rewarding career contributing to society and the environment.
• Flexible work schedules (e.g. 9/80 schedule) depending on the worksite.
• Clear policies and procedures.
• Health and safety programs.
• Carpool opportunities with monetary incentives depending on the worksite.

More detailed benefits information can be found here:
NOTE: The provisions of this posting do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Updated January 2, 2026
01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of full-time, professional experience with heavy construction cost estimating and scheduling do you possess?

• 0 - 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5+ years

03

Please list the organization(s) where you gained the experience described in the previous question. For each, include:name of the organization, your job title or role, and dates of employment. (Note: Each employer listed must also appear in the Work Experience section of your application, with complete details. "See resume" is not considered a complete answer.) If you have no experience, please enter "N/A".
04

How many years of full-time, professional experience where you were responsible for cost estimation, scheduling and bid preparation for large construction projects do you possess?

• No experience, but willing to learn
• 0 - 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3+ years

05

Please list the organization(s) where you gained the experience described in the previous question. For each, include:name of the organization, your job title or role, and dates of employment. (Note: Each employer listed must also appear in the Work Experience section of your application, with compl