Career Opportunities: Lead Project Controls Specialist - Schedule 90282128 - New York (163417)

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Individual in this role will act as a Master Scheduler for the New York Division SOGR projects and programs managing the integrated master schedule comprised of the project schedule milestone. Individuals will develop and update project milestone schedules, dashboards, and performance reports to enable efficient and effective project delivery. This individual is responsible for using existing enterprise tools, systems, and work processes to drive effective planning and control across the portfolio.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures compliance with Amtrak project management standards and policies, third-party requirements, industry best practices, or project-specific requirements in the delivery of project control functions. 
• Performs project controls tasks in close coordination with project management team(s) 
• Works with Project or Portfolio management and Project Controls teams to develop integrated master schedule and master risk register. 
• Applies construction scheduling concepts, practices, methodologies, and/or procedures as well as discipline-specific concepts to develop schedules for rail-specific work elements (e.g., electric traction, signals, structures, track) or general construction work elements. 
• Performs investigation, including but not limited to visits to the field, and interviews of delivery staff (e.g., engineers, superintendents, construction managers), to understand construction means and methods in order to develop schedules with proper logic ties, sequencing, resourcing, and work calendars. 
• Collects and compiles project or portfolio performance indicators (KPIs) such as installed quantities, expended labor and other progress measurement data, and trends using reports, charts, tables, dashboards, or other artifacts assessing project or portfolio performance to support management decisions.
• Integrates external cost and schedule data including information from vendors, contractors, and external entities to ensure accurate performance reporting. 
• Develops or applies reporting mechanisms, dashboards and presentations about project performance indicators and feed this data to ensure a cohesive picture of project’s contribution to the program and/or portfolio.
• Develops or applies processes and tools to support resource demand planning, change management, and project pipeline planning decisions. 
• Tracks potential changes, ensuring suitable assessments of schedule impacts are generated and given visibility with the client and project management. 
• Assist the Project Manager with maintenance and baseline reviews of project schedules in accordance with approved project parameters. 
• Assist the Project or Program Manager in evaluation and assessment of identified project risks to enable project team with the applicable data for development of risk mitigation plans and contingencies. 
• Monitors actuals and works with other peers to review forecasting against budgets. 
• Supports governance and project status review meetings. 
• Supports project or portfolio management team in the evaluation and impact assessment of identified project risks and development of risk mitigation plans and contingencies. Ensures identified risks are documented and considered in schedule risk analysis. 
• Supports the intake process of projects through developing and maintaining automated project evaluation tools and workflows. 
• Partners closely with project planning and/or delivery teams to assess new and ongoing projects to determine readiness for governance stage gates. 
• Supports the development of the Engineering Capital Construction yearly plan by producing new and updated Primavera P6 schedules, ensuring schedule and cost data integrity and consistency, alignment with 5-year plan, and compliance with delivery requirements and deadlines. 
• Performs review and analysis of contractor or third-party baseline and schedule updates, including constructability, risk analysis, critical path analysis, qualitative or quantitative schedule quality assessments, and/or delay and Time Impact Analysis as required. Extends the analysis to the integrated project/program/portfolio schedule as applicable. 
• Prepares cost schedule analysis / status reports, claims analysis reports, and related presentations. 
• Assures quality and timeliness of recurring and ad-hoc deliverables, including but not limited to estimates, schedules, forecasts, reports, analyses, and source data.
• Manages project or portfolio controls data in EPPM or other department-approved systems and tools such as Excel or Primavera P6. 
• Develops processes and templates to support project or portfolio schedule control mechanisms in alignment with department objectives and enterprise standards. 
• Supports efforts to develop and implement initiatives for improvement of business processes and tools, in coordination with other offices or departments. 
• Assists in development, preparation, and maintenance of department policies and procedures on schedule control, schedule risk management, resource management, and earned value management, incorporating current best practices used in the construction and transportation industries. 
• Ensures integration of scheduling and cost engineering practices and methods, and supports development of cost engineering policies, procedures, and performance metrics. 
• Trains and mentors junior team members with schedule management and project controls responsibilities on schedule management policies, procedures, tools, techniques, and best practices. 
• Performs other related duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Science, or a related field. Required education may be substituted for additional relevant experience in excess of the minimum requirements outlined below, on a two-for-one year basis. 
Required specialized experience in area of assignment: 
· Eight (8) years’ experience in construction project scheduling and project controls, at least five (5) of which are on highly complex or large (>$500 million) projects. 
· Five (5) years direct hands-on experience as a scheduler using Primavera scheduling software to develop and maintain multi-discipline scheduling for large complex construction or engineering projects. 

PMP or PMI-SP in good standing. 
Valid Driver’s License or ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related functions. 
Must have authorization to work in the United States.

MIMINUM KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction project management through all phases of the construction project lifecycle 
• Understanding of principles and practices of construction contract administration, contracting methods and types; standard conditions of construction and engineering contracts (AIA, EJCDC). 
• Familiarity with business processes, techniques, and procedures related to project cost engineering / cost management and cost estimation in large and/or complex capital construction projects. 
• Expert knowledge of planning and scheduling tools, methods, techniques, standards, and best practices, including resource management, progress measurement, and earned value management for construction or engineering projects. 
• Expert knowledge of advanced schedule forecasting and analysis techniques such as Monte Carlo schedule risk simulations and time-impact analyses 
• Hands on experience achieving high proficiency with ground-up development, management, and analysis of complex cost-and-resource-loaded schedules in Primavera P6, to include verifiable experience performing schedule risk analysis (e.g., Monte Carlo), time impact analysis, critical path analysis, resource leveling, and related qualitative and quantitative schedule evaluations. 
• Demonstrated experience integrating schedules for large projects, programs or portfolios using Primavera P6 · Experience with linear scheduling tools and methods. 
• Experience in preparing written technical reports, presentations, or analyses. 
• Understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis and monitoring capital project / program / portfolio funding and/or budget. 
• Construction project performance metrics, performance analysis, dashboards, and progress reports 
• Knowledge of project risk management principles, practices, standards, and methods 
• Ability to clearly organize and present project portfolio reports, and other related portfolio technical information 
• Ability to research, analyze, evaluate performance gaps, and implement new business processes, tools, methods, and techniques to improve performance or output. 
• Experience with establishing standard practices and business processes pertaining to project control’s function, including drafting, or updating of technical specifications, procedures, or policies. 
• Ability to perform staff training on the job or by preparation and delivery of group instructional sessions. 
• Ability to research, analyze, and apply contracts, agreements, policies, laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance at all levels within areas of responsibility. 
• Advanced Excel user skills · Intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills 
• Skill in communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing across all levels 
• Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience performing or leading project controls for mid ($50M+) to large ($500M+) capital construction projects, programs, and/or portfolios. 
• Familiar with multi-discipline railroad infrastructure (track, electric traction, communications & signals, structures, stations, and facilities).
• Experience in preparation of linear schedules and TILOS software. 
• Prior experience with Deltek Acumen. 
• Capital construction controls experience in the rail industry, oil and gas, energy, or pharmaceutical industry. 
• One or more of the following certifications / credentials: 
  •  Oracle Primavera P6 certification 
  • SP or RMP (PMI) 
  •  PSP, CEP, EVP, or CCP (AACE) 
  •  Chartered MRICS 
  • EVMP 
  •  FAC-P/PM Level III 
  •  PRINCE2 - CCA, or CDT (CSI)
• Hands-on experience with data analysis and visualization tools like PowerBI 
• Understanding of database management and data operations (e.g., SQL)
• Experience implementing project control software and tools

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Environmental Conditions: 
Hybrid Office/Remote environment; exposure to computer screens. 

Physical Conditions: 
May require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time. 
Travel: up to 25%

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $94,300-$122,256. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:163417
Posting Location(s):New York; Connecticut; New Jersey

Work Arrangement:04-Hybrid Weekly 
Job Family/Function:Engineering 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:Up to 25% 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.