Sr Principal Project Controls Specialist

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.  In this environment, the best ideas need to be voiced and every opinion matters.  As such, MSTS places great value on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and is committed to a diverse and equitable workforce, with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, and perspectives.

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

The Senior Principal Project Controls Specialist (SPPCS) will act as a team lead to a group of Project Controls Specialists of various levels supporting the Infrastructure Directorate’s civil, utility, building and miscellaneous projects throughout the NNSS. This position will report directly to the Project Controls Manager for Construction. The SPPCS will also be responsible for ensuring that all Project Controls functions and processes are followed by team members and that all reporting deadlines are met with quality. The SPPCS shall act as a mentor and coach, assisting team members with their professional growth and achievement of their goals. The SPPCS must be able to lead virtually, in addition to in person.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversight of project planning and development, scheduling, budget support, estimate review, and baseline change management for all responsible projects.
• Implementation of lessons learned and continuous improvement.
• Assure that cost and schedule management, baseline planning and control, risk management, earned value management, variance analysis and reporting and estimate at completion are accurately reflected in project reporting.
• Ensure Earned Value Management process compliance.
• Planning, Scheduling, and Budgeting responsibilities will include:
  
  • Both cost and schedule support as part of a centralized Project Controls organization.
  • Develop, maintain, and monitor performance baselines, including the change control process.
  • Work with managers and customers to develop a statement of work (WBS; Dictionary, objectives, assumptions, and deliverables), resource estimate, and a baseline schedule for the project.
  • Track project progress and analyzes project resource usage and makes necessary recommendations for correction.
  • Maintain project forecast schedules, perform and analyze schedule health assessments.
  • Lead WBS Development and schedule development workshops.
  • Incorporate project milestones into project schedule(s).
  • Develop and maintain Primavera P6 schedules using scope defined in the project WBS; to include full loading of resource requirements and integration with the Cobra performance-reporting database.
  • Prepare and distribute proper Work Authorizations; ensuring that Work Authorizations are approved prior to execution of project scope.
  • Contribute to project estimate development.
  • Support out-year Program planning activities.
  • Participate in project risk development and monitor the project risk register.
• Accounting Considerations:
  
  • Review actual cost data to ensure accuracy and provide corrections as necessary.
  • Monitor project commitments for accuracy, prepare and manage monthly accruals.
  • Prepare and manage project cost transfers.
  • Create and monitor use of project charge numbers.
  • Allocate and monitor project funding.
• Analysis and Management Reports:
  
  • Work with Control Account Managers to develop variance analysis and track corrective actions.
  • Perform Critical Path and Float analyses and report results to project management.
  • Monitor remaining project scope and needed resources to develop accurate Estimate to Complete.
  • Conduct project management briefings and prepare reports to reflect program/project status, cost and schedule trends, funding, and project uncertainties.
  • Prepare and maintain project baseline budget logs.
  • Maintain trend program in support of monthly estimates to complete.
• Revisions and Data Maintenance:
  
  • Work with project manager to develop and process baseline change requests (BCRs).
  • Participate in project surveillances and audits.
  • Maintain and monitor management reserve.
• Facilitate the project management team in all phases of the program life-cycle: initiation, planning, control, and closure.
• Communicate with project team members, managers, and customers to ensure successful completion of project objectives and deliverables.
• Mentor and train junior-level Project Controls Specialists.
• Export, format, and evaluate data to support project deliverables and management needs.
• Work on large and small teams to identify issues and provide viable solutions.
• Learn functionality of new or updated project controls system.
• Manage time and set priorities to successfully complete project deliverables.
• Support program planning and controls initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Math or Business-related field and at least 12 years of professional level experience or equivalent training and experience.

• Experience in Construction or a Construction related field.

• Superior problem-solving skills.

• Preferred knowledge in the following areas: data analytics, budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, inquiry skills, innovation, collaboration, communication, and adaptability.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word), Deltek Cobra (or similar system),

• Primavera P6 (or similar system), and Oracle ERP (or similar system).

• Advanced MS Excel skills desired.

• Ability to manipulate large amounts of data with minimal errors.

• Communication and organization skills, and ability to work in a team environment.

• Must be detail-oriented.

• Proficiency in the following processes and tool sets:

  • Work Breakdown Structure development and requirements definition

  • Work Authorization process

  • Experience in Primavera P6

  • Extrapolate a schedule from the WBS, design drawings, and SMEs

  • Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques (Baseline development, Change control, Variance Analysis, etc)

  • Estimating and Scheduling processes and techniques

  • Project controls Applications

  • Accounting applications

• Ability to lead project cost and schedule review meetings.

• Experience in all phases of the project life-cycle: initiation, planning, control, and closeout and with spend plan analysis.

• Ability to do programmatic strategic planning.

• Ability to facilitate a complete project risk management program.

• The primary work location will be at the Losee Road facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Work at the Nevada National Security Site is required in support of these functions.

• Work schedule for this position will be 4/10’s, Monday – Thursday (subject to change).

• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

• Must possess a valid driver's license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $114,670.40 - $177,736.00. 

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.