Project Controls Specialist

At The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we’re not just delivering water — we’re sustaining life for over 19 million people. Behind every drop is a team of Talented Employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and connectors who make it all possible.

This recruitment will be used to build an Eligibility List. This list will be valid for 6 months from the date a candidate accepts the position.

As a Project Controls Specialist, you will provide essential support to project managers and the Project Controls Manager in the planning, execution, and financial management of multiple concurrent projects. You will oversee cost control, scheduling, and performance monitoring to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with contractual scope. What You’ll Do• Work closely with Project Managers and the Project Controls Manager to support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and regular performance check-ins across active projects.• Drive day-to-day cost control and forecasting by tracking expenditures, reviewing invoices, and keeping project financials accurate and up to date.• Build, update, and maintain project schedules and work breakdown structures in Primavera and/or Microsoft Project as projects evolve.• Review project performance against scope, schedule, and budget, call out variances or risks, and turn the data into clear, useful reports.• Keep project controls documentation organized and current, while helping improve planning, reporting, and control processes over time.

 

Who We’re Looking For• You are collaborative and proactive, comfortable working closely with project teams, management, and stakeholders to support coordination and successful outcomes across all project phases.• You have demonstrated knowledge and expertise of design and construction scheduling, resource planning, and schedule development using tools such as Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.• You are motivated by ownership, variety, continuous improvement and excited to influence project outcomes and help strengthen project controls processes.• You are detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects while keeping financials, schedules, and documentation accurate and up to date.• You enjoy understanding how projects really work; from planning through execution and want to be involved in the details that make them successful.

 

What You’ll Find Working Here• Be part of Metropolitan’s mission to ensure safe and reliable water for the region, not just for today, but for generations ahead.• You’ll help sustain life for millions while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to innovation, environmental stewardship, and community impact.• In addition to a meaningful mission, Metropolitan offers competitive starting salaries, comprehensive benefits options, pension through CALPERS and more (see below for the full benefits list)

 

Schedule: 44/36, Monday through Friday with every other Friday off. Monday through Thursday 9 hours per day, and every other Friday 8 hours per day.Hybrid: Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

To view the full job description click here: Project Controls Specialist.

 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and four years relevant experience.

 

Related field of study is defined as: Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Finance. 

Relevant Experience is defined as: project budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.

 

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTSLicense(s): Valid California Class C Driver’s License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.

 

CLOSINGBenefits:• Competitive compensation• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System• Tuition reimbursement• Training and advancement opportunities• Excell