Controls Senior Specialist

The System Planning and Projects Division (SPP) Controls team at Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for a dynamic, energetic, customer-focused individual to join our team as a Controls Senior Specialist. As a municipal utility, our industry is in a state of rapid evolution which includes growing capital infrastructure, in this job, you can influence project teams to stay within budget and on schedule. As the Project Controls Team continues its evolution toward excellence, come be a part of the process. 

Key Areas of Focus:

• Develop and implement project controls and monitoring procedures to ensure the achievement of project scope, schedule, and cost objectives
• Collaborate with planning, engineering, technology, project management, accounting, controls and finance teams regarding project controls processes, procedures, and tools
• Participation and facilitation in cost management and prioritization for projects and initiatives
• Collect, build, and analyze project cost and time data to establish a baseline of information and communicate variances, and support reporting information
• Provide quality assessments and overview of compliance with project management methodologies to ensure reduction in delivery risk, ensure successful implementation/construction, and transition to operations
• Develop and maintain reports to keep project, program, controls team and management informed on project progress; examples of reports may include labor productivity, schedule status, financial analysis, cost performance, and earned value curves and reports on either direct or indirect activities
• Benchmark, analyze, and measure the effectiveness of existing business processes and metrics in order to develop sustainable, repeatable and quantifiable process improvements
• Research and analyze information to provide management with the tools to develop effective strategies, allocate resources, prioritize projects, utilize personnel, develop organizational structures, and manage resources
• Conduct complex cost-benefit, labor, economic, financial, and systems analyses, identify trends, evaluate data, formulate innovative plans, prepare and deliver reports
• Support identification of risks that may affect project costs and schedules

Who you are...candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Cost Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Accounting or related field are highly preferred.  Additionally, we seek experience in planning/scheduling and cost engineering in a construction and engineering environment. Equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be accepted in lieu of experience requirement. PMI Project Management Professional or AACEi certifications are preferred.

We are also looking for the following skills and experience:

• High emotional intelligence and ability to lead others through positive influence and persuasion regarding policies, processes, practices, and procedures
• Possess technical and practical application of engineering, procurement, and construction functions
• Expert knowledge of tools to assist with performing duties, with software such as a PM SaaS, Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Microsoft products such as Excel, Word, Teams, Power BI. Knowledge of Microsoft Project and/or Oracle Primavera Project Planner (P6) is a plus
• Exercise sound independent and professional judgment in solving problems and coordinating issues with management, colleagues and vendors
• Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills

What this opportunity offers...the chance to collaborate with team personnel to develop and support the consistent use of project delivery tools, processes, and procedures.  As a member of SPP, you will be part of a team planning and delivering projects and programs serving the natural gas, electric, water, wastewater, and technology needs of the Colorado Springs community.  Our team of dedicated professionals assists in meeting the needs of our citizens and organization by ensuring infrastructure assets are delivered efficiently through their project lifecycle with the effective application of project controls skills, tools, and systems.  Come be part of a team making a difference in the lives of our customers every day!  Our people are the heart and soul of our company. 

This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

Who We Are… In 1924, Colorado Springs voted to create a four-service public utility; electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services.  Since then, as a municipal utility, our focus has been on the basics - providing exceptional customer service while keeping costs low.  We strive daily to stay ahead of the business curve with our established priority to continually update and incorporate state-of-the-art technology and endeavor to provide a work culture dedicated to innovation, collaboration and synergy.

Our Commitment to Our Employees…  
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We do not just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program