Principal Business Analyst - Project Controls

Longenecker & Associates (L&A), a Geosyntec Company, is a trusted partner enabling critical missions across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex for more than 30 years. We contribute to DOE’s nuclear security and environmental remediation enterprise by providing the highest-caliber staff and experts. Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service. We invest in our people through competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

About the role

We are seeking a motivated Principal Business Analyst - Project Controls to contribute to our mission supporting our work at Savannah River National Lab in Aiken, SC. This role is responsible for the organization, development, implementation, maintenance, and accountability of total project controls, financial analysis, or estimating applications designed to provide management with the capability of maintaining planning, scheduling, financial analysis, and cost control throughout the life cycle of complex or unique projects or programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform project controls activities and prepare business/financial plans and reports on a periodic or ad hoc basis.
• Develop cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures, and spend-out plans to establish optimum conditions and effective utilization of resources and facilities, including equipment, manpower, and funding.
• Utilize advanced project control concepts to demonstrate expertise and leadership in the application of controls, including the development of advanced system applications.
• Provide state-of-the-art technical control expertise to guide subordinates in the development of complex, multi-project integrated area project analysis and problem correction.
• Participate in routine project cost reviews and schedule meetings.
• Develop and implement a basic change management system for engineering and construction assigned work scope.
• Analyze variances in cost and schedule performance against the plan, and communicate the reasons for variances and proposed mitigation plans to management.
• Understand the business environment and operations of the area being supported, providing a key linkage between the client and the planning process.
• Perform and apply financial analysis techniques including variance analysis, statistical analysis, and scenario analysis to work scopes and decisions as requested by management.
• Develop costing rates, explain costing rates for the budget process, maintain rates in PeopleSoft, and analyze pool variances (Assigned Overhead and Service Pools).
• Analyze various business operations to ascertain funding limitations, execute appropriate cost controls, identify productivity and financial issues, and design highly integrated financial controls.
• Define requirements and develop models for complex business systems, develop test plans and scenarios, incorporate major system enhancements into existing financial applications, oversee implementation, and monitor system effectiveness.
• Initiate and direct special studies, develop business solutions for intricate problem areas, and translate conceptual ideas into operating plans.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports including analyses, forecasts, and spend plans.
• Assemble, analyze, and interpret information to create innovative solutions for complex business issues.
• Provide leadership, technical direction, and training to other Project Controls personnel.
• Understand CAS/FAR principles.

Requirements

• Master's degree in business, construction management, technical, engineering, or a related area and 5 years of practical experience. Equivalent combinations include:
  • Bachelor's degree and 7 years of practical experience.
  • Associate's degree and 11 years of practical experience.
  • High school diploma and 15 years of relevant experience.
• At least 5-11 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• U.S. Citizenship (required due to federal contract security requirements).
• Ability to successfully pass a federal background investigation to secure and maintain DOE Q security clearance.
• Completion of health & safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing.
• Strong personal computer skills with expert proficiency in automated accounting, cost management, scheduling, and estimating systems.
• Practical experience in the use of Site Business systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of project management and cost and schedule control at the tactical level, along with knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.

Skills

• Development of cost and schedule baselines.
• Work breakdown structures and spend-out plans.
• Advanced project control concepts and system applications.
• Financial analysis techniques (variance analysis, statistical analysis, scenario analysis).
• Change management systems for engineering and construction.
• CAS/FAR principles.
• Leadership and training of Project Controls personnel.

Schedule

• A 40-hour work week is scheduled, with various work schedules including:
  • 5/8s (8 hours/day; five days per week).
  • 4/10s (10 hours/day; four days per week).
  • 9/80s (9 hours/day, five days on week AA and four days on week BB).
• Work week excludes SRNS holidays.
• Each workday includes a 30-minute lunch.
• Overtime will be expected at times to meet deliverables, at the discretion of the Manager.

Please note that federal contractors are required to maintain a drug-free workplace. Regardless of state laws permitting medical or recreational marijuana use, employees working under federal contracts may be subject to federal requirements that prohibit marijuana use.