Project specialist

About the opportunity:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Controls Specialist (or a Senior Project Controls Specialist ) to join us and support our Southern California operations. This position will join our growing West Project Controls Team, providing dedicated support to Southern California utility programs. The role may be remote or be based out of any one of our West Region offices, but the ideal candidate will be willing to working regular Pacific time zone hours. The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic culture in a climate where people are motivated to bring their best work to help us grow and prosper.

This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), hourly position and the candidate will typically work 40 hours per week, depending on workload. Some projects may include overtime to meet deadlines. The Project Controls Specialist will play an important role in contributing to a program’s financial success and operational efficiency, supporting project tracking and data management, while gaining experience and growing in the role. The role also involves working with a unit rate billing structure, supporting cost tracking, invoice reviews, and developing expertise in Smartsheet to help improve processes.

This requisition can hire at two levels:

• 
  Project Controls Specialist – Typically with up to one (1) year of relevant industry experience and expertise.
• Senior Project Controls Specialist – Typically with at least two (2) years of industry experience and expertise

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

What you will accomplish:

• Supports detailed tracking of project and program metrics, including budget allocations, change management, billable hours, unit rate quantities, and forecasting.
• Participates in the implementation of project financial tracking and reporting systems, supporting the creation of work breakdown structures and data flows.
• Conducts regular quality assurance checks to ensure accuracy and reliability of project and financial data, proactively flagging discrepancies to prevent larger issues.
• Supports time and materials and unit rate-based project billing structures, including cost tracking, reporting, and compliance with contract terms.
• Captures, processes, and maintains financial and project information in systems such as Deltek VISION, Smartsheet, and Ariba, with a willingness to learn and optimize these tools over time.
• Communicates effectively and proactively with supervisors, project managers, and team members to resolve challenges in cost tracking or data management.
• Assists with maintenance of contract specific guidance materials and template documents.
• Builds strong working relationships with internal and external project teams, collaborating to achieve project goals.
• Contributes ideas and feedback for process improvements, demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt to evolving project needs.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations and standards.

Experience and qualifications for success:

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) months to one year of relevant experience involving project controls, project coordination, project management, data management, data analysis, or financial tracking/reporting.
• Proficiency in Smartsheet or demonstrated willingness to learn for tracking and reporting tasks.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Excel) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot financial data discrepancies, and propose solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant experience involving project controls, project coordination, project management, data management, data analysis, or financial tracking/reporting.
• Experience performing project controls or related work in an environmental firm or A/E/C firm highly preferred.
• Familiarity with invoicing processes and financial documentation in a business or project-based environment.
• Understanding of unit rate or unit cost contract fee type, including cost tracking and invoicing.
• Background in data analysis, with the capacity to identify inconsistencies or potential issues.
• Experience with Deltek Vision or similar project accounting software.
• Familiarity with federal and/or state environmental protection laws.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Basic understanding of project work breakdown structures and financial tracking.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks under direction.
• Ability to accurately review and QC large data sets to ensure reliable financial tracking and billing.
• Eagerness to learn new systems and processes, ask questions, and contribute to building efficient workflows.
• Effective communicator, team-oriented, detail-oriented, self-motivated, flexible, and results-driven.
• Adaptable and nimble to changing client priorities, requests, and evolving project needs.
• Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills to address challenges collaboratively.
• Works effectively as a part of a team, sharing information and supporting the team’s success.

Additional Information

Work is primarily sedentary, performed in an office or remotely (if eligible). Tasks include sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, and handling office equipment, with occasional lifting of small items. Visual acuity for reading and computer use is necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

SWCA is a 100% employee-owned company, and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement). We are expanding our team in Southern California and are looking for motivated individuals who take pride in delivering high-quality project work. If you thrive in the pursuit of ensuring excellence and ownership in your work as well as collaborating in a dynamic team environment, this is a great opportunity for you!

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require a confidential conversation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact us at [email protected] or call 1-480-581-5378. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good-faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this position can expect a salary of: Project Controls Specialist - $26.97/hour to $33.85/hour; and Senior Project Controls Specialist - $29.26/hour to $37.29/hour. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements, where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses.

Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package ( forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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