Sr Principal Project Controls Specialist

Job Description

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.

• 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.
  
  

Responsibilities

MSTS is seeking a Senior Principal Project Controls Specialist (PCS) to support the Stockpile Experimentation & Operations (SEO) Program in support of Sub-Critical Experiments (SCE) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). This Senior Principal PCS position will have a primary PCS assignment for at least one SCE project and will be a key participant in overall SCE Program P6 schedule improvements. This Senior Principal PCS will support multiple Project and Program Managers and ensure accurate planning, monitoring, and controls throughout execution of the project scope. This Senior Principal PCS role includes ensuring completion of project reporting deliverables and mentoring of peer SCE and SEO PCS staff. The primary work location for this position will be at the Los Alamos Operations (LAO) office in Los Alamos, NM.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibilities will include both cost and schedule support as part of a centralized Project Controls organization.
• Support the development and execution of project and functional planning.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor performance baselines, including the change control process.
• May act as Project Manager on smaller projects or a segment of a larger project, under the direction of an experienced Project Manager.
• Facilitate the project management team in all phases of the program life-cycle: initiation, planning, control, and closure.
• 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.
• Analyze project resource usage and recommends adjustments when needed.
• Track project progress and recommends corrective actions.
• Communicate with project team members, managers, and customers to ensure successful completion of project objectives and deliverables.
• Assess customer needs and works to meet them.
• 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.
• Develop and implement project WBS.
• Ensure proper Work Authorizations are approved prior to execution of project scope.
• Develop and maintain Primavera P6 schedules to include full loading of resource requirements and integration with the Cobra performance-reporting database.
• Ensure Earned Value Management process compliance.
• Contribute to project estimate development and incorporation into the P6 schedule.
• Learn functionality of new or updated project controls system.
• Create and monitor use of project charge numbers.
• Work with project manager to develop and process baseline change requests (BCRs).
• Allocate and monitor project funding.
• Work with Control Account Managers to develop variance analysis and track corrective actions.
• Work with subject matter experts (SMEs) and project stakeholders to document scope.
• Participate in project surveillances and audits.
• Develop P6 schedule activities using scope defined in the project WBS.
• 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.
• Manage time and set priorities to successfully complete project deliverables.
• Support out-year Program planning activities.
• Participate in project risk development and monitor the project risk register.
• Support development of Company Directives and/or Desktop Instructions to support project controls initiatives.
• Perform other duties assigned by Management.
  
  

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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
• Work Authorization process
• Primavera P6 schedule development and execution process
• Develop and maintain Primavera P6 schedules to include full loading of resource requirements and integration with the Cobra performance-reporting database
• Earned Value Management (EVM) techniques
• Estimating processes and techniques
• Application System processes
• Opening and closing of charge numbers in the accounting system
• Change Control process, including client supporting data
• Baseline development, control, and reporting
• Funds application process and control
• Supporting the Variance Analysis process
• Requirements definition
• Develop WBS, and Dictionary based on requirements
• Support internal/external reviews and validations
• Extrapolate a schedule from the WBS
• Use the schedule to support a complete Critical Path/Float analysis
• Convert Estimates to Budgets in support of planning process
• Develop Estimates to Complete
• Conducting project management briefings and prepare reports to reflect program/project status, cost and schedule trends, funding, and project uncertainties
• Facilitating the management team in all phases of the program life-cycle: initiation, planning, control, and closure
• Ability to handle multiple fiscal-related tasks and both difficult and challenging financial analysis situations while handling multiple tasks and setting priorities
• Ability to do programmatic strategic planning
• Ability to facilitate a complete project risk management program
• Support development of Company Directives and/or Desktop Instructions to support project controls initiatives.
• The primary work location will be at the Los Alamos Operations (LAO) office in Los Alamos, NM.
• Travel to the Losee Road facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada and the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada) will be required on an as needed basis.
• 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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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: $117,426.20 - $182,010.60.

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