Job Description

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

 

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Under minimal supervision from the Senior Project Controls Manager, the Project Controls Manager - Cost applies cost measurement tools, data analytics, progress measurement tools, work processes and/or system to drive effective cost engineering/estimating, cost monitoring and control, project progress measurement, and preparation of associated reporting. Individual in this role will also develop cost and resource performance and forecast reports, evaluate cost estimates and provide recommendations, and manage portfolio-wide processes in close collaboration with the Project Controls Team, Project and Program Managers, and the Director of Major Power Portfolio. The position will lead and supervise staff performing cost control activities and project business analysis for the portfolio. This may include drafting and/or updating of procedures, supporting continuous improvement efforts, monitoring, and evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, coaching and/or mentoring, and performing additional duties as assigned.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures compliance with Amtrak project management standards and policies, third-party requirements, industry best practices, and project-specific requirements in the delivery of cost control functions. 
• Integrates cost engineering practices and methods to support development of cost engineering policies, procedures, and performance metrics. 
• Performs project controls tasks in close coordination with project management team and ensures assigned cost control and project business analysis staff do the same. 
• Works with project management and project controls team to develop baseline budgets, monthly forecasts, and periodic reports. 
• Supports project or portfolio management team in the evaluation and improvement of portfolio-wide processes, reporting, planning, and communications. 
• Collects ongoing progress or performance data such as installed quantities, labor hours, costs, and related measures from various systems or from project management team as applicable. 
• Integrates external cost data such as information from vendors, contractors, and other external entities as necessary to enable accurate performance forecasting and reporting. 
• Supports the development of the annual plan by producing new and updated cost baselines, estimates, and budgets while ensuring cost data integrity and consistency, alignment with 5-year plan, and compliance with delivery requirements and deadlines. 
• Develop comprehensive life of project estimates inclusive of construction activities, required railroad protection and contingencies based on risk assessments.
• Develop bottoms up estimate to complete as required for ongoing major capital projects.
• Implement and monitor project or portfolio performance indicators (KPIs), analyze data, and identify trends using reports, charts, tables, dashboards, or other artifacts assessing project or portfolio performance to support management decisions. 
• Review and analyze contractor or third-party cost spend plans and extend the analysis to the integrated project/program/portfolio forecast as applicable. 
• Provides subject matter expertise to senior management on construction and/or engineering cost management, earned value management, tools and techniques, and best industry practices.  Provides advice and analyses on project cost estimating and required project change requests.  Prepares and delivers related reports or presentations.    
• Assures quality and timeliness of recurring and ad-hoc team deliverables, including but not limited to estimates, forecasts, reports, analyses, and source data. 
• Monitors, trains, and mentors Project Controls Specialists on cost management, project controls responsibilities, and portfolio best practices. 
• Manages project or portfolio controls data in EPPM or other department-approved systems and tools such as Excel or Primavera P6. 
• Develops processes and templates to support project or portfolio cost control mechanisms in alignment with department objectives and enterprise standards. 
• Develops process and tools to support baseline budget planning, change management, and project pipeline planning decisions.
• Supports or leads efforts to develop and implement initiatives for improvement of business processes and tools, in coordination with other internal departments. 
• Supports development, preparation, and maintenance of department policies and procedures on cost control, cost estimating, resource management, and earned value management, incorporating current best practices used in the construction and transportation industries. 
• Leads and supervises direct reports in delivering and executing the functions listed above. 
• Sets goals and targets for assigned staff in support of department and company strategic objectives.  Assesses and monitors staff workload, administrative and support tools and systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes. 
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures. 
• May manage consulting contracts or task orders and/or supervise consultant staff. 
• Performs other related duties. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, construction management, science, or related fields.   
• Required education may be substituted for additional relevant experience in excess of the minimum requirements outlined below, on a two-for-one year basis. 

 

MIMINUM KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) :

• Five (5) years’ experience as a cost analyst or cost estimator, developing and maintaining multi-discipline budgets and forecasts for large complex construction or engineering projects. 
• Three (3) years of lead role experience in large complex capital construction project cost control. 
• Must have authorization to work in the United States. 
• A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.   
• Experience leading, motivating, selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating subordinate staff. 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction project management through all phases of the construction project lifecycle. 
• Understanding of principles and practices of construction contract administration, contracting methods and types; standard conditions of construction and engineering contracts (AIA, EJCDC). 
• Familiarity with business processes, techniques, and procedures related to project cost engineering / cost management and cost estimation in large and/or complex capital construction projects. 
• Expert knowledge of planning and forecasting tools, methods, techniques, standards, and best practices, including resource management, progress measurement, and earned value management for construction or engineering projects. 
• Experience in preparing written technical reports, presentations, or analyses. 
• Understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting, analysis, and monitoring of capital project / program / portfolio funding and/or budget. 
• Experience providing construction project performance metrics, performance analysis, dashboards, and progress reports. 
• Ability to clearly organize and present project or portfolio cost reports. 
• Ability to research, analyze, evaluate performance gaps, and implement new business processes, tools, methods, and techniques to improve performance or output. 
• Experience with establishing standard practices and cost control processes pertaining to project controls function, including drafting or updating technical specifications, procedures, or policies. 
• Ability to perform staff training on the job or prepare and deliver group instructional sessions. 
• Ability to research, analyze, and apply contracts, agreements, policies, laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance at all levels within areas of responsibility. 
• Advanced skills in SAP, Concur, Ariba, Excel, and other MS Office tools. 
• Skill in communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, across all levels. 
• Effective in working diplomatically across teams with varying objectives. 
• Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service. 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in business administration, construction management, or engineering. 
• Experience performing or leading project controls function for mid ($50M+) to large ($500M+) capital construction projects, programs, and/or portfolios. 
• Capital construction controls experience in the rail industry, or other public transportation industry. 
• Hands-on experience with data analysis and executive reporting. 

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Environmental Conditions: Office environment; exposure to computer screens. 
• Hybrid work schedule, 3 days in the office, 2 days remote. Office days may fluctuate in New York and Philadelphia.
• Physical Conditions: May require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking, or standing for prolonged periods of time. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

 

The salary/hourly range is $113,200-$146,664. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here .

Requisition ID: 163745
Posting Location(s): New York; Pennsylvania

Work Arrangement: 04-Hybrid Weekly  Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak. 
Job Family/Function: Engineering 
Relocation Offered: No 
Travel Requirements: Up to 25% 

You power our progress through your performance.

 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

 

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Contract work, Temporary work, For contractors, Work experience placement, Interim role, Local area, Remote job, Relocation, Flexible hours,

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