Project Controls Specialist

Project Controls Specialist

The Project Controls Specialist supports the successful execution of utility capital projects by designing, operating, and continuously improving the controls that govern cost, schedule, and quality. This role is accountable for building measurable, repeatable controls and performance insights—translating project data into actionable decisions that reduce risk, prevent overruns, and improve delivery efficiency across the portfolio.

What you'll do:

Cost Control & Budget Management Controls

Establish and maintain cost controls that provide early visibility into variances, forecasts, and cost drivers—enabling proactive corrective action.

Build and own cost performance KPIs and dashboards that drive efficiency and cost containment, including:

• Cost Variance (CV), Cost Performance Index (CPI)
• Forecast at Completion (EAC) accuracy and trend stability
• Commitment vs. Actual burn rates
• Change order cycle time and change cost growth

Schedule Adherence & Planning Controls

Measure schedule health and adherence with clear leading/lagging indicators, ensuring credible forecasts and actionable recovery plans.

• Create and operate a Schedule Health Matrix and/or schedule quality checks (e.g., logic, constraints, float, critical path stability).
• Build schedule performance KPIs, including:
• Schedule Variance (SV), Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
• Milestone adherence / slippage trends
• Critical path and near-critical path stability
• Lookahead plan reliability (e.g., PPC—Percent Plan Complete) where appropriate
• Re-plan frequency and schedule churn

Quality Control Performance & Measurement Controls

Create measurable quality controls that reduce rework, improve first-time-right delivery, and strengthen turnover readiness.

• Turnover package completeness and timeliness
• Material receiving/traceability and installation verification
• Commissioning readiness and as-built documentation quality

Continuous Improvement & Control Creation (Core Focus)

Build a repeatable, scalable controls system and improve it continuously based on performance insights, audit findings, and user feedback.

• Create improvements that reduce cycle time, improve forecast accuracy, and increase data reliability.
• Standardize "definition of done" for status updates and progress measurement

What we're looking for:

Project Controls Specialist Principal SG8

Education:

• Qualified degrees must be in a related field from an accredited university or college and could include Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Technology, or Project Management.
• With a High School Diploma or GED, four (4) years' experience as a Project Coordinator Sr (grade 007).
• With a qualified Associate's degree, eight (8) years' qualified experience.
• With a qualified Bachelor's degree, six (6) years' qualified experience required.

Experience:

• Qualified experience includes utility specific operations knowledge/experience with a good working knowledge of work processes and procedures.
• Experience should be in design, operations, planning, project management, cost tracking analysis, forecasting, project budgets, working with accounting principles, and/or construction or maintenance of systems and/or equipment.

Licenses/Certifications:

• A professional or trade certification such as a CCMP, CETa, IQCP, PMP, RMP, etc. is not required at this level.
• A certification is required to progress to the Principal (grade 008) level of this job family if you have a high school diploma/GED or non-qualified higher education degree. Otherwise, a certification is preferred at the Principal level.

Project Controls Specialist Staff SG9

Education:

• With a qualified Bachelor's degree, eight (8) years' qualified experience required;
• With a qualified Associate's degree, ten (10) years' qualified experience;
• With a High School Diploma or GED, four (4) years' experience as a Project Controls Specialist Prin (grade 008).
• Qualified degrees must be in a related field from an accredited university or college and could include Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Technology, or Project Management.

Experience:

• Qualified experience includes utility specific operations knowledge/experience with a good working knowledge of work processes and procedures.
• Experience should be in design, operations, planning, project management, cost tracking analysis, forecasting, project budgets, working with accounting principles, and/or construction or maintenance of systems and/or equipment.

Licenses/Certifications:

• A professional or trade certification such as a CCMP, CETa, IQCP, PMP, RMP, etc. is required for candidates possessing only a high school diploma or a non-qualified higher education degree.
• Otherwise, a certification is preferred but not required.

In addition:

• Experience implementing Earned Value (EVM)
• Familiarity with energy/utility delivery models (outage constraints, permitting, material lead times, right-of-way impacts, commissioning/energization milestones).
• Proficiency in common tools:
• Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project
• Excel (advanced), Power BI/Tableau
• Enterprise Asset Management systems (e.g., Maximo)
• Project management platforms (e.g., EcoSys)
• Certifications (nice-to-have): AACE, PMP, EVP/EVM training, Lean/Six Sigma

Where you'll work:

This role sits on site in New Albany, Ohio, Corpus Christi, Texas, Fort Wayne Indiana, Roanoke, Virginia or Shreveport, Louisiana

What you'll get:

Project Controls Specialist Principal SG8($98,993-$128,689)

Project Controls Specialist Staff SG9($116,255-$151,132)

In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

At AEP, we're more than just an energy company — we're a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Grade: SP20-008

Compensation Range: $98,993.00 - $151,132.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.