Director Project Controls Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Summary:
The SENIOR PROJECT CONTROLS SPECIALIST is a senior technical and leadership role responsible for directing environmental planning, regulatory compliance, permitting, construction-phase oversight, and project closeout for complex electric transmission and related energy infrastructure projects throughout California and the western US. This position requires demonstrated expertise with 15 or more years of specialized California regulatory experience and a demonstrated ability to successfully navigate CEQA, secure multi-agency permits, manage construction compliance programs, and bring projects to full environmental closeout while protecting client schedules and budgets.
Essential Functions:
• Lead and manage formal project controls across the full project lifecycle for electric transmission projects, including development and maintenance of integrated schedules, cost baselines, risk registers, and performance metrics.
• Develop, maintain, and update detailed resource-loaded, milestone-driven project schedules and cost control systems; perform critical path analysis and variance reporting.
• Implement earned value management (EVM), track cost and schedule performance (SPI/CPI), prepare Estimate at Completion (EAC) forecasts, and manage change control processes.
• Monitor project performance, identify variances, and provide proactive recommendations to project managers to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
• Support project closeout through final cost reconciliation, schedule as-built documentation, and lessons learned compilation.
• Provide expert-level project controls guidance, risk analysis, and strategic forecasting to project managers, engineers, and leadership on large multidisciplinary electric transmission projects.
• Mentor and develop junior project controls staff; conduct quality reviews of schedules, cost reports, and performance metrics.
• Manage project controls workstreams, budgets, and reporting; support proposal development and business development as required.
• Prepare and deliver clear project controls reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal leadership, clients, and stakeholders.
• Acknowledge and participate in OMS H&S programs and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by OMS or the client.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Urban/Regional Planning, or closely related field. Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in project controls, with strong focus on large, multidisciplinary electric transmission or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated mastery of formal project controls including risk registry, scope, schedule, quality, and budget administration on large electric transmission projects.
• Specific competency with formal cost and resource loaded, milestone driven schedule plans and cost control metrics, including earned value, estimate at completion, and schedule variance.
• A Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate is strongly desired, or equivalent experience delivering large, multidisciplinary electric transmission projects as a project manager.
• Significant experience supporting active construction phases with real-time cost and schedule control under pressure.
• Strong working knowledge of project management best practices, scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6), and EVM methodologies.
• Strong project management, analytical, technical writing, and communication skills. Ability to synthesize complex data and present clear insights to leadership and stakeholders.
• Valid California driver's license and ability/willingness to travel to project sites across California (approximately 20-40% travel, including occasional overnight stays).
• Conduct a background check, drug screening, and physical exam.
• Must have and maintain a clean driving record.
Preferred:
• Direct experience supporting California Investor-Owned Utilities (PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric) on electric transmission projects.
• Experience with large-scale infrastructure or utility projects.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with project controls software, dashboards, and data analytics tools.
Working Conditions:
HYBRID - Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor conditions; exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials; work on/walk on slippery or uneven and potentially mountainous terrain. Noise level is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to, talk, hear, stand, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch lift, push, pull, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, stand, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DISCLAIMER
OMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This position description is intended to convey the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.
Pay Range
$150,000.00 Annually to $220,000.00 Annually