Senior Cost Analyst

Job Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

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Qualified veterans who meet the minimum requirements will receive outreach during the recruitment process in accordance with Federal and State laws, including the Illinois Veterans Preference Act. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or job offer. The most qualified candidate will be selected.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra’s Capital Delivery Department is divided into seven sections: Stations and Parking Design, Civil/Structural Design, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Construction, NEPA, Project Management, and Project Controls. The Station and Parking Design manages the design of Metra’s station and parking capital projects. The Wayfinding and Signs team is a subgroup of Stations and Parking Design that manages wayfinding and sign projects related to Metra stations. The Civil/Structural Design manages the design of capital infrastructure projects including tracks, bridges, and yard facilities. Electrical/Mechanical manages traction power and mechanical capital projects. Construction manages the construction of capital projects. The NEPA team manages the environmental review and historic resources review processes for capital projects. The Project Management team leads various capital projects across the Capital Program. The Project Controls team continually improves the processes and systems that are used to manage capital projects.

Reporting to the Director of Project Controls, the Senior Cost Analyst develops, monitors, and analyzes cost management processes within the project management information system (PMIS); responsible for administering cost control, budgeting, and change management; mapping costs to specific funding sources; and entering budgets, estimates, and related adjustments to ensure accurate financial tracking and compliance.

The primary duties include: Support the administration and use of the cost management system within PMIS by performing data entry and system updates. Assist in mapping costs by project phase for specific funding sources, including grants, purchase orders, and purchase agreements. Assist in developing and maintaining project budget forecasts, cost estimates, cash flows, spend curves, funding requests, and expenditure tracking. Maintain financial models and tracking tools, including the master project package number (PPN) list, by requesting monthly updates from directors and ensuring accuracy; and monitor cost allocations across project elements throughout all phases of the project lifecycle. Coordinate and lead monthly cost meetings with internal Capital Delivery disciplines and the Grants Department. Promote safe work practices and maintain and foster a safe work environment. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or a related field OR in lieu of specified degree, any combination of education and experience may be substituted for the specified degree that equals four (4) years in Finance or accounting.
• In addition to #1 must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in Financial Controls, Finance, or Accounting.
• Considerable knowledge of cost management best practices and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of cost baseline development and management.
• Working knowledge in Project Management Information Systems (PMIS).
• Good knowledge of the Construction or Engineering industry.
• Proficient in use of Microsoft 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint), and data management systems.
• Proficient in use of cost applications (InEight, eBuilder, PMWeb, Oracle, PRISM, COBRA) and earned value management system (EVMS).
• Strong organizational, planning, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to interact with all levels of management, employees, external consultants, and organizations.
• Ability to take initiative, successfully handle and prioritize multiple competing assignments and effectively manage deadlines.
• Ability to complete assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to be Proactive and confident self-starter and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to conduct clear, hands-on training sessions to help employees understand and use the systems effectively.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

• Certified in Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) or Certified Cost Technician (CCT).

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. For general assistance, please contact [email protected] . If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Reasonable Accommodations Committee at [email protected] .

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.