Principal Project Controls Analyst

Job Description:

Principal Project Controls Analyst

Description

General

The Principal Project Controls Analyst serves as the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) expert for project financial oversight and controls, supporting capital and operating programs. This role assists with developing and leads the implementation of standardized tools, procedures, and reporting to improve fiscal transparency and accountability. The Principal Analyst partners with project managers, finance staff, and executive leadership to ensure effective financial planning, monitoring, and compliance across all project portfolios.

Essential Functions & Duties

Examples of Essential Functions:

• Create SamTrans project controls framework by informing the development of standardized tools, processes, and performance measures to ensure effective financial oversight of capital and operating projects.
• Act as a project manager, aligning work and driving processes for Project Controls.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Finance, Capital Planning, and Project Management staff, ensuring alignment of budgets, forecasts, and expenditures with funding requirements and agency goals.
• Working with the Financial Reporting department in Finance, refine and formalize the process for financial reporting against projects and programs.
• Develop and, in certain instances, present reports and executive summaries to Agency leadership.
• Provide expert-level guidance, mentoring, and training to project managers and analysts on financial management best practices, cost forecasting, and compliance standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in project financial systems and analytics to enhance transparency, efficiency, and data accuracy across departments.
• Advise executive leadership on financial risks, trends, and funding strategies to support informed decision-making and optimize the agency’s financial resources.

Examples of Essential Duties:

• Direct work of more junior staff in support of executing ongoing project controls
• Develop and maintain standardized project financial forms, templates, and analysis checklists.
• Prepare and present quarterly project financial reports to the Board, as needed.
• Schedule and facilitate regular Project Controls meeting with project managers and leadership.
• Analyze project data to identify variances, risks, and funding needs; recommend funding changes or expense reclasses.
• Monitor project budgets and forecasts to ensure compliance with internal policies and grant requirements.
• Manage the financial close-out of completed projects.
• Coordinate with Finance, Grants, and Capital Planning to reconcile project financial data.
• Support audits, capital plannings efforts, and annual budget development.
• Provide subject matter expertise on financial systems and recommend process improvements.
• Evaluate job performance of staff, which also includes professional development through the identification of on-the-job and other development opportunities.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, follow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the skills and experience necessary to perform this role will be accepted. Development of the required knowledge and abilities is typically obtained through but not limited to:

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics, construction management, or a directly related field.
• Four (4) years full-time progressively responsible experience in transportation or urban planning, economics and finance, public policy, public administration, or related field.
• Two (2) years full-time experience supervising technical and professional staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with project financial management principles, budgeting, cost control, and funding compliance.
• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills with the ability to synthesize and convey complex financial data to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and enterprise financial systems (e.g., PeopleSoft).
• Ability to lead cross-departmental collaboration and influence process improvements.
• Experience in a public agency, transportation, or large capital project environment.
• Knowledge of grant and capital funding regulations and requirements.
• Experience with multi-source funding portfolios.
• Experience managing or supporting complex projects through their full lifecycle.
• Experience supporting or leading financial or compliance audits.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 4/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$129,834.00 - $181,767.00 Annually