Construction assistant Jobs in Markham, ON

SUMMARY

The Construction Project Controls Officer (PCO) establishes, documents, and enforces standardized construction project controls methods, procedures, and best practices across the project lifecycle. The PCO supports continuous improvement of construction-specific tools and processes, and provides or coordinates ongoing training for Project Managers, Construction Managers, Project Coordinators, and new staff.

The Construction PCO is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of construction project data, including schedules, budgets, forecasts, change management, and reporting. The incumbent champions governance, documentation, and roll‑out of process improvements related to construction planning, cost control, schedule management, and contract administration, and may lead working committees as part of implementation initiatives.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Construction Project Management Support

• Build and maintain a construction project controls framework enabling Project Managers and Construction Managers to effectively monitor, control, and administer project performance, including scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, safety, and change.
• Support Project Managers in the development, maintenance, and control of construction schedules and execution plans, including resource loading and coordination with internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and trades.
• Analyze and identify discrepancies between baseline, forecasted, and actual construction costs and durations, including productivity impacts and delay drivers.
• Liaise with internal leadership to provide construction planning and controls support, including budgeting, scheduling, earned value tracking, variance analysis, progress measurement, and forecasting.
• Apply construction governance controls to evaluate schedule adherence, cost performance, cash flow, and quality objectives, ensuring alignment with approved baselines and contractual requirements.
• Identify trends, risks, and root causes of schedule delays, cost overruns, and scope growth using lead and lag indicators, and recommend corrective and preventative actions.
• Coordinate and support multi‑discipline estimating efforts (design, construction, commissioning) to compile and validate project budgets for each phase of construction delivery.
• Lead or facilitate construction planning workshops, including baseline schedule development, critical path analysis, phasing strategies, and look‑ahead planning.
• Partner with Contract Administrators and Construction Managers to ensure all contractual deliverables, including schedules, cost reports, change documentation, and progress claims, meet client and contractual quality standards.
• Ensure consistent tracking and control of construction schedules, cost reports, forecasts, and change orders, proactively escalating risks and recommending mitigation strategies.

Tracking, Reporting & Governance

• Prepare and issue, in collaboration with Project Managers, construction project status reports and dashboards for internal stakeholders, clients, and executive leadership.
• Ensure construction project controls procedures and policies are implemented, adhered to, and audited in accordance with client requirements and organizational standards.
• Track and monitor construction invoicing, progress claims, payment certifications, holdbacks, and cash flow.
• Develop, document, and maintain standardized construction project controls methods, including:
• Construction risk registers and mitigation tracking
• Change management and contingency drawdown processes
• Responsibility matrices (RACI) for Project Supervisors, Construction Managers, and site teams
• Integration points between Construction, Operations, Safety, and Facilities teams

Continuous Improvement

• Continuously improve construction‑specific tools, templates, and workflows used by Project Supervisors and Construction Managers, including:
• Construction cost trackers, schedule control tools, and forecasting models
• Change order, RFI, and submittal tracking systems
• Site meeting documentation (kick‑off meetings, progress meetings, minutes, action logs)
• Project charters, approval gates, and authorization documents
• Integrate new construction processes and tools introduced by the business or clients.
• Improve alignment and data flow between construction field systems, operations tools, and project delivery systems.

Training, Communication & Team Integration

• Provide and/or coordinate ongoing construction project controls training, including:
• Training on new construction processes, tools, and governance requirements
• Development of construction‑specific training manuals and onboarding materials
• Identification and coordination of relevant external or corporate training opportunities
• Promote effective communication and knowledge sharing among team members with varying levels of construction experience.
• Foster team cohesion through structured, recurring communication with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Client Directors.
• Coordinate mentorship and knowledge transfer for new and project team members.
• Conduct regular PCO meetings and provide summarized reporting to internal leadership team.
• Facilitate integration meetings with Construction Operations, Safety, and Facilities teams to ensure alignment across delivery functions.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience as a Project Controls Officer within a construction environment.
• Advanced knowledge of construction scheduling and cost control principles.
• Advanced proficiency with MS Project.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Procore, SharePoint, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Project, and Visio.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and initiative.
• Proven ability to manage multiple construction projects concurrently under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with experience producing both detailed construction reports and executive‑level summaries.
• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of construction contracts, change management, claims, and procurement.
• Ability to work flexible hours in support of construction site and project demands.

Licenses and/or Professional Accreditation

• None required; PMP, PSP, or construction‑related certifications are considered an asset.

This is a regular, full-time position with a salary range of $73,600 - $92,000 per annum. The starting salary will be based on the successful candidate’s competencies, including but not limited to experience, education, professional designations and performance related to this role.

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