Cost Technician (1-Year Contract)

Job Title: Cost Technician

Location: Valparaiso, IN

Work Model: Hybrid — Tuesday through Thursday onsite, Monday and Friday remote

Rate: $33–$43/hour

Work Authorization: U.S. Citizens Only | Green Card holders also eligible; no visa sponsorship available

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM–3:30 PM or 8:00 AM–4:00 PMAdditional Onsite Requirement: Additional in-office days may be required at month-end and beginning-of-month close periods

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Cost Technician to support project cost control, invoice validation, timesheet processing, cost reporting, forecasting support, and project controls coordination within a utility project environment. This role will maintain multiple project cost control data files, support detailed and summary-level project reporting, and help ensure project cost information is accurate, timely, and useful for project decision-making. The Cost Technician will work closely with Project Managers, Project Controls leadership, suppliers, project staff, and internal departments to track costs, resolve invoice discrepancies, support budget development, and produce cost reports throughout various stages of the project lifecycle. This role requires strong attention to detail, communication skills, cost tracking experience, and the ability to work across multiple stakeholders and data sources. The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, and comfortable working with project cost data, timesheets, invoices, contracts, unit codes, forecasts, and reporting requirements in a fast-paced project environment.

Project Cost Control & Data Management: Maintain multiple project cost control data files for detailed and summary-level project information. Track project cost data across various stages of the project lifecycle. Monitor, organize, and validate cost information to support accurate project reporting and forecasting. Maintain project controls documentation, cost tracking files, reporting templates, and supporting records. Work with multiple departments to monitor, share, and analyze data to improve project cost visibility and forecasting accuracy.

Timesheet Processing & Invoice Validation: Process project timesheets and maintain the timesheet database. Validate submitted invoices by referencing timesheet data, conformed contracts, unit codes, and approved cost structures. Obtain invoice payment approval from Project Managers. Communicate with suppliers, project staff, and internal stakeholders to resolve invoice discrepancies or cost tracking issues. Support accurate and timely invoice review, approval, and payment processes.

Cost Reporting & Forecasting Support: Perform standard project cost reporting and special project cost reporting as required by stakeholders. Compile, prepare, and produce cost reports as directed by project stakeholders and Project Controls leadership. Disseminate relevant and timely cost information to support project decision-making. Assess stakeholder needs for cost reporting, cost assessment, and cost analysis. Provide project stakeholders with clear, accurate, and useful cost information.

Budget Development & Contract Support: Assist in annual budget development, preparation, and related reporting activities. Support project staff with contract review to improve understanding of contract terms, unit codes, and cost tracking requirements. Help ensure contract-related cost data is properly interpreted and reflected in project tracking and forecasting. Support budget tracking, cost analysis, and project financial reporting activities. Help identify cost risks, discrepancies, trends, and improvement opportunities.

Communication & Stakeholder Coordination: Establish effective lines of communication with various departments to integrate information and support accurate reporting. Communicate cost results, issues, risks, and discrepancies to Project Controls leadership and other internal departments as needed. Partner with Project Managers, suppliers, project staff, and internal teams to resolve cost tracking, invoice, contract, or reporting questions. Share relevant cost information in a timely and professional manner. Support stakeholder alignment through clear communication and accurate reporting.

Project Controls Processes & Continuous Improvement: Assist in developing project controls guidelines, standards, processes, job aids, and tools. Support implementation of preventive cost actions to reduce errors, improve forecasting, and strengthen project controls processes. Identify opportunities to improve cost tracking, invoice validation, reporting, documentation, and communication processes. Apply project controls standards and procedures consistently across assigned work. Support continuous improvement of project cost reporting and data management practices.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: Maintain project cost control files and tracking reports. Process project timesheets and update the timesheet database. Review invoices against timesheets, contracts, unit codes, and project cost data. Obtain invoice approvals from Project Managers. Resolve invoice discrepancies with suppliers, project staff, and internal stakeholders. Prepare standard and ad hoc project cost reports. Support project forecasting and budget reporting activities. Communicate cost issues, discrepancies, and reporting updates to Project Controls leadership. Assist with contract review and interpretation of cost-related terms. Support month-end and beginning-of-month reporting activities, including additional onsite work as needed.

Required Qualifications: High school diploma required; post-secondary education preferred.8+ years of experience in cost tracking, project controls, project administration, invoice processing, accounting support, financial operations, or related work. Experience maintaining project cost files, tracking reports, timesheet databases, or similar project financial records. Experience reviewing invoices, timesheets, contracts, cost codes, unit codes, or supporting documentation for accuracy. Strong attention to detail and ability to identify discrepancies in cost, invoice, and project data. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively with Project Managers, suppliers, project staff, and cross-functional departments. Ability to support reporting, forecasting, budget preparation, and cost analysis activities. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel. Ability to work onsite Tuesday through Thursday in Valparaiso, IN, with additional onsite days at month-end or beginning-of-month as required.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in utilities, energy, construction, engineering, infrastructure, capital projects, or project controls environments. Experience supporting project cost control, project accounting, project forecasting, or cost reporting. Experience reviewing contracts, purchase orders, supplier invoices, unit rates, and cost codes. Experience assisting with annual budget development and project financial reporting. Experience developing or supporting project controls processes, job aids, standards, or reporting tools. Familiarity with project lifecycle cost tracking and project controls best practices. Strong Excel skills, including sorting, filtering, formulas, reconciliations, and report preparation.

Ideal Candidate Profile: The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented Cost Technician with strong project cost tracking, invoice validation, timesheet processing, and reporting experience. They should be comfortable working with Project Managers, suppliers, project staff, and internal departments to ensure cost information is accurate, timely, and actionable. Experience in utility, construction, capital project, or project controls environments would be especially valuable.