Project Scheduler (Job Family)

NiSource•Joliet, IL

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

This role focuses on project scheduling across different levels of expertise, from entry-level Associate Project Scheduler to an expert Senior Project Scheduler. The company, NiSource, is a public utility that requires continuous service, meaning employees may need to work outside normal hours for emergency operations. The company values inclusion, respect, and safety, and participates in the E-Verify program. The salary range for these positions is $62,000.00 - $144,900.00 USD Annual.

Requirements

High School Diploma (Bachelor’s degree preferred) for all levels
1–3 years of experience working in a technical field (for Associate Project Scheduler)
Understanding of project planning and scheduling guidelines, standards, processes, and job aids
Develop initial proficiency with Primavera P6 and spreadsheets
Ability to coordinate work, use cognitive and communication skills, apply decision-making, and manage stakeholders
Ability to read and interpret schedules
4–6 years of experience in a technical field (in project scheduling or related work preferred) (for Project Scheduler)
Project Management experience utilizing project scheduling software
Ability to manage multiple projects in parallel under tight deadlines
Understanding of contractor roles on major construction/maintenance projects
Ability to interpret architectural and engineering drawings
Strong technical communication skills for cross-disciplinary coordination
Proficient with Microsoft Office and scheduling/tracking systems
Valid driver’s license; ability to travel (up to 10%)
Ability to work flexible schedules
Comfort working with cross-functional departments (Accounting, Purchasing, Engineering, Maintenance, Planning)
6+ years of construction/engineering experience, including at least 2 years as a project scheduler (for Senior Project Scheduler)
High-level proficiency with Primavera P6 and advanced spreadsheet tools
Experience managing schedules in large industrial capital project environments
Strong integrated understanding of scope, schedule, cost, risk, and quality management
Proficiency with risk and quality management tools and techniques
Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills
Ability to generate, analyze, and progress complex multi-level schedules and databases
Database and schedule software proficiency
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred for all levels
Associate Project Scheduler: Learning, supporting, developing core scheduling proficiency
Project Scheduler: Independently developing, integrating, and analyzing schedules; coordinating across teams
Senior Project Scheduler: Integration, predictive analysis, risk-driven forecasting, leadership, and strategy

Responsibilities

Support schedule development and updates under guidance.
Perform foundational project controls tasks (schedule logic, duration estimating, variance assessment).
Collect data from teams/contractors and enter it into templates/systems.
Build competency in P6, WBS development, risk basics, and schedule reporting.
Maintain milestone and summary schedules.
Conduct project walkdowns to validate durations and logic.
Develop and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
Update activity progress and assist with variance assessments.
Support schedule baselining and change control.
Assist with standard reporting and stakeholder communication.
Lead schedule development for major capital projects or outages.
Own integrated master schedules and drive cross-functional coordination.
Critique contractor schedules and drive higher schedule quality.
Perform deeper schedule analysis, conflict resolution, and recovery planning.
Improve scheduling processes and tools.
Lead creation and maintenance of integrated project schedules.
Build multi-layer WBS structures aligned with cost and resource tracking.
Validate contractor schedule submissions and identify gaps.
Analyze schedule performance trends and propose mitigation strategies.
Manage schedule, resource, and cost systems at the project level.
Communicate schedule impacts and alternatives to project managers.
Support process standardization and continuous improvement.
Act as the expert in integrated schedule management.
Fully integrate cost, scope, risk, and quality systems with schedule.
Lead predictive, quantitative schedule forecasting (e.g., EMV, sensitivity analysis).
Develop integrated project baselines and risk-managed schedule plans.
Evaluate contract schedule compliance and performance.
Tailor schedule methodologies and tools to project needs.
Serve as strategic advisor to project managers and leadership.
Develop and manage fully integrated project performance baselines.
Conduct advanced schedule forecasting and risk-based analysis.
Lead contract schedule reviews and advise on commercial impacts.
Drive lifecycle planning with progressive risk integration.
Create and refine scheduling processes, tools, and techniques.
Deliver high-level schedule reports and executive decision support.
Serve as SME in schedule management, project controls, and integration.
Lead teams through conflict resolution, prioritization, and decision-making.