Data Analyst (Information Technology)

Summary/objective

J.W. Bamford, Inc. is seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Data Analyst to support budgeting, production data analysis, and cost research for our projects in logging, firefighting, debris removal, and road construction. The ideal candidate will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to improve project efficiencies, optimize costs, and support strategic decision-making. This role requires strong financial acumen, technical proficiency, and the ability to work across multiple disciplines.

Project Planning

Uses statistical methods, modeling, analytical methodologies, and data analysis to develop reports and models to inform project planning and bidding costs.
Work with Project Accountant and CFO to ensure all personnel and equipment job costs are updated daily, monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Track all contract changes and communicate any changes to Bid Team Leader, Project Accountant, and CFO.
Communicate with all project stakeholder's project date changes and any potential costs and over-run issues.
Reviews, reconciles, and analyzes data to ensure financial integrity of information reported and identification of trends.
Monitors reports to ensure data quality. Processes, enhances, and acquires technical skills to work with database and business intelligence systems.
Embraces change and improving processes in an ever-evolving dynamic environment.
Develop professional documents, edit documents, and develop proofs for review and approval.

Key Responsibilities:
Project Budgeting & Financial Analysis:

Develop and maintain detailed project budgets, tracking actual expenditures against planned costs.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend financial strategies to improve profitability.
Prepare budget forecasts and variance reports for ongoing projects.
Assist in bid preparation by analyzing historical data, industry benchmarks, and cost projections.

Production Data Analysis:

Collect, process, and analyze production metrics for logging, firefighting, debris removal, and road construction operations.
Monitor efficiency, resource utilization, and output trends to identify areas for improvement.
Generate performance reports and dashboards to assist management in operational decision-making.

Costing & Industry Research:

Conduct cost research and benchmarking for materials, labor, fuel, and equipment rentals.
Track market trends in timber pricing, fire mitigation costs, debris removal expenses, and road construction materials.
Maintain a database of historical project costs and update pricing models as needed.

Reporting & Data Visualization:

Create customized reports, visualizations, and presentations for project managers and executives.
Use Excel, SQL, Power BI, or other analytics tools to present insights clearly and effectively.
Develop automated reports and dashboards to streamline data access and improve decision-making.

Cross-Department Collaboration:

Work closely with project managers, finance teams, and field supervisors to ensure accurate data collection.
Provide data-driven insights to support contract negotiations, project planning, and operational improvements.
Assist in risk assessments by analyzing past project data and identifying potential budget overruns or inefficiencies.

Analysis/Process

Planning, studying, and collecting data to determine costs of business activity such as equipment costs, fuel costs, labor costs, and all project costs.
Analyzing changes in project scope changes, logging methods or services provided, to determine effects on cost.
Ad hoc research and special projects related to a wide range of technical accounting and financial reporting issues.

Audit Support

Ensures project revenue is accurate.
Ensure Work In Progress is accurate and work with Project Accountant and CFO to make any corrections or adjustments.
Engage in Work In Progress review with Bid Team, Operations, and the CFO at the close of each month.

General Administrative

Responsible to update the "Bid to Win" data software program to track all bid assumptions, costs, and budgets.
May be assigned to manage the invoicing process on special projects.
File and maintain fully executed contract documents.
Maintain contract binders for all assigned projects, with all the appropriate documents, including sub-agreements and monthly invoices, in accordance with standard procedures.
Collect and organize required information to prepare project close-outs and archive project/contract files.
Set-up/format/review cost proposals and billing rate schedules in response to Request For Proposals, Request For Quotes, etc.
Facilitates communication of company, project, and reporting policies and assists in preparing and maintaining up-to-date written guidelines and manuals pertaining to cost analyzing.
Builds and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external customers, vendors, and contractors.
Maintains a favorable impression of the company with external customers through professional and courteous interactions.
Actively supports the achievement of company goals and objectives by applying expert knowledge of quantitative tools and techniques, cost analysis, budgets, and special reporting to financial reporting efforts.
Performs all tasks for 100% of the jobs assigned in a timely manner.
Meets financial, business, and project deadlines.
Works well with others under deadlines and responds to changes in priorities.
Ability to preserve confidential and proprietary information and successfully avoid conflicts-of-interest.
Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as all applicable laws and regulations.
A self-motivated and self-directed person who can work well in a highly autonomous environment and demonstrates strong follow through on tasks.

Supervisory responsibilities

None

Work environment
The work is generally performed indoors, may need to travel to project sites, or bid meetings.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for the entire duration of a work day.
May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
Occasionally will climb stairs, step ladders, etc.
Will lift, push, or pull objects on an occasional basis
Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
Will interact with people frequently during a work day
May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a regular basis
Will use telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices on a regular basis to communicate with internal and external clients, vendors, or the public.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel Required

May need to attend bid meetings or travel occasionally to project sites.
Will be required to live on-site for special projects as needed.

Required education and experience

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Mathematics, Project Management or Finance (or equivalent)
2-3 solid years of data analysis in a Production, Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation, or Logging Industry Environment.
Must have a strong Cost systems background and have excellent analytical skills; sound understanding of data base metrics.
Intermediate-to-advanced proficiency in MS Excel (including VLookups and pivot tables)
Comprehensive understanding of standard commercial terms (i.e., hourly NTE, cost plus, lump sum, etc.)
Excellent understanding of the logging, transportation, or construction industry.
General financial analysis skills.
Strong ability using rigorous logic and sound reasoning to solve difficult problems.
Ability to perform total cost analysis.

Preferred education and experience
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Business, Mathematics, Project Management, or Finance (or related field) or equivalent combination of technical training and related experience.

Experience & Industry Expertise:

3-5 years' experience in logging, transportation, or construction accounting, or equivalent combination of technical training and related experience.

Additional eligibility requirements

Valid California Driver's License.
Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening.

Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.