Project Support Specialist

Overview

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.

This position will be located in: Phoenix, AZ or Bismarck, ND, or Fargo, ND, or Albertville, MN, or Maple Grove, MN, or Rapid City, SD, or Pewaukee, WI

Final date to receive applications:
March 5, 2026

Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed Final date to receive applications. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

The Project Support Specialist provides foundational technical understanding and project coordination for complex customer projects. This role bridges the gap between Project Manager and Project Account Manager by taking on higher-value tasks such as technical review, documentation management, risk identification, and partial ownership of customer-facing deliverables. This is a developmental role designed to build technical proficiency, customer interaction experience, and project execution capability for advancement.

Essential Functions

• Reviews and validates bills of material (BOMs), drawings, and specifications for accuracy prior handoff.
• Conducts basic material takeoffs for assigned scopes and helps identify material gaps, alternates, and technical solutions.
• Assists in preparing quotations, coordinating vendor pricing, and documenting competitive alternatives.
• Prepares customer-facing documentation including project status updates, delivery schedules, and technical submittal packages.
• Participates in customer and vendor meetings; may lead small portions of the discussion related to documentation, schedules, or open items.
• Proactively identifies customer concerns, schedule issues, or material risks and escalates them appropriately.
• Manages detailed project documentation including schedules, order logs, meeting notes, submittal tracking, RFIs, and change coordination.
• Monitors project workflow for delays, discrepancies, or risks and recommends corrective action to PMs or Account Managers.
• Coordinates closely with Project Coordinators, purchasing, logistics, and vendors to ensure alignment on material needs and timelines.
• Assists with vendor quoting, order accuracy review, order entry, and material expediting when appropriate.
• Supports portions of project budget tracking or margin verification as directed by Project Managers or Account Managers (without independent ownership).
• Provides technical support to internal teams regarding product selection, specification alignment, and substitution options.
• Provides temporary project coverage during staff absences ensuring continuity of communication and documentation.
• Participates in process improvement initiatives.

• Assists with vendor negotiations for best pricing and delivery of products to customers and/or jobsites.
• Sets up customer meetings, maintains and uploads negotiated pricing into bidding software and provides invoices.
• Documents missed opportunities.
• Participates in some or all of the following: product application and support, estimating, procurement, material management, staging, kitting, storage, job site delivery, and project close out.
• Contacts vendors for pricing and assists with trade shows as needed.
• Attends training programs, as required.
• Writes orders in SAP and delivers material.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

• Minimum of a business or trade degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience.
• 2+ years of prior customer service, quotation, or sales experience.
• Strong knowledge of electrical products and utility systems, preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of product lines and applications, alternate product substitutes, and supplier pricing policies, preferred.
• Proficiency in quoting software, preferred.
• Requires the ability to read, write and speak in English.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software.

• Strong technical ability to understand electrical systems and…