Chief Estimator — Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a senior Estimator to lead the WWTP estimating team, set performance standards, drive strategy, and align estimating with company growth.
You will collaborate with project managers and field teams to ensure constructability and accurate pricing on complex water and wastewater plant projects. In this role you will mentor estimators, takeoff staff, and support continuous process improvements while staying current with market
Qualifications
- 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction with a focus on water and wastewater treatment plant projects.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing or mentoring estimating teams.
- Proven success improving bid strategy, competitiveness, and win rates.
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the WWTP estimating team, setting standards for performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive estimating strategy to improve win rates, margin performance, and project selection.
- Partner with executive leadership and operations teams to align estimating efforts with company growth goals.
- Contribute to go/no-go decisions based on risk, competitiveness, and strategic fit.
Skills
Tools
Job description
At Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc., we don’t just build infrastructure — we build life-changing infrastructure. We are a privately owned, employee-owned (ESOP) civil contracting firm based in Jacksonville, FL.
At Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc., we don’t just build infrastructure — we build life-changing infrastructure. We are a privately owned, employee-owned (ESOP) civil contracting firm based in Jacksonville, FL. We specialize in public works, water resources (including water and wastewater treatment plants), and site development, with expertise in underground utilities, roadway construction, and related civil infrastructure.
- Lead and develop the WWTP estimating team, setting standards for performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Drive estimating strategy to improve win rates, margin performance, and project selection.
- Partner with executive leadership and operations teams to align estimating efforts with company growth goals.
- Contribute to go/no-go decisions based on risk, competitiveness, and strategic fit.
- Oversee the preparation of detailed, accurate estimates for complex water and wastewater treatment plant projects.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and completeness across bids and proposals.
- Review and validate pricing, production assumptions, and risk factors.
- Lead final estimate reviews and present project strategies internally.
- Mentor and develop estimators, takeoff specialists, and support staff.
- Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous learning.
- Establish processes, tools, and standards that improve estimating efficiency and quality.
- Work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, and field teams to ensure constructability and alignment.
- Support preconstruction efforts, including value engineering and cost optimization strategies.
- Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and industry partners.
- Analyze historical cost data, production rates, and bid outcomes to refine estimating processes.
- Implement improvements to estimating systems, software, and workflows.
- Stay current with market trends, pricing shifts, and industry best practices.
- 10+ years of estimating experience in heavy civil construction, with a strong focus on water and wastewater treatment plant projects.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing or mentoring estimating teams.
- Proven success improving bid strategy, competitiveness, and win rates.
- Strong understanding of project risk, cost drivers, construction methods, and production rates.
- Ability to read and interpret complex civil, structural, process, and mechanical plans and specifications.
- Experience with estimating software such as HCSS, Bid2Win, Bluebeam, PlanSwift, or similar platforms.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Teams.
- High level of ownership and accountability.
- Strong communicator who can align teams and drive decisions.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance risk and opportunity.
- Committed to developing people and building strong teams.
Accountability – Safety first. Plan the work. Execute with ownership.
Character – Integrity, respect, trustworthiness, humility.
Team – Shared goals, servant leadership, determination, and results.
- Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Annual Profit Sharing – participate in company-wide profit sharing once annual goals are achieved.
- Monthly Safety Bonus – earned when the company goes recordable-incident free.
- Comprehensive health coverage options, including a 100% company-paid High Deductible Health Plan (employee-only coverage).
- Dental, vision, short/long-term disability, and accident coverage.
- Up to $50,000 employer-paid life insurance.
- 401(k) with 100% match on the first 4%.
- Ongoing training, leadership development, and growth opportunities.
- Based in Jacksonville, FL.
- Projects and pursuits are generally located within approximately a 400-mile radius of Jacksonville.
- Travel as needed to support project pursuits, site visits, and team collaboration.
- Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
- Professional appearance and conduct.
- Commitment to living Petticoat-Schmitt’s values of Accountability, Character, and Teamwork.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL since 2007, Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. is a privately owned, employee-owned (ESOP) civil contracting firm. We specialize in public works, water resources (including water and wastewater treatment plants), and site development, with expertise in underground utilities, roadway construction, and related civil infrastructure.
Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
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