Civil Estimator

Prospectconst; Missoula (MT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical coverage

Profit-sharing/retirement program

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

A leading heavy civil contractor is seeking a Civil Project Estimator to join their team in Missoula, Montana. The role involves creating detailed cost estimates for complex water and wastewater treatment projects, leading outreach to subcontractors, and ensuring constructability. Candidates must possess advanced math skills, experience in heavy civil work, and familiarity with estimating software. Benefits include employer-paid medical coverage and a profit-sharing program.

Qualifications

• 5 years of heavy civil estimating experience required.
• Hands-on experience with complex data research activities.
• Experience in civil earthwork, grading, and utilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed cost estimates for projects.
• Research pricing based on historical and regional costs.
• Provide scoping of projects to create estimate summaries.

Skills

Advanced math skills

Data analysis skills

Detail oriented

Excellent time management

Strong interpersonal skills

Critical thinking

Education

BS degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Tools

HCSS

Timberline software

Trimble takeoffs

Job description

Building with Purpose. Delivering with Expertise.

Prospect Construction is a leading Heavy Civil Contractor specializing in complex water and wastewater treatment facilities and large-scale civil infrastructure. With decades of self‑perform capability and deep technical experience, we approach every project with precision, integrity, and a commitment to true partnership.

Founded in 1998 in Puyallup, Washington, Prospect has grown from its roots as a General Contractor into one of the Northwest’s premier treatment plant and civil infrastructure builders. Our success is driven by disciplined execution, problem‑solving expertise, and a team united by our core values—Passion, Courage, Team, and Stewardship.

As we’ve continued to expand our capabilities and impact, we’ve also broadened our geographic reach, now proudly serving communities throughout the Northwest in Puyallup, WA and Mountain West with offices in Missoula, Montana and Sheridan, Wyoming.

At Prospect Construction, we don’t just build projects—we build trust, relationships, and lasting infrastructure that strengthens the communities we serve.

Why do we exist? Prospect Construction seeks to glorify God by providing opportunities for our employees to utilize their unique gifts through construction to benefit and serve our families, stakeholders, and community. What do we do ? We construct unique, complex, and challenging projects for our clients throughout the west.

The Civil Project Estimator position requires advanced math skills, must be highly organized, critical thinking, detail oriented, has data analysis skills, and excellent time management and writing skills. The Civil Estimator must be able to gather proposals, read, and understand blueprints, specifications, and related documents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Civil Estimator

• Create detailed cost estimates arranged to follow the pricing format required by the project
• Research pricing for estimates based on historical and regional costs
• Provide high level scoping of the project to create the estimate summary and outsourcing control worksheets
• Lead outreach to subcontractor and supply community directly
• Visit project work sites, participate in pre‑proposal meetings, clarify scope of work, and prepare RFI’s
• Evaluate projects for constructability and value‑engineer cost savings
• Work closely with PCI personnel and other stakeholders to develop strategy, competitive differentiation, and an overall understanding of the project
• Understand and seek out specialty subcontractors and suppliers that fulfill the unique requirements of the project
• Develop and/or manage the development of a preliminary bid schedule
• Develop self‑performed estimates for the trades that we choose to self‑perform
• Work closely with subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders through the bid process to understand and capture the complete scope of each trade in the scope summary sheets and the estimate at large
• Accurately utilize project plans and specifications to identify scopes of work, assign crews, schedules, materials, and subcontracting opportunities
• Manage bid receipt of subcontractor and supplier pricing to develop PCI's final selling price and offer
• Understand and manage PCI's risk as part of the proposal preparation process
• Work with team to close the estimate
• Work on a preliminary project schedule based on the information provided in the plans and specifications utilizing software
• Proposal development and technical writing

Knowledge & Skills

• In‑depth knowledge of project management
• Hands on experience with complex data research activities
• Advanced understanding of data analysis methods
• Familiarity with civil estimating computer software
• Ability to multi‑task
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Critical‑thinker and problem‑solver
• Experienced in public excavating, roadwork, and utility construction.

Desired experience/certification

• BS degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management
• Minimum of 5 years of experience of heavy civil estimating experience
• Experience in Civil earthwork, grading and utilities, heavy civil work preferred
• Experience working with HCSS and Timberline software
• Knowledgeable with Trimble takeoffs
• Strong prioritization and organizational skills
• Sense of urgency and the ability to multi‑task
• Highly productive and willing to manage a busy work schedule independently
• Superior verbal and written (including technical) communication skills
• Ability to take an entire project from start to finish is desired

Benefits

• Employer‑paid medical coverage
• Profit‑sharing/retirement program
• Paid time off (PTO)

Prospect Construction, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.