Construction Control Representative (Cost Estimator) - Public Buildings Service

GSA; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

GSA in Indianapolis is seeking a Construction Control Representative (Cost Estimator) to provide guidance on Architect/Engineering and Construction costs for federal projects, including modernization and new builds.

The role requires preparing detailed estimates, reviewing proposals, and supporting contract lifecycle management, with a focus on ensuring cost effectiveness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for construction projects (new builds, modernization, renovation, repair, alteration, and lease-construction).
• Analyze complex proposals including security, historic preservation, sustainability, ADA, hazardous materials, and other specialized requirements.
• Provide guidance and analysis on construction costs (materials, labor, etc.).
• Ensure cost estimates align with guidelines, ethics provisions, and applicable laws.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost estimates with bid-level detail for varied project types.
• Prepare budget and planning estimates for structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and more.
• Review and approve estimates; advise design teams to keep projects within budget and within regulations.
• Develop and review quantity takeoffs and parametric/definitive estimates using agency tools.
• Coordinate contract lifecycle for external subject matter experts and services.

Skills

Cost estimating

Budget analysis

Estimating guidance

Communication

Tools

Cost estimating software

Job description

Summary As a Construction Control Representative (Cost Estimator), you will provide guidance and analysis to personnel on several aspects of Architect/Engineering and Construction costs.

Location of position

Public Buildings Service, Office of Program & Project Management.

The Office of Program & Project Management oversees execution of the Public Buildings Service’s capital program and small projects.

We are currently filling 10 vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

• Prepares cost estimates with bid-level detail for new construction, modernization, renovation, repair, alteration, and lease-construction projects. Analyzes complex proposals, including those involving physical security, historic preservation, seismic upgrades, sustainability, ADA compliance, hazardous materials abatement, and other specialized requirements. Performs calculations to determine cost-effective material and design choices.
• Prepares budget and planning estimates for varied project types including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, office build-outs, parking, life-safety upgrades, security, accessibility, demolition, site work, historic preservation, seismic improvements, and any other construction related disciplines.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves Architect/Engineer cost estimates, price proposals, and detailed estimates for projects ranging from moderate to highly complex buildings and systems. Provides consultation to Architect/Engineering estimators, Project Managers, and design teams to ensure projects are designed within budget. Ensures estimates adhere to guidelines, accessibility codes, requirements, ethics provisions, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Develops, implements, and reviews Quantity Takeoffs using automated tools. Develops and reviews parametric and definitive estimates using agency tools and commercial estimating software.
• In collaboration with Contract Specialist, manages and coordinates the entire contract lifecycle for external subject matter experts and other services, from initial identification and procurement through contract negotiation, execution, and closeout.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• US Citizens and National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position

Qualifications

To evaluate your qualifications, your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience described below. Your resume must not exceed two pages. To ensure your qualifications can be fully evaluated, we recommend including the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, email address;
• Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade);
• Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement.
• Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts.

Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible.

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-12 salary range starts at $89,508per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service.

Specialized experience

Specialized experience is experience preparing detailed cost estimates for new construction, modernization, renovation, repair, alternation and lease-construction projects. This experience must include:

• Using cost estimating software to prepare estimates;
• Gathering data, analyzing estimates and developing proposals for changes involving building modifications;
• Ensuring cost estimate consistency across diverse project types;
• Providing guidance and analysis on construction costs (including: materials, labor, etc.);
• Making recommendations regarding contract specifications and construction practices.

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

• Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
• Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee
• Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

This vacancy may be filled in any of the following locations:

• Atlanta, GA
• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Fort Worth, TX
• Kansas City, MO
• New York, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, DC
• Philadelphia, PA
• Cleveland, OH
• Syracuse, NY
• Spokane, WA
• New Orleans, LA
• Tucson, AZ
• Los Angeles, CA
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Indianapolis, IN
• Minneapolis, MN
• Seattle, WA
• Raleigh, NC
• Tacoma, WA
• Denver/Lakewood, CO

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including:

• Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
• Life insurance coverage with several options
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
• Transit and child care subsidies
• Flexible spending accounts
• Long-term care insurance
• Training and development

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.