Cost Estimator

STV Incorporated; New York (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare

Dependent Care

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Continuing Education Program

Job summary

STV Incorporated seeks a Cost Estimator within its Project Controls group for the NYC School Construction Authority assignment. The role develops detailed estimates and independent cost analyses for proposed construction change orders, validating quantities, labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor pricing.

The successful candidate will negotiate with contractors, review change orders, and support project management through scope verification and impact assessments, leveraging experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–5+ years of estimating experience.
• Experience with quantity takeoffs and cost analysis from construction documents.

Responsibilities

• Review and validate change requests and proposed change orders.
• Analyze RFIs and scope revisions for contractual validity.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and develop labor, material, equipment costs.
• Review contractor pricing and negotiate fair, reasonable costs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related field

Tools

RSMeans

Bluebeam

Sage Estimating

Job description

STV is seeking a highly skilled Cost Estimator with our Project Controls group as an extension of staff at NYC School Construction Authority This role will be responsible for developing accurate, detailed estimates to review, analyze, and develop independent cost estimates for proposed construction change orders. Validate quantities, labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor pricing, overhead, and profit markups. Negotiate fair and reasonable costs with contractors, and provide detailed recommendations to project management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Review and Validate Change Requests Analyze proposed change orders, RFIs, and scope revisions. Determine whether the change is contractually valid. Verify that the change is truly outside the original contract scope. Identify cost, schedule, and constructability impacts.

Quantity Takeoff and Cost Development

Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for changed work. Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect costs. Apply productivity factors and local market conditions. Prepare independent estimates for comparison against contractor proposals.

Evaluate Contractor Change Order Pricing

Review contractor cost breakdowns. Verify labor rates, burden, equipment rates, production assumptions, and material pricing. Validate overhead and profit markups. Identify unsupported or excessive costs.

Negotiate Change Orders

Participate in negotiations with contractors and subcontractors. Prepare fact-based recommendations regarding fair and reasonable pricing. Support owners, CM teams, and project managers during negotiations.

Conduct Scope Reviews

Potential for project sites visits to verify existing conditions. Review field conditions affecting changed work. Coordinate scope with engineers, architects, contractors, and project managers. Resolve quantity and scope discrepancies.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related construction or field (or equivalent experience) 3–5+ years of estimating experience Experience with quantity take-offs and cost analysis from construction documents Knowledge of construction means and methods, materials, and cost drivers Excellent analytical, communication, and coordination skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with public-sector, educational, institutional, or vertical construction projects. Experience reviewing contractor change order submissions and claims. Familiarity with NYC construction practices and prevailing wage requirements. Proficiency with estimating tools and software (e.g., RSMeans, Bluebeam, Sage Estimating or similar software tools)

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Compensation Range

$86,464.77 - $98,816.88

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Back-Up Dependent Care
• Parental Leave
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good‑faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow. STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category. STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world‑class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations. Learn more atstvinc.com. STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more. STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.