ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN (CIVIL).

US Army Corps of Engineers; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Army Corps of Engineers in Philadelphia is seeking a Cost Estimator to support civil works and military project budgeting. You will prepare itemized cost breakdowns for labor, materials, equipment, and rentals, and perform research to inform budgets.

Responsibilities include developing and updating cost estimates, reviewing drawings for pricing, obtaining vendor quotes, and supporting feasibility studies with data-driven analysis.

Qualifications

• Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
• Experience in cost estimation and data collection from multiple sources.
• Ability to review technical drawings and extract pricing information.

Responsibilities

• Prepares or directs cost breakdowns for labor, materials, equipment, rentals, etc.
• Researches cost data, labor needs, terrain conditions before budgeting.
• Visits project sites to assess field conditions affecting costs.
• Prepares estimates for feasibility studies and budget design memoranda.
• Develops and updates cost estimates, project histories and risk analyses.
• Provides consulting input on cost-related decisions and feasibility.

Skills

Cost estimating

Data entry

Quantity take-offs

Vendor quotes

MCACES

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MCACES

Job description

Duties

• Prepares or directs the preparation of an itemized breakdown of the cost of each phase of the project for labor, materials, equipment, rentals, etc.
• Conducts research and investigation on cost data, labor requirements, terrain conditions, etc., prior to the preparation of budget estimates.
• Visits proposed projects sites when necessary to determine field conditions which may affect costs, i.e., location and condition of site, accessibility with respect to shipment of materials, character and scope of work, etc.
• Prepares estimates for feasibility studies, budget estimates and design memoranda for civil works and military projects based on ideas, sketches, preliminary plans and very limited information.
• Develops and updates cost estimates, project cost histories, and risk analysis based cost estimates during all phases of a project survey reports
• Serves in a consulting capacity with planning and operation personnel on matters affecting job costs and makes recommendations as to the need for or feasibility of suggested changes

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• May be required to serve a one year probationary period, if not already completed.
• Incumbent is required to obtain and keep current a valid driver's license.
• May be required to travel up to 10% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

Specialized Experience at the GS-05 level:

One year of specialized experience which includes (1) Assisting with the review of technical drawings or documents. AND/OR Performing basic data entry into a database or spreadsheet. AND/OR Gathering or compiling technical or pricing information from various sources. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).
OR
Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-06 level:

One year of specialized experience which includes Performing basic quantity take-offs from contract drawings. AND/OR Entering data into cost estimating software (such as MCACES). AND/OR Obtaining price quotes from vendors to support cost estimates. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR
Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-07 level:

One year of specialized experience which includes Completing quantity take-offs by determining materials required for projects. AND/OR Utilizing cost estimating software (such as MCACES) to prepare simple cost estimates. AND/OR Reviewing cost estimates to identify and report potential errors. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06)
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-08 level

One year of specialized experience which includes Performing quantity take-offs for multi-disciplined projects. AND/OR Developing and analyzing cost estimates using cost estimating software (such as MCACES). AND/OR Reviewing plans and specifications to identify potential discrepancies for cost estimates. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07)
OR
Education: One and a half years of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-09 level

One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing budgetary and control estimates by quantifying all work items and considering indirect costs. AND/OR Reviewing project plans and specifications to recommend changes for biddability and design. AND/OR Assisting in the preparation of cost estimates for projects to be advertised. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08)
OR
Education: 2 years progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a relevant field, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages.

Specialized Experience at the GS-10 level:

One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing concept, preliminary, and final cost estimates for budgetary purposes. AND/OR Reviewing plans and specifications and recommending changes to design engineers. AND/OR Preparing cost estimates for change orders or value engineering studies. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09)
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. At this level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted

Specialized Experience at the GS-11 level:

One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing and summarizing total project estimates, including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines. AND/OR Preparing cost estimates for complex projects (such as bridges, dams, or military facilities) with little to no precedent. AND/OR Evaluating alternate designs proposed by contractors and reviewing estimates prepared by Architect-Engineering (A-E) firms. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. At this level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION:

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• This announcement uses the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD, Section 9905 direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• This is an Engineers and Scientists (Resources and Construction) Career Program position aligned under the Construction, Analysis, Science, Infrastructure & Engineers (CASIE) Career Management Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• Recruitment, relocation or student loan repayment incentive may be authorized pending management and district approval and interest.

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.

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.

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.