Lead Estimator

lemoinecompany; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

LEMOINE is seeking a CDBG-DR Lead Estimator to join the Florida disaster recovery team in the Tampa Bay area. You will handle complex Xactimate scoping and cost estimation while guiding a team of estimators and inspectors to ensure consistency and audit-ready files.

The role requires 5+ years in construction estimating, with HUD CDBG-DR knowledge, Level 2 Xactimate certification, and travel across Florida. A degree in a related field is preferred and a valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; High school diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years in construction estimating, with at least 3 years in CDBG-DR or federally funded housing recovery programs.
• Xactimate Level 2 certification required for residential estimating and documentation.
• Knowledge of residential trades including roofing, structural, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and repairs.
• Experience guiding a team of estimators or field staff.
• Strong knowledge of HUD CDBG-DR cost eligibility requirements and Green Building Standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review complex Xactimate-based cost estimates and scopes for housing recovery projects in Hillsborough/Pinellas counties.
• Collaborate with Estimators to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance; review scopes and provide feedback.
• Maintain estimating standards, templates, cost schedules, and documentation practices.
• Create estimating macros and templates to streamline scope development and improve efficiency.
• Conduct property inspections to gather measurements, document conditions, and identify items for repair.
• Evaluate contractor proposals against approved estimates and document variances for board review.
• Coordinate with Construction Manager to align estimate scope with eligibility, schedules, and drawdown timelines.
• Contribute to QA/QC to ensure complete, defensible files for HUD monitoring and audits.
• Share best practices on Xactimate methodology, eligibility, and documentation standards.
• Assist with scope development for higher-value repairs including elevation and green building compliance.
• Track production progress and report change order trends to management.
• Support federal monitoring visits and program audits with well-prepared files.
• Adhere to LIFE Safe Work Practices and travel across Florida as needed.

Skills

Xactimate expertise

CDBG-DR knowledge

HUD cost eligibility

Construction estimating

Team guidance

Documentation discipline

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's/Associate in Construction Management or Engineering

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Xactimate Level 2

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management software

Cost-tracking tools (database-driven)

Job description

CDBG-DR Lead Estimator – Disaster Recovery Housing

LEMOINE, a Great Place to Work®-Certified company, is a recognized leader in the field of disaster recovery and reconstruction. With a commitment to excellence and a track record of successful execution, LEMOINE has earned its reputation as a trusted partner in disaster recovery efforts.

Our organization plays a pivotal role in disaster recovery and resiliency programs, including those funded through HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT), FEMA Individual Assistance (IA), FEMA Public Assistance (PA), FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and initiatives led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

LEMOINE is seeking a CDBG-DR Lead Estimator to bring experience and technical depth to our Florida disaster recovery team. Working alongside estimators, inspectors, and construction managers in the Tampa Bay area, this role handles complex Xactimate scoping and cost estimation while helping to support consistency and quality across the estimating team's work in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and surrounding counties. This position may also support other Florida programs as our work grows across the state.

Job Responsibilities

• Prepare and review complex Xactimate-based cost estimates and scopes of work for residential properties enrolled in CDBG-DR housing recovery programs in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and surrounding counties, including higher-complexity reconstruction, home elevation, and hazard mitigation projects.
• Work alongside Estimators to help ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance across the team's estimates; review completed scopes and provide technical feedback.
• Help maintain estimating standards, Xactimate templates, cost schedule benchmarks, and documentation practices for use across the estimating team.
• Proficiently create estimating macros and standardized templates to streamline Xactimate scope development, improve consistency across the team, and increase scope creation efficiency.
• Conduct or participate in property inspections to gather field measurements, document existing conditions, photograph damage, and identify all eligible repair and replacement items.
• Serve as a technical resource for change order review; evaluate contractor proposals against approved estimates, document variances, and share recommendations with the Construction Manager.
• Collaborate closely with the Construction Manager and Deputy Construction Manager to align estimate scope with program eligibility requirements, production schedules, and drawdown timelines.
• Contribute to quality control across estimate files; help ensure all documentation is complete, defensible, and ready for HUD monitoring and OIG audit review.
• Share knowledge and best practices with Estimators and Construction Inspectors on Xactimate methodology, CDBG-DR cost eligibility, scope development, and documentation standards.
• Assist with scope development for specialized and higher-value repair activities including structural reconstruction, home elevation, accessibility modifications, and Green Building Standards compliance.
• Track estimating production progress and share quality observations and change order trends with the Construction Manager.
• Contribute to internal QA/QC processes and help prepare for federal monitoring visits and program audits.
• Adhere to and promote LEMOINE's LIFE Safe Work Practices.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the Tampa Bay area and across Florida as program needs require; valid driver's license required.

Physical Demands

The physical and mental demands of this position must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; High school diploma or GED required.
• 5+ years of experience in construction estimating, with at least 3 years in CDBG-DR or other federally funded housing recovery programs.
• Xactimate Level 2 certified (minimum) for residential construction estimating, scope development, and cost documentation; required.
• In-depth knowledge of residential construction trades across all disciplines including roofing, structural, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and general repair.
• Experience working alongside or providing guidance to a team of estimators or construction field staff.
• Strong working knowledge of HUD CDBG-DR cost eligibility requirements, Green Building Standards, Davis-Bacon Act, and federal documentation standards.
• Excellent documentation discipline; ability to establish and enforce estimating standards that produce audit-ready files across a high-volume program portfolio.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project or program management platforms; experience with database-driven cost tracking tools preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills; ability to clearly explain cost positions to contractors, program staff, and federal reviewers.
• Valid driver's license; willingness and ability to travel to scattered residential sites throughout the Tampa Bay area and across Florida.

Section 3

This position is a Section 3 eligible job opportunity under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Section 3 residents are encouraged to apply. The purpose of Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968 is to ensure that preference for employment opportunities generated from the expenditure of HUD funds is directed to local low and very low-income persons, particularly those who receive federal housing assistance. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected may not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Lemoine Company, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.