Lead Project Cost Estimator

Pacificaservices; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

PacificaServices is seeking a qualified candidate in Los Angeles, CA, to supervise a team of estimators for construction projects. The ideal candidate needs at least 14 years of professional experience in cost estimating for complex building projects, along with formal education in architecture, engineering, or construction management.

Experience with supervising estimators and thorough knowledge of current labor and material costs are essential. This full-time role promises an attractive salary range of $200,000 - $216,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 14 years full-time experience in preparing cost estimates or a minimum of 20 years of relevant experience.
• 3-5 years of supervisory experience in estimating.
• Experience working for a construction cost consulting firm for at least five years.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of estimators.
• Participate in preparing construction cost estimates.
• Review contractor claims for accountability.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Extensive knowledge of construction cost estimates

Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly

Knowledge of local construction costs

Experience with change orders

Education

Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or construction management

Job description

Responsibilities

• Leads and supervises a team of Estimators, including designating daily assignments
• Plans and participates in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications
• Prepares and reviews cost estimates and forms and other materials submitted to secure State and/or federal grants and loans from school aid programs and represents the district on matters pertinent to securing such funds
• Checks construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compares them with District estimates
• Confers with commissioned architects and engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and District estimates for each project and negotiates agreements on preliminary estimates of construction costs
• Conducts studies and prepare reports when contractors' bids vary widely from the agreed construction cost estimate
• Checks segregations of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommends acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments
• Analyzes change orders on construction work under contract and approves or rejects extras or credits submitted
• Prepares or reviews cost estimates for projects
• Establishes and maintains procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects to public bidding
• Develop methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs
• Conducts and participates in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors relative to school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating
• Estimates costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism
• Establishes budgets for school building projects
• Assists other branches with related functions
• Prepares preliminary and final independent cost estimates of projects for comparison with designer or contractor for PM/CM to establish negotiating position
• Provides support in price negotiations
• Prepares claim analysis and estimates
• Review of contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability
• Performs related duties as assigned

Combined Qualifications

Candidates who meet one of the two sets of combined qualifications below will be considered for this position.

A) Fourteen (14) years full‑time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for major/complex type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building codes

AND

Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or construction management

AND

Three (3) years of full‑time paid experience in supervising estimators

AND

Must have worked for a construction cost consulting firm for at least five (5) years

OR

A) Twenty (20) or more years solid full‑time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for major/complex type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building codes

AND

Degree not required

AND

Five (5) years of full‑time paid experience in supervising estimators

AND

Must have worked for a construction cost consulting firm for at least five (5) years

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Extensive knowledge and experience in developing conceptual and pre‑construction cost estimates for complex school building projects
• Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast‑paced working environment
• Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs
• Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders
• Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences
• Ability to develop scope of work based on RFI/RFC answers and estimates the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal

Details

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Salary:$200000 - $216000 /per year

Skill Level: Mid‑Senior Level