Senior Construction Estimator

JLS Environmental Services, Inc; Loomis (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

JLS Environmental Services, Inc is seeking a Senior Estimator to leverage extensive construction knowledge and leadership to drive accurate estimating and profitable bids across projects in Northern and Central California and Nevada.

The role requires strong blueprint reading, contract understanding, and coordination with subcontractors; experience with prevailing wage rules is beneficial and bilingual abilities are a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Engineering, Construction Management degree, or equivalent experience is necessary.
• Minimum 10 years of construction industry experience; 5–8 years in estimating is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor Junior Estimators.
• Review plans, specs, and contracts to understand client needs.
• Develop detailed project scopes with materials lists and exclusions.
• Conduct site visits to gather measurements and details.
• Negotiate with subcontractors to secure competitive pricing.
• Oversee bids and proposals to align with budget and scope.
• Facilitate project handovers and change orders.
• Identify upsell opportunities to increase project value.

Skills

Self-starter

Estimating skills

Local subcontractor knowledge

Contract law knowledge

Blueprint reading

Project scheduling

Prevailing Wage knowledge

Bilingual ability

Microsoft Office

Estimating software proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Engineering or Construction Management degree

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a Senior Estimator to bring their years of experience and construction knowledge to our growing team! We hold ourselves accountable to excellence by living our core values of being dependable, thoughtful and solution-focused. If you exhibit these traits, JLS is the place to work!

JOB REQUIREMENTS

To excel in this role, candidates must be able to fulfill all aspects of the job description in a satisfactory manner. The following qualifications, skills, and abilities are required, and reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Drivers License and copy of Driver’s Record or Letter of Clearance from the DMV
• Engineering, Construction Management degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the construction industry
• Minimum 5 – 8 years of estimating experience within the construction industry

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Must be a self-starter with the ability to quickly put others at ease and inspire trust
• Strong conceptual estimating skills
• Knowledge of local subcontractor community and all trades
• Fundamental knowledge of contract law, project accounting and safety requirements for construction projects
• Ability to work well independently and contribute effectively on team-based projects
• Ability to read blueprints and understand specifications for all trades
• Knowledgeable of project scheduling, planning, expediting and cost control
• Knowledgeable of Prevailing Wage processes and procedures helpful
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (bilingual a plus)
• Strong attention to detail and process-oriented
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities
• Sense of urgency in all tasks assigned and highly organized
• Strong focus on problem-solving
• Must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of multiple estimating software and comfortable with complex spreadsheets, database programs, and on-screen takeoff programs

MAIN JOB DUTIES:

The primary duties of the Estimator include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and mentor Junior Estimators as assigned, guiding their professional growth and ensuring alignment with company standards.
• Review and analyze project plans, specifications, and contract requirements to fully understand client needs.
• Develop detailed project scopes, including material lists, exclusions, and alternates, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
• Conduct site visits to assess job conditions, gather measurements, and document key project details.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with subcontractors to secure competitive pricing and ensure project requirements are met.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of bids and proposals, verifying alignment with budget goals and scope expectations.
• Facilitate project handovers, ensuring clear communication of details to project teams.
• Prepare and manage change orders to reflect scope adjustments, ensuring project budgets and schedules remain on track.
• Identify opportunities for upselling additional services or solutions to enhance project value and profitability.

PHYSICAL

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend, and crouch.
• The employee must have a full range of body movements including use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, computer equipment and peripherals; ability to climb ladders, and access confined spaces.
• Must have command of all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. These vision requirements in each area must be sufficient to shift in focus from computer screens to close forms.
• Must have the ability to lift 80 pounds with regularity.
• Evening and/or early morning and/or weekend work may be required on an intermittent basis, to complete reports on a timely basis or for special projects and/or meetings and because of special hours of operation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position involves working both indoors in a climate-controlled office and outdoors on job sites with varying weather conditions and noise levels. Exposure to dust, fumes, mold, and chemicals may occur on job sites. The employee may work near heavy equipment and moving mechanical parts. The hours may be longer during specific projects, and attendance at scheduled management meetings outside of regular working hours is required. The Estimator is expected to determine and maintain the hours necessary to succeed in this key management position.

Company Description

JLS is a full-service contractor handling demolition, remediation, reconstruction, and land management throughout Northern and Central California and Nevada. We hold ourselves Accountable to Excellence meaning we show up, solve problems, communicate clearly, and deliver high-quality craftsmanship on every project. Our in-house crews and management team work together from start to finish to ensure projects run safely, efficiently, and with care.

Our Core Values:

• Dependable: We follow through. Our reputation is built on doing what we say we will every time.
• Thoughtful: We treat people with respect. Whether it’s a homeowner experiencing a loss or a commercial client on a deadline, we communicate, support, and work with patience and clarity.
• Solution-Focused: We don’t just point out problems... we fix them. Challenging jobs are where we do our best work.

We believe that when our team is supported, trained, and valued, our clients feel the difference. We invest in growth, promote from within, and create an environment where people take pride in their work. If you want to build your skills, make an impact, and be part of a team that stands behind its work then you’ll fit right in here.

Company Description

JLS is a full-service contractor handling demolition, remediation, reconstruction, and land management throughout Northern and Central California and Nevada. We hold ourselves Accountable to Excellence meaning we show up, solve problems, communicate clearly, and deliver high-quality craftsmanship on every project. Our in-house crews and management team work together from start to finish to ensure projects run safely, efficiently, and with care.Our Core Values:Dependable: We follow through. Our reputation is built on doing what we say we will every time.Thoughtful: We treat people with respect. Whether it’s a homeowner experiencing a loss or a commercial client on a deadline, we communicate, support, and work with patience and clarity.Solution-Focused: We don’t just point out problems... we fix them. Challenging jobs are where we do our best work.We believe that when our team is supported, trained, and valued, our clients feel the difference. We invest in growth, promote from within, and create an environment where people take pride in their work. If you want to build your skills, make an impact, and be part of a team that stands behind its work then you’ll fit right in here.