Senior Project Cost Estimator

Cordoba Corporation; California; On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm is seeking a Senior Project Cost Estimator to support the Construction Manager in creating and finalizing construction cost estimates for school projects. This role requires a strong background in cost estimation, excellent negotiation skills, and effective communication, alongside a bachelor's degree and significant experience.

Benefits

Medical and dental insurance plans

401k with industry-leading employer match

Generous vacation and sick leave accruals

Flexible spending accounts (FSA)

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• 10 years full-time professional experience in cost estimation.
• 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of local construction costs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare construction cost estimates for school buildings.
• Analyze contractor bids and change orders.
• Maintain cost data records.

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Cost Estimation

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Senior Project Cost Estimator will support the Construction Manager (Owners Rep) create and finalize construction cost estimates for school buildings and structures within a DSA environment. This role involves analyzing contractor bids and change orders and assist the Construction Manager in negotiating claims. The candidate will maintain cost data records and participates in seminars on bidding procedures. A bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management, 10 years of professional experience in cost estimation, including two years in a supervisory role, is required. Strong knowledge of local construction costs, excellent negotiation skills, and effective communication are essential.

Responsibilities

• Plans, supervises, 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.
• Makes studies and prepares 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.
• Develops 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.
• Prepares change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position.
• Provides support in price negotiations.
• Prepares claim analyses and estimates.
• Reviews contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering or construction management
• 10 years full-time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building code, including two years in a supervisory capacity
• 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
• Good oral and written communications skills

Salary Range: $160,000 - $175,000 per year.

Location: Los Angeles

Work Environment: Onsite

Our Company

Cordoba Corporation, Making a Difference

Cordoba Corporation is a leading civil engineering, construction management, program management, and planning firm. Our expertise spans diverse sectors, including education and facilities, transportation, water, and energy. Collaborating closely with our clients, we have successfully delivered complex and high-impact infrastructure projects across California.

National Recognition - Cordoba’s efforts have garnered national acclaim. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has consistently ranked us as a “top 100 construction management firm” and a “top 50 program management firm.” Additionally, ENR recognized Cordoba as a “top 100 design firm” in California in 2018. Our business model emphasizes efficiency, fostering a dynamic work environment. We approach projects with multifaceted strategies, ensuring successful outcomes.

Statewide Presence - With headquarters in Los Angeles, Cordoba maintains a strong statewide presence. Our offices extend to San Francisco, Sacramento, San Ramon, Chatsworth, Santa Ana, Ontario, and San Diego.

Enhancing Employee Well-Being

Benefits and Perks: We offer multiple medical and dental insurance plans, as well as vision insurance. Plans are subsidized for both employees and dependents with coverage effective the first month after hire. Additionally, Cordoba provides employees with paid AD&D and life insurance, a 401k with an industry leading employer match, generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 9 paid holidays, and other forms of paid time off. We also offer flexible spending accounts (FSA’s) including medical care reimbursement, dependent care reimbursement, and commuter benefit plans. Employees are also eligible for our employee assistance program and well-being benefits that include stress management, nutrition, and financial well-being.

Cordoba Corporation provides equal employment opportunities, promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Harassment-Free Workplace: We strictly prohibit workplace harassment based on any factor, including race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Cordoba is committed to fostering a healthy and happy lifestyle for our employees, both within and beyond the workplace.

For inquiries or accommodations, please contact our HR Department at: [phone].

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