Senior Cost Estimator

Job Summary

Performs highly complex cost estimating assignments related to building, operating, and maintaining Metro's transportation projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares highly complex cost estimates and analyses for capital and professional services projects at concept, schematic, design development, and final design phases
• Compiles and analyzes data on all factors that influence costs, such as material, labor, equipment, and profit
• Evaluates cost estimate and analysis deliverables prepared by consultants for cost-containment, accuracy, uniformity, and completeness
• Conducts construction/project site visits gathering relevant information and determines what information to be used to produce project estimates
• Performs technical quality reviews of quotes, bids, change orders, value engineering reports, and claims for accuracy and completeness of stated costs
• Acquires and evaluates pricing documents and historical and vendor cost data for the development of cost estimates and price recommendations
• Accurately forecasts costs of future projects and changes to existing projects
• Prepares technical evaluations, cost estimating draft reports, memoranda, and letters, and presents recommendations to management
• Leads project specific estimating teams that are internal to Metro Estimating
• Oversees, trains, mentors, and guides assigned staff
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out
• May be required to perform other related job duties

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks):

• Theories, principles, and practices of cost estimating and construction, engineering, take-off, and contract pricing
• Preparation of feasibility cost estimates, various design control estimates, and bid estimates
• Cost estimating algorithms, cost analysis, estimating methodologies, and business mathematics
• Engineering drawings, specifications, schedules, and contracts
• Construction methods for rail and transportation projects, including buildings, reinforced concrete and steel structures, equipment relating to transportation systems, rail transit guideways, highways, streets, bridges, storm drain, sewer, and water, power, and communication utilities
• Sources of estimating data in the construction industry, such as labor and equipment productivity rates, composition of standard crews, construction cost indexes, etc.
• Use of personal computers, including cost estimating software
• Construction software, such as Timberline and On-Screen Takeoff
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things):

• Analyzing and preparing reliable, accurate, and complete cost estimates for complex capital projects
• Reading complex specifications, drawings, or blueprints
• Conducting research on pricing, escalation, manufacturing methods, and construction planning
• Preparing cost reports, trend analysis, and budgets
• Developing construction labor rates with fringe benefits, payroll taxes, and insurance
• Developing construction schedule and applying to construction budget
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making recommendations
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, and recommending solutions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result):

• Identify and analyze complex problems and put together preliminary budget estimates
• Understand and develop construction sequences for different types of work projects
• Compile and analyze complex cost and pricing data
• Monitor and manage assigned workload and meet tight time constraints
• Think and act independently
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and budgets
• Determine strategies to achieve goals
• Mediate and negotiate consensus solutions
• Make financial decisions within a budget
• Provide leadership, technical guidance, and motivation to assigned staff
• Travel to offsite locations
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Typical office situation

Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field

Experience

• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in cost estimating or contract pricing for major capital projects; some positions in this class may require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Certified Cost Estimator preferred
• Exposure to hazardous conditions during visits to construction sites