What are the responsibilities and job description for the Preconstruction Co-Op position at Higley Construction?
About the Company – Celebrating 100 Years of Building Community & 100% Employee-Owned
Higley Construction is one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. This year, we proudly celebrate 100 years in business — a century defined by our unwavering dedication to our core values: people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since 1925, we’ve helped our clients bring their goals and visions to life, always guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
The Preconstruction Co-Op position provides college students with hands-on experience in the preconstruction phase of commercial construction projects. In this role, you will work closely with preconstruction managers, estimators, and project teams to support estimating, document analysis, and project planning. You will gain exposure to the processes that transform project concepts into actionable construction plans, contributing to both office and field operations. This position will be located in Cleveland for the Summer of 2026.
Responsibilities
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
Job Requirements
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from jobsites, meetings, client offices, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It also may require climbing ladders and scaffolding, riding in mobile elevated work platforms at heights of up to 80 feet, and entering and working in confined or tight spaces. It involves remaining in a stationary position—standing or sitting—for extended periods, as well as frequent movement between tasks or worksites, including walking on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The position requires lifting or adjusting objects, including weights ranging from 30 to 50 pounds without difficulty, as well as performing repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, or fingers. Use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, and materials is frequent, and tasks may involve operating spray test equipment, construction site tools, power tools, machinery, and heavy equipment. Employees must be able to wear fall protection gear and respiratory protection.
Environmental Conditions:Work may take place in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to high and low temperatures, inclement weather such as rain, wind, and snow, and getting wet during specific tasks. The role may also involve working in dusty environments, areas with extreme noise, poor ventilation, and small or enclosed spaces. In some instances, no adverse environmental conditions are expected.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from Recruiters or Agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing and will treat unsolicited resumes as Higley Construction property.
Higley Construction is one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. This year, we proudly celebrate 100 years in business — a century defined by our unwavering dedication to our core values: people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since 1925, we’ve helped our clients bring their goals and visions to life, always guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
The Preconstruction Co-Op position provides college students with hands-on experience in the preconstruction phase of commercial construction projects. In this role, you will work closely with preconstruction managers, estimators, and project teams to support estimating, document analysis, and project planning. You will gain exposure to the processes that transform project concepts into actionable construction plans, contributing to both office and field operations. This position will be located in Cleveland for the Summer of 2026.
Responsibilities
- Review project design drawings and specifications to perform accurate quantity takeoffs and define scope.
- Assist in preparing and maintaining estimate logs, bid packages, and invitations to bid.
- Support the development of design-phase estimates (conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction document pricing).
- Participate in document management, including tracking RFIs, submittals, and estimate clarifications.
- Analyze subcontractor and vendor bids, identifying scope gaps and potential risks.
- Attend and document preconstruction meetings, including internal team sessions and external presentations.
- Utilize construction and estimating software (e.g., On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, Beck Destini Estimator, Excel, Microsoft Office, SharePoint).
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure estimates align with project goals and specifications.
- Participate in constructability reviews and value engineering discussions.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable contributing and collaborating in team settings.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and eager to learn construction estimating and planning tools.
- Analytical thinker with strong mathematical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficient in, or willing to learn, construction and estimating software.
- Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program in civil engineering, construction management, or a related architectural/engineering field.
- Strong interest in preconstruction, estimating, and commercial construction, with a desire to build a career in construction management and deepen industry knowledge.
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
Job Requirements
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from jobsites, meetings, client offices, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It also may require climbing ladders and scaffolding, riding in mobile elevated work platforms at heights of up to 80 feet, and entering and working in confined or tight spaces. It involves remaining in a stationary position—standing or sitting—for extended periods, as well as frequent movement between tasks or worksites, including walking on snow-covered or icy surfaces. The position requires lifting or adjusting objects, including weights ranging from 30 to 50 pounds without difficulty, as well as performing repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, or fingers. Use of hands and arms to handle tools, equipment, and materials is frequent, and tasks may involve operating spray test equipment, construction site tools, power tools, machinery, and heavy equipment. Employees must be able to wear fall protection gear and respiratory protection.
Environmental Conditions:Work may take place in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to high and low temperatures, inclement weather such as rain, wind, and snow, and getting wet during specific tasks. The role may also involve working in dusty environments, areas with extreme noise, poor ventilation, and small or enclosed spaces. In some instances, no adverse environmental conditions are expected.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from Recruiters or Agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing and will treat unsolicited resumes as Higley Construction property.