Estimator II

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

RES is looking for an Estimator II to join our team.

As an Estimator II at RES, you’ll play a key role in leading the estimating effort for medium-sized restoration and construction projects. This is a mid-level position for someone who not only understands how to build accurate estimates, but can also mentor junior estimators, train others in safe work practices, and help shape how projects are planned and delivered. You’ll work closely with project managers, operations leaders, and field teams to interpret plans, integrate construction sequencing, and produce clear, defensible estimates that support competitive bids and successful project execution.

Why You’ll Love This Job

Impactful work:
You’ll be pricing projects that reshape streams, wetlands, and landscapes—work that improves resilience, water quality, and habitat in communities across the country.

Technical leadership:
You’ll be the go-to person for complex takeoffs, advanced calculations, and the use of estimating tools like Agtek, OST, and Bluebeam—while helping others grow in these areas.

Mentorship & training:
You’ll guide junior estimators and field staff in reading plans, understanding design intent, and applying safe, efficient construction practices.

Safety-forward culture:
You won’t just follow safety procedures—you’ll help train others in PPE and safe work methods, reinforcing RES’s commitment to sending everyone home safe.

A Day in the Life

As an Estimator II at RES, your day starts with owning a bid—often in the $1–2M range. You’re reviewing the plans for a stream restoration or site grading project, breaking them down not just by quantities, but by how the work will actually be built. You think through access, phasing, crew sizes, and equipment moves, and you incorporate that sequence of construction directly into your estimate.

You might spend part of the morning in Excel and estimating software, building out a detailed cost breakdown, converting units of measure, and making sure everything ties back to the plans and specifications. Along the way, you’re also reviewing a junior estimator’s takeoff, checking their calculations, providing feedback, and documenting each step so the logic is clear and repeatable..

Throughout the day, you keep safety front and center—reinforcing proper PPE use, sharing lessons from CPR/AED/First Aid training, and helping ensure that safe working procedures are integrated into the way projects are planned and priced. When questions or concerns arise, you’re comfortable flagging issues, explaining complex calculations to project managers, and aligning on the final strategy before the bid goes out the door. Review and get approvals for estimate from PM, and other RES staff

We’d Like to Talk to You If You Have Many of the Following:

• BS/BA; experience may substitute for education.
• 4 years of experience in construction, with at least 2 years in estimating.
• Experience handling medium-sized bids in the $1–2M range.
• Advanced ability in MS Office, especially Excel (formulas, lookups, structured workbooks), plus PowerPoint and Word.
• Expertise with estimating software such as Agtek, Excel, On-Screen Takeoff (OST) and/or Bluebeam.
• Experience incorporating construction sequence into the estimate (phasing, production rates, mobilization, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret construction plan sets and explain advanced design concepts to others.
• Knowledge of construction processes and materials, especially as they relate to earthwork, infrastructure, and restoration work.
• Established relationships with suppliers and an understanding of how pricing trends affect estimates.

You Will Thrive in This Position If You Possess:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially when explaining complex calculations or cost drivers to management and project managers.
• A collaborative mindset, working smoothly across estimating, project management, and field operations to resolve questions and align on assumptions.
• Resiliency, resourcefulness, and adaptability in the face of shifting scopes, timelines, and pricing conditions.
• A genuine interest in teaching others, building their understanding of plans, quantities, and construction strategy.

What Would Make You Stand Out?

• Prior work on restoration, ecological, or heavy civil projects where environmental outcomes were a key objective.

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.