Lead Project Cost Estimator - Los Angeles, United States - Kitchell

Description

Kitchell is seeking a dedicated Lead Project Cost Estimatorto join our Southern California Region in Los Angeles and build a long-term career at one of the most innovative and growth-oriented Construction Services companies in the United States.

This opportunity is embedded at one of our core regional clients with a well-financed backlog of work.

You have options as a consultant, why not become an employee owner and participate in profit sharing as you have impact improving the education facilities of tomorrow for our local community.

Responsibilities

• Leads and supervises a team of Estimators, including designating daily assignments Plans 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

Requirements

Education and Experience

• 15 years full time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for major/complex type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building codes, including three years in a supervisory capacity is required
• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management is required
• Extensive knowledge and experience in developing conceptual and preconstruction cost estimates for complex school building projects is required
• Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast- paced working environment is required
• Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs is required
• Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders is required
• Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences is required
• 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 is required
• Good oral and written communications skills are required

Knowledge and Skills

• A high understanding of the life cycle of Education market sector projects in California under the guide of the Department of the State Architect (DSA) is required

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment and frequently works in a construction environment. Conditions occasionally include exposure to outdoor elements, hot/cold temperatures, wet conditions, noise, atmospheric conditions, and cramped quarters. The noise level in the work environment is regularly moderate and occasionally loud.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the position is moderately active and the employee is required to regularly sit, talk or hear and use hands to finger, feel and handle; frequently stand, walk and reach with hands and arms; occasionally climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must frequently lift and or move 5 pounds and occasionally lift and or move up to 20 pounds.

Travel Requirements

This position is executed on site in person at the client's downtown Los Angeles, CA office.