COST ESTIMATOR

Job Overview :

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Construction Cost Estimator to join our team to support K-12 school construction projects for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing detailed and accurate cost estimates for a variety of school construction and modernization projects.

This role plays a critical part in ensuring that project budgets are well-defined, properly managed, and that all contractor proposals are reviewed for cost accountability and compliance.

Key Responsibilities :

• Cost Estimation for Construction Contracts :
• Prepare both preliminary and final independent detailed cost estimates for Job Order Contracting (JOC) and formal construction contracts managed by Maintenance & Operations (M&O).
• Establish negotiating positions for change orders as required by district procedures.
• Support in Price Negotiations :
• Provide expertise and analysis to support negotiation efforts on pricing with contractors, ensuring fair and accurate project costs.
• Claim Analysis & Estimate Preparation :
• Prepare claim analyses and cost estimates for a wide range of construction claims.
• Develop detailed estimates for construction costs based on architectural drawings, specifications, sketches, and square footage, utilizing standard estimating tools and data.
• Review Contractor Claims & Proposals :
• Assess contractor claims and proposals for accuracy, merit, and accountability to ensure alignment with project scope and budget.
• Scope of Work Development :
• Develop detailed scopes of work based on responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Clarification (RFCs), and prepare independent estimates for these scopes of work.
• Additional Duties :
• Perform other related duties as required to support the LAUSD's project management and construction processes.

Minimum Requirements :

Experience & Skills :

• Professional Experience :
• Minimum of 7 years of full-time paid professional experience in construction cost estimating, covering all construction divisions with a focus on school facilities or other educational facility projects.
• Construction Knowledge :
• Extensive knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs within the Los Angeles area.
• Change Order Expertise :
• Proven experience developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders, ensuring accurate cost adjustments during project modifications.
• Analytical Skills :
• Ability to compare independent cost estimates with contractor proposals, quickly identifying and explaining any cost differences.
• Scope Development & Estimation :
• Experience in developing scopes of work based on RFI / RFC responses, with the ability to independently estimate the cost of these scopes.
• Communication Skills :
• Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively present cost analyses and engage with multiple stakeholders.

Education Requirements :

Degree : Bachelors degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Familiarity with LAUSD construction standards and regulations.
• Experience with public sector and K-12 school projects.
• Proficiency with industry-standard estimating software and tools.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Cost Consultant (CCC) or Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) are a plus.
12 hours ago