Cost Estimator IV
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Hybrid/telework schedule. Telework - Monday and Friday.
Pay range: $160k-$180k/Year DOE (Negotiable)

Essential Job Duties
• Prepare Independent Cost Estimates to support projects during planning, design and construction.
• Prepare and/or review final Engineer’s estimate including factors such as Phasing, Airport Operations, Shift, Resources, Time Constraints and Badging impacts.
• Develop a detailed and Independent Cost Estimate from conceptual information and/or engineering drawings.
• Prepare detailed estimates comprising labor hours/composite crew costs, itemized material costs and Equipment cost.
• Provide Constructability Reports to proactively identify deficiencies and ambiguities; and actively assist the project team to develop a credible cost budget.
• Actively reconcile independent cost estimates with those prepared by third parties; engage the third-party entities in an informative, collaborative reconciliation; and communicate the results of the reconciliation effort.
• Ability to analyze bids from vendors, contractors and subcontractors and align with Independent Cost Estimate.
• Determining what factors of production will influence the cost of work.
• Having the ability to identify necessary field equipment needed by contractors.
• Presenting prepared estimates to management and other stakeholders.
• Lead Negotiation Meetings with contractors and subcontractors.
• Prepare and review material take-offs from planning documents or engineering drawings.
• Prepare detailed breakdown of components and elements of estimates for systems and subsystems.
• Accumulate, evaluate and document historical cost data for the development of future estimates.
• Review contract documents and contract modifications to determine scope of work and equitable cost allowance for scope changes.
Assist and/or lead in Change Order negotiations including:
• Review Contractor Potential Change Order Claims for Merit and negotiate to final resolution. Review the proposal and assist with the determination of merit.
• Conduct Weekly Estimate Review Meetings of Contractor Potential Change Notices and prepare Meeting Minutes.
• Review the scope specified within the proposal to ensure it includes the appropriate scope.
• Review the labor rates to ensure conformance to the contract specifications, and LAWA approved rates.
• Become thoroughly familiar with required contractual obligations, technical aspects of all construction work including Allowances, Bid Line Items and new scope of work.
• Review quantities and ensure there is a fair and reasonable representation of additional scope, as well as possible credits.
• Review the material pricing and validate against R.S. Means for other pricing references.
• Review pre-purchased material or equipment and/or equipment rental rates against fair and reasonable pricing references using contract blue book and or Cal Trans Rates.
• Review contractor mark-ups to ensure that the correct mark-ups are being used and that any mark-up caps are not exceeded.
• Discuss the LAWA position after the contractor established their position.
• Determine points of disagreement and path to resolution. Adopt a reasonable, but contractual attitude.
• Develop the record of negotiation documentation and provide an Independent Cost Estimate.
• Provide coordination and liaison with project management and project engineering personnel throughout the estimate development.
• Prepare required reports and correspondence.

Hardware/Software Knowledge
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with On-Screen Takeoffs and Bluebeam.
• Knowledge of Prolog and other Project Management Systems is preferred.
Professional Experience Level/Other Qualifications
• 15 years or more in general estimating experience directly related to both engineering and construction projects.
• Experience managing a team of cost estimators
• Demonstrated experience with complex estimate reconciliations and change order negotiations.
• Demonstrated experience in getting independent estimates from vendors/contractors as check estimates against contractor proposal estimated costs and negotiations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of construction-related processes, as well as a thorough knowledge of industry practices.
• Self-starter attitude with proved results-oriented focus.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must possess the ability to effectively interact with various departments to maintain open lines of communication.
• Comfortable operating in a team-oriented, collaborative work environment.
• Produce accurate and timely results while maintaining a customer service attitude.
• Must be detail oriented and highly organized.
• Demonstrated experience working on multiple projects at the same time.
• Experience working with outside agencies i.e., FAA, General Services division, LADBS, LADWP, etc.

Education/Training/Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is preferred.
• Certified estimating professional credential required.

Element-Specific Requirements/Notes
• May assume other duties as required/needed.
• This position offers a hybrid/telework schedule. Telework - Monday and Friday. Onsite - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

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