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Under the guidance of Cost Estimating management, the Lead Project Controls Specialist (Lead Cost Estimator) prepares cost estimates for mid-sized to large capital construction projects with moderate to high complexity. This role involves close collaboration with the Project Manager and other team members to develop and update project cost estimates. The Lead Cost Estimator adheres to established departmental procedures, guidelines, and best practices throughout the estimate development process and when documenting the basis of estimate, while also supporting management in the development and continuous improvement of existing procedures and practices. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

• Collaborates with the Project Manager and team to create cost estimates at various scope maturity levels using InEight Estimate application and Excel.
• Collects project scope details, drawings, schedules, and execution strategies. Prepares and maintains the Basis of Estimate document to support development of cost estimates
• Perform QC checks on estimates prepared by fellow Estimators on the team and review and assessment of cost estimates completed by others. Provides feedback in prioritized and comprehensive format and develops formal Cost Estimate Review Reports when required.
• Develop cost estimate by identifying work packages, quantifying scope elements, estimating direct cost line items and construction indirect costs, and estimating project "soft" costs such as project management, construction management, etc.
• Support development of project budget contingency to account for estimate uncertainties and potential project risks events. Participates in risk evaluation sessions or pre-construction reviews, and ensures risks are documented and assessed in terms of probability and impact to enable project team development of risk mitigation plans and contingencies
• Assists with preparing and assessing change order impact estimates, mentors' junior estimators, contribute to initiatives in business process improvements.
• Conduct site visits of future and ongoing construction project sites to support cost estimate development and gain knowledge of craft/discipline scope of work.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
• Plus six years of experience in large-scale construction project estimating.

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience. 
• Plus 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience developing estimates on large to mega capital construction projects in railroad environment.
• Experience in quantitative risk assessment cost estimates supporting contingency development.
• Capital construction experience in the rail industry.
• One or more of the following certifications / credentials: CCT, CCP, CEP (AACE), PMP (PMI)
• Hands on experience with data analysis
• Experience with data analysis, preferably with Excel.
• Experience with database management (SQL)

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills

• Intermediate to Advanced skill level/knowledge in:
  o    Principles and practices of project cost estimating through all phases of the project lifecycle
  o    Reviewing and providing feedback on all aspects of project cost estimates developed by others.
  o    Business processes, techniques, and procedures related to cost estimating in large and/or complex capital construction projects
  o    Construction / Engineering contracting methods and types
  o    Principles and practices of construction services and materials procurement
  o    Cost estimating methods and practices for projects in conceptual design phase through completion of detailed design
  o    Statistical analysis methods
  o    Principles of business letter writing and report preparation
  o    Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
  o    Integration of estimating and scheduling processes, tools, systems, and data.  
  o    Common software tools used in project cost estimating (e.g., InEight Estimate (Hard Dollar), Heavy Bid, Sage Timberline, RS Means) in developing and maintaining cost estimates for large and/or complex construction projects and extracting data to generate analysis and status reports.
  o    Use of internal financial system data to determine benchmarking to validate and improve estimates.
  o    Advanced user skills in MS Excel for data analysis.
  o    Communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and writing across all levels.
  o    Effectiveness working diplomatically across teams with varying objectives.
  o    Strong focus on collaboration, team building and customer service.
  o    Objective evaluation of available information or differing points of view and making sound and timely decisions consistent with department strategic goals.
  o    Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  o    Negotiation and conflict resolution.
  o    Leading effective meetings.
  o    Delegating authority and responsibility.
  o    Preparing and delivering effective presentations and/or training to diverse audiences.
  o    Preparing professional letters, memos, and other documents using Excel, Word, Visio, and/or PowerPoint.

• Basic to Intermediate skill level/knowledge in:
  o    Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
  o    Leading, motivating, selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff.