Estimating Engineer

Scope: The primary function of the Estimating Engineer is to provide support to the entire estimating staff on preconstruction and bid efforts.

FLSA Status: Salary-Exempt

Salary: $54,000 – 79,200

Reporting Relationship: Reports to the Chief Estimator

Essential Duties & The duties, responsibilities and attributes of the Estimating Engineer typically include, but are not limited Responsibilities: to:

Technical Skills

• Has familiarity with the roles and responsibilities of Project Engineers, Project Managers, Project Administrators, Superintendents and Preconstruction
• Basic understanding of CPM software and schedule creation. Thorough ability to interpret milestones of CPM schedule as it relates to procurement, lead times, schedule activity durations, and critical path
• Understands importance of accurate quantity takeoffs
• Exposure to WEO general conditions/requirements and how they relate to project budgets
• Exposure to basics of bid day organization
• Basic understanding of how / why clarifications, and qualifications affect the estimate
• Basic understanding of subcontractor trades, scopes and CSI numbering
• Ability to analyze subcontractor proposals, identify scope items, differences and exclusions
• Develop Subcontractor relationships understanding of what and what not to say to subcontractors
• Scope preparation and trade knowledge to support preliminary estimates
• Understands the need to track cost differences between progress estimates
• Ability to research unit pricing
• Ability to quantify and distinguish between materials
• Understands that plugs are required for scope not shown on conceptual plans
• Understand what GC’s, overhead and fee are
• Understand the basic use and function of “contingency”
• Understands substitution process to generate cost saving ideas
• Utilizes lessons learned to improve future work product
• Ability to understand what risk is within estimates and learn techniques to mitigate it
• Basic understanding of risk with subcontractors and takes appropriate actions to protect WEO position. In particular, understands standard exclusions and their implications
• Basic understanding of Sub Guard Liability Insurance vs. subcontractor bonding and how it affects the estimate
• Think Strategically – Considers a broad range of internal and external factors when solving problems and making decisions; prioritizes team efforts accordingly
• Use Sound Judgment – Makes timely and sound decisions; makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty, knows when to consult others
• Innovate – Generates new ideas; goes beyond the status quo; recognizes the need for new or modified approaches; brings ideas and various possible solutions together and combines them in creative ways
• Uses Technical / Functional Expertise - Is regarded as an expert in the technical / functional area; accesses and uses other expert resources when appropriate
• Knows the Business – Shows understanding of issues relevant to the broad organization and business; keeps that knowledge up to date; has and uses interdepartmental knowledge
• Commit to Quality – Understands the need to deliver quality products, services, and processes
• Focus on Customer Needs – Takes action to meet customer needs; continually searches for ways to increase customer satisfaction
• Has exposure to the creation of effective proposals covering a wide range of formats in response to RFPs to meet owner’s needs

Management Skills

• Work Efficiently – Allocates one’s own time efficiently; handles multiple demands and competing priorities; efficiently processes paperwork
• Establish Plans – Develops short and long range plans that are appropriately comprehensive, realistic, and effective in meeting goals
• Develop Systems and Processes – Identifies and implements effective processes and procedures for accomplishing work
• Understands Deadlines – Everything done in the Estimating Department has to be completed by a specified deadline. Uses appropriate tools to manage and meet all deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• Speaks clearly and expresses self well in groups and in one to one conversations
• Actively attends to and conveys understanding of the comments and questions of others; listens well in a group
• Gains Exposure and training to deliver clear, smooth presentations; carries self well in front of a group
• Conveys information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; reviews and edits written work constructively, documents and organizes important written communication
• Shows the desire and willingness to progress in their career within the company
• Handles day to day work challenges confidently; is willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity, and rapid change; shows resilience in the face of constraints, frustrations, or adversity; demonstrates flexibility
• Learns from experience; actively pursues learning and self-development; seeks feedback and welcomes unsolicited feedback; modifies behavior based on feedback; sets high standards; pursues aggressive goals

Interpersonal Skills

• Pro-actively engages project team to build relationship and understand financial status of their project
• Delivers a consistent effort in making subcontractor calls
• Understands the need to foster subcontractor relationships
• Attends as requested subcontractor industry events to help broaden our subcontractor relationships and to market WEO
• Understands and embraces the company vision and values
• Steps forward to address difficult issues with support and guidance
• Asserts own ideas and persuades peers; gains support and commitment from others
• Foster teamwork collaboration among team members
• Motivate others by encouraging others to achieve; builds relationships; creates enthusiasm, a feeling of investment, and a desire to excel
• Drives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition
• Helps and shares ideas with peers. Gives feedback when necessary
• Relates to people in an open, friendly, accepting manner; shows sincere interest in others and their concerns; initiates and develops relationships with others as a key priority
• Develops effective give and take relationships with others; understand the agendas and perspectives of others
• Identifies and cultivates relationships with key stakeholders representing a broad range of functions and levels; uses informal networks to get things done
• Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly between self and others; encourages the open expression of ideas and opinions. Maintains strong listening skills in one on one and group conversations
• Brings potential substantive conflicts and disagreements into the open and attempts to resolve them collaboratively; builds a consensus
• Exposure and assistance to effective presentations/proposal reviews covering a wide range of formats in response to RFP’s
• Exposure to meetings that involve closing deals through thorough understanding of owner’s needs, competitor analysis, current market conditions and strengths of WEO for the project

Qualification Preferred Four-year degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or equivalent experience in a related field

Understands and effectively uses company software programs and systems:

1. Proficiency in basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel) and can adequately use PowerPoint
2. Proficiency in Outlook and has the ability to manage calendars, address books, tasks and email

1. Ability to navigate and manage files and folders in cloud based platforms, such as Box.com and Dropbox

1. On Screen Takeoff
2. WebEx and Skype for Business
3. Online Solicitation Software
4. Bluebeam Revu
5. PlanGrid

Basic understanding of scheduling and CMiC applications

Understanding of basic construction administration processes, including construction documents, schedules, RFIs, submittals and material procurement

Effective oral and written communication skills

Basic time management and organization skills

Completion of OSHA 10-Hour Safety Course

First Aid and CPR certified

Physical Demands:

-Works in an office environment with moderate noise levels

-Mostly sedentary role with the need to move around the office to copy, scan, and file

-Will require opening of heavy file cabinets with bending, stopping, or kneeling to file

-May require light lifting. Must be able to lift 15-pounds at a time

-Will require prolonged periods sitting at a desk working on a computer and on the phone throughout the day

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in one of WEO Colorado offices and on occasion may be required to visit the construction work site where the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, fumes, or airborne particles, outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud.

These are considered the core responsibilities of the position. Employees are encouraged to reach beyond their current responsibilities in an effort to foster professional growth, but only as they are able to remain accountable for their core responsibilities.