Lead Project Cost Estimator

WHO IS KKCS

Kal Krishnan Consulting Services, Inc. (KKCS), a California Corporation, is a full-service construction management and program management organization. The firm has grown steadily in size and capability since its founding in 1987, and today employs more than 85 professionals in our regional offices. KKCS has attracted to its staff a full complement of highly experienced, talented, and dedicated professionals who bring a collaborative, integrated team approach to our clients’ projects.

KKCS experience includes work on rail, airports, ports, freeways, schools, universities, facilities, water, wastewater, bridges, and roadways. Our client list includes federal agencies, state agencies, regional agencies, and private clients. KKCS has broad experience and expertise in engineering design, project management and project controls services.

The KKCS culture is rooted in the ideals of integrity, safety, diversity, and ethical business practices, which is a commitment shared by all KKCS employees throughout our offices and project sites around the country. We have a positive impact on the communities we serve by not only improving infrastructure, but also providing service at a relatively low cost to the taxpayer. This allows for more money to be available to the agencies we serve, that inevitably will be reinvested in the community. At KKCS, we value the individual employee and the importance of their contributions toward quality improvement.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $175,900 - $180,900 annually
• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees
• 401k retirement plan with company matching contribution
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Company-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefits
• Company-paid long-term (LTD) insurance
• Annual tuition assistance allowance for employees
• Employee Assistance Program

POSITION DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

KKCS has an exciting full-time opportunity in Los Angeles, CA, for a Lead Project Cost Estimator. This position will be responsible for overseeing a team of estimators and is responsible for the meticulous preparation of construction cost estimates for various building projects. This role involves collaborating with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure accuracy and compliance with project requirements. The Lead Project Cost Estimator plays a crucial role in securing funding, analyzing bids, and maintaining cost records throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, this position involves establishing efficient design review processes, managing project documentation, and participating in community outreach initiatives.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required Experience & Education

• 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.
• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in developing conceptual and preconstruction cost estimates for complex school building projects.
• Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast- paced working environment.
• Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
• Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders.
• Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences.
• 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.
• Good oral and written communications skills.

KKCS is an equal opportunity employer encouraging individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.