Position Title: Construction Lead Cost Estimator
(Lead Project Cost Estimator)
Start Date: Approximately December 2021
Client / Program: Los Angeles Unified School District
Facilities Construction Program Support Services
Position Location Los Angeles (Downtown)
DACM Project Management, Inc.
DACM Project Management, Inc. is a full service program, project, and construction management firm established in 1987. We have participated in domestic and international construction projects totaling more than $5 billion. As a member of the DACM team, you can make a lasting impact on your community and beyond. We invite you to join us for an opportunity with a company that respects the value of every member. Our goal is to forge lasting alliances and we’re proud to say that many of our employees have been part of the DACM team for over ten years.
A successful candidate for this position will be assigned to the DACM contract with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Facilities Construction Program.
For more information please visit www.dacmpm.com
Salary Range: $180,000 to $206,000 per annum
Functions / duties
1. Lead and supervise a team of Estimators, including designating daily assignments.
2. Plan and participate in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications.
3. Prepare and review 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.
4. Check construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compare them with District estimates.
5. Confer with commissioned architects and engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and District estimates for each project and negotiate agreements on preliminary estimates of construction costs.
6. Make studies and prepare reports when contractors’ bids vary widely from the agreed construction cost estimate.
7. Check segregations of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommend acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments.
8. Analyze change orders on construction work under contract and approve or reject extras or credits submitted.
9. Prepare or review cost estimates for projects.
10. Establish and maintain procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects for public bidding.
11. Develop methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs.
12. Conduct and participate in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors relative to school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating.
13. Estimate costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism.
14. Establish budgets for school building projects.
15. Assist other branches of LAUSD with related functions.
16. Prepare preliminary and final independent cost estimates of projects for comparison with designer or contractor for PM/CM to establish negotiating position.
17. Prepare change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position.
18. Provide support in price negotiations.
19. Prepare claim analyses and estimates.
20. Review contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability.
21. Perform related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Requirements
Required Experience:
1. 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.
2. Extensive knowledge and experience in developing conceptual and preconstruction cost estimates for complex school building projects.
3. Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast paced working environment.
4. Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
5. Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders.
6. Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences.
7. Ability to develop scope of work based on RFI / RFC answers and estimate the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal.
8. Good oral and written communications skills.
Required Education:
Graduation from a recognized college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management