Department: Estimating
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Chicago, IL
Description
The primary function of the Estimator is to be an important team member to support multiple preconstruction efforts and to be the lead estimator on specific bid efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Skills
- Has a familiarity and understands the roles and responsibilities of Project Engineers, Project Managers, Project Administrators, Superintendents and Project Executives
- 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
- Exposure to various construction methods, building logistics, can identify constructability issues, and can offer value analysis at the Design Development and Construction Document design phases
- Basic understanding of WEO requirements and how they relate to project budgets
- Understands all facets of bid day organization
- Can implement clarifications, and qualifications from subs effectively into estimate
- Ability to develop subcontractor scopes from plans and specs for others to utilize effectively on bid day
- Ability to analyze subcontractor proposals, identify scope items, differences and exclusions with cost implications
- Develop Subcontractor relationships and to be able to select appropriate subcontractors for your project
- Ability to develop an estimate at the Construction Document phase. That is inclusive of adequate subcontractor input, WEO historical data and sufficient plugs to compensate for missing information
- Ability to track, understand and explain cost differences between progress estimates
- Ability to research unit pricing
- Ability to quantify and distinguish materials
- Anticipate basic scope and plug scope not shown on conceptual plans
- Understand GC’s, overhead, fee structure
- Understand the use and function of “contingency”
- Ability to understand estimate and documents to generate cost saving ideas
- Ability to set-up and manipulate spreadsheets for budgets that utilize historic data and current market conditions; uses financial and quantitative information effectively
- Basic understanding of WEO project cost report
- Basic understanding of WEO subcontract routing forms
- Utilizes lessons learned to improve future estimates
- Thorough understanding of risk with subcontractors and takes appropriate actions to protect WEO position. In particular, understands standard and specific exclusions and their implications
- Basic understanding of insurance cost implications within the estimate and knows procedures to properly input insurance costs
- Basic understanding of Builders Risk Insurance. Can fill out Builders Risk form when quote is needed and incorporate into estimate
- Basic understanding of Owner / Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs (workers comp, general liability, EMR requirements) and how it affects the estimate
- Basic understanding of Sub Guard Liability Insurance vs. Subcontractor bonding and how it affects the estimate
- Understands basics of Owner’s Contract: AIA 101, AIA 111, AIA General Conditions to Contract, as it relates to potential cost implications
- Understands basics of WEO Master Subcontract Agreement “MSA”, as it relates to potential cost implications
- Capable in managing and communicating the scope of work description for a Subcontract agreement, i.e. Work Order and the associated exhibits. Fills scope gaps appropriately
- Think Strategically – Considers a broad range of internal and external factors when solving problems and making decisions; identifies basic strategies and prioritizes team efforts accordingly; uses information about competitors in making decisions
- Analyze Issues – Gathers relevant information; considers a broad range of issues or factors; grasps complexities and perceives relationships among problems and/or issues; seeks input from others; uses accurate logic in analyses
- 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 – Anticipates customer needs; takes action to meet customer needs; continually searches for ways to increase customer satisfaction
- Ability to create with guidance of others effective proposals covering a wide range of formats in response to RFP’s to meet Owner’s needs
Management Skills
- Work Efficiently – Allocates one’s own time efficiently; handles multiple demands and competing priorities; efficiently processes paperwork; delegates appropriately; manages meetings effectively
- 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
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
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
- Prepares and delivers 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 to the Senior Estimator role and responsibilities
- 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 manager to build relationship and understand financial status of their project
- Delivers a consistent effort in making subcontractor calls to establish new relationships and to start to cultivate existing relationships
- Make conscious effort to attend subcontractor industry events to help broaden our subcontractor relationships and to market WEO
- Implements the development of the common vision; provides clear direction and priorities
- Steps forward to address difficult issues with support and guidance; puts self on the line to deal with important problems; stands firm when necessary
- Asserts own ideas and persuades superiors; gains support and commitment from others; mobilizes people to take action
- Foster Teamwork and collaboration among team members
- Motivate Others by Encouraging and empowering others to achieve; builds relationships; creates enthusiasm, a feeling of investment, and a desire to Excel
- Champion Change and challenge the status quo and champions new initiatives; acts as a catalyst of change and stimulates others to change
- Coach and Develop others by accurately assesses strengths and development needs of employees; gives timely, specific feedback and helpful coaching
- Helps fosters the development of a learning organization that continually extends leadership development to all levels of the company
- 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
- Shows and fosters respect and appreciation for each person whatever that person’s background, race, age, gender, disability, values, lifestyle, perspectives, or interests; seeks to understand the worldview of others; sees differences in people as opportunity for growth
- Brings potential substantive conflicts and disagreements into the open and attempts to resolve them collaboratively; builds a consensus
- Assigns Responsibilities; delegates and empowers others; train as needed and remove obstacles; coordinates work efforts when necessary; monitors progress
- Ability to assist, participate and represent WEO in 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
Qualifications
Four-year degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering or equivalent experience in a related field and 2-years minimum of relevant professional experience working with a Subcontractor or General Contractor in the estimating profession.
Understands And Effectively Uses Company Software Programs And Systems
- Proficiency in basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel) and can adequately use PowerPoint
- Proficiency in Outlook and has the ability to manage calendars, address books, tasks and email
- Ability to navigate and manage files and folders in cloud based platforms, such as Box.com and Dropbox
- OST
- WebEx and Skype for Business
- BidMail
- BIM 360 Glue
- Bluebeam Revu
- 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 30-Hour Safety Course
First Aid and CPR certified
Benefits
- 100% ESOP
- Competitive Pay
- Bonus Program
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
- PTO/Sick
- 100% Life Insurance
- 401(K) with Match
- Student Debt Program
Physical Demands
Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to use construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction, when visiting a WEO job site. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear and stand throughout the workday.
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’s California regional 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.
Equal Employment
W.E. O’Neil is committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status.
