Lead Project Cost Estimator - Educational Facilities

CLMI Group is seeking a Lead Project Cost Estimator to support the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Facilities Services Division capital construction program.

The Lead Project Cost Estimator is responsible for leading a team of estimators and overseeing the preparation of construction cost estimates for complex building projects across the LAUSD capital program. This role is embedded within the LAUSD Facilities Services Division and reports to senior program leadership as assigned.

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead and supervise a team of Estimators, including designating daily assignments and managing workload distribution across the estimating group.
• Conduct and participate in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors on school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating practices.
• Assist other branches with related functions and perform other duties as assigned.

Cost Estimating & Budget Management

• Plan and participate in the preparation of construction cost estimates for buildings and other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications; prepare both preliminary and final independent cost estimates.
• Establish budgets for school building projects; develop methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs.
• Estimate costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism.
• Prepare and review cost estimates, forms, and other materials submitted to secure State and/or federal grants and loans from school aid programs; represent the District on matters pertinent to securing such funds.

Design Review & Contractor Coordination

• Check construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness; compare with District estimates and confer to resolve differences and negotiate agreements on preliminary estimates.
• Conduct studies and prepare reports when contractor bids vary widely from agreed construction cost estimates; check segregations of contract costs and recommend acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments.
• Establish and maintain procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects to public bidding.

Change Order, Claims & Negotiation Support

• Analyze change orders on construction work under contract; approve or reject extras or credits submitted; prepare change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position.
• Prepare claim analysis and estimates; review contractor claims and proposals for merit and accountability; provide support in price negotiations.
• Develop scope of work based on RFI/RFC answers and estimate the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal; compare independent cost estimates with contractor proposals to identify differences.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Option A: Fourteen (14) years of full-time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for major/complex Type I, II, III, or V building construction as defined by State building codes; bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management from a recognized college or university; three (3) years of full-time paid experience supervising estimators; and a minimum of five (5) years employed by a construction cost consulting firm.
• Option B: Twenty (20) or more years of full-time paid professional experience in the preparation of complete cost estimates for major/complex Type I, II, III, or V building construction as defined by State building codes (degree not required); five (5) years of full-time paid experience supervising estimators; and a minimum of five (5) years employed by a construction cost consulting firm.
• Extensive knowledge and experience developing conceptual and pre-construction cost estimates for complex school building projects; knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs.
• Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast-paced working environment; strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification such as Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) through ASPE, or Certified Cost Professional (CCP) through AACE International.
• Experience with the Division of State Architect (DSA) construction and design review process.
• Prior experience supporting LAUSD, K–12 school districts, or large public agency capital construction programs in California.
• Familiarity with construction cost estimating software (e.g., Timberline/Sage Estimating, CostX, RSMeans) and applicable building cost databases.

Offered rate of compensation will be based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. The salary range for this position is $210,000 - $214,000

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• 401k Matching
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short Term / Long Term Disability / Life