What are the responsibilities and job description for the Construction Estimator position at DBI?
The DBI team specializes in the evaluation of damaged structures. DBI’s construction experts provide independent recommendations and analysis to clients in the insurance and legal industry. Hard evidence, expertise, and accuracy drive work; communication and connection are the company’s top priorities. In a complex industry, the company’s mission is to bring clarity to every client served by DBI.
The Estimator will decide the projected time frame needed to complete a project and additional factors such as labor needs, materials, budgets and potential setbacks. Main duties of an estimator are helping the assigned project leader create a proposal, tracking the costs of a project, understanding customer specifications, and proposing a final budget for a project. The incumbent will need to inspect trends in construction to determine whether estimates are both reasonable and competitive, as well as present their analysis to project leaders.
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Analyze labor, material, and time requirements for a project.
· Estimate costs by looking at the entire project.
· Visit worksites and other venues to accumulate fundamental data.
· Audit archives or consult specialists to gather all fundamental data.
· Present cost estimates to upper management.
· Prepare reports detailing all of the costs going into a project.
· Input cost data into company database.
· Notice differences between estimated cost and actual cost.
· Look at customer requirements for a project.
· Perform analysis for risk.
· Uphold the values of DBI Consultants and the culture espoused by Our Foundation.
· Consistently demonstrates professionalism, integrity and the highest standards of ethical behavior and professional conduct; conducts oneself in a manner that reflects favorably on the organization.
· Maintain the confidentiality of proprietary and sensitive information, exercising sound judgment and discretion in any disclosure of information related to DBI Consultants and its endeavors.
· Commits to continuous improvement and professional development for self and team members. Perform all other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
· A bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or construction project management or related field is required.
· Entry level, up to two (2) years of experience working as an Estimator is preferred.
· Professional Construction Estimator Certification (CPE) is a plus.
· Understanding of accounting and project management.
· Willing to travel and is not afraid of heights.
· Proficient in writing and editing of project specifications and technical reports.
· Passion for and understanding of construction principles and estimating.
· Experience working with legal and insurance companies is preferred.
· Comfortable working in a fast-paced office setting, as well as in the field.
· Possess a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
· Strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and customer service skills.
· Highly proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
· Experience working with Xactimate, Bluebeam Revu, and construction scheduling programs, such as Primavera or Microsoft Project preferred.
· Motivated and detail oriented.
· Ability to work independently.
· Ability to put together a professional presentation.
· Ability to create reports on costing data.
· Amazing analytical and math skills.
· Ability to understand technical drawings and requirements.
· Deep knowledge of how processes work.
· The ability to be an effective team leader and maintain a professional demeanor.
· Exemplary time management and organizational skills to execute tasks and meet deadlines.
· Ability to work in the field and to travel outside local area as workload and projects require.
· Ability to work in inclement weather and various environmental conditions.
· Ability to work in high areas such as roofs or scaffolding, requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to acrophobia.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Frequently requires work to be performed at the site of the property damage or loss, including locations where disasters or catastrophes have occurred; may require evening, overnight, and weekend travel and work; incumbent may be subject to outside weather and environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, and precipitation; incumbent may be exposed to inside environmental conditions, including, but not limited to noise, vibrations, proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, heights, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
The incumbent may be required to work in close quarters, crawl spaces, small enclosed rooms, narrow aisles, passageways, or other enclosed areas, requiring physical agility and resistance to claustrophobia. The incumbent may be required to work in high areas such as roofs or scaffolding, requiring physical agility, balance, and resistance to acrophobia.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to the working conditions and associated physical activities and requirements above, the incumbent may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, or feel, especially in the course of investigating and assessing property damage; these requirements may include the need to lift weights of up to 50 pounds, including a ladder.
The work requires close visual acuity, with or without correction, to prepare reports containing words, symbols, and numerical figures; the incumbent is required to view a computer terminal, use a keyboard, read printed documents, make detailed visual inspections, perceive color, perceive depth, and have a sufficient field of vision to carry out all inspection and related duties.
Willingness to travel on average of /-30% of the workweek to accommodate meetings, as well as attend other work-related activities that may be scheduled outside of normal daytime business hours.