Chief of Staff jobs in Santa Ana, CA

Job Title: Chief Estimator

Location: Los Alamitos, CA

Reports to: Vice President of Preconstruction

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared By: Human Resources

Prepared Date: April 2022

COMPANY OVERVIEW

KDC Inc. dba Dynalectric L.A. is a subsidiary of the publicly traded EMCOR Group Inc. KDC Inc. dba Dynalectric L.A. has been a recognized leader in the electrical industry for the past seven decades. EMCOR Group is the world's largest provider of planning, consulting, mechanical and electrical construction facilities.

We provide electrical, transportation, telecommunications and building control system integration services. Our commercial electrical services division performs specialty electrical contracting work as well as design/build projects. Our transportation division performs all phases of underground network and traffic control technology. Our telecommunications division specializes in the installation of voice-data systems and DC power plants and cabling. KDC Systems, our controls division, provides products and services for environmental monitoring, HVAC, lighting control, process control, security and UL panel fabrication and prefabrication.

We maintain our excellent reputation by consistently meeting the needs of our clients, producing quality work on time and in a cost competitive manner. We welcome the opportunity to work with you on your upcoming projects and are ready to meet the challenges unique to your needs.

SUMMARY

The Chief Estimator (CE) is responsible for establishing and maintaining estimating systems and procedures. This includes, but is not limited to building and maintaining professional relationships with customers, peers, supervisors, and administrative staff, field craft workers, field supervision, vendors, suppliers, manufacturers and subcontractors based on mutual respect, trust and integrity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties will likely be assigned.

Collaboration with the CEO & Divisional Managers:

• Updating & Submission of weekly EMCOR "Bid Log" (report via ECS to corporate every Monday with list of projects bidding/pending/budgeting)
• When required to, compose executive summaries for submission to EMCOR for review (identification of areas of risk within drawings, schedule, contract documents i.e. subcontracts, insurance requirements, etc.).
• Prepare "Risk Assessment Forms" for EMCOR and Company review (process risk assessment forms per EMCOR requirements)
• Schedule and prioritizes with staff to organize estimating schedule (with department staff and estimating staff; Schedule projects for estimating and assign projects to department estimators including assessing the matrix of responsibilities)
• Participate in Division Manager Meetings (work with Department Managers to implement estimating policy, procedures and systems consistent with the company mission and competitive practices, maintain estimating bid log for weekly management discussion)
• Collaboration with the Project Management team (communicate with Project Mangers & Superintendents in order to keep current with new and different field practices, attend project visits to compare estimated and actual costs as well as field installation processes and practices)
• Attend/participate in industry related events (as needed/required)

Estimating

• Develop budgets with clarifications/assumptions (develops budgets for projects while providing high levels of details/clarifications)
• Identify budget constraints (Presents value engineering and cost savings opportunities to clients as required to meet budget constraints)
• Maintain/update Accubid databases and default jobs (update wage rates when applicable, labor factoring, incidental labor, labor escalation, direct labor, subcontractors, general expenses, equipment rentals and key project indicators)
• Schedule bid kick-off meetings (Initiate estimate strategy & approach, including the soliciting of subcontractors and suppliers)
• Oversee tracking M/W/ESB/SDVBE business solicitations during the estimating process.
• Review all estimates with the CEO and Divisional manager/PM 24-hours prior to bid.
• Review & approve final estimate for all projects (Review for potential cost savings & opportunities accuracy, schedule, Subcontracts & Vendor proposals, assist in composition and review of scope letter and bid form)
• Manage bid day activities (support estimating and other departments with BOM review, proposal review, final estimate review)
• Oversee & maintain the estimating archives
• Coordinate with Operations, the post-bid turnover meetings for awarded projects (present all estimating information and correspondence to Div. Manager/PM/Superintendent for construction)
• Historical reference/library (compare estimated costs with building type and classification and keep the figures in a historical cost data spreadsheet)
• Ensure Estimating Department year end housekeeping and maintenance duties are completed

Manage estimating department staff

• Train/ensure the estimating staff that guidelines, policies and procedures are established and implemented for various types of estimates.
• Monitor, review and perform department employee evaluations.
• Approve time-off requests

Collaborate with:

• Pre-Construction division (to identify opportunities for pre-fab and time/money saving suggestions during estimate/preconstruction effort & bid turn over)
• Safety Manager (to address safety requirements during estimating process)
• QA/QC (to address QA/QC/Cx requirements during estimating process)
• Owner/Clients (meet regularly with clients/customers to establish and maintain relationships and expectations

PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science and/or Master of Science in engineering or construction related field desirable. (High School diploma or GED is required.)
• Minimum 12 years of electrical construction industry experience with at least 8-10 years experience managing complex estimating projects
• Minimum of 3-5 years of supervisory experience
• Excellent customer service skills
• Working knowledge of municipal jurisdictional permits, codes, etc.
• Must be able and willing to educate and support staff
• Knowledge of the current volume of the NEC and CEC
• Ability to handle stress & prioritize workload
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required for preparing, analyzing, and monitoring, reporting and presenting and additional computer skills within Windows OS.
• Utilization of Accubid estimating & database management, TRA-SER Supplier Exchange, Microsoft Excel & Word Scheduling and Blue Beam software.
• Regular use of various client FTP and bit proposal sites and virtual plan rooms.
• Familiarity with project management/document control software.
• Familiarity with construction/financial software packages.

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

The requirements listed below are representative of characteristics and demonstrated capabilities sought to perform this job successfully.

• Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism and commitment to company values.
• Must have high standards of quality with attention to detail.
• Must possess ability to manage and supervise personnel.
• Must build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.
• Excellent judgment, make sound decisions, and produce accurate and timely result.
• Solve problems on a strategic and tactical level.
• Be a hands-on, interactive team member who shares information and is a contributor.
• Understanding of customer expectations.
• Highly credible and persuasive in face-to-face settings, and ensure communication is succinct and tailored to the audience
• Exhibit confidence in self and others, inspire and motivate team to perform well and effectively influence the actions of others in a positive manner.
• Encourage department personnel's participation in appropriate programs for professional development.
• Must be adaptable and take new circumstances in stride, maintain composure when challenged and open to new ideas.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in English, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of customer, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors and suppliers, and other contractor organizations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to commute to field locations to accurately perform takeoffs. The employee must have the ability to navigate around job site locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee should expect to sit for long periods in front of a computer and also travel to field locations as needed.

While visiting field locations, the employee shall be provided and required to wear the appropriate PPE equipment when exposed to the following conditions: moving of mechanical and/or de-energized electrical parts; traverse or climb to high, precarious places; encounter dust, fumes, airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; may be required to work outdoors and be exposed to outside weather conditions such as wet and/or humid conditions, extended exposure to sunlight; cold and heat; potential risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled