LELAND SAYLOR ASSOCIATES Lead Project Cost Estimator - LAUSD Salary in the United States

Company Description

For over 50 years, Leland Saylor Associates (LSA) has been a nationally recognized construction consulting firm providing expertise in the areas of estimating, scheduling, value engineering, and construction management. We are proud to be the cost adviser on some of the largest, most technically complex projects in the nation specializing in airports, justice facilities, laboratories, healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects. Leland Saylor is also known for our industry leading cost manuals, used by owners and construction professionals throughout the US. 

LSA is seeking a Lead Project Cost Estimator to support future projects for our major clients in the Los Angeles area. The Lead Project Cost Estimator is to assist various large, high profile construction programs of varying sizes, depending upon the complexity of the project. We seek like-minded professionals who have a passion for cost management, drive to achieve results, creative problem-solving ability, and a dedication to client service and relationship management. Come join us and partner with our world class team and do your best work.

Responsibilities

• Leads and supervises a team of Estimators, including designating daily assignments;
• Plans, supervises, and participates in the preparation of construction cost estimates of buildings or other structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications;
• Prepares and reviews 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;
• Checks construction cost estimates submitted by commissioned architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness and compares them with District estimates;
• Confers with commissioned architects and engineers to resolve differences in their cost estimates and District estimates for each project and negotiates agreements on preliminary estimates of construction costs;
• Makes studies and prepares reports when contractors' bids vary widely from the agreed construction cost estimate;
• Checks segregation of contract costs as estimated by building contractors and recommends acceptance or rejection as a basis for progress payments;
• Analyzes change orders on construction work under contract and approves or rejects extras or credits submitted;
• Prepares or reviews cost estimates for projects;
• Establishes and maintains procedures for approval of plans and specifications for building projects and submission of approved projects to public bidding;
• Develops methods for maintaining data used in records, charts, and graphs reflecting estimated construction costs compared with actual costs;
• Conducts and participates in seminars and workshops with staff and minority contractors relative to school construction bidding procedures, contracts, and cost estimating;
• Estimates costs of damages to District property caused by fire, natural disaster, and major acts of vandalism;
• Establishes budgets for school building projects;
• Assists other branches with related functions;
• Prepares preliminary and final independent cost estimates of projects for comparison with designer or contractor for PM/CM to establish negotiating position;
• Prepares change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives to establish negotiating position;
• Provides support in price negotiations;
• Prepares claim analyses and estimates;
• Reviews contractor’s claims and proposals for merit and accountability;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Experience:

• 15 years full time paid professional experience in quantity surveying and the preparation of pre-construction and cost estimates for type I, II, or III, and V building construction as defined by the State building code, including three years in a supervisory capacity;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in developing conceptual and pre-construction cost estimates for complex school building projects
• Ability to prepare cost estimates quickly in a fast- paced working environment;
• Knowledge of current local construction labor and material costs;
• Extensive experience in developing and estimating the scope of work for change orders;
• Ability to compare the independent cost estimate with contractor proposal to quickly identify differences;
• Ability to develop scope of work based on RFI/RFC answers and estimates the detailed costs of those scopes of work independent of the contractor proposal;
• Good oral and written communications skills.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.

Additional information

Our business is thriving and we offer unlimited opportunities for growth and career advancement. Additionally, we offer a competitive rate, flexibility, and an environment that recognizes and rewards hard work, with unlimited opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Please apply with a cover letter and CV. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Leland Saylor Associates is an equal opportunity employer and makes hiring decisions solely on the basis of merit.