Sound Transit
Senior Cost Engineer (Systems)
Job #1684

OPENING DATE:  02/03/12
CLOSING DATE:  03/02/12, 5:00 PM 

DESCRIPTION:
Under general direction, performs professional senior level technical expertise in preparing total construction cost estimates at different stages of project design, from preliminary through final design document development; ensures the full integration of scope, schedule, costs, risk, and resources; establishes budgets and engineer estimates for construction of large-scale transit projects; performs cost impact analysis related to the project/contract potential and/or directed change orders and for comparison with cost trending analysis; tracks and recommends pricing thresholds to the project team and senior management; maintains cost database based on historical and current market prices; monitors consultant construction management (CM) and construction contractor progress and cost changes to ensure projects adhere to project control policies and procedures and are completed on time and within budget; develops project risk assessment, conducts construction risk analysis and risk mitigation, and cost contingencies analysis; develops and implements standards for the preparation of cost estimates for change order/contract amendment negotiations; interacts, shares knowledge, and negotiates across organizational boundaries with other Agency departments and local, state and federal agencies/jurisdictions and with business partners such as local transit agencies; and develops collaborative relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
 
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
In area of assignment:
• Prepares total cost estimates using preliminary design criteria and narrative information; and documents estimate assumptions and conditions.
• Prepares detailed total cost estimates based on 30% to 100% complete design drawings and specifications including total project estimate compilation, cost estimate presentation and reporting, back up documentation, and assumption and basis of the estimates.
• Prepares detailed independent cost estimates (ICE) for construction changes for all work category disciplines; coordinates with design groups, site construction manager and visits jobsite to determine actual change conditions and confirms scope as required; prepares cost impact analysis related to the contract potential and/or directed change orders, and for comparison with cost trending analysis, and tracking; and recommends pricing thresholds to the project team and senior management.
• Prepares cost estimates for funding agreements (BCE) and conversion of cost estimates to the required federal transit administration (FTA) formats for funding and grant request submittals.
• Reviews and analyzes consultant estimates, from preliminary engineering through final design; at final submittal, adjusts consultant estimate to add addendum changes, cost escalation, contingencies and provisional sum costs for risk impacts; issues as engineer estimate at bid; integrates cost estimates with the schedule to build stronger cost and schedule models, and expands their use from design to also monitor the construction projects.
• Attends meetings with design groups, cost consultants, third parties, ST construction management, consultant construction management and contractors to determine scope and discuss costs for various projects and to resolve scope and costs for proposed changes.
• Monitors current construction market prices and develops historical cost database; and continually maintains database based on current market prices.
• Develops project risk assessment; conducts construction risk analysis, risk mitigation, and cost contingencies analysis using risk analysis and simulation tools such as Monte Carlo.
• Develops and implements standards for the preparation of cost (check) independent cost estimates for change order and contract amendment negotiations; assists the project controls manager with other cost estimating, risk assessments and risk mitigation as required.
• Provides support to the Link Project Control Business Services Manager and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
 

Commercial general contractor seeking commercial estimator with 7-10 years of experience.  Engineering or equivalent degree required. 

The successful candidate will lead the Estimating Department, possess a solid, stable 15 plus years employment history in leading construction estimating of federal government projects. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the acquisition of new work through competitive bidding or negotiation; project buyout; the transition of projects to project management; and providing a positive contribution to executive management.