Chief Estimator

Tasks

• Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.

• Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.

• Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.

• Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.

• Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.

• Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.

• Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.

• Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.

• Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.

• Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.

• Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.

• Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.

• Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.

• Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

• Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Knowledge

• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.