Cost Estimator

Overview

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade.

The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a qualifying transportation facility under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995.

Are you a skilled Cost Estimator seeking your next challenge? Do you have a passion for construction program management and a knack for project controls? If so, VPRA is looking for you. The VPRA Engineering & Construction Team is seeking a Cost Estimator to play a critical role in supporting our Capital Construction program. This position will be responsible for evaluating costs, creating and reviewing cost estimates, and supporting VPRA staff during change management evaluation and negotiations.

The Cost Estimator will report to the Senior Manager of Scheduling and contribute to the successful execution of projects within VPRA's multi-billion-dollar Transforming Rail in Virginia program. This position will also assist in developing programmatic elements for VPRA, including establishing a cost library/database/repository for construction costs. The Cost Estimator will interact with various staff levels, clients, government officials, consultants, and stakeholders.

This full-time position will work in VPRA's office in Alexandria, Virginia.

Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Scheduling, the Cost Estimator will:

• Develop conceptual cost estimates.
• Create and update the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS).
• Provide a detailed review of the Engineer's cost estimates and Contractor's bids for accuracy and reasonability.
• Monitor and track actual costs and Estimate to Complete (ETC).
• Prepare and update high-level and detailed cost reports on the financial status of the project.
• Develop and update project cost contingency levels and drawdown.
• Support the Finance group with the development and update of project budgets.
• Assist the Director of Program Management and the Senior Manager of Scheduling in establishing a programmatic approach (SOPs) to cost estimating from project inception through construction.
• Create Independent Cost Estimates (ICE) for task orders for bench consultants.
• Review of Independent Cost Estimates (ICE) prepared by consultants.
• Provide support to the Project Managers in E&C to evaluate costs for Change Orders and what-if analysis.
• Support Change Orders negotiations with contractors.
• Facilitate meetings for cost estimate review.
• Assist the Director of Program Management and the Senior Manager of Scheduling in building a historical cost library/database for VPRA.

Education And Experience

Required

Education:

• BS in Civil Engineering or related construction/transportation field of study, or a combination of 15 years of equivalent experience, education, and/or training.

Preferred Education

• Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE), Certified Estimating Professional (CEP), or Certified Cost Professional (CCP) certification.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license.
• Project Management Institute (PMI) or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Required Experience

• 7-10 years of experience in heavy civil, rail, transit, or transportation projects.
• 7-10 years of experience creating Cost Estimates for design consultants or construction contractors, a plus.
• 2 years of experience in evaluating cost estimates associated with Construction claims and change orders.
• Ability to evaluate plans, specifications, and drawings during engineering and construction.
• Strong understanding of…