Construction Cost Estimator

Crawford is seeking a talented Cost Estimator in support of the Federal Government to perform cost estimating services for a large multi billion-dollar program along the southern border. The project will construct multiple border barrier systems which includes a combination of primary and secondary steel bollard wall, waterborne barriers, patrol roads, and the technology required to tie it all together, such as cameras, lights, and other detection technology.

The job may involve traveling to job sites to gather information on work completed, change orders, and other factors.

Desired Job Experience

• Experience working on federal projects
• Seven (7) years’ relevant experience supporting large civil works construction projects
• Strong capability in quantity takeoffs, cost modeling, and cost database use (e.g., RSMeans, Gordian, MII, COSTWORKS, Sage)
• Experience preparing independent cost estimates (ICEs) for federal, state, or private-sector projects.
• Ability to analyze labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor quotes, and market pricing.
• Skilled in evaluating change orders, claims, and cost impacts of design revisions and field conditions.
• Experience supporting risk-based cost estimating, including contingency development and risk register input.
• Applicants selected for employment will be subject to a federal background investigation
• Familiarity with field conditions such as weather, site logistics, permitting, phasing, and safety constraints.
• Ability to validate progress payment quantities, track cost trends, and align costs with schedule progress.

Desired Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline (or Construction Management) is preferred

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Change Order Evaluation

• Review contractors change order requests for accuracy, scope alignment, and cost reasonableness.
• Perform independent cost estimates (ICEs) to validate proposed pricing.
• Analyze labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor quotes, and markups.

Budget Monitoring & Cost Control

• Track actual costs versus the approved budget or funding.
• Update cost reports, forecasts, and remaining budgets.
• Identify potential budget risks or cost overruns early and recommend corrective actions.

Monthly Progress Payment Support

• Validate contractor pay applications.
• Confirm quantities installed and verify percent-complete assessments.
• Flag discrepancies between field progress and billed amounts.
• Update the risk register with emerging construction risks.
• Adjust contingency usage forecasts based on risk burn-down.
• Provide cost impacts during risk workshops or schedule discussions.

Claims Analysis Support

• Perform cost analyses for claims such as delays, productivity impacts, unforeseen conditions, escalation, or schedule shifts.
• Review contractor backup documentation and time-related impacts (e.g., extended overhead).
• Support negotiation strategy with data-driven analysis.

Cost Impact of Design Clarifications & RFIs

• Evaluate cost implications of design changes, field directives, or revised drawings.
• Provide quick-turn cost estimates to help the project team make decisions.
• Review subcontractor quotes for conformance, quantity takeoff accuracy, and market pricing.
• Compare multiple bids and document variances.
• Assess cost-saving alternatives submitted by the contractor or proposed by the owner.
• Quantify cost, schedule, and lifecycle impacts of VE proposals.

Support for Scheduling & Delay Analysis

• Provide cost inputs for time-related delays, acceleration, resequencing, or recovery plans.
• Coordinate with schedulers to ensure cost-schedule alignment.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain complete cost estimate files, assumptions, and back-up documentation.
• Prepare executive-level summaries, financial dashboards, and trend logs.
• Support audits or funding agencies with detailed cost transparency.

Closeout Support

• Validate final costs and ensure all change orders are captured.
• Support reconciliation of allowances, contingencies, and final quantities.
• Provide final cost reports and lessons learned.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure that cost estimates adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and building codes.

Physical Ability

• Shall be physically capable of walking over rough terrain and standing for long periods of time.

Crawford Consulting Services, an equal opportunity employer, is a woman-owned small business that provides full-service construction consulting services for commercial, federal government agencies, and private sector organizations on a worldwide basis. We build dynamic teams dedicated to excellence and the pursuit of success. At Crawford, we offer a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending plan, life insurance, short/long-term disability, and 401K savings plan with company match.

Offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment (post offer) background check, which includes a criminal background check.

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