Cost Estimator

STV•Empire State Building, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

STV is seeking a highly skilled Cost Estimator with our Project Controls group as an extension of staff at NYC School Construction Authority. This role will be responsible for developing accurate, detailed estimates to review, analyze, and develop independent cost estimates for proposed construction change orders. Validate quantities, labor, materials, equipment, subcontractor pricing, overhead, and profit markups. Negotiate fair and reasonable costs with contractors, and provide detailed recommendations to project management teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or related construction or field (or equivalent experience)
3–5+ years of estimating experience
Experience with quantity take-offs and cost analysis from construction documents
Knowledge of construction means and methods, materials, and cost drivers
Excellent analytical, communication, and coordination skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with public-sector, educational, institutional, or vertical construction projects.
Experience reviewing contractor change order submissions and claims.
Familiarity with NYC construction practices and prevailing wage requirements.
Proficiency with estimating tools and software (e.g., RSMeans, Bluebeam, Sage Estimating or similar software tools)

Responsibilities

Review and Validate Change Requests: Analyze proposed change orders, RFIs, and scope revisions. Determine whether the change is contractually valid. Verify that the change is truly outside the original contract scope. Identify cost, schedule, and constructability impacts.
Quantity Takeoff and Cost Development: Perform detailed quantity takeoffs for changed work. Develop labor, material, equipment, subcontractor, and indirect costs. Apply productivity factors and local market conditions. Prepare independent estimates for comparison against contractor proposals.
Evaluate Contractor Change Order Pricing: Review contractor cost breakdowns. Verify labor rates, burden, equipment rates, production assumptions, and material pricing. Validate overhead and profit markups. Identify unsupported or excessive costs.
Negotiate Change Orders: Participate in negotiations with contractors and subcontractors. Prepare fact-based recommendations regarding fair and reasonable pricing. Support owners, CM teams, and project managers during negotiations.
Conduct Scope Reviews: Potential for project sites visits to verify existing conditions. Review field conditions affecting changed work. Coordinate scope with engineers, architects, contractors, and project managers. Resolve quantity and scope discrepancies.

Benefits

Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
Disability insurance
Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
401(k) Plan
Retirement Counseling
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
Paid Holidays (9 days)
Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
Continuing Education Program
Professional Licensure and Society Memberships