Junior Estimator / Estimator

City of Farmington • Farmington, NM

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking a motivated individual to fill the position of Junior Estimator / Estimator within the Electric Utility/Engineering Department. This role involves significant contact with various agents and engineers related to right-of-way, as well as constant interaction with the public. The position requires adherence to safety protocols, understanding of electrical codes, and the ability to perform tasks such as meter spotting, estimating extensions, and writing work orders. The Estimator role involves more independent work and may include training Junior Estimators, while the Junior Estimator role is performed under supervision. Both roles require strong customer service skills and the ability to learn and apply technical knowledge related to electrical distribution projects.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships and communication with co-workers, supervisors, City personnel, and the public.
• Ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.
• Ability to work under stress and handle stressful situations.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate the tools and equipment listed.
• Ability to meet people easily and utilize practical communicative skills necessary to obtain easements.
• Ability to work effectively on complex individual and team projects.
• Must operate a motor vehicle to assist in carrying out the business of the department and the City.
• Junior Estimator: A high school diploma or equivalent combined with a two-year college degree in electrical, mathematical, industrial, business, or closely related fields. OR A combination of education and a minimum of two years' experience within an industrial or business setting, and must complete required mathematics courses within two years, at least one semester of trigonometry, and one semester of algebra, if the applicant has not had a mathematics course.
• Junior Estimator: Must become familiar with procedures and techniques of power line estimating, with experience in or assisting in electrical job estimating.
• Junior Estimator: Ability to acquire knowledge of construction standards and procedures.
• Junior Estimator: Knowledge of personal computers.
• Junior Estimator: Experience with AutoCAD, or similar drawing software, or the ability to obtain this knowledge through on-the-job training.
• Estimator: A high school diploma and an associate's degree in electrical, mathematical, industrial, or a closely related field are preferred, with at least one semester of trigonometry and algebra each. Five years of experience as an Estimator for an electric utility company can be substituted for an Associate's degree.
• Estimator: Five years of progressive experience in the Junior Estimator position at the Farmington Electric Utility with demonstrated ability to perform essential job duties or, at minimum, substitution of up to five years of experience with another electric utility or consultant in a similar position of electrical job estimating (such as a staking engineer or staking technician).
• Estimator: Must have or be able to obtain Comprehensive Staking Technician Certification from GDS Associates/Hi-Line Engineering or a comparable staking technician program.
• Estimator: Familiar with the applicable NESC.
• Estimator: Familiar with USDA RUS distribution construction standards and procedures.
• Estimator: Basic knowledge of surveying techniques and the electrical One Call system.
• Estimator: Knowledge of personal and laptop computers.
• Estimator: Clear working experience with Futura or another geographical information system.
• Estimator: Experience with AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or similar drawing software.
• Estimator: Working use of email, Internet, Word, Excel, hand-held GPS locators, laser range finders, digital cameras, cell phone/smart phone.

Nice To Haves

• Junior Estimator: Must become familiar with minor surveying details, with the ability to direct a small survey crew for pole line staking.
• Junior Estimator: Must learn to obtain right-of-way easements and have knowledge of researching properties at the county courthouse.
• Junior Estimator: Must learn to calculate voltage drops (flicker) for larger motors.
• Estimator: Must be familiar with minor surveying details and can direct a small survey crew for pole line staking.
• Estimator: Must obtain right-of-way easements and know about researching properties at the county courthouse.
• Estimator: Must know how to correctly calculate peak demand from load information to size transformers and secondaries.

Responsibilities

• Follows established safety protocols and policies.
• Maintains a "safety first" mentality.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, officials, and the public.
• Operates a motor vehicle to assist the Electric Engineering Department.
• Performs special assignments and other related incidental work.
• Under supervision (Junior Estimator), works on assigned tasks such as meter spots, estimating overhead and underground extensions, and writing work orders, including specifying materials.
• Acquires knowledge of and implements construction standards and procedures to prepare work orders for various electric distribution projects.
• Learns to obtain right-of-way easements and research properties.
• Learns to calculate voltage drops (flicker) for larger motors.
• Under supervision (Estimator), works alone on assigned tasks and may be assigned projects by Engineers.
• Prepares work orders for large and small overhead line extensions, underground extensions, street lighting, reconductoring, and rerouting projects.
• Directs a small survey crew for pole line staking.
• Assists in the training of Junior Estimators.
• Calculates peak demand from load information to size transformers and secondaries.

Benefits

• Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program (includes pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return-to-duty testing, and follow-up testing)
• Health Insurance (implied by "City's Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program" and general employment context, though not explicitly listed as a benefit)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED