Technical Project Specialist

Dragonfly Pond Works•Waukegan, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

ILM Environments, a Dragonfly Pond Works company, is an environmental services company specializing in the care, restoration, and management of land and water resources. Founded in 1987, ILM helps maintain the health, safety, and aesthetics of aquatic and natural areas, serving homeowners, property developers, municipalities, and homeowners associations across Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and Northwest Indiana. The Technical Project Specialist partners with Client Service Managers (CSMs) to develop accurate, competitive, and timely estimates for repair and improvement projects. This role is critical in converting opportunities into awarded work by delivering reliable cost estimates, clearly defined project scopes, and professional proposal packages. While CSMs own the client relationship and lead the sales process, the Technical Project Specialist collaborates with them to create comprehensive proposals reflecting scope, pricing, labor, materials, equipment, and assumptions. The goal is to produce estimates efficiently with high accuracy and consistency, resulting in organized, professional, and easy-to-understand proposals that secure profitable work.

Requirements

3+ years of estimating or sales experience in stormwater, landscaping, environmental services, or a closely related construction or civil services field.
Ability to read and comprehend stormwater plans, as-builts, and inspection reports.
Experience preparing estimates that include labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Highly responsive with the ability to manage multiple active proposals simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Valid driver's license and clean driving record; ability to perform field site visits including walking on uneven terrain near water.
Ability to lift 50+lbs.
Collaborative, team-oriented mindset consistent with ILM's core values: Passion, Teamwork, Quality, Simplicity.
Team-oriented and aligned with Dragonfly's values: Quality Focus, Takes Ownership, and Growth Oriented.

Responsibilities

Partner daily with Client Service Managers (CSMs) to prioritize, qualify, and respond to corrective repair opportunities.
Develop comprehensive cost estimates that accurately account for labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, production rates, and project risk.
Prepare estimates for a variety of stormwater repair and restoration projects, including: Erosion and slope stabilization, Mechanical and hydraulic dredging, Invasive vegetation management, Shoreline restoration & stabilization, Riprap installation, Wetland Restoration, Bioretention and sand filter rehabilitation, Underground storm system clean-out, Pipe, riser, and outlet structure repair or reconstruction, Large construction focused public and private BID opportunities.
Produce professional proposal packages that include detailed scope narratives, pricing, assumptions, exclusions, and supporting documentation that are easy for clients to understand.
Review construction plans, as-built drawings, inspection reports, municipal compliance notices, and supporting documentation to accurately define project scope prior to bid submission.
Conduct site visits independently or alongside CSMs to evaluate existing conditions, site access, construction challenges, and project requirements.
Participate in pre-bid meetings, site walks, and client scope review meetings as needed.
Review estimates prepared by Client Service Managers to verify pricing accuracy, scope completeness, production assumptions, and overall proposal quality.
Serve as the primary technical estimating resource for Client Service Managers by providing guidance on repair solutions, constructability, estimating best practices, project sequencing, equipment selection, material applications, compliance requirements, and effective scope definition.
Collaborate with Operations, Sales Leadership, and Project Management to ensure estimates reflect current production methods, resource availability, and company standards.
Manage a high-volume estimating pipeline while consistently meeting proposal turnaround expectations without compromising quality or accuracy.
Maintain complete and accurate estimating records, proposal documentation, and opportunity status within Aspire or the company's designated CRM and estimating platform.
Track proposal outcomes and participate in win/loss analysis to improve estimating accuracy, pricing strategy, and overall sales performance.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors and subcontractors to ensure current pricing, reliable availability, and competitive procurement.
Coordinate with leadership to maintain current labor rates, equipment costs, material pricing, and subcontractor databases that support accurate and competitive estimates.