Trans Project Estimator Sr - Trans Project Estimator Prin

American Electric Power•New Albany, OH

About The Position

Responsible for performing highly technical estimates for transmission line and substation projects, including very complex projects, safely, efficiently, and economically. The position complies with project scoping and estimating procedures; gathers and integrates estimate and cost information to build and update master estimating cost models and databases; develops criteria for estimation and project and portfolio contingency; and works with project stakeholders to develop, implement, and continuously improve scoping and estimating processes. The position also mentors and trains less experienced Project Estimators. The role supports sponsors in developing conceptual estimates and collaborates with engineering, project management, and other stakeholders to develop detailed project scopes and prepare cost estimates. It interfaces with planning, engineering, outage management, construction, and operating company personnel to initiate, scope, status, and follow up on estimate efforts, and provides guidance on estimating approaches and required inputs. Additional work includes developing risk-based contingency policies, monitoring labor and equipment pricing trends, analyzing historical project costs, reviewing designs for cost effectiveness, and estimating service labor. The position provides advanced technical direction on estimate development and resolution of estimate issues, leads estimates for unique projects or projects involving new technology, and oversees and critiques contractor estimates. It advises project managers and engineers on estimate basis, benchmarking, labor and equipment costs, unit rates, schedules, site conditions, removal and repair scope, other costs, and contingency. It also helps maintain estimating software and related resource and assembly cost data, and mentors less experienced estimators. The employee is expected to uphold ethical standards and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.

Requirements

For the Senior level: bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field and at least 4 years of experience in engineering, design, estimating, project management, or construction execution; alternatively, an associate degree in a related field and at least 6 years of such experience.
For the Principal level: bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field and at least 6 years of experience in engineering, design, estimating, project management, or construction execution; alternatively, an associate degree in a related field and at least 8 years of such experience.
Demonstrated effective leadership, team-building, and meeting-management skills.
Confidence in leading a team and project to successful conclusion.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with team members, sponsors, management, and senior management.
Economic and business acumen and understanding of Engineering and Design, Procurement, Contracting, Estimating, Construction, and Test and Checkout procedures and processes.
Strategic thinking, planning, risk assessment, and project-activity prioritization skills.
Conflict-management skills to resolve disputes and maximize synergies in the company's interests.
Understanding of scope management.
Accountability for project assignments.
Ability to organize project activities, delegate tasks, set team requirements and expectations, manage deliverables, and hold team members accountable.
Ability to assess the skill sets and capabilities needed from team members to ensure project success.
Advanced knowledge and high proficiency in construction methodologies.
Position may require extended hours to complete assigned tasks and meet project requirements and schedules.
Ability to maintain a professional working atmosphere.

Responsibilities

Support project sponsors in developing conceptual estimates.
Collaborate with engineering, project management, and other stakeholders to develop detailed scopes of work, including for very complex projects.
Prepare detailed project cost estimates based on approved scopes of work.
Coordinate with planning, engineering, project engineering and management, outage management, construction, and operating company personnel to initiate, scope, status, and follow up on estimate efforts.
Recommend estimating approaches and input requirements to interfacing groups and individuals.
Establish policies and procedures for allocating risk-based contingency.
Monitor labor market trends and work with Procurement and Transmission Performance Management to track equipment pricing trends.
Develop and analyze historical project cost records.
Review and critique designs and specifications for cost effectiveness and suggest alternatives when appropriate.
Follow standard estimating processes and procedures and review estimate bases and assumptions for completeness and reasonableness.
Work with functional departments and service organizations to develop services labor estimates.
Provide advanced technical direction and guidance on estimating approaches, development, assumptions, qualifications, and resolution of estimate issues.
Lead estimates for unique, one-of-a-kind requests, including scopes involving new technology that may require additional research and creative estimating approaches.
Oversee, review, and analyze estimates prepared for AEP by contractors.
Advise project managers and engineers on contract estimate bases, benchmarking, labor and equipment costs, unit rates, schedules, site conditions, removal and repair scope, other costs, and contingency.
Help maintain the integrity of estimating software and its associated resource and assembly cost data.
Mentor and develop less experienced Project Estimators.
Demonstrate ethical behavior and support the Company's Corporate Compliance Policy.
Provide leadership, organize project activities, delegate tasks, set team expectations, manage deliverables, and hold team members accountable.
Support project assignments and maintain a professional working atmosphere.