Cost Estimator

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Job Description:

Parsons is seeking a skilled and experienced professional to join a major program and construction management team supporting a Department of War customer in successfully delivering a significant construction program in the National Capital Region (Washington, DC).

In our anticipated role, Parsons will provide Owner’s Agent Construction Management Services (CMa), including Program Management, Construction Management, Risk Management, Scheduling, Cost Estimating, Progress Reporting, Construction Quality Assurance, Safety, and other supporting services to achieve program success.

The Cost Estimator provides independent cost estimating, pricing analysis, and technical support to the Government throughout the planning, design, and construction phases of complex federal construction and infrastructure projects. This position is responsible for developing and reviewing cost estimates, evaluating contractor proposals and contract modifications, and supporting negotiations to ensure project costs are accurate, reasonable, and aligned with program requirements. Working closely with Government stakeholders and multidisciplinary construction management teams, the Cost Estimator supports effective cost control, risk management, and informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

What You'll Be Doing:

- Develop Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates, detailed construction estimates, and budget analyses for federal construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.

- Review construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, schedules, and contract documents to develop accurate and comprehensive cost estimates.

- Prepare quantity takeoffs, labor and material pricing, equipment costs, productivity factors, subcontractor costs, and contractor markups.

- Develop and document Basis of Estimate (BOE) narratives, including estimating methodologies, assumptions, exclusions, escalation, and risk factors.

- Evaluate contractor proposals, change orders, Requests for Equitable Adjustment (REAs), and contract modifications for cost reasonableness and compliance with contract requirements.

- Prepare independent cost reviews, pricing analyses, and pre-negotiation recommendations to support Government contract negotiations.

- Analyze cost impacts associated with design changes, differing site conditions, schedule delays, and construction modifications.

- Coordinate with Government representatives, project managers, schedulers, engineers, and construction managers to validate project costs and identify potential financial risks.

- Maintain historical cost data, develop cost reports, and provide recommendations to support project budgeting and financial management.

- Support multiple concurrent projects while ensuring timely delivery of accurate estimates and technical analyses.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Business, or a related field, or equivalent construction-related experience.

- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in construction cost estimating, including federal construction or infrastructure programs.

- Demonstrated experience developing detailed construction estimates, IGCEs, ROM estimates, quantity takeoffs, and Basis of Estimate documentation.

- Experience reviewing construction drawings, specifications, contractor proposals, contract modifications, and associated pricing documentation.

- Strong knowledge of construction means and methods, labor and material costs, equipment pricing, productivity factors, and contractor markups.

- Experience evaluating contractor cost proposals, change orders, and construction cost impacts.

- Proficiency with construction estimating software such as RSMeans, MCACES/MII, PACES, Bluebeam Revu, or comparable applications.

- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and technical writing skills.

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

- Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet project deadlines, and coordinate effectively with Government stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams.

- Must be a U.S. citizen and able to satisfy applicable federal background investigation requirements.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

- Experience supporting Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), or similar federal construction and facilities programs.

- Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and federal construction contracting procedures.

- Experience preparing NAVFAC cost analyses, Pre-Negotiation Positions, and independent cost evaluations.

- Experience supporting large-scale, complex, multiyear construction and infrastructure modernization programs.

- Knowledge of Design-Build, Design-Bid-Build, and other federal construction delivery methods.

- Experience evaluating schedule-related cost impacts, extended general conditions, and construction claims.

- Familiarity with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, BIM, or other construction management and scheduling applications.

- Experience with project management information systems such as Procore, Kahua, USACE RMS, NAVFAC eCMS, or comparable platforms.

- Professional certifications such as Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Professional Engineer (PE).

- Experience working within multidisciplinary Owner’s Representative or Construction Management Agent (CMa) teams.

Security Clearance Requirement:
None

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range: $112,200.00 - $196,400.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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