Portland General Electric

Cost Estimator

Portland General Electric$70K — $95K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in construction engineering management/technology, engineering, or related technical field.
  • 2+ years of experience for Associate Estimator (P2) in construction and cost estimation; 5+ years for Estimator (P3).
  • Working knowledge of estimating techniques and project management methods.
  • Intermediate/advanced knowledge of project cost-control principles and construction job costing.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and interpret design drawings.

Responsibilities

  • Support project managers in estimating for small to large-scale projects.
  • Assist in the scoping of projects and identify labor, material, and time requirements.
  • Produce detailed cost estimates during all project phases.
  • Contribute to developing capital and maintenance job budgets.
  • Analyze financial data to support cost-control efforts and provide variance recommendations.
  • Maintain an updated estimating database with current resource costs.

Benefits

  • Opportunity for career growth within a company focused on innovation.
  • Engagement in diverse, impactful projects that connect communities.
  • Collaboration with experienced engineers and project managers.
  • Exposure to a variety of estimating methods and practices.
  • Supportive work environment that values safety and reliability.
Full Job Description
Power the Future with PGE. Join our Project Controls Estimation team and play a vital role in delivering the infrastructure that keeps our communities connected and powered. As an Estimator, you'll collaborate with engineers, project managers, and construction teams to develop accurate cost estimates, support project planning and budgeting, and help drive the successful delivery of critical transmission, distribution, and generation projects. Whether you're launching your estimating career or bringing years of industry experience, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, solve complex challenges, and grow your career with a company committed to innovation, safety, and reliability.

We're hiring for a position open to both Associate Estimator (P2) and Estimator (P3) candidates. The level will be determined based on the successful applicant's qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills during the interview process.

Key Responsibilities

Associate Estimator (P2)

  • Project Development Supports project manager (PM) and other project personnel in all phases of small- to medium-scale capital or operations and maintenance projects OR supports senior estimators in large scale capital, operations and maintenance or construction projects; contributes to planning for the efficient use of personnel, equipment, materials and subcontractors within schedule and cost. Manages all aspects of estimate development, including scope, schedule, cost, safety and quality, OR manages estimate development for specific phases or elements of large-scale projects; receives guidance and direction as requested from senior estimators on complex problems or situations. Ensures decisions result in a cost-effective, reliable, safe, constructible/maintainable project. Compiles and provides data used to evaluate and forecast project costs; develops additional resource forecasting documents used to outline resource needs. Assists with subcontractor evaluations, clarifications and pricing schedules. Prepares requests for proposals for subcontracted scopes of work.


  • Develop Requirements Assists project team in scoping of projects for engineering, construction and contractual requirements; gathers and analyzes proposals, drawings, specifications and related documents to identify labor, material and time requirements.


  • Prepare Estimates Works directly with engineers/project managers during all phases or assigned phases of projects to produce cost estimates, including during the preliminary, conceptual, 25-to-75-percent, prebid/preconstruction and change order phases. Computes costs by analyzing labor, material and time requirements; prepares estimates by performing takeoffs and calculating projected costs; prepares estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors; consults with vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.


  • Budget Development Provides first-level classification of generating plant projects as capital or maintenance expenditure and the level of estimating/budgeting effort required. Supports the development of capital and major maintenance job budget; analyzes, edits and revises specific job budget requests; supports development of budgeting database. Provides budget analysts with forecasting detail and monthly variance explanations.


  • Financial Analysis and Control Analyzes financial reports and data to support cost-control programs; identifies variances, analyzes trends and prepares forecasts; makes recommendations to management and project engineers regarding job revisions and variances; researches and provides data to internal and external auditors as requested. Ensures departmentwide implementation of corporate and regulatory guidelines (APPDs, FERC).


  • Estimating Database Management Maintains and updates software and database resources with current costs of materials, labor, equipment and external contractor services.


Estimator (P3)

  • Project Development Supports project manager (PM) and other project personnel in all phases of medium- to large-scale capital and operations and maintenance or small- to medium-scale construction projects; contributes to planning for the efficient use of personnel, equipment, materials and subcontractors within schedule and cost. Independently manages all aspects of estimate development, including scope, schedule, cost, safety and quality. Ensures decisions result in a cost-effective, reliable, safe, constructible/maintainable project. Compiles and provides data used to evaluate and forecast project costs; develops additional resource forecasting documents used to outline resource needs. Assists with subcontractor evaluations, clarifications and pricing schedules. Prepares requests for proposals for subcontracted scopes of work. Provides input and problem-solving guidance on estimating to junior estimating staff; recommends improvements in methodology, tools and practices.


  • Develop Requirements Assists project team in scoping of projects for engineering, construction and contractual requirements; gathers and analyzes proposals, drawings, specifications and related documents to identify labor, material and time requirements.


  • Prepare Estimates Works directly with engineers/project managers during all phases of projects to produce cost estimates, including during the preliminary, conceptual, 25-to-75-percent, prebid/preconstruction and change order phases. Computes costs by analyzing labor, material and time requirements; prepares estimates by performing takeoffs, developing construction approach and calculating projected costs; prepares estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors; consults with vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.


  • Budget Development Provides first-level classification of generating plant projects as capital or maintenance expenditure and the level of estimating/budgeting effort required. Supports the development of capital and major maintenance job budget; analyzes, edits and revises specific job budget requests; supports development of budgeting database. Provides budget analysts with forecasting detail and monthly variance explanations.


  • Financial Analysis and Control Analyzes financial reports and data to support cost-control programs; identifies variances, analyzes trends and prepares forecasts; makes recommendations to management and project engineers regarding job revisions and variances; researches and provides data to internal and external auditors as requested. Ensures departmentwide implementation of corporate and regulatory guidelines (APPDs, FERC).


  • Estimating Database Management Maintains and updates software and database resources with current costs of materials, labor, equipment and external contractor services.


Education / Experience / Certifications

Education

  • Associate Estimator (P2) & Estimator (P3):
    Requires a bachelor's degree in construction engineering management/technology, engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience.


Experience

  • Associate Estimator (P2) Typically two or more years in construction and cost estimation for all types of construction projects with electrical, mechanical and civil components or a related field.


  • Estimator (P3) Typically five or more years in construction and cost estimation for all types of construction projects with electrical, mechanical and civil components or a related field.


Minimum Competencies

Functional Competencies

Associate Estimator (P2)

  • Working knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control and general profit/loss terms


  • Working knowledge of project management methods and concepts


  • Working knowledge of project sequencing for placement of major equipment from early design through permitting


  • Working knowledge of scheduling and database computer software and applications


  • Intermediate knowledge of company standards, tariffs, policies, codes and jurisdictional requirements


  • Working knowledge of transmission and distribution standards and practices


  • Working knowledge of PGE's electrical system


  • Working knowledge of NESC and NEC


  • Working knowledge of engineering concepts, principles and terminology


  • Working knowledge of project cost-control principles and construction job costing


  • Working ability to plan, estimate and manage multiple projects


  • Working ability to review design drawings and engineering project scope


  • Working skills in Microsoft Office and applicable BIM/CAD software


Estimator (P3)

  • Intermediate knowledge of estimating techniques, cost control and general profit/loss terms


  • Intermediate knowledge of project management methods and concepts


  • Intermediate knowledge of project sequencing for placement of major equipment from early design through permitting


  • Intermediate knowledge of scheduling and database computer software and applications


  • Intermediate knowledge of company standards, tariffs, policies, codes and jurisdictional requirements


  • Working knowledge of transmission and distribution standards and practices


  • Working knowledge of PGE's electrical system


  • Working knowledge of NESC and NEC


  • Working knowledge of engineering concepts, principles and terminology


  • Advanced knowledge of project cost-control principles and construction job costing


  • Advanced ability to effectively plan, estimate and manage multiple projects


  • Advanced ability to review and interpret detailed design drawings and engineering project scope


  • Advanced skills in Microsoft Office and applicable BIM/CAD software


General Competencies

Associate Estimator (P2)

  • Working analytical thinking skills


  • Working business process interrelationship skills


  • Working conflict management skills


  • Working decision-making skills


  • Working enterprise/business awareness skills


  • Working influence skills


  • Working interpersonal skills


  • Working negotiation skills


  • Working problem-solving skills


  • Working written/oral communication skills


Estimator (P3)

  • Advanced analytical thinking skills


  • Advanced business process interrelationship skills


  • Advanced conflict management skills


  • Advanced decision-making skills


  • Advanced enterprise/business awareness skills


  • Advanced influence skills


  • Intermediate interpersonal skills


  • Intermediate negotiation skills


  • Advanced problem-solving skills


  • Intermediate written/oral communication skills


Physical, Schedule/Attendance and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level

Associate Estimator (P2): Intermediate
Estimator (P3): Substantial

Cognitive

  • Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks


  • Ability to follow accuracy standards


  • Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks


  • Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment


  • Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress


  • Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change


  • Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback


  • Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement


  • Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks


  • Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization


  • Demonstrates sound memory


  • Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks


Schedule/Attendance

  • Ability to work long hours


  • Ability to work a variable schedule


  • Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather


  • Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance


Physical Capabilities

  • Driving/travel within and outside the service territory


  • Computer use for entire work shift


  • Lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying up to and greater than 50 pounds


  • Working in elevated areas and confined spaces


  • Walking long distances and over uneven terrain


  • Climbing stairs and ladders


Environment

  • Office


  • Plant


  • Field

About Portland General Electric

Portland General Electric Company is a vertically integrated electric utility that serves approximately 900,000 customers in the Portland/Salem metropolitan area of Oregon. The company generates, purchases, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity. PGE's service area covers approximately 4,000 square miles and includes 51 cities, 24 unincorporated communities, and six counties. The company's generating facilities include thermal, hydroelectric, and wind power plants. PGE also purchases power from other utilities and independent power producers. The company was founded in 1888 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
Learn more about Portland General Electric
Size
2,839 employees
Market Cap
$4.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$155 million
Founded
1930
5 Year Trend
+4.5%
Revenue
$2.1 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Portland General Electric

More Real Estate & Construction Jobs

Find similar Cost Estimator jobs: