JOB DESCRIPTION
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Intermediate Project Cost Estimators
- Independently develops project cost estimates for projects of moderate complexity; identifies cost risks, scope gaps, and estimating inconsistencies; and may lead estimate review discussions with project stakeholders.
- Develops construction cost estimates for transmission line and substation projects through the evaluation of project plans, specifications, drawings, quantities, labor, equipment, and material costs.
- Develops detailed project estimates based on ITC standards and site-specific facility drawings.
- Schedules and leads comprehensive estimate reviews with upper management, project managers, field personnel, and scoping parties to cover scope, review costs, subcontractors, and risk.
- Provides expert judgment of costs to support competitive bid projects.
- Assists with the development and maintenance of estimating templates, tools, databases, and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
- Provides pre-construction support and technical expertise to project management team as needed.
- Reviews and evaluates subcontractor quotes for scope gap and process follow up requests.
- Interfaces and seeks clarification from internal groups such as supply chain, engineering and project management to proactively resolve any inconsistencies in cost estimating data.
- Conducts field visits as required to assess site requirements and project conditions.
- Attends pre-and-post bid meetings as required and be able to effectively present information related to cost estimates.
- Transfers completed estimates and applicable bid documents to the Project Management team in accordance with internal process requirements and established timelines.
- Supports the development and maintenance of internal cost estimating metrics by providing accurate, timely, and relevant data to drive performance measurement, trend analysis, and informed decision-making.
- Participates in Capital Committee meetings to aid project owners in the explanation and justification of project costs and variances.
- Participates in meetings, training, and conferences to strengthen professional knowledge and skills.
Senior Project Cost Estimator
- Create conceptual, preliminary, and detailed cost estimates for complex transmission, substation, and generation interconnection projects.
- Performs advanced estimate risk analysis, contingency modeling, and estimate validation to support project funding decisions.
- Develops and enhances estimating methodologies, standards, cost models, and benchmarking practices and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
- Analyzes historical cost data, market trends, labor productivity factors, and escalation impacts to improve estimate accuracy.
- Serves as the estimating subject matter expert (SME) during project development and stage gate reviews.
- Independently resolves complex estimating issues involving scope uncertainty, constructability challenges, and competing project alternatives.
- Facilitates estimate review workshops and challenge sessions with engineering, project management, construction, permitting, real estate, and supply chain stakeholders.
- Provides technical oversight and quality assurance of estimates prepared by junior estimators.
- Prepares and presents estimate assumptions, risks, and recommendations to department leadership and project sponsors.
- Mentors and trains estimators on estimating methodologies, ITC processes, industry standards, and software tools.
- Supports process improvement initiatives that enhance estimating efficiency, consistency, and reporting capabilities.
Principal Project Cost Estimator
- Leads estimating strategy for complex, high-value, or high-risk capital projects and programs.
- Establishes and enhances cost estimating processes, governance practices, and organizational capabilities within Project Controls.
- Develops and/or assist in the development of enterprise-level estimating frameworks, benchmarking programs, and performance metrics.
- Leads the development of enterprise estimating frameworks, automation initiatives, data governance practices, and benchmarking programs and related applications to support consistent and reliable project estimates.
- Leads cross-functional efforts to improve estimating maturity, data quality, forecasting capability, and cost management integration.
- Evaluates industry trends, market intelligence, labor conditions, material pricing, and emerging technologies to assess impacts on future project costs.
- Represents ITC in industry working groups, benchmarking studies, and professional estimating organizations.
- Leads independent estimate reviews and estimate audits for critical capital projects.
- Provides expert testimony, technical support, and negotiation assistance related to claims, change orders, contract disputes, and regulatory filings.
- Coaches and develops estimators across all levels while serving as a technical mentor for estimating leadership.
- Identifies strategic opportunities to improve estimate accuracy, reduce project risk, and optimize capital investment decisions across the project portfolio.
- Drives implementation and continuous improvement of estimating tools, systems, digital solutions, and data governance practices.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field or relevant, equivalent experience and/or education.
- Minimum Work Experience Required
- Intermediate: Minimum of two (2) years of related experience
- Senior: Minimum of six (6) years of related experience.
- Principal: Minimum of ten (10) years of related experience.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of electrical utilities cost estimating depending on the level of the position.
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of construction project cash flow forecasting depending on the level of the position.
- Demonstrates strong understanding of project management and project controls processes, including construction scheduling, cost estimating, and cash flow forecasting.
- Possesses sound analytical, problem-solving and documentation skills.
- Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with individuals inside and outside of ITC.
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
- Works effectively with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
- Possesses electrical and civil Engineering experience/knowledge preferred.
- Possesses Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
- Experience with Microsoft Power BI preferred.
- Manages multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
- Learns and uses job-specific software.