Job Description (show details...)

Summary

Performs cost estimating, analysis, and control activities for projects or proposals.  Coordinates task execution with other Project Controls staff.  Performs data analysis identifying problems and makes recommendations.  Performs control activities for project and/or proposal efforts.  Performs historical data analysis and maintains historical databases.  Supports estimate reporting and reviews.  Provides technical direction to assigned personnel when delegated.  Supports training activities, as needed.  Executes simultaneous tasks within broadly defined parameters.   

Job Duties

1. Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
2. Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

The following duties are performed with respect to Estimate Execution, the process of conducting an evaluation of services and/or capital cost elements of a project or effort as defined by an agreed-upon scope that will be used to make key management decisions:

1. Prepares cost/schedule products for proposals or contract negotiations.
2. Prepares services, distributable, cost estimates using current techniques and market pricing.
3. Provides input on the level of effort required (cost/job hours) through coordination with functions and/or vendors and consolidates input for costing. 
4. Performs and reviews methodology for quantity takeoffs from design drawings for multidiscipline sections and customizes forms etc. to reflect best effort.
5. Collects, reconciles, and verifies data for summary comparisons. 
6. Develops unit rates for discipline specific items.
7. Prepares detail pricing of non-manual labor/other direct costs (ODC) and home office labor/ODCs.
8. Assists in developing conceptual quantities to supplement partial Design Build design documents.
9. Prepares basis and assumption documentation denoting rationale, inclusions and exclusions. 
10. Calculates fee based on established fee model.
11. Quantifies and spreads escalation based on project schedule and estimated costs. 
12. Develops and performs analysis of project cash models and the corresponding time value of money as the cost of working capital correlating scheduled activities and cost. Generates payment schedules. 
13. Supports risk analysis assessment by identifying areas of risk.
14. Supports contingency efforts as directed.
15. Assists in developing unit staffing, job hour and pricing data for a specific discipline or other specialty, including estimating parameters, factors, indices, and craft distribution reference data, etc., based on analysis of LANL and industry.
16. Performs data analysis, identifies problems and makes recommendations.
17.  Identifies or defines data sources and techniques for data acquisition.
18. Prepares reports and estimate summaries for estimate reviews, as directed by supervisor. Participates in estimate reviews and presentations, as appropriate.

The following duties are performed with respect to Foundation Development, the process of establishing and maintaining technical capabilities for personnel, cost databases and tools:

1. Researches, develops and maintains costs, quantities, ratios and metrics of the historical cost databases.   Understands the data and various sources of data.  Extracts non-standard data and formulates the data into comparative summary format for analysis.
2. Inputs cost data into the historical cost databases.  Files completed estimates with all relevant back-up documentation yielding an easy to follow paper trail.
3. Generates estimates with appropriate global business unit software.

The following duties are performed with respect to Project/Site Management Support, the process of providing support services to projects/sites in the form of external cost analysis and estimate reviews in addition to estimate-to-budget conversions:

1. Converts work breakdown structure used in the estimate to project job and sub-job codes.
2. Converts commodity-coding system used in the estimate to a system for a project.
3. Performs price or cost analysis for reasonableness.
4. Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to Cost, Schedule and Estimating.

Job Knowledge

• Demonstrated intermediate understanding of Estimating core processes requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Knowledge of EPC estimating methods, processes, and procedures, in addition to the estimate types, classifications, and components.  Experience with Lump Sum Design Build estimates.  Specifically understands detail level estimates and design packages.
• Knowledge of market pricing and pricing sources in the area of specialization.
• Broad knowledge and experience in construction estimating practices and methods.
• Practical experience in performing quantity takeoffs, statistical analysis, and cost and price analysis.  Skill in understanding technical discipline processes.  Familiar with engineering and construction codes and standards.
• Familiar with commercial terms and conditions (contractor relationships, currency exchange, taxation, inflation, insurance, escalation, etc.).
• Understanding of cost index and escalation projections sources.
• Full understanding of project cash flows and the corresponding time value of money as the cost of working capital.
• Familiar with risk and contingency. 
• Excellent applied analytical and quantitative skills.  Effective in utilizing metrics to provide reasonableness checks.
• Basic knowledge of financial report systems, Controller account codes and understanding of Controller Instructions that impact estimates. 
• Proficiency in basic Microsoft Office software.  Knowledge of scheduling software.  Proficiency in estimating applications used for estimates.
• Skilled in oral and written communication with basic presentation skills.

Education

• Position typically requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum eight years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  At this level, post graduate course work may be desirable.

Direction

A. Supervision Received

• Receives technical guidance and minimal operational supervision from designated supervisor.
• During preparation of a project proposal, reports to the assigned Project Estimator on a day-to-day basis.

B. Supervision Exercised

• Provides technical and operational supervision to assigned personnel when delegated.

C. Contacts

• Maintains relationships with estimating and project personnel, particularly with individual group leaders within and outside of organization.
• Periodic contacts with vendors.
• Provide data within guidelines set by Supervisor to external Customers.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.