Lead Project Cost Estimator

The Work

You lead LAUSD's cost estimating function for the district's $10B+ portfolio of school modernization and construction projects. You prepare independent cost estimates on complex, high-dollar school building projects, manage a team of estimators, and establish the budget against which contractors' bids are evaluated.

The work is detail-intensive and high-stakes. You're reading complex drawings, understanding building codes, pulling current labor and material costs, and producing estimates that set negotiating position for projects worth tens of millions of dollars. You review estimates submitted by architects and contractors, challenge them where they diverge from independent district estimates, and represent the district in pre-bid conferences with project teams.

You work with design teams, architects, engineers, contractors, and internal LAUSD leadership. You conduct studies when contractor bids vary widely from your estimate. You train staff and minority contractors on estimating methodology and bidding procedures. The work is methodical, requires deep construction knowledge, and directly impacts which projects move forward and on what timeline.

What You'll Own

• Leads and supervises a team of estimators, including designating daily assignments and managing workflow
• Plans and participates in the preparation of construction cost estimates for complex building structures from drawings, outlines, and specifications
• Prepares and reviews cost estimates and grant/loan application materials, representing the district to state and federal agencies
• Checks construction cost estimates submitted by architects and engineers for accuracy and completeness; compares with district estimates
• Confers with architects and engineers to resolve cost estimate differences and negotiate agreements on preliminary construction costs
• Conducts studies and prepares reports when contractor bids vary widely from agreed cost estimates
• Checks segregations of contract costs and recommends acceptance or rejection as the basis for progress payments
• Analyzes change orders on construction contracts and approves or rejects extras and credits
• Prepares cost estimates for projects and maintains data systems that compare estimated vs. actual costs
• Conducts training and participates in seminars with district staff, architects, and minority contractors on bidding, contracts, and cost estimating
• Prepares preliminary and final independent cost estimates for comparison with designer or contractor estimates to establish negotiating position
• Prepares change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives; provides support in price negotiations