Estimator Job Description 

Viking’s Estimators are the primary business development component of our team. As such, they are responsible for managing and maintaining our valuable relationships between clients, subcontractors and suppliers. They are also directly responsible for translating those relationships into profitable work for the company through their proposals and negotiations. As is the case with every one of our employees, our Estimators are also directly responsible for propagating and encouraging Viking’s core values of People, Positive, Performance through every interaction they have with Viking team members, clients, subcontractors, and end-users and on every bid and proposal they manage.

Position-Specific Requirements & Conditions

• ADMINISTRATIVE CAPABILITY & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: The following requirements constitute the basic capability and experience requirements requirements associated with the Superintendent position.

• • Proven experience in commercial construction (minimum 3 years experience)
  • Experience compiling successful estimates (minimum 1 years experience)
  • Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
  • Ability to pass Federal background check
  • Ability to work independently 
  • A passion for working collaboratively and as part of a team
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of construction procedures and trades
  • Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
  • Ability to write and correspond via email and other mediums
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees, clients, or consultants
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts and apply basic algebra and geometry
  • Ability to interpret and abide by Viking’s policies
  • Knowledge in MS Office, GSuite, Bluebeam, Procore, and/or pertinent web application skills at an intermediate level
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • This position involves frequent visits to prospective and active construction sites where duties will be performed both indoors  and outdoors.
  • Overtime and evening work may be required to meet project deadlines and schedules
  • Dexterity of hands and fingers is required to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other computer equipment
  • While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear
  • While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally required to sit or stand for extended periods of time. 
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • While performing the duties of this job, the employee will most often be working from a climate controlled office environment. However:
  • While performing the duties of this Job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat; toxic or caustic chemicals; work at heights; risk of electrical shock; risk of vibration; and both sustained and sudden impulse noise. 
• CLASSIFICATIONS
  • Estimators at Viking have varying backgrounds, qualifications, and experience. In order to account for these differences, we have created a classification scale for this position ranging from I through III. Estimators are assigned a classification based on each individual’s command of the requirements listed above and the characteristics included under the attached Classification Matrix. Each individual will be evaluated against the requirements to determine their level of achievement within their classification. Based on the results of that evaluation, a Professional Development Plan will be created to provide an individualized roadmap for each employee to achieve advancement within their current classification as well as the steps needed to achieve promotion to the next classification.
  • Each classification is also associated with a “pay band” or a minimum and maximum rate of compensation associated with each classification. Each Estimator will be afforded a compensation rate that falls within the pay band assigned to the Estimator classification that they fall under in accordance with the results of their evaluation.
• CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  • Individuals filling an Estimator position are able to develop within the position by gaining the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary to move through Estimator classifications I through III. Those individuals who have a desire to do so, may also transition to or incorporate other positions, roles and responsibilities into their personal job description.

Viking is an EOE/Affirmative Action/M/F/Veteran/Disabled employer.

Estimators report to the Estimating Department Manager and work to perform the following functions:

Administrative

• CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS: Act as initial point of contact for current and prospective clients. Provide frequent interactions and excellent service to build positive relationships and future work opportunities. Quickly resolves concerns for the client. Work diligently to meet or exceed our clients’ expectations, while remaining honest and transparent in regard to issues, constraints, and limitations. Deliver proposals on time and within a fair and reasonable budget while maintaining profitability for the company. 
• SUBCONTRACTOR, CONSULTANT, & SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIPS: Develop and maintain subcontractor, consultant, and supplier relationships. Ground relationships in clear, transparent, and honest communication and consistent and fair processes. Prepare and manage streamlined Bid Packages to selected subcontractors by acting as a reliable conduit between the client and the subcontractor. Build consistent, positive relationships between Viking and subcontractors and work diligently to expand Viking’s database of trusted and vetted subcontractors.
• PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS & SCOPE DEFINITION: Develop a detailed understanding of  the proposal requirements, scope of work, approach, and constructability for each opportunity. Read and understand drawings, specifications, and other bid documents. Conduct detailed page-turns for each bid, regardless of project magnitude or complexity, to ensure that all proposal requirements (i.e. bid bonds, certificates of insurance, etc.) are met, and secured prior to submission.
• SITE WALKS: Supplement and expand on the pre-bid knowledge of the project by arranging and attending (or sending a suitably qualified delegate) a site visit for each opportunity if possible. Coordinate attendance with subcontractors, consultants, and partners as necessary and prudent. Record pertinent information obtained on the site walk with detailed photos and notes. Ensure that all photos and notes are uploaded to the electronic file associated with the bid. 
• PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCES: If offered by the client, attend any pre-proposal conferences or informational meetings. Record pertinent information obtained at conferences or meetings with detailed notes. Ensure that all notes are uploaded to the electronic file associated with the bid. 
• TAKE-OFFS: Perform quantity take-offs, pricing, scoping and bidding of high-profile construction projects, as necessary. Accurately price subcontractor, supplier and self-performed scopes of work. Prepare Rough Order of Magnitude pricing for subcontractor scopes of work as a check for subcontractor pricing.

• PRE-PROPOSAL INQUIRIES: Manage the creation, distribution, tracking, and implementation of Pre-Proposal Inquiries (PPIs). Act as a pipeline to vet and submit subcontractor inquiries to facilitate scope clarity. Ensure all PPIs have been captured for record keeping and effective project handoff. 

• COLLABORATION: Collaborate with other members of the Estimating Team to ensure that final estimates are accurate and comprehensive. Provide work assignments to the Estimating Team, as necessary, to ensure proposal content and accurate estimating information is incorporated into the final estimate and proposal. Participate in the review of proposals. Coordinate the review of estimates with the Estimating Department Manager, other Estimators, project managers, superintendents and other key individuals, as required. 
• PROPOSAL SCHEDULE & ROLE MANAGEMENT: Create and oversee a strict proposal schedule outlining deadlines for all proposal and estimate contributors. Define roles and responsibilities for Viking team members, Subcontractors, Consultants, and Suppliers to accomplish the desired product prior to the proposal deadline. Communicate delegated and contributory roles and responsibilities clearly and in a timely manner. Ensure that all final reviews are scheduled and performed with sufficient time prior to the deadline. Ensure that final proposal checklist has been completed.
• ESTIMATES: Develop estimates based on the project scope and quantities described in the plans, specifications, bid documents, other conceptual information, site walks, pre-proposal conferences, informational meetings, and PPIs. Maintain and communicate data on construction and material cost trends affecting project costs. Coordinate all price packages with suppliers, subcontractors, owners, designers and architects, and revise pricing as needed.

• FORECASTING & REPORTING: Ensure that all information related to upcoming, in-progress, and submitted opportunities and proposals is effectively communicated to the Estimating Department Manager in a regular and timely manner to facilitate bid status and forecasting efforts. Communicate market trends in a regular and timely manner to the Estimating Department Manager to assist in Business Development and developing the strategy and objectives of the Estimating Team.
• HANDOFF: Once a project is awarded and the Viking Project Management Team has been assigned, work with the assigned team to schedule and hold a Handoff Meeting. In the meeting, communicate the salient and relevant information pertaining to the project to ensure that the Project Management Team has an adequate understanding of the scope, idiosyncrasies in the proposal or estimate, and any other information necessary to ensure that the groundwork for successful project performance has been laid. Utilize and complete the handoff checklist for each Handoff Meeting.
• CONSTRUCTION PHASE SUPPORT: Provide support for the construction team throughout the construction. Answer questions and provide clarification for issues that may arise during pre-construction, construction, or closeout. Provide estimating oversight, review, and approval for any change order proposals. 
• POST-MORTEM: Complete a project Post-Mortem Meeting on completed projects to ensure that all lessons learned in the course of completing the project are effectively communicated to the Estimating Team. Relay any information with team-wide applicability back to the Estimating Team to ensure that all positive and negative feedback is incorporated into the process moving forward.

Quality Control (QC)

• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Actively seek to improve process and policy as it pertains to both the Estimating Team and the company as a whole. Communicate positive and critical feedback to the Estimating Department Manager for future discussion with the Viking Operations Team. Feedback can pertain to policy, process, and personnel both inside the Estimating Team and in the other operational units throughout the company. 
• PROPOSAL & ESTIMATE QUALITY: Diligently seek out and participate in peer review for all proposals and estimating products produced by the Estimating Team. Ensure that the comprehensive, accurate, and timely proposals and estimates are being generated that benefit Viking and are considerate of and responsive to client needs. 
• CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CONTROL: Ensure that adequate labor and equipment budget is incorporated into each proposal to ensure that Viking’s Quality Control apparatus is able to devote sufficient time and resources to ensuring that each project is completed in accordance with Viking’s Standard of Quality.

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)

• EHS COMPLIANCE & AUDIT: Observe and comply with all Viking EHS requirements when applicable. Audit Viking and Viking Subcontractor EHS Policy compliance when applicable.
• EHS CONSIDERATIONS: Ensure that environmental protection, environmental hazards, access considerations, safe work practices, and worker, client, and occupant safety is considered throughout the bidding phase. Ensure that issues pertaining to the post-award EHS approach are fully clarified through the PPI process. Prepare estimates and proposals that clearly reflect Viking’s attention to EHS considerations and ensure that adequate budget to accomplish EHS objectives is incorporated into all estimates. Inform Project Management Teams of potential EHS concerns and considerations during the Handoff Meeting. Actively seek out feedback on Viking’s ability to achieve or improve upon EHS objectives during the Post-Mortem Meeting.