Senior Cost Estimator

Senior Cost Estimator

Department of Design and Construction

Location: Queens

Full-time – 35 Hours Work Location: 30-30 Thomson Avenue, LIC, NY 11101

All interested candidates are welcome to apply and will be considered for an interview based on the Minimum Qualification Requirements. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are permanent in the Estimator (General Construction) title or reachable on open-competitive exam #1114 or exam #3124.

Job Description

The NYC Department of Design and Construction seeks a Senior Cost Estimator to advance project controls practices under the general supervision of the Senior Project Controls Specialist and work with the Advanced Capital Planning Unit to support the City in planning its capital needs and address citywide strategic goals. The role involves preparing cost estimates by analyzing record drawings and specifications, reviewing existing conditions, schedules, bid records, and scoping documents, and assessing risks and complexity. The candidate will collaborate closely with the ACP Director and program managers, Project Controls leadership, estimators, and schedulers, and other stakeholders, including other City agencies. Responsibilities include integrating schedule, risk, complexity, and cost cognizant of existing building and site conditions; utilizing top-down estimating; planning and scheduling packaging collaboration with the ACP Unit; management of WBS; reviewing and analyzing prior bids to establish projected unit costs; tracking unit production rates and construction costs; and ensuring adherence to project controls procedures. The position will involve field visits, coordination with ACP Unit and other project controls specialists, and supervising or mentoring junior staff to resolve project controls issues and support the planning efforts of the Advanced Capital Planning Unit. The emphasis is on preparing fully informed preliminary cost estimates to inform decisions on best path forward for the future capital projects of multiple City Agencies. This role provides exposure to innovative technologies such as BIM, virtual design and construction and reality capture, advanced analytics, and project management information systems. The selected candidate will research and integrate emerging tools for quantity take-offs, cost estimation, and data analysis, contributing to ongoing improvement of estimating procedures and resources. Working closely with senior project controls professionals, the candidate will receive mentorship and professional development opportunities to support career growth in project controls and cost management, while ensuring accurate, comprehensive, and efficient cost estimating for a wide range of construction disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and general construction.

Please note: All candidates must be currently authorized to work full-time in the United States (U.S.). In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates are required to present original documents proving citizenship or the legal right to work in the U.S. DDC is unable to support or sponsor any visa application or visa extension, including but not limited to OPT/STEM visas, H-1B visas, F-1 practical training, permanent residence sponsorship, or any proposed change of visa type. DDC does not offer a training program as required by U.S. immigration law, and is not hiring temporary employees. Candidates must have proper work authorization when an employment offer is made. Additionally, educational credentials must be from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institution. Credentials from foreign institutions require independent equivalency verification from an approved evaluation service. A list of providers (fees apply) is available at:

Minimum Qualifications

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and seven years of full-time satisfactory experience in general construction estimating; or 2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 credits leading to a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, architecture or architecture technology for one year of experience, up to a maximum of four years of acceptable experience. Full-time satisfactory experience in civil engineering or architecture will be credited on a year for year basis up to maximum of five years of acceptable experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and two years of full-time satisfactory experience in general construction estimating.

Preferred Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite, with experience in Power BI highly desirable strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams experience in construction planning, supervision, cost estimating, bid/variance analysis, and interpreting construction documents knowledge of construction schedules and project controls concepts experience facilitating meetings and coordinating with stakeholders and a strong client service orientation.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.