Lead Cost Estimator - New York

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As we move America's workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

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Our values of 'Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First' are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, 'Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security' are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

Job Summary

Under the guidance of Cost Estimating management, the Lead Project Controls Specialist (Lead Cost Estimator) prepares cost estimates for mid-sized to large capital construction projects with moderate to high complexity. This role involves close collaboration with the Project Manager and other team members to develop and update project cost estimates. The Lead Cost Estimator adheres to established departmental procedures, guidelines, and best practices throughout the estimate development process and when documenting the basis of estimate, while also supporting management in the development and continuous improvement of existing procedures and practices. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with the Project Manager and team to create cost estimates at various scope maturity levels using InEight Estimate application and Excel.
• Collects project scope details, drawings, schedules, and execution strategies. Prepares and maintains the Basis of Estimate document to support development of cost estimates
• Perform QC checks on estimates prepared by fellow Estimators on the team and review and assessment of cost estimates completed by others. Provides feedback in prioritized and comprehensive format and develops formal Cost Estimate Review Reports when required.
• Develop cost estimate by identifying work packages, quantifying scope elements, estimating direct cost line items and construction indirect costs, and estimating project "soft" costs such as project management, construction management, etc.
• Support development of project budget contingency to account for estimate uncertainties and potential project risks events. Participates in risk evaluation sessions or pre-construction reviews, and ensures risks are documented and assessed in terms of probability and impact to enable project team development of risk mitigation plans and contingencies
• Assists with preparing and assessing change order impact estimates, mentors' junior estimators, contribute to initiatives in business process improvements.
• Conduct site visits of future and ongoing construction project sites to support cost estimate development and gain knowledge of craft/discipline scope of work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
• Plus 6 years of relevant work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
• Plus 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience developing estimates on large to mega capital construction projects in railroad environment.
• Experience in quantitative risk assessment cost estimates supporting contingency development.
• Capital construction experience in the rail industry.
• One or more of the following certifications / credentials: CCT, CCP, CEP (AACE), PMP (PMI)
• Hands on experience with data analysis
• Experience with data analysis, preferably with Excel.
• Experience with database management (SQL)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Intermediate to Advanced skill level/knowledge in:
  o Principles and practices of project cost estimating through all phases of the project lifecycle
  o Reviewing and providing feedback on all aspects of project cost estimates developed by others.
  o Business processes, techniques, and procedures related to cost estimating in large and/or complex capital construction projects
  o Construction / Engineering contracting methods and types
  o Principles and practices of construction services and materials procurement
  o Cost estimating methods and practices for projects in conceptual design phase through completion of detailed design
  o Statistical analysis methods
  o Principles of business letter writing and report preparation
  o Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
  o Integration of estimating and scheduling processes, tools, systems, and data.
  o Common software tools used in project cost estimating (e.g., InEight Estimate (Hard Dollar), Heavy Bid, Sage Timberline, RS Means) in developing and maintaining cost estimates for large and/or complex construction projects and extracting data to generate analysis and status reports.
  o Use of internal financial system data to determine benchmarking to validate and improve estimates.
  o Advanced user skills in MS Excel for data analysis.
  o Communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and writing across all levels.
  o Effectiveness working diplomatically across teams with varying objectives.
  o Strong focus on collaboration, team building and customer service.
  o Objective evaluation of available information or differing points of view and making sound and timely decisions consistent with department strategic goals.
  o Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  o Negotiation and conflict resolution.
  o Leading effective meetings.
  o Delegating authority and responsibility.
  o Preparing and delivering effective presentations and/or training to diverse audiences.
  o Preparing professional letters, memos, and other documents using Excel, Word, Visio, and/or PowerPoint.
• Basic to Intermediate skill level/knowledge in:
  o Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
  o Leading, motivating, selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff.

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

The salary/hourly range is $94,300.00 - $122,256.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID: 165954

Work Arrangement: 06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered: Yes
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.

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