Chief Estimator of Water

The Water Chief Estimator is responsible for leading all preconstruction efforts on large, complex water and wastewater projects, from early pursuit through handoff to construction. This role drives pursuit strategy and client-facing activities; leads Hard Bid, Collaborative Delivery (CMAR and Fixed Price Design Build and Progressive Design-Build) efforts; and oversees schedule, design development, and cost estimating from conceptual through GMP. The Water Chief Estimator manages risk identification and mitigation, ensures budget control and alignment with contractual requirements, and provides solutions that balance cost, schedule, constructability, and life‑cycle performance. They serve as the central liaison between operations, estimating, and design management; build and maintain strong relationships with owners, designers, trade partners, and vendors; and develop and mentor preconstruction staff. At McAlvain, we are looking for specific attributes that fit our culture . Candidates are required to have certain inherent character traits for all positions within the organization. Our primary focus is centered around the traits of the PERSON . Secondary to that are the technical requirements of the job. Understanding the position being applied for is important but if the attributes below do not match your character, McAlvain will not be the right employer for you. The right kind of person is vital to us because we are constantly challenging ourselves to elevate our potential. INTERPERSONAL Systematic and process-oriented leadership skills Tenacious with estimate development and focused on developing creative winning strategies to secure projects Comfortable leading meetings and a team of estimators Able to inspire and motivate a diverse team towards a common goal Ensure productive and consistent communication between estimating and operations staff Frequently evaluate bid process development with the estimating team to correct deficiencies and become more efficient. Assist in issue resolution and crucial conversations to mitigate project and personnel Communicate significant issues and develop mitigation strategies. Identify opportunities to provide further personal development for individual reports with stretch assignments, goal setting, and performance reviews. Exhibit ability to maintain patience and composure during high-stress Serve as mentor and show exemplary interpersonal skills Displays functional confidence and leadership characteristics while maintaining a high level of Lives by a set of standards, focused on goals and the mission Ability to navigate complex team dynamics ensuring a tailored approach to the individual Exhibit ability to think through challenges from multiple angles, displaying an ability to arrive at productive Support estimating team in their ability to resolve challenges. Strong communication skills while displaying patience with teaching and clearly articulates bid objectives, deadlines, and expectations to all parties involved. Ability to break down silo’s and bridge communication gaps. BUSINESS ACUMEN Focused on expanding service offerings and growing the business unit. Develop winning bid strategies including complete leadership of work plan development, project schedule/sequence, and self‑perform integration. Monitor and measure Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) on bids Ensure estimating teams are consistently aware of bid efficiencies and are making responsible decisions. Develop a risk management approach to identify and mitigate all risks during the bid cycle. Develop a roles & responsibilities matrix for each bid for all involved Oversee/Review estimating efficiencies focusing on constantly improving Provide scheduling support and review schedules to maximize efficiency of the work plan Audit quality on all bids to increase consistency and accountability Bid safety into jobs ensuring field teams have provisions to cover safety risks Ensure efficient, timely, and high‑quality takeoff and estimate production. Promote intracompany cooperation and support for self‑perform­ing a broad spectrum of scopes Engage with Business Development, vet opportunities to ensure alignment and increase odds of securing winning bids. Participate in Water & Wastewater and Estimating organizations and committees being a proactive brand ambassador in the industry. Develop strategic partnerships with engineering firms, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders. Manage relationships to optimize pricing strategies. Prepare General Conditions/General Requirements estimates capturing appropriate provisions to properly manage the work. TECHNICAL Strong background in Water & Wastewater Treatment possessing a comprehensive knowledge of construction project delivery, contracting, processes, materials, and regulations. Possess a strong understanding of treatment processes, technologies (e.g., activated sludge, membrane bioreactors, nutrient removal), and the specific construction challenges associated with these projects. Capable of doing comprehensive risk assessments and Go No‑Go Analysis for project Achieve goals and Key Performance indicators (KPI’s) at the estimating department Strong grasp on bid development best practices on Water Renewal projects and applying that experience to hold estimating teams accountable. Understanding of self‑perform scopes of work typical to the Water & Wastewater Experience with many different project delivery mechanisms, including alternative delivery Experience with pre‑construction processes and working alongside design Review owner contract terms and risks, outline and highlight risk items for Sr Leadership Experience leading and mentoring estimating teams. Anticipates potential risks and proactively implements mitigation strategies to minimize Prioritizes tasks effectively and ensures deadlines are met. Demonstrates a keen ability to identify and develop estimating talent. Disciplined with Project Assists with the development, management, and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) while encouraging adaptive change and continued evolution. Provide technical assistance, constructability feedback, interpret drawings, and develop construction methods consistent with contract documents, budget, and schedule for estimates. Takes complete ownership of project pursuits, developing schedules, site logistics, technical writing, and participating in selection interviews. Exhibit ability to independently develop and audit project schedules at all phases of design development with vision toward identifying and communicating challenges and opportunities. Assist project teams in implementing bidding assumptions into project procedures and Reinforce, support, and train industry and company standards to produce consistent Provide strong, efficient, timely decision making to ensure procurement, submittal, or other project management functions are managed effectively. Establish and maintain relationships with team members, clients, project stakeholders, and support Can lead a Design‑Bid‑Build or Fixed Price Design Build Assists the Marketing Department in preparation of responses to RFP’s and RFQ’s Lead collaborative delivery projects (CMAR and Progressive Design Build) through the pre‑construction phase. Leads a Fixed Price Design Build Project after Prepares or oversees preparation of pre‑construction schedule with buy‑in from internal departments as relates to them. Interfaces with the owners and designers to maintain schedule. Keeps internal departments informed of schedule changes as relates to their. This includes identifying the need for multiple GMPs to facilitate the overall project schedule. Leads the development of cost estimates at all design milestones (10% to 100%). Understands treatment plant process and can fills in design gaps for the completion of estimates as well as coordination between scopes. Coordinates the development and review of Self‑Perform Estimates. Works with construction teams to maintain dialogue and receive feedback for implementation in future preconstruction efforts. Monitors productivity, budgets vs actual costs, and labor rates for incorporation into current and future estimates. Assists team with clarifying scope of a budget, how scope was bought, and clarifying elements of the GMP as needed with the project Assist in reconciling costs with final design documents where a GMP was provided at an early design milestone. EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION 4yr Bachelors Degree in Construction Management or Engineering Software: HCSS Heavy Bid, Bluebeam, Procore, Microsoft Office Suite Self‑Perform Experience Minimum of 5-10 years’ experience as an estimator in charge Three reference Water / Wastewater - only projects greater than $10-Mil in construction value excluding equipment costs and assignment contracts are considered Experience with Collaborative Delivery projects in the Water & Wastewater Industry Strong grasp of all building construction trades Skilled in Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling tools such as Microsoft Project Safety standards knowledge Self‑starter with the ability to set and ensure goals and tasks with strong leadership goals Ability to relocate to Boise ID Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. 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