Civil Estimator

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Civil Estimator
Job Description
This position seeks an experienced Civil Estimator to join a Kansas City-based team, focusing on Department of Transportation (DOT) roadway, bridge, and structural estimating for heavy highway projects. You will be one of two estimators in a small, collaborative group, working closely with leadership, project managers, and operations to prepare accurate and competitive bids while supporting long-term growth and quality-driven project delivery.
Responsibilities

• Prepare detailed cost estimates for heavy highway and bridge projects, ensuring accuracy and competitiveness.
• Estimate DOT roadway, structural, and bridge scopes of work for a variety of civil construction projects.
• Perform comprehensive quantity takeoffs, pricing, and bid analysis to support bid submissions.
• Review plans, specifications, and contract documents to fully understand project requirements and risks.
• Utilize HCSS HeavyBid and other estimating software to develop, organize, and manage estimates.
• Collaborate closely with project managers and operations teams during bid preparation to align estimates with construction means and methods.
• Participate in jobsite visits throughout the Midwest as needed to gather field information and validate assumptions used in estimates.
• Support value engineering and cost-saving initiatives by identifying alternative materials, methods, or approaches.
• Maintain organized estimating documentation, including historical cost data, to improve future pricing and forecasting.
• Contribute to pre-construction strategy and bid reviews by offering insights on pricing, schedule, and risk.
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders, providing concise summaries of estimate assumptions, inclusions, and exclusions.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience in civil or heavy highway estimating.
• Experience in DOT roadway and bridge estimating, including familiarity with state DOT bid requirements.
• Experience with structural estimating for bridges and related civil structures.
• Proficiency with HCSS HeavyBid or similar estimating software tools.
• Strong math and analytical skills, with the ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs and cost breakdowns.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents accurately.
• Comfortable working in a small, collaborative estimating team and coordinating with project managers and operations.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 40 nights per year throughout the Midwest region.
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail in all estimating and documentation activities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Heavy highway and bridge construction experience, including exposure to field operations.
• Prior estimating experience with state DOT projects and public sector bidding processes.
• Ability to support pre-construction strategy and bid reviews by contributing technical and commercial insights.
• Experience in construction management, project management, or civil construction.
• Familiarity with value engineering practices and cost-saving methodologies.
• Experience using a range of estimating software and construction technology tools.

Work Environment
This role is primarily based in an office setting in Kansas City, Kansas, working as part of a small, close-knit estimating team. The position includes occasional regional travel throughout the Midwest, estimated at approximately 40 nights per year, to attend jobsite visits and support bid efforts. When traveling, hotels, meals, and travel expenses are covered by the company. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, emphasizes stability and a consistent workload, and values quality over rapid expansion, providing strong opportunities for long-term growth and internal promotion.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kansas City, KS.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $67.00/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Kansas City,KS.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.