RES
Senior Substation Estimator
TLDR
Prepare cost estimates for renewable energy substations while leading a team and managing project costs efficiently within an innovative work culture.
We are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels heard and respected, and extending our culture of care so that every individual can reach their full potential. We want you to have a sense of belonging and feel valued for your contributions and the perspectives you bring.
Summary:
The Sr. Estimator - Substation, prepares cost estimates for renewable energy and utility-owned substation with a complete understanding of the interrelationship of the cost of labor, material, equipment, and productivity in the unit costs used at each level of an estimate. Manages accurate, cost competitive and timely preparation of estimates for the Company’s renewable energy and T&D construction business to be bid, incorporating extensive knowledge of construction means and methods, costs, and industry principles.
Project scope responsibilities include, but are not limited to the procurement and installation of: temporary construction facilities, project and field management, structural steel, HV bus and fittings, PTs and CTs, arrestors, circuit breakers and switches, concrete foundations, auxiliary AC equipment and power wiring, cable conveyance systems, static masts and grounding system, SCADA/communication cabling, fencing, pull boxes, transformers, control buildings, engineering services, testing, taxes, contingency, warranties, and margin.
Requirements:
- Handles multiple complex project estimate assignments concurrently under minimal supervision, using standardized tools and processes to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely estimates of project cost and schedule.
- Reviews and understands content of all Requests for Proposals (RFP) documents to determine discipline scope of work and required pricing elements for inclusion within the estimate.
- Leads, or is a member of, a team of contributing estimators for respective Scopes of Work (SOWs) to prepare accurate, competitive, and timely estimates for Bid-Build and EPC (Engineer-Procure-Construct) construction RFPs; provides leadership, coaching and/or mentoring to estimators and associate estimators.
- Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager for engineering support services and deliverables as basis of estimate.
- Receives, prioritizes, and distributes requests for quotes to vendors and subcontractors; analyzes responses for accuracy, completeness, and efficacy per request and project schedule milestones.
- Completes take-offs to calculate estimate quantities and units of work for substation EPC self-perform substation construction scopes of work up to 500kV electrical systems.
- Quantifies resources and production rates for utility grade substations for the purpose of utility power generation and distribution, BESS, solar and wind energy self-perform construction cost estimation.
- Gathers details and maintains current market data necessary to accurately estimate construction, material, and soft costs associated with project construction.
- Determines impacts to estimates based on local labor requirements, current commodity pricing, and client’s project specifications.
- Identifies project risks and records in Risk Register.
- Collaborates with Preconstruction Manager for alignment of estimated resources and duration represented in project estimate to achieve client defined milestones identified within project schedule.
- Reviews all estimate entries for accuracy. Analyzes multi-discipline estimated costs related to client RFP information and design and costs to complete the estimate.
- Operates Company aligned vehicle for site visits and business trips.
- Attends work regularly and punctually, as scheduled or expected.
- Complies with Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and Company Policies & Procedures.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Presents, supports, and leads-by-example with a safety and quality-oriented attitude.
- Provides indicative budgets per client requests prior to RFP issuance.
- Recognizes and recommends alternative designs and scope definitions that support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
- Creates project estimate-related bid proposal documents to meet RFP submittal requirements, such as Schedule of Values (SOV,) client provided technical forms, and Assumptions Clarifications Exclusions (ACE) documents.
- Presents project scope, identified risks and cost estimate for Operations and Executive reviews
- Collaborates with Proposal Strategist and Preconstruction Manager for assembly of final RFP response during bidding process.
- Assists in compiling historical cost data for projects.
Qualifications:
- Associate’s degree in engineering, construction management, or related area of study; OR high school with at least 2 years of equivalent industry experience required.
- 5 or more years of experience estimating substation or high voltage systems required.
- 1 or more years of field-based construction experience preferred.
- Ability to travel domestically 5 to 15%.
- Must possess a valid Driver’s license.
- Experience with EPC and Balance of Plant (BOP) estimate structure for creation of proposals for large utility and utility grade renewable energy power plant construction projects.
- Ability to recognize and recommend alternative designs/scope definitions which support consistency, standardization, and cost competitiveness.
- Demonstrates thorough understanding of tasks and processes associated with the construction of utility grade renewable energy projects. Experience working with BESS DC and AC coupled systems, and transmission line construction is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with design build construction methods, utilizing creative thought processes and experience, to produce production-based cost estimates with detailed costs for resource budget estimates.
- Ability to complete quantity take offs from construction plans.
- Ability to compile indicative budgets in the absence of engineered documents.
- Experience with estimating software; experience with HCSS HeavyBid is beneficial.
- Experience with Blue Beam/Adobe for purposes of quantity take-off required.
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, OneNote, Teams), and Sharepoint.
- Ability to evaluate site conditions from plans, geotechnical reports and/or site visits for creation of cost estimates utilizing best labor, equipment, and material resources for most competitive and accurate proposal estimates. Ability to apply varying levels of detail for both indicative and hard bid proposals.
- Strong skills in client and subcontractor interface and negotiation.
- Ability to travel to sites to review site conditions during the proposal phase, evaluate resources and production during the construction phase.
- Advanced communication skills with the ability to clearly describe the advantages and disadvantages of various design options.
- Strong detail orientation and analytical thinking skills.
- Desire to learn and apply knowledge quickly.
- Ability to work independently and complete tasks on time with minimal supervision.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Familiarity with standard construction industry concepts, practices, and procedures.
- Ability to drive innovation of new processes while supporting corporate standards for quality.
- Comfortable operating in a highly collaborative team environment working with third party customers, developers, design engineers, construction estimators, pre-construction mangers, construction managers, and executive managers on a regular basis.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple assignments, and prioritize as required.
- Functional competencies include attention to detail, collaboration, continuous improvement, prioritization, and accountability.
Anticipated base salary range: $123,000 - $154,000
The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. This position is bonus eligible.
RES offers benefits that are effective first day of employment. These benefits include the following:
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 4x pay Basic Life and Voluntary Life
- Short and Long Term Disability
- Accident, Hospital, and Critical Illness
- 401 (k) plan with 6% company match
- 4 weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) and 10 Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement and Green Car Reimbursement
- Volunteer and Charity Matching
- Paid Parental Leave and Paid Sabbatical Leave
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Employee Discounts and Wellness programs
- Wellness Reimbursement
Physical requirements and environment:
The work environment and physical demands characteristics are representative of those the 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.
Rarely: Climbing, crouching, kneeling, pulling/pushing/lifting between 5-15lbs., and stooping are required.
Occasionally: Carrying 5-15lbs., gripping, handling, pinching, and walking are required.
Frequently: Standing is required.
Constantly: Reading, grasping, hearing, reaching, vision, repetitive motion, and sitting is required.
Rarely exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity, and wet climates, in the working environment.
Occasionally exposed to noise and hazards in the work environment.
We maintain a drug-free workplace. Candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment background investigation and drug test as a condition of employment.
RES is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
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RES is the largest independent renewable energy company globally, delivering affordable and carbon-free energy through the operation and maintenance of wind and solar farms. With a presence in 24 countries, RES focuses on maximizing investments in renewable energy, also venturing into energy storage and green hydrogen.
Estimator