Senior Construction Estimator / Project coordinator
Company: 640 Earthworks
Location: Elk Point, Alberta
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Heavy Civil, Municipal Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Construction
About 640 Earthworks
640 Earthworks is an Alberta-based civil construction general contractor specializing in municipal water and sewer infrastructure, lift stations, pump stations, water treatment facilities, underground utilities and related mechanical and process work.
We are entering the next stage of our growth and are looking for an experienced estimator who can help us build and maintain a strong, consistent backlog of work.
Our long-term operating structure will include two closely connected construction divisions:
- A heavy civil water and sewer division led by our Civil Superintendent.
- A mechanical and infrastructure division led by our Mechanical Foreman.
These divisions will work together on projects such as lift stations and pump stations. The civil division will complete excavation, underground piping, site servicing, concrete preparation and related earthworks before transitioning the project to the mechanical division for process piping, equipment installation and commissioning support.
We are looking for someone who understands how these scopes fit together and can identify, assess and estimate projects that keep both divisions productive.
Position Summary
The Senior Construction Estimator / Preconstruction Manager will be responsible for identifying suitable project opportunities, preparing complete and competitive estimates, coordinating subcontractor and supplier pricing and helping develop a sustainable project backlog.
The successful candidate must have practical estimating experience in heavy civil water and sewer construction, along with experience estimating lift stations, pump stations, treatment facilities or similar municipal infrastructure.
This is not strictly a quantity takeoff position. The estimator will be expected to understand construction methods, project risks, scheduling, crew production, tender strategy and the operational needs of the company.
Primary Responsibilities
- Search for and evaluate public and private tender opportunities throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan
- Maintain an active tender calendar and project opportunity pipeline
- Review tender documents, drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports and addenda
- Complete detailed quantity takeoffs and cost estimates
- Develop labour, equipment, material and subcontractor pricing
- Estimate heavy civil water and sewer projects, including:
- Water distribution systems
- Sanitary sewer systems
- Storm sewer systems
- Forcemains
- Deep utility excavation
- Manholes, valves and chambers
- Road reconstruction and site restoration
- Subdivisions and municipal servicing
- Estimate lift station, pump station and treatment facility projects, including:
- Excavation and structural installation
- Underground process piping
- Mechanical equipment
- Process piping and valves
- Buildings and concrete
- Electrical and instrumentation subcontractors
- Bypass pumping
- Commissioning and startup support
- Develop project execution plans and preliminary schedules
- Identify tender risks, exclusions, clarifications and value-engineering opportunities
- Obtain and evaluate subcontractor and supplier quotations
- Prepare tender summaries and review estimates with ownership and operations
- Assist with tender submissions, bonding requirements and qualification packages
- Participate in site meetings and pre-bid meetings when required
- Complete estimate handovers to project management and field supervision
- Maintain historical pricing, production rates and completed-project cost information
- Assist with change-order pricing and major project revisions
- Build relationships with municipalities, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers
- Help establish bidding targets that maintain a healthy backlog without pursuing unsuitable or excessively risky projects
Required Experience
- Minimum five years of construction estimating experience
- Demonstrated experience estimating heavy civil water and sewer projects
- Experience with lift stations, pump stations, water treatment plants, wastewater facilities or comparable infrastructure
- Strong understanding of excavation, trenching, shoring, dewatering, piping, concrete and site restoration
- Ability to interpret civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and process drawings
- Experience obtaining and evaluating subcontractor and supplier quotations
- Strong understanding of labour and equipment productivity
- Experience preparing estimates for municipal or publicly tendered projects
- Proficiency with construction estimating software and Microsoft Excel
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Valid driver’s licence
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience using B2W Estimate
- Experience with design-bid-build municipal projects
- Familiarity with Alberta and Saskatchewan tendering requirements
- Experience with bonding, bid security and contractor qualification submissions
- Field experience in underground utility or water and wastewater construction
- Engineering technology, construction management or civil engineering education
- Experience estimating projects ranging from approximately $500,000 to $15 million
What Success Looks Like
During the first several months, the successful candidate will:
- Develop a clear pipeline of upcoming tender opportunities
- Help secure suitable work extending beyond the current construction season
- Establish a consistent estimating and bid-review process
- Learn 640 Earthworks’ equipment, crews, subcontractors and construction methods
- Improve the accuracy and consistency of estimate handovers
- Begin developing a reliable backlog for the heavy civil water and sewer division
Long-term success will include:
- Maintaining a steady flow of suitable work for the civil and mechanical divisions
- Helping create a stable and highly productive heavy civil water and sewer team
- Selecting projects that fit the company’s strengths, rather than bidding every project available
- Improving estimating accuracy through historical cost and production tracking
- Supporting sustainable and profitable company growth
What We Offer
- A senior role with direct access to company ownership and field leadership
- The opportunity to help build and shape two growing construction divisions
- A practical work environment where estimating decisions are connected directly to field execution
- Competitive compensation based on experience
- Company benefits
- Opportunities for performance-based incentives
- Long-term career growth within an established Alberta contractor
How to Apply
Please submit a résumé outlining your experience estimating heavy civil water and sewer infrastructure, lift stations, pump stations and related municipal construction.
Applicants should include examples of the types and approximate values of projects they have estimated, along with the estimating software they have used.
Pay: $77,894.60-$159,256.48 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Profit sharing
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Elk Point, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- Construction estimating: 5 years (required)
- Construction: 10 years (required)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Class 5 Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
