Senior Estimator

• DEPT OF DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

Posted on

10/14/2026

• Full-time

Location

QUEENS

• Exam may be required

Department

PROJ CNTRLS/COST CNTRLS

Salary range: $78,740.00 – $105,134.00

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Job Description

Hours: Full-Time Position – 35 Hours

Work Location: 30-30 Thomson Avenue, LIC, NY 11101

The NYC Department of Design and Construction's Division of Project Controls seeks a Senior Estimator specializing in mechanical and plumbing trades. Under the general supervision of the Cost Controls Unit Senior Project Controls Specialist, cost estimating work will involve preparing Front End Planning estimates and reviewing cost estimates and construction change orders for mechanical and plumbing systems, as well as drawings and maps, schedules for construction durations and activities, construction documents, and specifications. The candidate will participate in the development and implementation of project controls policies and procedures and liaising with required stakeholders on all project controls related tasks, which includes kick-off meetings, workshops, and field visits. Stakeholders include third-party estimators, design consultants, and other agency staff. The candidate must be able to develop estimates across mechanical systems and plumbing, and communicate requests during workshops effectively, minimizing the need for follow-up after the fact.

In reviewing third-party cost estimates for mechanical and plumbing scopes, the selected candidate is expected to follow the unit's cost estimating procedures, providing clear, actionable, and thorough review comments that coordinate with drawings and other relevant documentation, and using tools such as Bluebeam to verify design documents. Support is required during all phases of the project including front end planning. The candidate will lead the project controls effort for the development and planning, review of schedules, cost estimating and analysis including management and analysis of risks; bid analysis, including root-cause analysis of bid variance beyond scope and cost; and tracking and reporting cost estimates and bid analyses to inform databases. The candidate should stay current with mechanical and plumbing industry costs and market conditions, and provide clear, well-contextualized insight into historical and current cost data. In reviewing change orders, the candidate is expected to balance private-sector construction experience with the perspective of acting as the Owner, thoroughly examining proposals and backup documentation against contract terms while remaining mindful of time constraints and Agency priorities, and communicating any additional requests to contractors clearly and constructively. Candidate will coordinate and collaborate with other project controls specialists, and may be asked to work on scopes related to general construction and electrical. Candidate will provide mentorship and guidance to junior project controls staff in resolving project controls issues.

Educational credentials must be from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institution. Credentials from foreign institutions require independent equivalency verification from an approved evaluation service. A list of providers (fees apply) is available at: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/employment/nyc-dcas-foreign-education-evaluation-guide.pdf.

All applicants, including City Employees:

Please go to NYC Government Jobs | Explore Careers | City of New York, go to Search for Open Jobs, and type in the Job ID # listed above. Submit job application as prompted. Do not apply via Employee Self-Service (ESS), e-mail, mail, or fax your resume to DDC directly.

ESTIMATOR (MECHANICAL) - 20123

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational experience and six years of full-time satisfactory experience in mechanical estimating work of which two years shall have been full-time mechanical estimating experience involving heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or plumbing in the building construction field; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 credits leading to a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology for one year of experience, up to a maximum of four years of acceptable experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and two years of full-time satisfactory mechanical estimating experience involving heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or plumbing in the building construction field.

Preferred Skills

Extensive experience working with architectural and construction drawings, with the ability to read and interpret construction documents, including mechanical and plumbing specifications. Skilled in cost estimating for mechanical trade disciplines, as well as plumbing. Proficient in cost estimate reconciliation and bid variance analysis, including root-cause analysis of variances beyond scope and cost impacts. Experience reviewing and evaluating construction change orders, contractor proposals, and backup documentation against contract terms is required experience on both the contractor and Owner sides of mechanical or plumbing construction is a plus. Proficiency with Bluebeam or similar design-review and markup software is preferred. The candidate must possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, judgment, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage constructively with contractors and other stakeholders. Experience in facilitating meetings and workshops is required, along with the ability to collaborate effectively within a team. Strong client orientation and communication skills are essential, as well as problem-solving and analytical abilities, and a commitment to staying current with mechanical and plumbing industry costs and market conditions. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, is required.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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Job ID

803804

Posted until

12/13/2026

Title code

20123

Civil service title

ESTIMATOR (MECHANICAL)

Title classification

Competitive-1

Business title

Senior Estimator

• Experience level: Experienced (non-manager)

Job level

02

Number of positions

1

Work location

30-30 Thomson Ave L I City Qns

• Category: Engineering, Architecture, & Planning

Senior Estimator