ABOUT THIS CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Black & McDonald’s Alberta Utilities team is growing! If you are a committed and collaborative professional looking to contribute to a hard-working, innovative team, this opportunity is for you.
Black & McDonald is actively seeking a Civil Estimator to join our Alberta team. Reporting to the Lead Estimator, the Civil Estimator is responsible for preparing accurate civil and structural estimates while managing the full tender process from receipt of RFP through to project handover. This role focuses on deep and shallow underground utilities, including water and sewer, duct banks, substations, wind and solar projects, gas infrastructure, and street lighting. The Civil Estimator also supports project operations by providing technical expertise related to estimating and managing project changes.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform detailed quantity take-offs for civil and structural scope items on RFP tenders.
- Prepare cost estimates for materials, labour, and equipment using Bid2Win, covering deep utilities, substation civil works, excavation, foundations, manholes, duct banks, granular roads, and related infrastructure.
- Establish and maintain tendering processes, including cost monitoring and reporting systems.
- Prepare comprehensive RFQ packages with scope, specifications, milestone dates, references, and terms and conditions for distribution to subcontractors.
- Coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain pricing, respond to clarification requests, and ensure complete bid coverage.
- Review, evaluate, and compare subcontractor quotes and recommend the most responsive and competitive bids for inclusion in final submissions.
- Participate in site visits, tender reviews, tender hand-off meetings, and project close-out discussions.
- Maintain an up-to-date directory of suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors.
- Liaise with engineers, owners, contractors, and subcontractors, and contribute value engineering proposals where appropriate.
- Update and maintain the Bid2Win database to ensure accurate costing and historical data.
- Develop tender-level construction schedules and prepare methodology and execution plans for proposed scopes of work.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
- Communicates Effectively (verbally and in writing)
- Continuous Learning (ongoing effort to learn and contribute to the learnings of others)
- Customer Focus (understands the needs and perspectives of both internal and external customers)
- Holds Self and Others Accountable (takes personal responsibility to meet commitments)
- Teamwork and Collaboration (works cooperatively and collaboratively with others)
- Values and Respects Others (encourages and supports diversity)
EDUCATION and WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline. Electrical trades background considered an asset but not required.
- 5+ years’ estimating experience in civil estimation on water and sewer projects including excavation, foundations, duct banks, granular roadworks, etc.
- Field experience in civil construction sites is considered an asset.
SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Strong ability to interpret civil drawings, specifications, and project documents with minimal oversight.
- Proven experience performing detailed quantity takeoffs and developing comprehensive cost estimates across civil scopes (earthworks, utilities, concrete, foundations, etc.).
- Solid understanding of civil construction methods, sequencing, production rates, and tendering processes.
- Ability to assess risks, assumptions, and contingencies within estimates and communicate their impact effectively.
- Experience developing preliminary construction schedules and contributing to methodology or execution plans.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to convey technical information clearly to engineers, owners, subcontractors, and internal teams.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing drawings, quantities, and pricing.
- Effective organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple bids and deadlines simultaneously.
- Working knowledge of industry software such as Bid2Win, Bluebeam, or similar estimating tools.
- Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, Teams).
- Office set-up - This position is in-office currently based in Leduc (110 3903 75 Avenue). The office will be relocating to Acheson, AB by December 1, 2026.
Please be advised that a Criminal Background Check and Professional Reference Check will be required as part of our employment screening and selection process. Additionally, all applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
Black & McDonald welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.
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