Job Summary

About the position: Serves as cost estimator responsible for the preparation of budget, control and detailed final estimates of cost pertaining to the planning and construction of various civil and military projects. This is a developmental position being filled at the GS-5/6/7/8/9/10/or 11 level with non-competitive promotion potential up to the GS-11. The position is listed as an Engineering Technician, but Engineers are also able to fill this position Pay ranges by grade can be found here

Job Description

Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Specialized Experience at the GS-05 level: One year of specialized experience which includes (1) Assisting with the review of technical drawings or documents. AND/OR Performing basic data entry into a database or spreadsheet. AND/OR Gathering or compiling technical or pricing information from various sources. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04). OR Education: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience at the GS-06 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Performing basic quantity take-offs from contract drawings. AND/OR Entering data into cost estimating software (such as MCACES). AND/OR Obtaining price quotes from vendors to support cost estimates. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05). OR Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience at the GS-07 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Completing quantity take-offs by determining materials required for projects. AND/OR Utilizing cost estimating software (such as MCACES) to prepare simple cost estimates. AND/OR Reviewing cost estimates to identify and report potential errors. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06) OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience at the GS-08 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Performing quantity take-offs for multi-disciplined projects. AND/OR Developing and analyzing cost estimates using cost estimating software (such as MCACES). AND/OR Reviewing plans and specifications to identify potential discrepancies for cost estimates. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07) OR Education: One and a half years of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience at the GS-09 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing budgetary and control estimates by quantifying all work items and considering indirect costs. AND/OR Reviewing project plans and specifications to recommend changes for biddability and design. AND/OR Assisting in the preparation of cost estimates for projects to be advertised. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-08) OR Education: 2 years progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in a relevant field, such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. Specialized Experience at the GS-10 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing concept, preliminary, and final cost estimates for budgetary purposes. AND/OR Reviewing plans and specifications and recommending changes to design engineers. AND/OR Preparing cost estimates for change orders or value engineering studies. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09) Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. At this level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted Specialized Experience at the GS-11 level: One year of specialized experience which includes Preparing and summarizing total project estimates, including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines. AND/OR Preparing cost estimates for complex projects (such as bridges, dams, or military facilities) with little to no precedent. AND/OR Evaluating alternate designs proposed by contractors and reviewing estimates prepared by Architect-Engineering (A-E) firms. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-10). Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. At this level, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted