Chief Estimator

Job Title: Chief Estimator Environmental / Civil Construction

Job Description

This position serves as a Senior Remediation Estimator responsible for leading the preparation of accurate and detailed cost estimates for complex environmental remediation and construction projects. The role focuses on soil and groundwater remediation, including ISCO (in-situ chemical oxidation) and ISS (in-situ stabilization/solidification) scopes, and plays a key part in supporting business development, strategic project planning, and proposal efforts. The Chief Estimator collaborates closely with project managers, engineers, and field teams to develop competitive bids, manage risk, and ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations, while also mentoring junior estimators and enhancing estimating tools and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of detailed cost estimates and proposals for environmental remediation projects, including soil, groundwater, and ISCO/ISS scopes.
• Analyze bid documents, drawings, specifications, and environmental reports to determine project scope, quantities, and pricing assumptions.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and field personnel to validate constructability, schedule assumptions, and risk assessments for each estimate.
• Develop, maintain, and refine cost databases, pricing models, and historical project data to improve the accuracy and efficiency of future estimates.
• Prepare competitive bids and proposal packages that support strategic business development and align with client expectations and project requirements.
• Provide accurate budgetary estimates and preliminary schedules to support early-stage project planning and proposal development.
• Evaluate ISCO treatment approaches, including treatment areas, quantities, materials, and implementation costs for chemical oxidation projects.
• Estimate ISS activities, including stabilization and solidification operations, required equipment, materials, production rates, and field execution assumptions.
• Perform earthwork estimating, including excavation, grading, haul-off, backfill, and related civil construction activities for remediation sites.
• Develop detailed cost breakdowns for labor, equipment, subcontractors, and materials to support transparent and defensible cost estimates.
• Lead scope development by reviewing plans and specifications and defining execution methods, sequencing, and logistical assumptions.
• Support project bidding efforts by coordinating with subcontractors, obtaining and evaluating quotes, and aligning subcontractor scopes with project requirements.
• Ensure that all estimates and proposals comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations.
• Mentor and guide junior estimators, sharing best practices in estimating, risk assessment, and bid preparation.
• Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders to explain estimate assumptions, cost drivers, and risks, and to support decision-making during bid/no-bid reviews.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of estimating processes, templates, and tools to enhance consistency and accuracy across projects.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of experience in estimating environmental remediation or construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of environmental remediation methods, equipment, and materials, including ISCO and ISS technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental remediation estimating for soil, groundwater, and environmental construction projects.
• Proficiency in earthwork estimating, including excavation, grading, haul-off, fill, and related civil construction costs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience using HeavyBid or similar heavy civil estimating software.
• Proven ability in cost estimation, including detailed development of labor, equipment, subcontractor, and material pricing.
• Experience in bid preparation and competitive proposal development for remediation and construction projects.
• Ability to review and understand technical reports, remedial design documents, environmental remedies, and regulatory requirements.
• Background in geotechnical or environmental engineering concepts relevant to remediation and earthwork.
• Experience in project management or operations management within environmental remediation or construction environments.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple estimates and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for coordination with internal teams, clients, and subcontractors.
• Experience with subcontractor management and project bidding processes in the environmental or construction sectors.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with environmental remediation field activities such as drilling, earthwork, and soil handling.
• Familiarity with environmental regulations and compliance requirements at federal, state, and local levels.
• Experience developing scope assumptions and execution plans from drawings, specifications, and environmental reports.
• Background in environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction management, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting business development by providing budgets, schedules, and technical input for proposals.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior estimators and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
• Comfort working with estimating software tools and maintaining cost databases and historical cost records.

Work Environment

The role operates within a remediation-focused construction and environmental services environment that combines office-based estimating work with close collaboration with field operations. You will primarily work in an office setting using Microsoft Office Suite, HeavyBid, and other estimating tools to analyze drawings, specifications, and environmental reports and to develop detailed cost estimates and proposals. You will interact frequently with project managers, engineers, and field teams to validate assumptions and ensure that estimates reflect actual field conditions and construction methodologies. The organization offers a supportive, family-style culture backed by the resources of a larger parent company, providing access to a robust fleet of vehicles, multiple golf courses, and additional resources to support project workloads. The position follows a standard full-time schedule, with a 12-month contract-to-hire structure, and offers two weeks of paid time off and six major paid holidays. Dress expectations align with a professional office environment when in the office and appropriate field attire when visiting project sites, reflecting a balance between corporate professionalism and practical field engagement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Bordentown, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $160000.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Bordentown, NJ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bordentown,NJ.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.