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Estimator

Public Buildings Service

Little Rock, ARFull-time$106–173K/yrPosted today

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At a glance

Compensation
$106–173K/yr
Location
Little Rock, AR
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Level 2 COR Certificate

Job overview

The Estimator serves as a cost management expert for projects ranging from small to large prospectus level. The role prepares and reviews estimates, advises project teams on cost issues, and supports agency-wide cost management standards and quality procedures. It also manages contracts for external subject matter experts and services. The position requires specialized experience developing and managing construction or alteration projects and maintaining a Level 2 Contracting Officer's Representative certificate.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Construction Cost ManagementCost EstimatingMarket AnalysisConstruction Cost ForecastingMechanical EngineeringElectrical EngineeringStructural EngineeringCivil EngineeringArchitectureProject ManagementConstruction PracticesPlan InterpretationSpecification InterpretationQuality AssuranceMaterials EvaluationWorkmanship EvaluationSafety RequirementsEnvironmental RequirementsFederal AcquisitionContract AdministrationStatement of Work DevelopmentConstruction MethodsConstruction InspectionConstruction Cost EstimatingRequirements Definition

Qualifications

Level 2 COR CertificateOne Year GS-12 ExperienceTier 2 Background InvestigationOne Year Probationary PeriodFinancial Disclosure Report

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Paid Time Off
401(k) Match
Tuition Assistance

Full job description

Summary

As an Estimator, you will serve as a cost management expert for all levels of projects from small to large prospectus level. The Office of Program and Project Management responsibilities include data analysis, project measures, IT tools, project manager training and certification, cost and schedule management, and project risk identification and management. We are currently filling three vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

Prepares and reviews bid-level, budget, planning, parametric, and definitive cost estimates for new construction, modernization, renovation, repair, alteration, and lease-construction projects ranging from moderate to highly complex. Serves as a technical authority and subject matter expert for cost estimating and cost management, resolving significant, unusual, or contentious cost and budget issues. Reviews, verifies, and approves A/E cost estimates, price proposals, and detailed estimates for moderate to highly complex buildings and systems. Provides authoritative consultation to A/E estimators, project managers, design teams, contracting personnel, and other technical specialists to ensure projects are designed and delivered within established budgets. Ensures estimates adhere to Federal guidelines, accessibility codes, FAR requirements, ethics provisions under U.S. Code, and other applicable laws and regulations. Interprets and applies Federal guidelines, regulations, acquisition requirements, and applicable United States Code, CFR, GAO decisions, and other legal precedents. Provides support for the national cost management program by engaging in the development and implementation of agency-wide cost management standards, tools, products, and guidelines, including implementation of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures. Manages the entire contract lifecycle for external subject matter experts and other services, from initial identification and procurement through contract negotiation, execution, and closeout. Ensures that all contracts are aligned with organizational goals and objectives, and that external SMEs provide high quality services within budget and on schedule. Requirements

If selected, you must meet the following conditions: Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve a one year probationary period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Must maintain at least a Level 2 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certificate. Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position. Qualifications

To evaluate your qualifications, your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience described below. Your resume must not exceed two pages. To ensure your qualifications can be fully evaluated, we recommend including the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address; Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade); Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement. Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible. If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume. The GS-13 salary range starts at $106,437 per year. To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience is experience which included responsibility for developing and managing construction or alteration projects. Such experience must demonstrate experience defining requirements with customers; applying construction and cost estimating methods and techniques; contract administration; inspection and acceptance of materials and workmanship; and construction, installation or repair of various types of systems used in public use buildings (e.g., heating, air conditioning, fire safety, ventilation, plumbing).

How You Will Be Evaluated

A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the application of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses. Expert knowledge of construction cost management, cost estimating, market analysis, and industry methods to evaluate, forecast, and manage construction costs for large, complex building projects. Comprehensive understanding of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and architectural disciplines, enabling review of A/E cost estimates, technical evaluations, and interdisciplinary coordination. Knowledge of project management, architecture, engineering, and construction practices to guide project cost management from planning through design, construction, and commissioning, including compliance with federal regulations, codes, and acquisition policies. Ability to interpret plans, specifications, and technical documents, apply quality assurance principles, and evaluate materials, workmanship, safety, and environmental requirements. Knowledge of Federal acquisition and contract administration principles and skill in developing Statements of Work and managing professional/technical service requirements throughout the contract lifecycle. Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your application. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Benefits

You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development Other Information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility. On a case-by-case basis, the following incentive may be approved: • Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee These vacancies can be filled in any of the locations listed on the job announcement. Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,268 open Estimator jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$106–173K/yr
  • US median$90–149K/yr1,411 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $140K, is 17% above the US median midpoint ($120K) — in the middle half of Estimator salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 18 open Estimator jobs in Arkansas and 2,268 across the US. 2% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
This posting asks for at least 1 year of experience — less than three in four Estimator postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 1,771 postings).
Education
342 of the 2,268 open Estimator jobs (15%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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