Transmission & Substation Estimator - Associate/Sr/Lead

PPL business processes require electric utility work and project estimates that are accurate and competitive.

These estimates are used directly by Project Managers to manage costs on specific capital projects and programs.

The estimates are also used for developing annual budgets, preparing long term plans, and assessing financial and resource management performance during the year.

The primary purpose of the Estimator position is to ensure that the estimates, estimating processes, standards, information systems, and work practices accomplish these requirements effectively and efficiently.

The position also ensures that both outside and internal estimates are competitive and accomplish business objectives, including productivity improvement initiatives.

• Responsible for providing necessary tools and support to work groups responsible to provide detailed estimates and, for some capital projects, directly responsible for developing project estimates. Responsible for preparation of the final overall project estimate and accountable for estimate accuracy.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining accurate estimating standards in PPL’s estimating systems. This involves maintaining the Construction Unit System which includes creating, maintaining, and analyzing estimating data. Additionally, maintaining and updating the various wage, overhead, material and transportation loaders in the system used to calculate project costs is required. Also involved is performing annual reviews and analysis of project actuals with project execution work groups. This review process includes the Distribution, Transmission and Substation Construction data. Also responsible for working with T&D groups to develop new estimating standards when new equipment or material is specified for use in PPL.
• Develop and manage estimating processes and tools for all estimating efforts within EU, including those that are not currently performed within the Construction Units system. This includes managing, as well as regularly seeking opportunities to improve, the Order-of-Magnitude, Scope/Schedule/Cost, and detailed estimating processes. Ensure adequate standards, improvement initiatives, feedback & communication, assessment methods, and controls within these processes.
• Responsible for developing project contingency based on an understanding of the risks involved executing specific project activities and the uncertainties associated with the project environment. Also responsible to clearly document and communicate all assumptions upon which the estimate is based. Additionally, responsible for loading estimate details into activities of a project schedule and ensuring that skills required to execute activities are properly captured in the project plan.
• Responsible to participate in contract bid evaluations including evaluating the cost exposure associated with change orders or scope additions.
• Responsible for regularly interfacing with design groups to ensure the efficient constructability of projects.
• Participate in the design, testing and implementation of new estimating technologies.
• Required to maintain knowledge of new work methods, safety-related practices and technology changes as required keeping estimating standards and tools current.
• All positions in which driving is an essential function of the job, regardless if the job code is marked safety sensitive or not, will also be included as safety sensitive.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Bachelor’s degree OR an equivalent combination of education or experience

• Familiarity with T&D equipment and processes.
• Statistical analysis skills and communication skills.

Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education or experience

• Familiarity with T&D equipment and processes.
• Statistical analysis skills and communication skills.

Bachelor’s degree plus 7 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education or experience

• Familiarity with T&D equipment and processes.
• Credentials or Cost Estimator certification by a recognized organization
• Statistical analysis skills and communication skills.

Bachelor’s degree plus 10 years of relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education or experience

• Familiarity with T&D equipment and processes.
• Credentials or Cost Estimator certification by a recognized organization
• Statistical analysis skills and communication skills.