Job description:
PADCOM Design & Construction Management Services is recruiting a Junior Project Cost Estimator for placement on the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Facilities Services Division Construction Program. This is a contract assignment supporting LAUSD's Program Support Services group (Recruitment No. CM-JPCE-0426-16).
Assignment
- Start: ASAP
- Assignment end date: September 30, 2027
- Position end date: September 30, 2028
- Location: On-site, Los Angeles
- Two (2) positions available
Responsibilities
- Prepare preliminary independent cost estimates for comparison against designer or contractor estimates to support PM/CM negotiating positions
- Assist in preparing change order estimates for Owner Authorized Representatives
- Provide support during price negotiations
- Prepare claim analyses and estimates
- Develop detailed construction cost estimates from drawings, specifications, and sketches
- Assist in reviewing contractor claims and proposals for merit and accountability
- Research recent cost and price changes in supplies and services
- Develop scope of work from RFI/RFC responses and estimate associated costs independent of contractor proposals
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management from an accredited institution
- Two (2) years of full-time paid professional experience in construction estimating on facilities or school construction projects
- Working knowledge of current local (Southern California) construction labor and material costs
- Demonstrated experience developing and estimating change order scopes of work
- Ability to compare independent cost estimates against contractor proposals and identify variances
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong fact-finding and analytical skills
Preferred
- Prior LAUSD or California K-12 / public agency estimating experience
- Familiarity with DSA (Division of the State Architect) project requirements
- Proficiency with estimating software (e.g., Sage Estimating, WinEst, Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff)
About PADCOM PADCOM is a certified DBE/SBE/MBE/LBE/LSBE program and construction management firm based in Cerritos, CA, supporting aviation and public infrastructure clients across Southern California.
To Apply Submit a professional resume that includes: educational achievements, professional licenses/certificates, awards, and detailed employment history (firm name, dates, positions held, and projects with project value, location, role, and contributions). Submissions due no later than May 12, 2026 to allow for internal review prior to LAUSD's May 14 deadline.
