Prospect Construction is a leading Heavy Civil Contractor specializing in complex water and wastewater treatment facilities, hydraulic structures, shoring systems, large concrete tanks, pump stations and process facilities, dewatering, structural steel, process equipment, and mechanical systems.
In addition to our treatment plant expertise, Prospect delivers comprehensive heavy civil construction services, including mass excavation, deep and open-cut utility installations, site civil development, large-diameter pipeline work, and major civil infrastructure projects. Our extensive self-perform capabilities allow us to manage critical path activities, maintain quality control, and reduce schedule risk on highly technical projects.
Why do we exist? Prospect Construction seeks to glorify God by providing opportunities for our employees to utilize their unique gifts through construction to benefit and serve our families, stakeholders, and community. What do we do? We construct unique, complex, and challenging projects for our clients throughout the west.
The Heavy Civil Estimator is responsible for leading the development and execution of heavy civil estimates across all company offices, serving as the primary technical expert in this discipline. This role operates from a centralized estimating location and supports competitive bids for projects throughout the company's footprint.
This position plays a critical role in advancing the company's heavy civil capabilities across new and existing markets — including dams and water resource infrastructure, mass grading, mining support infrastructure, underground utilities, pipelines, and large-scale site development. The Senior Heavy Civil Estimator will produce accurate, complete, and competitive estimates while contributing to the development of repeatable estimating processes that support profitable growth.
Estimating Leadership & Bid Execution
- Serve as the primary estimating resource for heavy civil pursuits across all offices, coordinating workloads and ensuring bid schedules are met.
- Lead preparation of competitive, complete estimates for heavy civil and large development pursuits.
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs, pricing, labor and equipment productions, and bid-leveling.
- Develop pricing strategies and collaborate with leadership to determine bid markups, general conditions, contingency, and schedule impacts.
- Coordinate bid reviews and support executive-level presentations prior to submission.
- Ensure all estimates include complete scope coverage, clear assumptions, and appropriate risk allocation.
- Ensure bids comply with owner requirements, bid forms, and proposal instructions.
Technical Estimating
- Perform detailed quantity takeoffs, pricing, labor and equipment production analysis, and bid-leveling.
- Identify project risks and opportunities including logistics, access, production constraints, seasonal impacts, and design ambiguities.
- Support constructability reviews and sequencing concepts that align with execution strategies.
- Solicit subcontractor pricing and scope input for specialty work (dewatering, drilling, blasting, shoring, etc.).
- Evaluate subcontractor quotes for completeness and accuracy; manage bid leveling and scope alignment.
Market & Capability Expansion
- Support company growth into new heavy civil markets and project types including:
- Dams / levees / water infrastructure
- Mass grading / earthwork
- Mining and mine infrastructure
- Wet and dry utilities
- Pipeline – Water / Sewer / Oil / Gas
- Large developments and site infrastructure
- Build estimating models, assemblies, means-and-methods assumptions, and productivity benchmarks for emerging work types.
- Identify equipment needs, subcontractor requirements, and labor production assumptions to support new civil capabilities.
- Assist in development of strategic partnerships for emerging markets and scopes.
Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain and improve a heavy civil cost database including labor, equipment, materials, trucking, and subcontractor benchmarks.
- Track estimate performance and contribute to lessons learned based on job cost results and field feedback.
- Develop and refine estimating processes, standards, and deliverable templates to improve consistency and efficiency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Coordinate with operations, project management, and field leadership to validate means/methods and production assumptions.
- Participate in turnover meetings and support transition from bid to execution.
- Assist operations in early project planning, budgeting, and buyout strategy as needed.
- Share technical knowledge and estimating best practices with colleagues to support team-wide development.
Knowledge & Skills
- Minimum 10 years of experience as a Civil Construction Estimator
- Proven experience leading estimating efforts on complex heavy civil projects
- Experience collaborating on or guiding bid teams; informal mentorship of junior estimators preferred
- Strong understanding of:
- Heavy civil means and methods
- Equipment spreads and production rates
- Construction scheduling impacts
- Labor, trucking, and material pricing models
- Risk management and bid strategy
- Advanced proficiency in data analysis methods and cost modeling
- Proficiency with civil estimating software; experience with HCSS and Timberline strongly preferred
- Ability to interpret civil plans, specifications, geotechnical reports, contract terms, and design documents
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to senior leadership
- Highly organized, deadline-driven, and capable of managing multiple concurrent pursuits
- Critical thinker and effective problem-solver
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Science, or a related field preferred
Prospect's Benefits Package Includes:
- Bonus
- Profit Sharing Plan
- Accrued PTO, Accrued Sick Leave, 7 Paid Holidays
- Company Provided Medical Insurance: HSA Medical Plan with 100% premium coverage for Employee + Family- OR Optional PPO buy up plan (cost shared premium.)
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Application Question(s):
- Have you had experience leading and managing a team of estimators?
- What is the largest bid you have taken on from start to submittal?
- What Estimating software have you used?
Experience:
- Civil Construction Estimating: 10 years (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Missoula, MT 59808: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
