Project Manager / Estimator (Heavy Civil)

# Project Manager / Estimator (Heavy Civil) — Elk River, MN *Open to PM/Estimator and Senior PM/Estimator levels — title and comp scale with experience.* ## The Opportunity Established Midwest heavy civil contractor headquartered in Elk River, MN is hiring a **Project Manager / Estimator** to own projects from takeoff through closeout. This is a hands-on seat at a growing, employee-driven shop with a track record most contractors can't match: - **686 completed projects** - **$212M+ in self-performed work** - **11 years in business with zero lawsuits** - Operating Engineers Local 49 and LiUNA Local 563 signatory - ISNetworld / RAVS Plus, National Safety Council, ND Safety Council member Self-perform scopes: **earthwork, mass excavation, site grading, site utilities (water main, sanitary, storm, underground treatment structures), demolition, clearing & grubbing, and deep foundations** (drilled piers, sheet pile, driven pile, helical, earth retention). Markets: commercial, industrial, agricultural, municipal/public, energy, environmental, and residential — across the Upper Midwest. You'll work directly with ownership, the field, and repeat GC partners. No middle-management bloat. If you can read a plan, build an honest number, and run a job without a babysitter, you'll fit. ## What You'll Own **Estimating (≈40–60% of role)** - Run conceptual, design-build, hard-bid, and negotiated estimates on earthwork, utility, and demo packages ranging from $250K to $20M+ - Perform digital takeoffs in **AGTEK Earthwork 4D, B2W Estimate, HCSS HeavyBid, or Earthwork takeoff software** — proficiency in at least one is required, multiple is a strong plus - Quantify cut/fill, soil corrections, dewatering, haul, mass haul diagrams, structural backfill, aggregate, topsoil strip and respread, and import/export volumes from civil drawings, geotech reports, and surveys - Build crew/equipment production rates from first principles — you should be able to defend every line item - Solicit, analyze, and qualify subcontractor and supplier quotes; level bids and identify scope gaps - Develop schedules of values, bid proposals, alternates, VE options, and self-perform vs. sub decisions - Lead pre-bid site walks, attend pre-bid meetings, and submit clean, complete bid packages on time **Project Management (≈40–60% of role)** - Hand off your own bids to the field — buy out the job, write subcontracts and POs, and run it - Set up project budgets, cost codes, schedules (P6 or MS Project), and procurement logs - Lead project kickoffs, weekly OAC meetings, and internal coordination with superintendents and foremen - Manage submittals, RFIs, change orders, T&M tickets, and pay applications (AIA G702/G703) - Track production daily/weekly against estimate; forecast cost-to-complete and flag variances early - Coordinate utility locates, MPCA/EPA SWPPP and erosion control compliance, MnDOT/municipal permits, traffic control, and dewatering plans - Drive safety-first execution alongside the field — toolbox talks, JHAs, and ISNetworld documentation - Close out: punchlist, as-builts, lien waivers, retainage release, warranty, and lessons-learned ## What You Bring **Required** - 5+ years (PM/Estimator) or 8–12+ years (Senior) in heavy civil — earthwork, mass grading, site utilities, or demolition self-perform - Proven ability to estimate AND run jobs — not one or the other. We're hiring a closer, not a quoter. - Hands-on with **AGTEK, B2W Estimate, HCSS HeavyBid, Trimble Business Center, or comparable earthwork takeoff software** - Comfortable reading civil plans, grading plans, SUE drawings, geotech reports, and survey data - Working knowledge of MnDOT specs, MPCA SWPPP, OSHA 30, trench safety / competent person requirements - Strong in Bluebeam, Excel, and a project management/accounting platform (Procore, Viewpoint Vista/Spectrum, Foundation, or Sage 300 CRE) - Clean MVR, pre-employment drug screen, ability to be on a project site in workboots when the job calls for it - Based in or willing to relocate to the Twin Cities / Elk River area — this is **on-site, not remote** **Preferred** - Bachelor's in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related — or equivalent experience that makes the degree irrelevant - Experience with deep foundations (drilled piers, sheet pile, helical, driven pile) - Experience with Local 49 and LiUNA Local 563 labor agreements and prevailing wage / Davis-Bacon jobs - Estimating background on industrial, energy, or design-build turnkey civil packages - OSHA 30, MSHA, Confined Space, Competent Person (excavation), or First Aid/CPR - Network of subcontractor and supplier relationships in MN, ND, WI, IA ## How You'll Be Measured - Bid hit rate and gross margin fade (estimate vs. actual at closeout) - Project profitability and on-time completion - Subcontractor and GC relationship quality — repeat business is the scoreboard - Safety record on your jobs (TRIR, near-miss reporting, JHA compliance) - Clean, on-time submittals, RFIs, and pay apps — no fire drills the day before billing ## Compensation & Benefits - **Base salary: $120,000 – $175,000+** depending on level and experience (Sr. PM/Estimator at the top end) - Performance/project profitability bonus - Vehicle allowance or company truck (role-dependent) - Full health, dental, and vision - 401(k) with employer contribution - PTO, paid holidays, and continuing education / certification reimbursement - Real career path — owner-led shop where good operators get more rope, not more layers ## Why This Seat You'll see your bids hit dirt. You'll know the foreman by name. You'll work for a company that has **never been sued in 11 years** — that doesn't happen by accident, it happens because the work is right, the contracts are clean, and the team finishes what it starts. If you've been buried in a big-GC chart and want to run real scopes with real authority, this is the seat.