Estimator (Civil Earthwork)

Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR | Fortune: 192) is the largest specialty contractor with the most highly trained and skilled workforce in North America – providing fully integrated infrastructure solutions for the electric power, underground utility, renewable energy, industrial and telecommunications industries.  Every moment of every day, people all over North America rely on energy solutions provided by Quanta Services and its customers. Find your future with us by being a part of something bigger – playing a key role in accelerating a people-centered energy transition and building a better world for generations to come.

Quanta Canada Renewables is a new entity within the Quanta family of companies, dedicated to providing the premier turnkey solutions for the full engineering and construction of utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in Canada.  As an Estimator, you will be able to shape the development of a new organization's processes and procedures while leveraging industry-leading best practices, decades of expertise, and the support of the largest utility contractor in North America to support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Canada.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Estimator (Civil Earthwork) is responsible for the planning and coordination efforts to produce comprehensive project cost estimates for grading activities on utility-scale wind and solar projects.  Working in conjunction with the Project Manager and Site Superintendent, the Estimator will determine contractor and labor needs, calculate job profitability, prepare and submit bids, and maintain cost databases.

Location: Downtown Calgary office.  Travel to (potential) project sites is required prior to proposal submission and required during project construction.  

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Project Planning & Estimation

Advanced site evaluation & terrain modeling

• Analyze topographic data, lidar scans, and drone imagery to develop detailed digital terrain models.
• Identify grading constraints related to turbine pads, solar array rows, access roads, and drainage paths.
• Conduct pre-bid site visits to assess real-world topographic conditions, access limitations, drainage patterns, and environmental constraints that may not be fully captured in digital models or survey data; incorporate field observations into grading strategy and cost estimates.
• Evaluate slope stability, erosion potential, and constructability in remote or environmentally sensitive areas.

Cut/fill analysis & earthwork optimization

• Understand detailed cut/fill analysis and earthwork optimization.
• Calculate net earthwork volumes, accounting for conversion, shrinkage, swell and compaction factors.

Material weight & hauling calculations

• Estimate material weights for hauling and disposal:
• Determine truckloads required based on payload capacity and haul distance.
• Factor in fuel costs, cycle times, and equipment productivity.

Cost estimation & bid development

• Develop crew make-up and productivities for mass grading, road subgrades & surface course, ditches and drainage piping and structures.
• Calculate water requirements for soil compaction, dust suppression on haul roads and disturbed areas
• Estimate water truck cycles and source availability, especially in arid or remote project locations.
• Develops crew-based production estimate based upon research and historic productivities; and develop proposal documents for submittal and leads proposal presentation to client.

Technical collaboration & design feedback

• Collaborate with civil engineers and environmental consultants to refine grading plans.
• Provide value engineering suggestions to reduce earthwork volumes and environmental impact.
• Review and interpret geotechnical reports to adjust grading assumptions.

Regulatory compliance & documentation

• Ensure grading plans comply with storm water pollution prevention plans, Federal and Provincial environmental regulations.
• Maintain detailed logs of assumptions, calculations, and revisions for audit and QA/QC purposes.

Customer Service & Coordination

• Execute on the Quanta business model which safely delivers renewable energy projects that are well-built, delivered on-time, within budget and delight clients
• Request and aggregate key customer information and inputs into project estimation tools
• Review project estimates with clients to ensure understanding and alignment around project scope, schedules, budgets, and material procurement needs
• Respond to client requests in a manner that collaborates for mutual success

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Coordinate with procurement, scheduling, and project development teams on local bidding efforts
• Develops and/or oversees subcontractor and supplier scope, price, and schedule exhibits for subcontract and purchase order packages
• Work with procurement teams to coordinate local and First Nation bidding efforts

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills to coordinate with engineers, project managers, and field crews.
• Self-motivated with advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, particularly in civil earthwork optimization.
• Deep understanding of civil site design principles, grading plans, and the integrated EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) process.
• Proficient in translating construction means and methods into crew-based production rates for accurate cost modeling.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop junior estimators, sharing expertise in civil earthwork, cost modeling, and digital estimating tools.
• Experienced in scheduling and estimating software, including Primavera P6, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, and Hard Dollar (or similar platforms).
• Skilled in interpreting geotechnical data, compaction requirements, and calculating water usage for dust control and soil conditioning.
• Thorough knowledge of materials, methods, and equipment used in construction work activities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Technical School/Bachelor's Degree in Construction Science, Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent
• 5 years of Estimating experience in construction and contracting, with a strong focus on grading and heavy civil projects 
• Must be versed in various aspects of engineering design and construction, and contracting methodologies, as well as project planning and management-related tasks and activities including, but not limited to, engineering, estimating, scheduling, bidding, project management and administration and management of prime contracts, preparation and administration of purchase orders and subcontracts, field supervision, budget control, safety, quality assurance, etc.  

Benefits

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Quanta's culture is about creating an environment where all employees can be themselves, are valued, and have an equal opportunity to succeed. When you join our team, you join a dynamic culture in which career development is encouraged, excellence is rewarded, and diversity is valued.

Quanta is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse workforce. We offer a competitive salary and complete range of employee benefits.

Please apply directly to this ad.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' education, experience best meets the need of this position. Only individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted.