Cost Estimator; General Construction Division of Building and Land Development Services

Agency Description

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city’s housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.

• We maintain building and resident safety and health.
• We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability.
• We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.

The Office of Development (OOD) leads the agency’s effort to create and preserve affordable housing in collaboration with other HPD offices as well as other city, state and federal agencies. The OOD is comprised of eight divisions that administer a range of programs. These divisions include New Construction Finance, Special Needs Housing, Housing Incentives, Building and Land Development Services, Home ownership Opportunities and Preservation, Preservation Finance, Portfolio Management and Conversions, and Compliance and Enforcement.

The Division of Building and Land Development Services (BLDS) provides architectural, engineering, cost valuation, environmental planning, and construction support services to the various divisions within HPD’s Office of Development. BLDS is the largest division within the Office of Development with over 100 staff composed of seven units which include: the Bureau of New Construction Design Review Services, the Bureau of Preservation Design Review Services, the Bureau of Engineering, the Bureau of Construction Services, the Environmental Planning Unit, the Policy Unit, and the Program Management Unit.

As a Cost Estimator, you will be responsible for preparing cost estimates based on construction documents, utilizing the RS Means database, for both newly-constructed and rehabilitated multi-family buildings assisted by HPD Funding/Assistance.

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including H-1B visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: generous pension plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System); 401(k) and ROTH retirement savings programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; health benefits, dental, vision coverage, prescription drug program; training and professional development; opportunity for scholarship; college savings program; paid holidays and generous annual leave.

• Prepare cost estimate by gathering quantities from construction drawings and utilizing RS MEANS database for multi-family new construction and renovated residential buildings.
• Review cost estimates and change orders prepared by external consultants for accuracy and reasonableness of multi-family residential buildings.
• Perform value engineering to determine possible cost savings, and produce base costs and preliminary budget estimates for new construction and renovated residential buildings.
• Review contractors’ bid proposals and prepare bid recommendations.
• Assist in the processing of documents related to change orders and attend meetings related to change order negotiations with other HPD staff and external partners involved.
• Review and analyze construction documents, including drawings, scopes of work, and project specifications.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a historical cost database in order to prepare, analyze, and validate estimates and budgets.