Estimator
Job details at a glance
| Agency | Public Buildings Service |
|---|---|
| Department | General Services Administration |
| Location | Multiple Locations |
| Salary | $106,437–$172,980 per year |
| Grade | GS 13 |
| Schedule | Full-time |
| Occupation series | Construction Control Technical (0809) |
| Openings | 3 |
| Hiring paths | Internal to an agency, Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) |
| Posted | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Application deadline | Nov 19, 2026 |
| Telework eligible | Yes |
| Remote job | No |
| Security clearance | Not Required |
| Relocation expenses reimbursed | No |
| Promotion potential | 13 |
About this job
As an Estimator, you will serve as a cost management expert for all levels of projects from small to large prospectus level. The Office of Program and Project Management responsibilities include data analysis, project measures, IT tools, project manager training and certification, cost and schedule management, and project risk identification and management. We are currently filling three vacancies, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.
Duties
Prepares and reviews bid-level, budget, planning, parametric, and definitive cost estimates for new construction, modernization, renovation, repair, alteration, and lease-construction projects ranging from moderate to highly complex. Serves as a technical authority and subject matter expert for cost estimating and cost management, resolving significant, unusual, or contentious cost and budget issues. Reviews, verifies, and approves A/E cost estimates, price proposals, and detailed estimates for moderate to highly complex buildings and systems. Provides authoritative consultation to A/E estimators, project managers, design teams, contracting personnel, and other technical specialists to ensure projects are designed and delivered within established budgets. Ensures estimates adhere to Federal guidelines, accessibility codes, FAR requirements, ethics provisions under U.S. Code, and other applicable laws and regulations. Interprets and applies Federal guidelines, regulations, acquisition requirements, and applicable United States Code, CFR, GAO decisions, and other legal precedents. Provides support for the national cost management program by engaging in the development and implementation of agency-wide cost management standards, tools, products, and guidelines, including implementation of quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures. Manages the entire contract lifecycle for external subject matter experts and other services, from initial identification and procurement through contract negotiation, execution, and closeout. Ensures that all contracts are aligned with organizational goals and objectives, and that external SMEs provide high quality services within budget and on schedule.
Qualifications
To evaluate your qualifications, your resume must clearly demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience described below. Your resume must not exceed two pages. To ensure your qualifications can be fully evaluated, we recommend including the following information: Name, address, telephone number, email address; Job Title (if Federal Service, provide series and grade; if not in GS plan, provide GS equivalent grade); Relevant work experience—should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how you meet the required qualifications in the job announcement. Education, certifications or licensures—If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure to include the required information and any required documents like transcripts. Your resume should contain enough information to make a valid determination that you fully meet experience requirements for each grade level you are applying to. If you do not provide enough information for us to determine your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible. If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume. The GS-13 salary range starts at $106,437 per year. To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Specialized experience is experience which included responsibility for developing and managing construction or alteration projects. Such experience must demonstrate experience defining requirements with customers; applying construction and cost estimating methods and techniques; contract administration; inspection and acceptance of materials and workmanship; and construction, installation or repair of various types of systems used in public use buildings (e.g., heating, air conditioning, fire safety, ventilation, plumbing).
Requirements
If selected, you must meet the following conditions: Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Serve a one year probationary period, if required. Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level). Must maintain at least a Level 2 Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certificate. Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
Evaluations
A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the application of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses. Expert knowledge of construction cost management, cost estimating, market analysis, and industry methods to evaluate, forecast, and manage construction costs for large, complex building projects. Comprehensive understanding of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, and architectural disciplines, enabling review of A/E cost estimates, technical evaluations, and interdisciplinary coordination. Knowledge of project management, architecture, engineering, and construction practices to guide project cost management from planning through design, construction, and commissioning, including compliance with federal regulations, codes, and acquisition policies. Ability to interpret plans, specifications, and technical documents, apply quality assurance principles, and evaluate materials, workmanship, safety, and environmental requirements. Knowledge of Federal acquisition and contract administration principles and skill in developing Statements of Work and managing professional/technical service requirements throughout the contract lifecycle. Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your application. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
How to apply
Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application. For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job. If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement. Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application. Resumes exceeding two pages will not be accepted by USAJOBS and will prevent your application from moving forward in the hiring process. Please see Required Documents for additional details. Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Note: Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process). Need Assistance? Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact fedhirehelp@applygovernment.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions. Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.
Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.
Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗Required documents
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit. Resume: Must not exceed two pages. Refer to the Qualifications section for resume requirements. Current GSA employees: You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. Promotion Consideration: If your most recent SF-50 became effective within the past year, it may not demonstrate that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement. In that case, submit additional SF-50(s) (such as promotion, within-grade increase, grade/range increase, or an SF-50 with an effective date more than one year old) that clearly document you meet the time-in-grade requirement. If you are CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal. Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.
What to expect next
After the closing date/deadline: ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes. FINAL COMMUNICATION: Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard. Thank you for your interest in working for the U.S. General Services Administration!
Benefits
You will have access to many benefits including: Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans) Life insurance coverage with several options Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan) Transit and child care subsidies Flexible spending accounts Long-term care insurance Training and development
Other information
Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches. If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage. Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility. On a case-by-case basis, the following incentive may be approved: • Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee These vacancies can be filled in any of the locations listed on the job announcement. Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.
Frequently asked questions
How much does this Estimator job pay?
The announcement lists a salary of $106,437–$172,980 per year (GS 13).
When is the last day to apply?
Applications close on Nov 19, 2026 — 8 days from today.
Where is this job located?
This position is located in Multiple Locations with the Public Buildings Service.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.
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