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TITLE: Cost Estimators
DEFINITION: Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services, to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
TASKS:
1. Analyzes blueprints, specifications, proposals, and other documentation, to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates.
2. Prepares estimates for selecting vendors or subcontractors, and determining cost effectiveness.
3. Reviews data to determine material and labor requirements, and prepares itemized list.
4. Prepares estimates used for management purposes, such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
5. Prepares time, cost, and labor estimates for products, projects, or services, applying specialized methodologies, techniques, or processes.
6. Computes cost factors used for preparing estimates for management and determining cost effectiveness.
7. Conducts special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.
8. Consults with clients, vendors, or other individuals to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge elements are ranked by importance.
83 Mathematics
Knowledge of numbers, their operations, and interrelationships including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
67 Production and Processing
Knowledge of inputs, outputs, raw materials, waste, quality control, costs, and techniques for maximizing the manufacture and distribution of goods
67 Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data
58 Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the appropriate tools to construct objects, structures, and buildings
58 Administration and Management
Knowledge of principles and processes involved in business and organizational planning, coordination, and execution. This includes strategic planning, resource allocation, manpower modeling, leadership techniques, and production methods
54 English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
29 Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of electric circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming
21 Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of policies and practices involved in personnel/human resource functions. This includes recruitment, selection, training, and promotion regulations and procedures; compensation and benefits packages; labor relations and negotiation strategies; and personnel information systems
21 Design
Knowledge of design techniques, principles, tools and instruments involved in the production and use of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models
17 Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods involved in showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategies and tactics, product demonstration and sales techniques, and sales control systems
17 Clerical
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing systems, filing and records management systems, stenography and transcription, forms design principles, and other office procedures and terminology
13 Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of equipment, tools, mechanical devices, and their uses to produce motion, light, power, technology, and other applications
13 Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including their relative costs, advantages, and limitations
13 Law, Government and Jurisprudence
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
13 Telecommunications
Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems
13 Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media
8 Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, benefits, repair, and maintenance
4 Education and Training
Knowledge of instructional methods and training techniques including curriculum design principles, learning theory, group and individual teaching techniques, design of individual development plans, and test design principles
SKILLS:
Skills elements are ranked by importance.
83 Information Gathering
Knowing how to find information and identifying essential information
79 Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems
75 Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
67 Writing
Communicating effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience
67 Active Learning
Working with new material or information to grasp its implications
67 Information Organization
Finding ways to structure or classify multiple pieces of information
63 Idea Evaluation
Evaluating the likely success of an idea in relation to the demands of the situation
63 Problem Identification
Identifying the nature of problems
63 Identifying Downstream Consequences
Determining the long-term outcomes of a change in operations
58 Systems Evaluation
Looking at many indicators of system performance, taking into account their accuracy
58 Active Listening
Listening to what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate
58 Judgment and Decision Making
Weighing the relative costs and benefits of a potential action
54 Visioning
Developing an image of how a system should work under ideal conditions
54 Management of Financial Resources
Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures
54 Speaking
Talking to others to effectively convey information
54 Synthesis/Reorganization
Reorganizing information to get a better approach to problems or tasks
50 Critical Thinking
Using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
50 Implementation Planning
Developing approaches for implementing an idea
50 Solution Appraisal
Observing and evaluating the outcomes of a problem solution to identify lessons learned or redirect efforts
50 Identification of Key Causes
Identifying the things that must be changed to achieve a goal
50 Idea Generation
Generating a number of different approaches to problems
46 Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences
46 Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
42 Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design
42 Systems Perception
Determining when important changes have occurred in a system or are likely to occur
42 Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions
38 Learning Strategies
Using multiple approaches when learning or teaching new things
38 Management of Material Resources
Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work
38 Monitoring
Assessing how well one is doing when learning or doing something
33 Product Inspection
Inspecting and evaluating the quality of products
29 Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others
25 Persuasion
Persuading others to approach things differently
17 Science
Using scientific methods to solve problems
8 Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react the way they do
8 Instructing
Teaching others how to do something
8 Technology Design
Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs
4 Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications
4 Programming
Writing computer programs for various purposes
4 Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job
4 Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems
4 Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people .
ABILITIES:
Abilities elements are ranked by importance.
90 Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to understand and organize a problem and then to select a mathematical method or formula to solve the problem
90 Number Facility
The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly
85 Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
70 Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
70 Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
65 Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers. It involves deciding if an answer makes sense.
60 Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand
50 Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
50 Near Vision
The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer)
45 Information Ordering
The ability to correctly follow a given rule or set of rules in order to arrange things or actions in a certain order. The things or actions can include numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, sentences, and mathematical or logical operations.
40 Fluency of Ideas
The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a given topic. It concerns the number of ideas produced and not the quality, correctness, or creativity of the ideas.
35 Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems, to form general rules or conclusions. It includes coming up with a logical explanation for why a series of seemingly unrelated events occur together.
35 Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so that it is understandable to a listener
25 Trunk Strength
The ability to use one's abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing
25 Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task over a period of time
25 Wrist-Finger Speed
The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists
20 Time Sharing
The ability to efficiently shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources)
20 Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person
20 Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects
20 Originality
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem
15 Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged
10 Speed of Closure
The ability to quickly make sense of information that seems to be without meaning or organization. It involves quickly combining and organizing different pieces of information into a meaningful pattern
10 Perceptual Speed
The ability to quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object
10 Glare Sensitivity
The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting
10 Hearing Sensitivity
The ability to detect or tell the difference between sounds that vary over broad ranges of pitch and loudness
10 Memorization
The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures
5 Spatial Orientation
The ability to know one's location in relation to the environment, or to know where other objects are in relation to one's self
5 Response Orientation
The ability to choose quickly and correctly between two or more movements in response to two or more signals (lights, sounds, pictures, etc.). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body parts
5 Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep the hand and arm steady while making an arm movement or while holding the arm and hand in one position
5 Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with the body, arms, and/or legs
5 Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate movements of two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the body is in motion
5 Sound Localization
The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated
5 Reaction Time
The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to one signal (sound, light, picture, etc.) when it appears
5 Speed of Limb Movement
The ability to quickly move the arms or legs
5 Static Strength
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects
5 Auditory Attention
The ability to focus on a single source of auditory (hearing) information in the presence of other distracting sounds
5 Stamina
The ability to exert one's self physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath
5 Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly make coordinated movements of one hand, a hand together with its arm, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects
5 Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly make precise adjustments in moving the controls of a machine or vehicle to exact positions
5 Gross Body Coordination
The ability to coordinate the movement of the arms, legs, and torso together in activities where the whole body is in motion
WORK ACTIVITIES:
Work activities elements are ranked by importance.
92 Estimating Needed Characteristics
Estimating the Characteristics of Materials, Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities, or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
79 Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
75 Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, verifying, or processing information or data.
67 Analyzing Data or Information
Identifying underlying principles, reasons, or facts by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
67 Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
Providing consultation and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-related, or process related topics.
63 Communicating With Other Workers
Providing information to supervisors, fellow workers, and subordinates. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
63 Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information received by making estimates or categorizations, recognizing differences or similarities, or sensing changes in circumstances or events.
58 Documenting or Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in either written form or by electronic/magnetic recording.
58 Communicating With Persons Outside Organization
Communicating with persons outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged face-to-face, in writing, or via telephone/electronic transfer.
54 Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Combining, evaluating, and reasoning with information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.
50 Establishing and Maintaining Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
46 Judging Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Making judgments about or assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
42 Evaluating Information Against Standards
Evaluating information against a set of standards and verifying that it is correct.
42 Updating and Using Job-Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and knowing one's own jobs' and related jobs' functions.
42 Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing
Developing plans to accomplish work, and prioritizing and organizing one's own work.
42 Interpreting Meaning of Information to Others
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be understood or used to support responses or feedback to others.
38 Implementing Ideas or Programs
Conducting or carrying out work procedures and activities in accord with one's own ideas or information provided through directions/instructions for purposes of installing, modifying, preparing, delivering, constructing, integrating, finishing, or completing programs, systems, structures, or products.
33 Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing assistance or personal care to others.
33 Monitor Processes, Material, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, often to detect problems or to find out when things are finished.
29 Resolving Conflict or Negotiating with Others
Handling complaints, arbitrating disputes, and resolving grievances, or otherwise negotiating with others.
29 Developing Objectives and Strategies
Establishing long range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve these objectives.
29 Performing Administrative Activities
Approving requests, handling paperwork, and performing day-to-day administrative tasks.
25 Scheduling Work and Activities
Scheduling events, programs, activities, as well as the work of others.
25 Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
21 Handling and Moving Objects
Using one's own hands and arms in handling, installing, forming, positioning, and moving materials, or in manipulating things, including the use of keyboards.
21 Coordinating Work and Activities of Others
Coordinating members of a work group to accomplish tasks.
17 Interacting With Computers
Controlling computer functions by using programs, setting up functions, writing software, or otherwise communicating with computer systems.
17 Performing For or Working With Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public, including serving persons in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
17 Developing and Building Teams
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
17 Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods, or otherwise changing their minds or actions.
17 Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting or diagnosing equipment, structures, or materials to identify the causes of errors or other problems or defects.
13 Thinking Creatively
Originating, inventing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
13 Drafting and Specifying Technical Devices
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to inform others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
8 Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require moving one's whole body, such as in climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, where the activities often also require considerable use of the arms and legs, such as in the physical handling of materials.
8 Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
8 Operating Vehicles or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
4 Repairing and Maintaining Electrical Equipment
Fixing, servicing, adjusting, regulating, calibrating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
WORK CONTEXT:
Work context elements are ranked by frequency (F), importance (I), responsibility (R), amount of contact (C), how serious (S), objective vs. subjective (O), automation (A), extent of frustration (E), responsible for health and safety (H), likelihood of injury (L), degree of injury (D) .
100 (F) Indoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Indoors
96 (I) Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
95 (F) Sitting
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Sitting?
88 (I) Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
How important is it to be sure that all the details of this job are performed and everything is done completely?
70 (S) Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
48 (I) Deal With External Customers
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Deal with external customers (e.g., retail sales) or the public in general (e.g., police work)?
40 (I) Provide a Service to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Provide a service to others (e.g., customers)?
36 (I) Importance of Being Aware of New Events
How important is being constantly aware of either frequently changing events (e.g. security guard watching for shoplifters) or infrequent events (e.g. radar operator watching for tornadoes) to performing this job?
35 (F) Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
33 (C) Job-Required Social Interaction
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) with others in order to perform it?
30 (F) Frequency in Conflict Situations
How frequently do the job requirements place the worker in conflict situations?
30 (F) Standing
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Standing?
28 (I) Coordinate or Lead Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities (not supervision)?
20 (F) Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
20 (F) Making Repetitive Motions
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Making repetitive motions?
20 (O) Objective or Subjective Information
How objective or subjective is the information communicated in this job?
20 (I) Persuade Someone to a Course of Action
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Persuade someone to a course of action (informally) or influence others to buy something (to sell)?
20 (E) Frustrating Circumstances
To what extent do frustrating circumstances ("road blocks" to work that are beyond the worker's control) hinder the accomplishment of this job?
17 (R) Responsibility for Outcomes and Results
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
15 (F) Walking or Running
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Walking or running?
12 (I) Take a Position Opposed to Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Take a position opposed to coworkers or others?
12 (I) Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
10 (F) Bending or Twisting the Body
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Bending or twisting the body?
5 (F) Outdoors
How frequently does this job require the worker to work: Outdoors
5 (F) Kneeling, Crouching or Crawling
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Kneeling, stooping, crouching or crawling?
5 (F) Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much time in a usual work period does the worker spend: Keeping or regaining balance?
4 (I) Supervise, Coach, Train Others
How important are interactions requiring the worker to: Supervise, coach, train, or develop other employees?
INTERESTS:
Interest elements are ranked by occupational interest.
89 Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
72 Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
44 Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
39 Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
33 Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
17 Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
WORK VALUES:
Work values elements are ranked by extent.
57 Working Conditions-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
54 Support-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
53 Achievement-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
51 Independence-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
42 Recognition-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
41 Relationships-Mean Extent
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
75 Working Conditions
Workers on this job have good working conditions
66 Independence
Workers on this job do their work alone
63 Responsibility
Workers on this job make decisions on their own
59 Company Policies and Practices
Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company
59 Ability Utilization
Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities
59 Security
Workers on this job have steady employment
59 Supervision, Human Relations
Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management
59 Autonomy
Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision
56 Activity
Workers on this job are busy all the time
53 Compensation
Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers
53 Advancement
Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement
50 Social Status
Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community
50 Moral Values
Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong
47 Co-workers
Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with
47 Achievement
Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment
44 Supervision, Technical
Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well
41 Recognition
Workers on this job receive recognition for the work they do
34 Variety
Workers on this job have something different to do every day
31 Creativity
Workers on this job try out their own ideas
25 Authority
Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others
25 Social Service
Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people
CROSSWALKS:
| DOT91 (Dictionary of Occupational Titles): |
169267038 Estimator |
| AIM97 (Apprenticeship Information Management): |
No crosswalks |
| CEN90 (1990 Census Occupations): |
037 Management Related Occupations, N.E.C. |
| CIP90 (Classification of Instructional Programs): |
520201 Business Administration and Management, General 520202 Purchasing, Procurement and Contracts Management |
| GOE93 (Guide for Occupational Exploration): |
050302 Engineering Technology: Drafting |
| MOC97 (Military Occupational Codes): |
5915 Construction Planner and Estimator Specialist |
| OES98 (Occupational Employment Statistics): |
21902 Cost Estimators |
| OPM97 (Office of Personnel Management Occupations): |
1106 Procurement Clerical and Technician 1898 Admeasurement |
| SOC98 (Standard Occupational Classification): |
13-1051 Cost Estimators |
