Habitat for Humanity of Orange County brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our mission is to create access to safe and affordable homeownership for families across Orange County. Every role at Habitat OC contributes to this mission and supports our long-term impact in the community.
Job Overview
The Estimator plays a vital role in Habitat OC's Home Preservation Program by assessing repair needs for low-income homeowners and developing accurate project estimates. This full-time, one-year temporary position focuses on creating detailed scopes of work that balance homeowner needs with program guidelines and funding requirements.
The Estimator works directly with homeowners to understand concerns, safety and code issues, and translate them into clear project scopes. The Estimator will also solicit and evaluate contractor bids, and transition approved projects to the Project Management team for execution. Candidates with experience in residential estimating, home inspection, or insurance adjusting will be well-suited for this role.
Key Responsibilities
Assessment, Scope Development & Homeowner Engagement
- Conduct on-site home assessments with homeowners to identify health, safety, accessibility, and code compliance issues.
- Identify critical repairs that may not have been initially reported by the homeowner.
- Create the project scope of work based on the assessment findings, homeowner input, program allowances, and code requirements.
- Ensure scopes are clear, feasible, and structured to allow accurate bidding and timely execution.
Bid Management & Contractor Engagement
Draft and issue the scope of work to qualified contractors for bidding.Solicit multiple bids in accordance with program policies and funding source requirements.Coordinate contractor site visits and walkthroughs with homeowners.Respond to contractor inquiries and provide technical clarification as needed.Review submitted bids for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with the defined scope.Collaboration & Compliance
Recommend contractors for selection in consultation with the Program Director and Project Managers, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.Collaborate closely with Project Managers throughout the project lifecycle to ensure scopes of work are complete, accurate, and executable. The quality and clarity of the Estimator's work will directly impact the success of each project and will be reviewed and refined as needed by the Project Management team.Maintain accurate records of bids, scopes, estimates, site notes, photos, and homeowner communications.Coordinate with the Program Administrator to ensure accurate project tracking, reporting, and documentation for funders.Stay informed about HUD, CalHome, and local funding requirements related to allowable costs and procurement.Participate in contractor recruitment and relationship-building efforts.Skills & Knowledge
Strong knowledge of residential construction techniques and estimating practices.Familiarity with home inspection, insurance adjusting, or safety / code assessments preferred.Ability to identify and document health, safety, and code issues in residential settings.Strong communication skills with ability to explain technical concepts clearly.Organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.Education & Experience
Minimum 3 years of experience in residential estimating, home inspection, or insurance adjusting.Experience identifying safety and code issues in existing homes strongly preferred.High school diploma or equivalent required; technical training or degree in construction management preferred.Compensation
Habitat OC offers a competitive salary range of $65,000 - $85,000 annually , depending on experience.
Position Type
Full-time, Temporary – One-Year Term
Equal Employment Opportunity
Habitat OC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Benefits :
Dental insurance Medical, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) retirement plan with employer match
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Professional development opportunities
Employee events
Work Location : In person.
Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@HabitatOC.org
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, 2200 Ritchey Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 434-6200