Job Description

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, six-month 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

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