About the Opportunity

Ambassador Group completed this search for a construction and service contractor in Montana that serves demanding residential and commercial clients and self-performs mechanical and civil scopes. Its excavation group takes on complex projects in challenging terrain: steep slopes, tight access, weather swings, and long-haul logistics. The firm was building the next chapter of its civil capabilities and needed a dedicated estimator to anchor that growth. It is founder-led, field-oriented, and high-trust, with an experienced Excavation Manager and strong field leadership.

Role Summary

The Excavation Estimator owns civil estimating and preconstruction for complex excavation projects. They partner closely with the Excavation Manager and operations to price work accurately, sequence it intelligently, and set projects up to win before the first bucket hits the ground. The role is onsite and works hand in hand with field operations.

Key Outcomes
  • Excavation and civil estimates are tighter and more defensible, and leadership trusts them.
  • Bid hit rate improves without margin erosion.
  • Field execution tracks closely to estimated cost and schedule on the majority of awarded work.
  • The main cost and risk drivers are visible on each bid, with alternatives considered up front.
  • Estimates hand off cleanly to the field with quantities, production targets, and field-usable narratives.
  • Estimating inputs flow cleanly into Sage 100 and job-cost reporting.
  • The Excavation Manager and field teams see the estimator as a go-to partner.
What You'll Bring
  • Civil and excavation estimating experience in mountain or alpine environments.
  • Strong plan reading and site visualization, and comfort working from incomplete or evolving information.
  • Hands-on experience with earthwork, foundations, utilities, and infrastructure takeoffs.
  • Cost modeling for trucking, export and import, and material movement, with an understanding of how terrain and haul distance change the numbers.
  • A solid grasp of production rates in steep terrain and harsh conditions.
  • Familiarity with estimating and accounting systems. Sage 100 experience is a plus but not required.
  • An operational mindset, clear communication with field leaders, project managers, and ownership, and sound judgment under ambiguity.