Estimator

Estimator

Position Title: Estimator

Location: Colusa

Reports to: Director of Operations/Director of Contracts 

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Pay Scale: $73,000.00 - $110,000.00

A thriving future for California’s environment and communities requires bold vision, creative problem-solving, and relentless determination. This is a critical decade for action and River Partners is growing our team of talented, dedicated change-makers to meet the challenge head on. Join us! 

Who We Are 

A tenacious nonprofit founded in 1998; River Partners brings life back to California rivers. We advance an innovative model of conservation that harnesses the power of restored riverways to create a thriving future for the state’s environment and communities. 

Blending modern farming practices, cutting-edge science, and diverse alliances, River Partners reforests and reconnects river landscapes and critical wildlife corridors at an unprecedented pace and scale. We’ve restored more habitat along impaired California rivers than anyone else in the western U.S., having led hundreds of projects across nearly 20,000 acres throughout California. Our efforts result in a suite of tangible wins for struggling wildlife, flood safety, climate resiliency, water conservation, healthy communities, and strong local economies.

We are growing fast and looking for passionate team members to help us increase our pace and scale of restoration. 

Why We Do It 

Healthy rivers are essential for a vibrant California. They provide fresh water for growing our food, economy, communities, and wildlife found nowhere else. Rivers support more species and in greater numbers than any other ecosystem in California—making our state a worldwide biodiversity hotspot. Yet just 5% of our native riverside habitat remains. What’s left needs reviving. 

The actions we take during this decade will decide California's future. With their exponential benefits for wildlife, natural resources, and communities, healthy rivers are critical for a flourishing Golden State for generations to come. 

Why You Should Join Us

River Partners offers competitive salaries and benefits, including comprehensive health care insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with immediate employer matching, paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, other well-being benefits.

We’re proud of our supportive culture and focus on work-life balance.

Position Description:

River Partners is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Estimator to support the planning and budgeting of our habitat restoration and river revitalization projects. This role is essential to our project development process, helping ensure our budgets are accurate, competitive, and aligned with ecological and regulatory standards.

You’ll work closely with project managers, engineers, ecologists, and contractors to interpret project plans and create reliable cost estimates. The ideal candidate will have experience in construction or restoration estimating, strong skills in Excel, and a passion for California’s natural ecosystems.

Essential Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Possess the enthusiasm and drive to assist River Partners in fulfilling its mission. 
• Enjoy working with diverse people and organizations to get things done. 
• Creatively solve problems and delight in learning new skills.  
• Effectively communicate complicated soil science findings orally and in writing. 
• Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. 
• Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ecology, and river hydrology. 
• Proven ability to work effectively with a team and independently. 
• Possess an understanding of statistics, experimental design and data collection. 
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing field data.  
• Demonstrate good organizational skills, ability to work under multiple deadlines, and flexibility to handle changing priorities.  
• Be able to remain dedicated and focused on multiple tasks. 
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Words, Excel, Access, and other programs.  

Essential Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Possess the enthusiasm and drive to assist River Partners in fulfilling its mission. 
• Enjoy working with diverse people and organizations to get things done. 
• Creatively solve problems and delight in learning new skills.  
• Effectively communicate complicated soil science findings orally and in writing. 
• Possess knowledge of and experience with basic irrigation techniques and a knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and plant science. 
• Possess advanced knowledge of California native plants, riparian ecology, and river hydrology. 
• Proven ability to work effectively with a team and independently. 
• Possess an understanding of statistics, experimental design and data collection. 
• Experience collecting, organizing, and analyzing field data.  
• Demonstrate good organizational skills, ability to work under multiple deadlines, and flexibility to handle changing priorities.   
• Be able to remain dedicated and focused on multiple tasks. 
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Words, Excel, Access, and other programs.  

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in estimating, construction management, or project budgeting
• Proficiency in Excel (including advanced formulas, formatting, and data management)
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, technical drawings, and bid specifications
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to field sites within California as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in civil/environmental engineering, agriculture practices, or natural resource management
• Familiarity with ecological restoration, river engineering, or habitat improvement projects
• Experience working with government agencies or grant-funded projects in California
• Knowledge of CEQA, state and federal permitting, and public works procurement is a plus

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience, anticipated to range between $73,000 and $110,000 annually. River Partners offers a generous benefits package including ample holidays and paid time off, flexible locations and hours, medical insurance, and up to 4% 401K matching. 

To learn more about River Partners leading approach to restoring California ecosystems, please visit our website: http://riverpartners.org

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to the link below:

Careers at River Partners

River Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

River Partners is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, religion, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with disability, or any other protected group status or non‐job related characteristic as directed by law.