Careers at John Canning & Co.

Current Opportunities

Estimator / Proposal Manager

John Canning & Co. is a specialty contractor with a focus on the restoration, conservation, and design of interior finishes and substrates of historic landmark buildings and structures. Project sectors include civic buildings, theater and entertainment venues, museums, sacred spaces, commercial, and high-end residential properties.

John Canning & Co. is seeking a full-time Estimator/Proposal Manager capable of leading, preparing, and executing proposals, competitive bids, and qualification packages.

The person in this position shall be capable of developing accurate, timely, and detailed estimates to price competitive bids and proposals, and review with senior leadership.

The person in this position should have an intimate knowledge and experience in reviewing architectural drawings, specifications, identifying scopes, and seeking out vendor pricing and communicating with subcontractors, as required.

The person in this position shall be proficient and accurate in producing proposal deliverables, including the planning, layout, drafting, and editing of proposals and qualifications for Request for Proposals and Request for Qualifications.

Essential Duties include:

• Reviewing, interpreting, and analyzing construction project plans, requirements, drawings, and technical specifications.
• Preparing accurate, detailed quantity take-offs and cost estimates through all stages of design.
• Conceptualizing the construction project cycle and taking schedule, logistics, and other factors that contribute to productivity loss. Then, applying these factors to the pricing.
• Determine scope and articulate verbally and orally to customers (owners, CM, GC, etc.)
• Inputting new and revised data into the estimating database
• Assisting in developing the initial project plan and project execution schedule
• Preparing detailed, comprehensive subcontractor and vendor work scopes
• Soliciting, analyzing, and comparing subcontractor and vendor quotations. Liaise with subcontractors and vendors for clarification of issues and scope
• Performing research for means and methods, materials, costs, and construction techniques and services
• Ability to use industry-specific Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Prepare and produce qualification packages, marketing materials, work plans, preliminary schedules, and/or any additional information requested to meet bid/proposal/owner requirements.
• Fully develops proposal layouts with incorporation and adherence of style guides and branding
• Fully develops graphics to support the written material
• Proofreading, editing, and standardizing of proposal content
• Provide overall quality assurance of proposal response/process; ensure John Canning & Co.’s branding, style guides, and best practices are adhered to
• Lead/assist with interview/presentation preparation and create supporting documents (presentations, boards, hand-outs, etc.)

Requirements & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or an equivalent amount of field experience in the applicable trade with the demonstration of computer, computational, and writing skills.
• 3+ years of construction estimating experience
• Very familiar with Construction Documents & can read drawings
• Bluebeam & Excel are a must
• Highly organized; establishes priorities and a course of action for handling multiple tasks.
• Must have knowledge of construction methods, systems, equipment, and building materials
• Must possess strong communication and interpersonal skills – oral and written
• Must have strong math skills, including algebra and geometry
• Requires the ability to read, analyze, and interpret business correspondence
• Requires the ability to write comprehensive business correspondence
• Requires the ability to read and interpret construction drawings, technical specifications, contracts, and other typical documents associated with the estimating of construction projects.
• Work well under pressure to meet tight deadlines and demands.
• Must be proficient in the use of MS Office, including skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and e-mail
• Must be proficient in Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with estimating software, such as Bluebeam, is a plus.
• Fluency in English (written & spoken).

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.

Decorative Painter

Function & Scope: The decorative painter will perform various decorative painting/finishes, including: stenciling, gilding, color glazing, faux marbling, woodgraining, and more. Work will take place in situ or in the studio, depending on the scope of work.

 * Full Time/Part Time/Freelance options available, but Extended Travel is a requirement. *

Responsibilities: The role may include, but is not limited to:

• Examine decorative paint, and document existing conditions in prose.

• Carry out the required treatment for decorative painting based on the scope documents.

• Coordinate and carry out photo-documentation as needed.

• Provide treatment reports and documentation, as required.

The work, at times, may be executed in team projects either in our studio or in the field on various job sites

If you know how to stencil, gold leaf, color glazing, faux marble, wood grain, and layout - you should be working with Canning!

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Read and interpret documents such as conservation documentation, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, safety data sheets (SDS), and procedure manuals.

•  Use Microsoft Office to write and prepare routine reports and correspondence.

• Problem solve, collect data, and document information.

• Be comfortable working in a construction environment and make responsible judgments about workplace safety.

• Effectively communicate verbally and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, and other co-workers by contributing to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to many perspectives.

• Climb ladders and stand for long periods of time.

• Organized, accurate & detail-oriented.

• Reliable, responsible, and proactive in performing work.

• Team player who can take constructive feedback.

• Ability to understand and follow directions.

• The ability to multitask is critical.

• Willingness to travel.

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.

Plasterer

Function & Scope: The plasterer will perform various plaster work, including restoration, repair, replication, consolidation, and more. Work will take place in situ or in the studio, depending on the scope of work.

 * Full Time/Part Time/Freelance options available, but Extended Travel is a requirement. *

Responsibilities: The role may include, but is not limited to:

• Examine plaster, document existing conditions in prose.

• Carry out the required treatment for plaster based on the scope documents.

• Plaster recreation and restoration.

• Plaster mold making.

• Plaster patching and repair.

• Coordinate and carry out photo-documentation as needed.

• Provide treatment reports and documentation, as required.

The work, at times, may be executed in team projects either in our studio or in the field on various job sites

If you know how to work with both historic flat and ornamental plaster,  - you should be working with Canning!

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Read and interpret documents such as restoration documentation, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, safety data sheets (SDS), and procedure manuals.

• Use Microsoft Office to write and prepare routine reports and correspondence.

• Problem solve, collect data, and document information.

• Be comfortable working in a construction environment and make responsible judgments about workplace safety.

• Effectively communicate verbally and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, and other co-workers by contributing to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to many perspectives.

• Climb ladders and stand for long periods of time.

• Organized, accurate & detail-oriented.

• Reliable, responsible, and proactive in performing work.

• Team player who can take constructive feedback.

• Ability to understand and follow directions.

• The ability to multitask is critical.

• Willingness to travel.

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.

Fine Arts Conservator/Paintings Conservator

Function & Scope: The painting conservator/practitioner will perform conservation of murals, artwork, and decorative finishes for various landmark and historic building interiors. Conservation services are typically on-site, at the historic building project location, but sometimes in the studio as well.

 * Full Time/Part Time/Freelance options available, but Extended Travel is a requirement. *

Responsibilities: The role may include, but is not limited to:

• Examine artwork, document existing conditions in prose.

• Carry out required treatment for conservation based on assessments and reports.

• Coordinate and carry out photo-documentation as needed.

• Provide treatment reports and documentation, as required.

The work, at times, may be executed in team projects either in our studio or in the field on various job sites

If you are passionate about the conservation and preservation of national historic landmark interiors and artwork, then apply today!

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Experience: Five years of related work.
• Education: Certificate in Art Restoration, or Master's in Conservation or Historic Preservation, or 10 years of previous experience in conservation work.
• Member in good standing with AIC preferred but not required.
• Read and interpret documents such as conservation documentation, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, safety data sheets (SDS), and procedure manuals.
• Use Microsoft Office, or similar, to write and prepare routine reports and correspondence.
• Be comfortable working in a construction environment and make responsible judgments about workplace safety.
• Communicate verbally and maintain an effective working relationship with staff and other co-workers by contributing to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to many perspectives.
• Experience working on scaffolding, baker scaffold, and ladders.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. and stand for long periods of time.
• Organized, accurate & detail oriented.
• Reliable, responsible, and proactive in performing work.
• Must be able to work independently on investigations at project sites.
• Team player who can take constructive feedback.
• Ability to understand and follow directions.
• Ability to multitask is critical.
• Willingness to travel.

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.

Conservation Technician

Function & Scope: The conservation technician will perform conservation of fine art murals and artwork for various landmark and historic building interiors. Conservation will take place in-situ or in studio, depending on the scope of work for the mural itself.

Responsibilities: The role may include but is not limited to:

• Examine artwork using magnification, specular, raking, and ultraviolet light. Document artwork conditions in prose and use established condition report templates.

• Carry out required treatment for conservation based on assessments and reports. This includes but is not limited to: stabilization and conservation of delaminating paints, application of protective facings, application of protective coating(s) sprayer or by brush as appropriate and to ensure adequate coverage, conservation inpainting, canvas relining, canvas repairs, preparation of plaster or other substrate for artwork, limited consolidation of plaster, etc.

• Coordinate and carry out photo-documentation as needed.

• Provide treatment reports and documentation, as required.

Working as a conservation technician, the work will be executed in large team projects either in our studio or in the field on various job sites. The conservation technician will gain experience on a broad range of projects and materials from different periods.

If you are passionate about the conservation and preservation of national historic landmark interiors and artwork, then apply today!

Qualifications & Requirements:

• One to three years related education, training, and/or experience.

• Read and interpret documents such as conservation documentation, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, safety data sheets (SDS), and procedure manuals.

• Use Microsoft Office to write and prepare routine reports and correspondence.

• Problem solve, collect data, and document information.

• Be comfortable working in a construction environment and make responsible judgments about workplace safety.

• Effectively communicate verbally and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, staff, and other co-workers by contributing to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to many perspectives.

• Climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs, and stand for long periods of time.

• Organized, accurate & detail-oriented.

• Reliable, responsible, and proactive in performing work.

• Team player who can take constructive feedback.

• Ability to understand and follow directions.

• The ability to multitask is critical.

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.

Laborer

Function & Scope: The laborer will perform many tasks that require manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, good physical fitness, a good sense of balance, and an ability to work as a member of a team.

Responsibilities: The role may include, but is not limited to:

• May load and unload equipment,

• Put up and take down scaffolding

• Clear work areas.

• Distribute building materials to the appropriate location according to project plans and specifications.

• Tend machines; for example, they may mix sand plaster using a portable mixer, or tend a machine that pumps cement, sand, plaster, or stucco through a spray gun for application to ceilings and walls.

• Ability to use small tools and power tools related to general construction.

• Will assist plasterers and woodworkers in all aspects of their skilled trade.

 If you are a self-starter and a team player, then apply today!

Please include a letter of intent detailing experience, resume, contact information, and references.