Cost Estimator

About the role

Tetra Tech is adding experienced Cost Estimators to our Disaster Recovery team to support current and future disaster recovery operations across the United States.

Position Summary

As a Cost Estimator in Tetra Tech's Disaster Recovery Cadre, you will support FEMA Public Assistance and other disaster recovery programs by developing accurate, defensible, and well-documented cost estimates for infrastructure restoration, emergency work, and permanent work projects. You will evaluate damaged infrastructure, develop and validate project scopes, prepare cost estimates, and support funding eligibility determinations for public facilities and infrastructure.

Essential Job Functions

• Support FEMA Public Assistance and other disaster recovery programs through project scoping, damage assessment, and cost estimating activities.
• Support site inspections of damaged facilities and infrastructure to understand disaster-related damages, proposed repairs, and construction requirements.
• Evaluate project scope, means and methods of construction, and restoration approaches.
• Aid in the development and validation of disaster recovery project scopes.
• Collaborate with applicants, engineers, architects, contractors, and program staff to define eligible work and project requirements.
• Prepare conceptual, parametric, and detailed bottom-up cost estimates for disaster recovery projects.
• Develop labor, equipment, materials, subcontractor, and general conditions cost estimates.
• Estimate costs associated with repair, restoration, reconstruction, mitigation, and replacement projects.
• Develop estimate documentation that is clear, defensible, and suitable for audit and program review purposes.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in construction estimating, engineering, architecture, construction management, infrastructure planning, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing conceptual, parametric, and detailed cost estimates for infrastructure or facility projects.
• Experience estimating labor, equipment, material, and construction costs.
• Familiarity with modern construction practices, facility assessments, project scope development, and construction inspection activities.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Ability to work independently and effectively under changing priorities and demanding schedules.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed for field assignments.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Infrastructure Management, or a related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), Licensed Contractor, Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Certified Cost Estimator, or similar professional credential.
• Experience using RSMeans, Xactimate, FEMA Cost Estimating Format (CEF), or other industry-standard estimating platforms.
• Knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance regulations, policy, eligibility requirements, and the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
• Previous FEMA experience as a Cost Estimator, Program Delivery Manager, Site Inspector, Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Policy Advisor, or similar disaster recovery role.
• Experience with roads, utilities, drainage systems, site development, vertical construction, or public infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting disaster recovery, grant-funded infrastructure programs, or public sector capital projects.