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.
• Evaluate engineering reports, plans, specifications, contractor proposals, and construction cost documentation.
• Apply knowledge of applicable construction standards, codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify cost drivers, scope changes, and factors impacting project eligibility and funding.
• Assist project teams with cost validation, reasonableness determinations, and documentation reviews.
• Provide technical estimating expertise to project managers, Public Assistance consultants, and applicant representatives.
• Participate in project formulation meetings and recovery planning discussions.
• Support Requests for Information (RFIs), technical reviews, appeals support, and other recovery program activities.
• Cook up multidisciplinary teams including engineers, architects, environmental specialists, grant professionals, and construction experts.
• Maintain project records and supporting documentation in accordance with client and program requirements.

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.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform field inspections and site visits at disaster-impacted facilities and infrastructure when required by an assignment.
• Ability to travel to client offices, applicant facilities, disaster recovery operation centers, and other project locations as needed.
• Ability to perform computer-based estimating and technical review activities for extended periods during remote or office-based assignments.

Work Environment / Environmental Factors

• Work assignments may be performed remotely, in the field, or through a hybrid arrangement depending on client needs and project requirements.
• Field assignments may take place in disaster-impacted communities and at damaged public facilities or infrastructure sites.
• Work conditions and location may vary by assignment, including active disaster recovery operations and geographically dispersed project teams.

Additional Information

• This is an on-call, as-needed cadre position.
• Work assignments are not guaranteed and depend on disaster declarations, contract awards, client needs, project requirements, qualifications, availability, and recovery program activations.
• Acceptance of assignments is voluntary, and periods of inactivity between deployments may occur.
• Assignment schedules may be flexible and may include periods of high-intensity workload during active recovery operations.
• Evening and weekend work may be required during surge events or active disaster recovery operations.

About Tetra Tech

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include: Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits. Merit-based financial rewards. Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance. Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees. Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth. About Tetra Tech Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition. Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans. We invite applications from all interested parties. Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities: LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers X (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs Additional Information Organization: 105 TDR