Cost Estimator

The Opportunity:

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

Why Tetra Tech:

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world's most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Your Impact:

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential - join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

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.

This is an on-call, as-needed position supporting disaster recovery programs following hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other federally declared disasters. Assignments may be remote, field-based, or hybrid depending on client needs and project requirements.

Essential Job Functions:

The following duties are considered essential to the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

Project Scoping and Damage Assessment

• 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.
• Assist with 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.

Cost Estimating

• 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.
• Prepare cost analyses for roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, drainage systems, parks, and other public infrastructure.
• Support development of FEMA Cost Estimating Format (CEF) analyses when required.
• Develop estimate documentation that is clear, defensible, and suitable for audit and program review purposes.

Technical Review and Compliance

• Review engineering reports, plans, specifications, contractor proposals, and construction cost documentation.
• Evaluate project assumptions, quantities, unit costs, and estimating methodologies.
• 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.

Program Delivery Support

• 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.
• Coordinate with 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.
• Some deployments may require extended travel or mobilization on short notice; other assignments may be fully remote.
• Evening and weekend work may be required during surge events or active disaster recovery operations.

Life at 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 Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:

LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers
X (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs