Disaster Recovery Cost Estimator — Field/Remote

Tetra Tech, Inc.; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Merit rewards

Work-life balance

Team collaboration

Professional development

Job summary

Tetra Tech, Inc. is seeking experienced Cost Estimators to support FEMA Public Assistance and disaster recovery efforts nationwide.

This on-call cadre role involves developing accurate cost estimates for infrastructure restoration, emergency work, and permanent work projects, with possible remote, field-based, or hybrid assignments. Your work will include scoping, damage assessment, and preparation of defensible estimates, collaborating with engineers, architects, and program staff to ensure

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in construction estimating, engineering, architecture, construction management, infrastructure planning, or 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Review engineering reports, plans, specifications, contractor proposals, and 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.
• Provide technical estimating expertise to project managers, Public Assistance consultants, and applicant representatives.
• Participate in project formulation meetings and recovery planning discussions.
• Support 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.

Skills

Cost estimating

Construction estimating

Analytical skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Travel willingness

Team collaboration

Field inspections

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) / Registered Architect (RA) / CCP or similar credential

Tools

RSMeans

Xactimate

FEMA Cost Estimating Format (CEF)

Job description

Tetra Tech, Inc. is seeking experienced Cost Estimators to support FEMA Public Assistance and disaster recovery efforts nationwide.

This on-call cadre role involves developing accurate cost estimates for infrastructure restoration, emergency work, and permanent work projects, with possible remote, field-based, or hybrid assignments. Your work will include scoping, damage assessment, and preparation of defensible estimates, collaborating with engineers, architects, and program staff to ensure