Entry Level Public Policy Analyst Jobs in Raleigh, NC

The Opportunity:
Tetra Tech is adding experienced Disaster Recovery / Grant Management / Public Assistance Consultants to our Disaster Recovery team to support current and future disaster recovery operations throughout the United States.
This is an on-call, as-needed position supporting federal, state, tribal, territorial, local government, and nonprofit applicants recovering from disasters. Assignments may range from short-term technical assistance engagements to extended deployments and may be performed remotely, onsite at client locations, or in a hybrid capacity depending on project requirements.
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 Disaster Recovery / Grant Management / Public Assistance Consultant, you will help communities recover by supporting eligible applicants through FEMA's Public Assistance Program and other disaster recovery programs. You will provide technical expertise, grants management support, project formulation assistance, and compliance guidance to help maximize recovery funding while maintaining adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements.
Recovery Cadre employees are engaged on an as-needed basis and may be offered assignments based on qualifications, availability, project requirements, contract awards, client needs, and disaster activity. Acceptance of assignments is voluntary, and periods of inactivity between deployments may occur.
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:
Applicant Advisory Services
• Serve as a trusted advisor to applicants throughout the FEMA Public Assistance grant lifecycle.
• Advocate for applicants while ensuring compliance with FEMA policies, regulations, and program requirements.
• Educate applicants regarding eligibility requirements, documentation standards, funding opportunities, and grant administration responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with applicants, federal agency representatives, state partners, contractors, and project stakeholders.
• Provide client service and facilitate resolution of project-related issues and concerns.
FEMA Public Assistance Program Delivery
• Support applicants through all phases of FEMA Public Assistance program delivery.
• Assist with Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs), Exploratory Calls, Recovery Scoping Meetings, Damage Inventory development, project formulation, project review, closeout activities, and reimbursement requests.
• Assist with the development of FEMA Project Worksheets (PWs) and Grants Manager/Grants Portal submissions.
• Support Category A-G projects, including Special Considerations reviews and Cost Estimating Format (CEF) development.
• Review disaster-related damages, costs, and supporting documentation to determine program eligibility.
Grants Management and Compliance
• Assist with administration of federal and state disaster recovery grant programs.
• Interpret and apply FEMA policies, regulations, guidance, and grant requirements.
• Analyze grant administration issues and develop recommended solutions.
• Identify compliance risks and assist applicants in resolving documentation gaps.
• Support Requests for Information (RFIs), Determination Memoranda responses, appeals, arbitration requests, and other programmatic actions.
• Maintain awareness of current FEMA policies, procedures, and regulatory updates.
Documentation and Financial Analysis
• Collect, organize, validate, and maintain project documentation, including damage assessments, financial records, procurement files, force account labor documentation, equipment records, insurance information, and environmental and historic preservation documentation.
• Perform data analysis, reconciliation, and quality assurance reviews.
• Assist in the development of supporting cost analyses and reimbursement documentation.
• Ensure project records meet audit, compliance, and grant management requirements.
Program Operations and Project Management
• Track project status, milestones, deliverables, and action items.
• Maintain accurate records within project management and grant management systems.
• Assist with development of operational procedures, guidance, and best practices.
• Provide timely updates to project leadership regarding issues, risks, and recovery progress.
• Support capacity-building efforts among local, state, tribal, territorial, and nonprofit partners.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization efforts.
Required Qualifications:
• Minimum of 2 years of FEMA Public Assistance experience supporting applicants, recipients, subrecipients, FEMA, state agencies, or disaster recovery consulting engagements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FEMA Public Assistance policy, eligibility requirements, and the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG).
• Experience supporting project formulation, project worksheet development, and grant documentation review.
• Experience responding to FEMA Requests for Information (RFIs).
• Experience supporting reimbursement requests and project closeout activities.
• Experience using FEMA Grants Manager and/or FEMA Grants Portal.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a rapidly changing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability and willingness to travel with limited notice.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the United States.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Planning, Engineering, Construction Management, Accounting, Political Science, or a related field.
• FEMA Public Assistance field experience supporting declared disasters.
• Experience supporting state disaster recovery programs.
• Experience preparing appeals, arbitration requests, and Determination Memoranda.
• Experience with cost estimating, financial reconciliation, procurement reviews, insurance reviews, or grant compliance reviews.
• Completion of FEMA Independent Study (IS) courses relevant to Public Assistance.
• Professional certifications related to emergency management, grants management, project management, engineering, construction, or accounting.
Physical Requirements:
• Prolonged periods sitting or standing at a desk and working on a computer during remote, hybrid, or office-based assignments.
• Ability to travel to client offices and disaster-affected areas and navigate work locations associated with field deployments.
• Ability to work extended schedules, including evenings and weekends, during disaster activations and surge operations.
Work Environment / Environmental Factors:
• Work may be performed remotely, in an office or client setting, or in disaster-affected field locations depending on the assignment.
• Field deployments may involve variable weather conditions and work in communities affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other disasters.
• Assignments may involve fast-paced environments with evolving priorities, deadlines, and periods of high-intensity workload during active disaster operations.
• Work requires collaboration with geographically dispersed clients, applicants, government representatives, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams.
Additional Information
• This is an on-call, as-needed Recovery Cadre position. Work assignments are not guaranteed and depend on disaster activations, contract awards, client needs, project requirements, qualifications, and availability.
• Assignments may require up to 100% deployment during active disaster operations and extended travel on short notice.
• Extended deployment assignments may last multiple weeks or months.
• Evening and weekend work may be required during surge operations.
• Assignments may be remote, hybrid, or onsite depending on project requirements and client needs.
• Acceptance of assignments is voluntary, and periods of inactivity between deployments may occur.
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 https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:
LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers
X (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs