Public Policy Jobs in Puerto Rico (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity:
Tetra Tech is seeking an experienced Puerto Rico Vacant Property Legal & Policy Specialist to provide legal and policy expertise in support of the Puerto Rico Department of Housing's (PRDOH) Vacant Property Recovery (VPR) Program.

In this role, you will serve as the lead legal and policy advisor on matters related to vacant and abandoned property recovery, municipal governance, code enforcement, land use, and public policy. Working alongside planners, housing specialists, GIS professionals, municipal officials, and community stakeholders, you will help strengthen the legal and regulatory frameworks that support neighborhood revitalization and sustainable property recovery across Puerto Rico.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence policy development, improve municipal capacity, and help communities address one of Puerto Rico's most pressing housing and redevelopment challenges.
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:
The Legal & Policy Specialist provides strategic legal, regulatory, and policy support for the Vacant Property Recovery Program. This role evaluates existing laws, municipal ordinances, administrative procedures, and public policies affecting vacant and abandoned properties while identifying opportunities to strengthen municipal capacity and improve program implementation.

The successful candidate will develop legal guidance, policy recommendations, technical resources, and implementation tools that enable municipalities to address vacant property challenges effectively and in compliance with applicable federal, Commonwealth, and local 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:

• Provide legal and policy analysis related to vacant and abandoned properties, nuisance abatement, code enforcement, land use, housing, and municipal administration in Puerto Rico.
• Review municipal ordinances, policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks related to property management and revitalization efforts.
• Support assessments of municipal processes, staffing structures, and operational practices related to vacant property management.
• Develop policy recommendations, legal guidance, and implementation strategies to strengthen municipal capacity and improve program outcomes.
• Assist in developing participation agreements, templates, memoranda, legal summaries, and policy guidance documents.
• Contribute to the development of technical reports, planning tools, toolkit resources, and implementation strategies.
• Support training, workshops, and capacity-building activities focused on legal and regulatory topics impacting vacant and abandoned properties.
• Conduct research on local, national, and international best practices related to vacant property recovery, code enforcement, and community revitalization.
• Provide technical assistance to municipalities and participating entities regarding regulatory compliance and policy implementation.
• Coordinate with planners, GIS specialists, environmental experts, and project management staff to ensure legal and policy recommendations are integrated into broader planning efforts.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Puerto Rico and in good standing with the applicable bar association.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in municipal law, land use law, housing law, administrative law, public policy, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing and interpreting legislation, regulations, public policies, and governmental procedures.
• Experience advising or working with municipal governments, public agencies, housing programs, or community development initiatives.
• Demonstrated legal research, legal writing, and policy analysis skills.
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to prepare legal documents, technical reports, and presentations in both languages.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten (10) or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience supporting vacant property recovery programs, code enforcement initiatives, land banking strategies, housing rehabilitation programs, or neighborhood revitalization efforts.
• Experience supporting federally funded programs, including HUD, CDBG-DR, CDBG-MIT, FEMA, or other grant-funded initiatives.
• Knowledge of Puerto Rico municipal government operations, permitting processes, and public-sector administration.
• Experience drafting legislation, municipal ordinances, administrative procedures, policy manuals, intergovernmental agreements, or other governmental legal documents.
• Experience providing technical assistance, legal guidance, or training to public-sector entities.
• Knowledge of environmental, planning, housing, redevelopment, and property regulations affecting vacant and abandoned properties.

Physical Requirements: 
Candidates must reside in Puerto Rico and be able to travel throughout the island as needed to support program activities.

Work Environment / Environmental Factors: 
This is a remote position based in Puerto Rico with occasional travel throughout the island to support municipal meetings, workshops, stakeholder engagement activities, and other program-related events.

Compensation: 
he anticipated salary range for this position is $85,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, and internal equity.

Additional Information:

• Employment Type: Full-time (contingent upon award)
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM (no expected overtime)
• Travel Requirements: 5%-10% (for community engagement meetings)
• Work Location: Puerto Rico (San Juan, Guaynabo, Ponce)