Legal & Policy Specialist – Vacant Property Recovery

About the role

Tetra Tech is seeking a Legal & Policy Specialist to lead legal and policy work for the Puerto Rico Department of Housing’s Vacant Property Recovery (VPR) Program. The role supports municipal capacity, strengthens regulatory frameworks, and helps revitalize neighborhoods across Puerto Rico.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal and policy analysis on vacant and abandoned properties, nuisance abatement, code enforcement, land use, and housing.
• Review and assess municipal ordinances, policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks related to property management and revitalization.
• Develop legal guidance, policy recommendations, technical resources, and implementation tools for municipalities.
• Support assessments of municipal processes, staffing structures, and capacity gaps.
• Collaborate with planners, housing specialists, GIS professionals, municipal officials, and community stakeholders.

Required profile

• Professional legal background with experience in Puerto Rico law, municipal governance, and public policy.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze statutes, ordinances, and administrative procedures.
• Experience working on housing, land‑use, or property‑recovery initiatives.
• Strong communication skills for drafting guidance and presenting recommendations.

Required skills

• Legal research and statutory analysis.
• Policy development and regulatory review.
• Understanding of municipal administration and code enforcement processes.

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence public policy and community revitalization.
• Collaborative environment with multidisciplinary experts.
• Professional growth within a global engineering and consulting firm.