Tetra Tech recruiters share what they look for in top candidates

In a world grappling with the far-reaching consequences of global issues like climate change, democratic backsliding, and insecurity of water, food and energy supply, the demand for practical and evidence-based solutions is critical. As a leading international development consulting firm, Tetra Tech has been at the forefront of this movement for over five decades — tackling complex issues ranging from natural resource management and climate adaptation to resilient infrastructure. While Tetra Tech is known for its work in diverse fields, the organization is on the lookout for candidates who not only possess expertise in their respective domains but also have the adaptability to tackle the multidisciplinary challenges presented by their varied global commercial and government clients. “Development solutions that create positive impact are rarely straightforward — they require a deep understanding of local context and culture alongside analysis of data and evidence,” said Tetra Tech’s U.S. government client staffing manager Beth McGovern. To provide job applicants with advice on securing a position at Tetra Tech and guidance for those pursuing a career in environmental consulting and engineering, Devex spoke with McGovern and Tetra Tech's business development recruiter for the United Kingdom and Europe, Cécile Abraham. They emphasized the need for candidates well-versed in the domains of environmental sustainability and disaster risk finance, the ability to adapt and innovate in the face of evolving challenges, and more. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. What makes a candidate a great employee at Tetra Tech? Abraham: Being able to work collaboratively in alignment with Tetra Tech’s values, which include being respectful and inclusive; having high levels of integrity; focusing on delivering positive outcomes; and thinking/acting creatively to deliver solutions. Continuous improvement is part of Tetra Tech’s fabric, so being able to find opportunities for change is useful. McGovern: Bringing curiosity, a spirit of partnership, and a positive, collaborative approach to problem-solving are all assets to employees at Tetra Tech. Our people are mission-driven and technically focused — they truly embody the spirit of Tetra Tech and [leading with science]. Besides technical expertise, what experiences do you find to make an application stand out during the initial screening process? Abraham: We recruit for a variety of roles, from project management, operations, and financial managers to technical and subject matter experts around the world. For applicants considering project roles, relevant client, country, and contextual experience is valuable — for example, familiarity with donor’s processes and specific approaches. Applications that are tailored to the role and highlight the relevant skills and technical expertise from academic, project, or business backgrounds always stand out. Clear, detailed CVs that outline roles and responsibilities, as well as achievements or impact, tend to stand out more. Beyond technical and project management competencies, we also look for demonstrable soft skills around problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. McGovern: Candidates with international experience, particularly in the development context, stand out. Those with multiple languages, client experience, previous experience in one of our practice areas, gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) leadership, digital strategy/data-related work, process improvement, and strong written communication skills are always valued. Are there emerging areas within international development that Tetra Tech plans to focus on, and how might this impact the skills you seek in potential candidates? Abraham: We are always looking for a wide range of technical expertise that aligns with our practice areas but also brings cross-cutting skills to all projects. From governance, security, and justice to infrastructure and sustainable economic development, we are always on the lookout for candidates from varied backgrounds. As one of the largest M&E providers in the UK and Europe, we are always interested in connecting with candidates with third-party monitoring and evaluation experience. As climate change continues to pose challenges around the world, we are integrating climate considerations across our portfolio. Other increasingly sought-after cross-cutting expertise are conflict sensitivity, GESI, including safeguarding and women’s empowerment, and knowledge management and learning in fragile environments. McGovern: Tetra Tech has seen increasing opportunities — and thereby an increasing need for technical skills — in climate change work, specifically disaster risk finance and climate change adaptation. Across our proposals and projects, we see the prominent integration of cross-cutting areas, such as behavior change communications, and integrating gender, youth, and other marginalized groups, such as LGBQT+ communities and indigenous groups, into technical implementation. Candidates who bring experience in these areas are desirable. What types of roles have been a priority for Tetra Tech this past year, and what roles will be a focus moving forward? Abraham: We are always looking for project managers at all career stages with expertise in governance, security and justice, sustainable economic development, market development, energy, water and urban development, and cross-cutting issues such as GESI and climate. McGovern: We are always looking for candidates with monitoring and evaluation, operations, grants, and contract administration backgrounds. We have seen an increased focus on digital strategy and technology tools for development across different technical areas and anticipate this demand will continue to grow. What helps applications stand out? McGovern: CVs need to be easy to read, and they should clearly state how the candidate meets the qualifications for the job they’re applying for. Candidates should consider including a key qualifications section that directly addresses the qualifications in the advertisement. Don’t just tell us what you did, but also include what the results of those actions were. Tell us what motivated you to apply for this job in your cover letter. Beyond technical skills, what soft skills or personal attributes does Tetra Tech value in employees? McGovern: With a remote/hybrid workforce, teamwork and strong communication are valued. Valuing everyone’s expertise, role, and voice is critical in developing strong partnerships and collaboration. We also value resourcefulness in employees and an ability to think outside the box to create solutions that are impactful and practical for the challenge. How would you describe the company culture at Tetra Tech, and what qualities do you look for in candidates to ensure they align with this culture? Abraham: The company culture at Tetra Tech is often described as collaborative. Our values highlight this, along with our commitment to delivering high-quality work and results across all roles in the company and always doing this with integrity. We are open to ideas and encourage innovation and creative thinking. We also have an employee engagement forum where employees can contribute to shaping the company culture.