While I was working on my second degree, I worked for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Northern Groundwater Resources Division on their Northern Groundwater Development Project taking measurements at the springs, streams and wells within the study area.
What is your role with Vallejo Water,, and how long have you been with the e City? I am an Associate Engineer in the e Engineering Division of the Waterr Department. I have been working for the e City since July 31, 2018. I lead and d manage the Grant Program for the Waterr Department, manage several capital improvement projects (CIPs) for the e Water Department, represent the Waterr Department on the Cache Slough Habitatt Conservation Plan Steering Committee,, and advise leadership on water resourcess management strategies for our waterr assets from both a State and regional context. Why did you choose Vallejo? I chose Vallejo because when I came to o visit, I was immediately enamored with h Vallejo; the projects I was told about, the e problems that needed solving, and the e opportunity to positively impact the e community Vallejo Water serves. I had d actually never been to Vallejo prior to o visiting the Water Department, and now I tell everybody, “Come to Vallejo! It’ss great!” What is your educational professional background?
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I have a Bachelor of Arts in Geographyy from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering g from the University of Nevada Las Vegas..
I moved to Sacramento in 2010 to work with GEI consultants, a firm that specializes in water resources management in California. There I learned about California water from high -level staff who retired from various State agencies and others who have been consulting on water management in California for decades. I’ve worked on regional water management, state water management, urban water transfers, groundwater aquifer modeling, hydrologic forecasting, grant writing, flood response, flood management planning and more for a variety of cities, districts, and agencies across California. I have leveraged my experience here to support the Water Department in any way I can particularly in water resources management and grant writing. I have also managed a few capital projects during my time here, such as the Water Main Replacement Capital Improvement Project (WMCIP), a project that replaces aged or underperforming water mains that deliver water to customers, and the Reservoir Repair and Inspection Program, where we drain, inspect and assess the concrete water tanks that serve the various pressure zones in the City. What does a “typical” day look like for you? I’m not sure how to answer this. None of my days are “typical” anymore! First thing I do is check emails or text messages on my work phone, to identify any high priority tasks that have arisen overnight. I will check my meeting schedule for the day and identify tasks that are needed to prepare for those meetings. Then, I check my pre-existing list of things to do, such as respond to customers and review my project to-do list. Part of this to-do list includes messaging/calling consultants, contractors, internal clients, etc. to ensure projects are delivered, work is continuing, or that development is occurring. In doing this I identify my priorities for the day and any deadlines
for the week that are coming up. Some days I’m in the field working on projects under construction. Other days I am focusing on the administrative tasks of procurement and contracting. I also participate in Countywide projects on water supply and environmental issues that affect access to shared water resources.
What is the biggest challenge in your role? Trying to live up to my own expectations. Some things I volunteered for, a great many others I was asked to do. Regardless of what role I am filling on any given day, I have an expectation of how I will perform in that role.
In between all of this, since I am working from home a lot still due to COVID, I drop the kids off at daycare, identify who is picking them up, and juggle the school schedules and deadlines. At the end of that, I juggle what’s for dinner, who’s got homework, and the bedtime routine. What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of the fact that I continue to try to achieve the “have it all” balance of career and family. While small sacrifices or compromises are made all the time, I refuse to compromise giving up one for the other, as both are integral to who I am as a person. I am very proud of recently winning the $2M grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for our Meter Replacement and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Conversion Project. I worked nights and weekends on that application so to have it be awarded was a really emotional moment for me. I can’t wait to see how that project rolls out over the next few years.
What is your favorite part of your job? Knowing that the work I am doing has a physical and positive impact on the world. Knowing that something other than my own ego drives me to deliver good work and be the best that I can be for the residents and customers of the Water Department. Water is the single most important asset that Vallejo has— without water we literally cannot live. Water is the first thing a community must find and sustain in order to exist and flourish. I love fighting to protect Vallejo’s rights to it and I love trying to find our best ways to manage it equitably.
As we honor and celebrate Women’s History Month how do you feel that gender diversity has either helped or hindered you in your career? I think it has helped in the sense that the doors for women engineers had been opened by other women prior to my arrival. I still see the gender divide in the professional setting but that divide is getting smaller. I have hope that within my lifetime it will become non-existent. What advice do you have for women looking to enter into the Water industry? Sit at the table, even if you think you don’t belong there. Don’t be afraid to take that space for yourself. Also, get very familiar with the phrase, “I’m not finished speaking.”