The Voice - Februrary 2021 Edition

FEBRUARY 2021

VOLUME 1

The Voice

THE OFFICIAL EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER OF JACKSONVILLE DISTRICT

SURVEY CREW TO THE RESCUE

Army Corps survey vessel crew assists with rescue offshore Florida

JAXSTRONG SEEKING ENGINEERS

Story by Mark Rankin, Corporate Communications Office

What's New

DINGLE SHARES HEART FOR GIVING AND MORE!

THE VOICE

The crew of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Survey Vessel Florida II, recently assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the rescue of a small distressed boat off the coast of Florida

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The three-person crew conducted a routine hydrographic survey 10 miles offshore near Cape Canaveral and responded to a “MAYDAY” call stating that a vessel was taking on water and going down.

With a global positioning system and visual cues from the vessel operator, the crew aboard Florida II kicked into action to assist.

“We heard the call on the radio, and Jayce and I picked right up on it,” said Tim Gregory, FLORIDA II boat captain, and operator. “We started locking in on his position, calling the guy, trying to figure out where he was located and came to the conclusion that he was only two miles from us, so we started steaming toward the boat.”

The crew immediately set a course with the longitude and latitude and soon came across a disabled 26-foot small craft and taking on water. They arrived on the scene, and the operator and friend were bailing water overboard with a small pelican case while struggling to keep up with the incoming water.

“We could see that the boat was just about to go down, and the outboard motors were running to keep the boat moving and prevent it from sinking,” said Gregory.

‘We arrived just in time to help.”

PICTURED LEFT: The crew of a distressed boat uses a trash can to dump water from their small boat taking on water off the coast of Florida. The trash can was provided from a crew from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District survey vessel Florida II who assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the rescue.

The Florida II crew was conducting a routine hydrographic survey offshore near Cape Canaveral and responded to a “MAYDAY” call.

(USACE photo by Jayce Evans)

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Once that potential threat was averted, the Florida II crew made contact with the small boat and conveyed their details to the Coast Guard.

Jayce Evans, also a boat captain on the Florida II, said the crew provided a larger bucket that helped dump the flooding water quicker than the case until a unit from the Coast Guard arrived on the scene.

“We train for these types of situations but don’t actually see it unfold unless things like this happen,” said Evans. “Anything can happen while out a sea, so having a contingency plan usually helps. Not only do we train for ourselves, but we train in case there are situations in distress where we have to help others.”

The Florida II crew directed the U.S. Coast Guard to their location so they could use their dewatering pump and get the boat to safety.

“We relayed GPS coordinates, number of persons on board, and vessel status to the Coast Guard,” Gregory said. “Within 15 or 20 minutes, the Coast Guard arrived.”

Using the information provided by the crew of the Florida II and Coast Guard personnel, quickly arrived on the scene to rescue the boaters and tow their vessel to a nearby marina.

“The support of local agencies is always great, and we are out a sea so much that we have any emergency contacts we need,” said Gregory. “In this case, we had the opportunity to assist.

The Florida II is a 62’ x 24’ foot hydrofoil-assisted aluminum catamaran powered by twin MTU 10v2000 engines. It provides critical support for key USACE missions, including port dredging, navigation, shore protection, environmental studies, archaeological investigations, geotechnical analysis, military projects, and emergency response.

Gregory noted that had rescue vessels not arrived as quickly as they had, the Florida II crew stood ready to take the boaters from the distressed vessel aboard had their situation worsened to the point where that would have been necessary.

Gregory and Evans said the crew of the FLORIDA II were humble about their role in the rescue.

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“Yes, it feels good, but we were just out here doing our job,” said Gregory. “It’s all of our responsibilities when we are out on the sea. Mariners look out for one another out here.”

Both Evans and Gregory are former Coast Guard officers with more than 35 years of maritime experience.

After the Coast Guard personnel arrived, the 45-foot Survey Vessel FLORIDA II and her crew of three, including Gregory, captain and the boat operator; Jayce Evans, captain and boat operator; and Chad Schaler, survey technician, went back to their mission of surveying Cape Canaveral.

TOP RIGHT: Tim Gregory, a captain onboard the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Survey Vessel Florida II, plots coarse across the seas during a routine hydrographic survey.

The three-person crew were conducting a routine 10 miles offshore near Cape Canaveral and responded to a “MAYDAY” call stating that a vessel was taking on water and sinking. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)

BOTTOM RIGHT: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Survey Vessel Florida II sits docked at the Fernandina Beach Marina before conducting a routine hydrographic survey offshore.

The crew of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Survey Vessel Florida II, assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in the rescue of a distressed small boat off the coast of Florida recently.

(USACE photo by Mark Rankin)

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Employee Spotlight: CCO welcomes new employee to Jacksonville District Story by Maya Jordan, Corporate Communications Office

"Birds flying high, you know how I feel, sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel. It's a new dawn. It's a new day, It's a new life for me," lyrics from Nina Simone's 1965 hit song titled, "Feeling Good."

Pictured: Maya Jordan

It's a new dawn. It's a new day in Jacksonville District for Maya Jordan. Ms. Jordan is the newest public affairs specialist to join the CCO team working out of the south Florida office in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. She transitioned into her role in late October 2019. Previously she served in the prestigious CP-22 ACTEDS Intern program working at the military installation Fort George G. Meade in Maryland.

She has held positions at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and even served for 10-months as a volunteer with the National Community Service Corporation as an AmeriCorps FEMACorps volunteer during SuperStorm Sandy.

Ms. Jordan obtained her Bachelor's degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., and earned a Master's degree in Communications from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She is delighted to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers team. She looks forward to learning, coordinating, and collaborating with project managers on south Florida projects to tell the Corps' story.

Be prepared to see her name cc'd on email correspondence coming to you soon.

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Jacksonville District hiring senior-level engineers Story by Jim Yocum, Corporate Communications Office Tell your friends and family to spread the word!

We're Hiring!

Federal government hiring has a reputation for being challenging. The application process is considered by some to be laborious, and the timeline from application to hiring can stretch into months. Not this time.

The Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is cutting through all of that bureaucracy to fill up to 35 critical engineering positions, and plans to do the hiring by the end of March, said William Wigner, the deputy chief of the Jacksonville District’s Engineering Division.

“We are trying to focus on senior level engineers with five to ten years’ experience in the types of projects we do,” said Wigner. “Obviously the ecosystem restoration work in Florida is one of the areas we need to hire for, but we’re also looking for projects in Puerto Rico and for a lot of coastal storm protection projects. Florida has a pretty extensive coastline, so there are a lot of projects here.”

Because the need is so critical to fill these positions quickly, Wigner said the Corps of Engineers was granted direct hire authority. Direct hiring authority is authorized by the Office of Personnel management to agencies that have a prove critical hiring need or shortage of candidates, and it allows the agency to expedite the process by modifying and expediting the hiring process to fill the positions quickly.

Job seekers need only send a copy of their resume and unofficial school transcripts by email to HRJAX@usace.army.mil with the subject line of SAJ_EngineerRecruitment. Interviews for potential candidates will take place March 23-24. Wigner said all the positions are for civil engineers, but the specialty within civil engineering varies.

“They need a degree in some sort of civil engineering, but civil engineers come in a variety of shapes and sizes,” he said. “We are looking for geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, army contract administrators, environmental engineers, cost engineers, and military and civil site engineers.”

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The ideal candidate would be a senior level engineer with five to ten years of experience working on military engineer projects. The duty location is Jacksonville, Fla., but the work is for projects throughout the state and in Puerto Rico.

“In engineering division, we are not responsible for overseeing construction, but we do a lot of design work and preparing construction contract documents,” Wigner said.

The work itself is some of the most rewarding and impactful an engineer can do, Wigner said.

“I came to work for the Jacksonville District right out of college, and I thought I would work here for a little while until I got bored with the work. I ended up never getting bored with the work,” Wigner said. “The work that we do here is unlike anything people would get exposed to in any other place. There are very few agencies that do the type of work that we do. It’s large, it’s exciting, and it has a positive impact on the community.”

The types of projects the new engineers will help design are in three primary categories: Ecosystem Restoration: In partnership with SFWMD, the Corps is currently planning, designing, and constructing multiple components of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) program, which includes the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the largest ecosystem restoration program in the world.

Coastal Protection Projects: The Jacksonville District is responsible for 1,300 miles of Florida coastline and maintain almost one-third of all the shore protection projects in the United States.

2018 Supplemental Projects: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 provided funding for $3.3 billion in long-term recovery investments in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This included 13 studies and 19 construction projects in the Jacksonville District area of operations.

Learn more about the open positions in the Jacksonville District by visiting https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/NowHiring/.

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Black History Month Observance Virtual Event Join us on Thursday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. for a special Black History Month Observance. The event will take place via WebEx and all are encouraged to join.

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. J. Murray Gibson, Dean of the College of Engineering at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-Florida State University. Dr. Gibson has worked as a Director of the Advanced Photon Source, Founding Dean of the Northeastern University College of Science and in his current role as dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

WebEx information will be provided closer to the event. Watch your inbox for details!

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Dingle shares her heart with those in need yearround Story by Nakeir Nobles, Corporate Communications Office

As February rolls around each year, many people begin scrambling, making plans to show their significant others how much they love, care, and appreciate them.

Others continue to show kindness to the less fortunate despite the time of year through their love of community service.

Pictured: Claurice Dingle

Coming from a family that has always provided community service, Contracting Division’s Claurice Dingle said, “my mother instilled in us that giving back was our civic duty to society.”

“When I had my children, I adopted what my mother instilled in me and made sure they were a part of giving to those who were less fortunate,” Dingle said. When her grandchildren came along, she instilled the same values in them, giving back and doing for others. “I didn’t want them to expect for things to be given to them.”

Dingle, along with her daughter, grandchildren, and some dedicated friends, fed 80 people on Christmas Eve this past holiday season. What made it special Dingle said, “I was also able to provide gift bags.”

Dingle received donations from a few people who helped make her first annual “Claz Claus” a success. “My heart was so full because we fed everyone who showed up.”

Ahhh, the heart, the symbol of love, and Dingle’s was full.

Dingle wants her grandchildren to always have in their hearts the willingness to help or do something for someone who may be down on their luck and could use a little help.

My grandkids are very fortunate, she says, and I don’t ever want them to take things for granted.

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"They love being a part of doing for the community and are passionate about the cause. I want them to understand it’s better to give than to receive.”

Holiday season 2020 wasn’t the first time Dingle showed love to the less fortunate.

During past holiday seasons, she provided gifts for children. She started this tradition years ago when her daughter was just 8-years-old.

Aside from showing goodwill during the holiday season, Dingle provides bookbags to children before the school year and feeds the hungry during the summer months. She has been feeding the hungry for the past three summers.

“We prepare lunch, and we have an assembly-line going in which we make 50 lunches with water/sodas. We go downtown and distribute them.”

Dingle felt it was vital for her to serve the homeless as a single entity rather than partner with an agency last year.

“Sometimes I see that big organizations can’t always meet the need of the homeless person who can’t walk to the facility because of their age or illness.”

When they cannot get to an agency, they may miss out on the agency’s perks.

To combat this, Dingle started riding around in her car and served them where they were.

The items Dingle provides the homeless are purchased with her personal funds but she has received a few private donations.

“All of the food is purchased and prepared by me. Cold lunches, served during the summer, are prepared by my grandchildren and their friends. My daughter and I oversee their work.

For those who want to spread love throughout the year and not just during February, Dingle urges people to “do it from your heart and be consistent.”

Remember, Dingle says, any little bit you have to offer, share it. There is always someone in need.

“My reward is seeing a smiling face that I was able to bring a little happiness, if only for just a moment.”

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February is American Heart Month! The United States commemorates the 57th year of raising awareness for heart disease - the #1 killer of Americans. This year, the federally designated event is even more important due to the impact of the coronavirus on the public's heart health, including potential harmful effects on the heart and vascular system, according to recent research. Learn more about heart health at www.hearthealth.org.

Celebrate Black History Month! Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.

National Engineers Week is held each year and is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce. This year virtual events will be held across the nation February 21-27, including events in Jacksonville District. This year's theme is "Imagining Tomorrow."

COVID vaccinations roll out. USACE highly encourages employees to take the vaccine. Learn the value of the vaccine by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html.

Our team members can get vaccinated as outlined by the State of Florida. The Florida Department of health website https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/covid-19-vaccines-in-florida/ provides links for finding vaccination sites in Florida. Currently the state qualifications for receiving the vaccine are mainly for individuals 65+ and medical personnel. For Puerto Rico https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html As our team members begin to get vaccinated, it’s important to continue to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until enough of the population has received the vaccine to diminish risks.

District Virtual Town Hall Meeting scheduled for February 11 at 2 p.m.

Watch your inbox for details!

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Jacksonville Journal hot off the press!

The Jacksonville Journal 2020 edition is hot off the press and ready for your reading enjoyment! The theme of this issue is resiliency and features the many ways the district kept momentum alive during a challenging and unprecedented 2020.

These are the stories of how we are truly JAXSTRONG! Enjoy the issue at: https://issuu.com/usace_saj/docs/dla-jaxjournal-8947685x11_reduced

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