2020
In 2020, I passed the Professional Engineering exam and I am now a licensed PE in the state of Washington.
2019
In 2019, the nonprofit organization I co-founded, Traction, gained 501(c)3 status. Traction originated as a University of Washington group called Informal Urban Communities Initiative (IUCI) that collaborated with Architects Without Borders (AWB). Six individuals, including myself, part of IUCI decided there would be more freedom to pursue other types of projects if we incorporated ourselves.
2018
From 2017 to 2018 worked with SoundEarth Strategies in Seattle. My work focused on treating stormwater pollution for industrial sized clients so they stayed in compliance with EPA regulations. My time at this job ended in conjunction with my move out of Seattle. I have since put engineering on the back-burner to focus on other endeavors.
2016
In September 2016, I headed to Peru to continue Phase II of work with the University of Washington's Architects Without Borders (AWB) (now known as Traction). The project focus was to install two more fog catchment systems, a community sports field and a community garden.
In 2016, I worked at PATH Innovations as a consultant. I focused on engineering technologies with a developing world application. I am compiling research on appropriate latrine and solid waste management practices for a project in West Africa. The landscape of technologies will be available to the public and a link to the final product will be added here when done.
In September 2016, I headed to Peru to continue Phase II of work with the University of Washington's Architects Without Borders (AWB) (now known as Traction). The project focus was to install two more fog catchment systems, a community sports field and a community garden.
In 2016, I worked at PATH Innovations as a consultant. I focused on engineering technologies with a developing world application. I am compiling research on appropriate latrine and solid waste management practices for a project in West Africa. The landscape of technologies will be available to the public and a link to the final product will be added here when done.
2015
August 2015 I had the opportunity to help the University of Washington's Architects Without Borders (AWB) chapter (now known as Traction) with the installation of fog catchment systems in Lomas de Zapallal, Lima, Peru. During my time there, I worked with another individual to successfully install the entire fog catchment system of four harvesting blankets, support cables, posts and a gutter system. This is an ongoing project, and I will be returning the summer of 2016 to help with Phase II!
From 2012 to 2015 I worked at SvR Design Company where I learned what it means to be a civil engineering consultant. I worked on several projects, mainly focusing on the design of utilities, storm water management using Low Impact Design, parks, roads and sidewalks. Some of the projects I include: The Elliot Bay Seawall, Hubbard Homestead Skate Park, Jackson Everett Park, the Lima Aquarium, Capitol Hill Urban Co-Housing, Forest Ledge, Kirkland Town Homes, among others.
From 2012 to 2015 I worked at SvR Design Company where I learned what it means to be a civil engineering consultant. I worked on several projects, mainly focusing on the design of utilities, storm water management using Low Impact Design, parks, roads and sidewalks. Some of the projects I include: The Elliot Bay Seawall, Hubbard Homestead Skate Park, Jackson Everett Park, the Lima Aquarium, Capitol Hill Urban Co-Housing, Forest Ledge, Kirkland Town Homes, among others.
2012
In 2012, when I got back from Peru, I went to El Salvador with the University of Iowa Engineers Without Borders Chapter. We designed and installed one of two elevated water tower that was to benefit dozens of villages. Our team went down to El Salvador for a week and lead the El Salvadorian counterpart team in the construction. The construction continued after we left to complete the second tower.
From September 2009 to December 2012 I worked as a Water and Sanitation Volunteer in Peru with the Peace Corps (a description of my service can be found as a tab at the bottom of The Jess page). I was stationed in Palpa, Peru and did most of my work in the surrounding villages. One project was a 36 km irrigation canal. I designed and started initial construction of the canal called La Mil (video is in Spanish and shows village people digging the canal). A second project I also did was to build cocinas mejoradas (better cooking stoves) for 80 families in 5 villages as part of an improved living campaign. A third project I did with my village counterpart was to install drip chlorination units in the elevated water towers of surrounding villages. A fourth project was to coordinate with local teachers to install recycling bins in five schools. As a way of motivating and educating the student to use the recycling bins we organized a recycling fashion show. A fifth project was to help my local community allocate funds and to coordinate the design of banos ecologicos (dry bathrooms) for a village in the area. Aside from my primary projects, I taught yoga classes, art classes, English classes in the local schools and had a weekly radio show for the local village. Mercy Medical Missions visited Palpa and a group of Peace Corps Volunteers were able to provide translation services for their surgeries. See photos, below.
From September 2009 to December 2012 I worked as a Water and Sanitation Volunteer in Peru with the Peace Corps (a description of my service can be found as a tab at the bottom of The Jess page). I was stationed in Palpa, Peru and did most of my work in the surrounding villages. One project was a 36 km irrigation canal. I designed and started initial construction of the canal called La Mil (video is in Spanish and shows village people digging the canal). A second project I also did was to build cocinas mejoradas (better cooking stoves) for 80 families in 5 villages as part of an improved living campaign. A third project I did with my village counterpart was to install drip chlorination units in the elevated water towers of surrounding villages. A fourth project was to coordinate with local teachers to install recycling bins in five schools. As a way of motivating and educating the student to use the recycling bins we organized a recycling fashion show. A fifth project was to help my local community allocate funds and to coordinate the design of banos ecologicos (dry bathrooms) for a village in the area. Aside from my primary projects, I taught yoga classes, art classes, English classes in the local schools and had a weekly radio show for the local village. Mercy Medical Missions visited Palpa and a group of Peace Corps Volunteers were able to provide translation services for their surgeries. See photos, below.
2009
From 2004 to 2009 I studied at the University of Iowa. I worked at the IIHR Laboratories under Professor Bill Eichinger, and at the Environmental Engineering Laboratories with Professor Keri Hornbuckle in two very different capacities. With Professor Eichinger I worked on Lidar data analysis to determine the accuracy of the Gaussian Plume Model on data collected from sensors at hog barns in Iowa. With Professor Hornbuckle I worked on developing a laboratory approach to extract fragrances from contaminated soils after the 2008 flood that passed through Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The goal was to determine a way of tracking how flood water moved by measuring different fragrance levels that were carried in the water and deposited in soil along the stream bed.
From 2004 to 2009 I studied at the University of Iowa. I worked at the IIHR Laboratories under Professor Bill Eichinger, and at the Environmental Engineering Laboratories with Professor Keri Hornbuckle in two very different capacities. With Professor Eichinger I worked on Lidar data analysis to determine the accuracy of the Gaussian Plume Model on data collected from sensors at hog barns in Iowa. With Professor Hornbuckle I worked on developing a laboratory approach to extract fragrances from contaminated soils after the 2008 flood that passed through Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. The goal was to determine a way of tracking how flood water moved by measuring different fragrance levels that were carried in the water and deposited in soil along the stream bed.
2006
During the summers of 2005 and 2006 I worked with the Appalachia Service Project as a Summer Staffer in Kentucky and Tennessee. I was on a team of 4 or 5 summer staffers and we would lead up to 80 volunteers a week; we taught them how to do construction, oversaw their progress, and provided the right tools and equipment for them to do their work. The houses we worked on were selected based on the type of construction needed and whether the family was financial able to do the work themselves or not. We did foundation work, re-shingling, re-siding, building carports for trailers with failed roofs, new decks, new bathrooms, hot water heater replacements, re-plumbing, room additions for small houses with large families, retaining walls, trench drains, and new gutters. Working with ASP was a valuable time for me to learn how to do construction in the field, how to budget time for a project, and lead teams of people.