12-20-2022
Quileute Tribal School, 2022. Photo courtesy of Quileute Tribal Schools.
As the year comes to an end, we’re highlighting some of our favorite projects from 2022 that demonstrate our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. The Quileute Tribal School and Move to Higher Ground project, led by Parametrix Project Manager Susan Devine, was named Parametrix's 2022 Project of the Year.
Project Overview
The Quileute Tribe is located on the Northwest coast of Washington State, with housing, administration, and school facilities all located within critical flood and tsunami hazard zones. Every day, the Tribe’s children were attending school less than 200 feet from the Pacific Ocean and only 20 feet above sea level. Winter storms, heavy rainfall, high winds, and flooding often cause blocked roads and power outages.
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12-15-2022
With the year coming to an end, we’re highlighting some of our favorite projects from 2022 that display our dedication to making a difference in the communities we serve. The King County Metro Trolley Expansion Strategic Plan, led by Parametrix Project Manager Mark Yand, received second place in our annual Project of the Year Competition.
Project Overview
King County Metro (Metro) is an innovative force in sustainability. They are leading the transit industry with their conversion to an all-electric rubber tire transit fleet. Metro was already one step ahead with this effort, as they are one of only four transit agencies in the United States that operate an electrified trolley bus system.
Me... (more)
12-07-2022
As the year is coming to an end, we want to take a look back at some of our favorite projects from 2022 that exemplify our commitment to making a difference in the communities we serve. Coming in third place in our annual Project of the Year competition is the City of Las Vegas GreeNVision: Stewart Avenue Complete Streets project, led by Parametrix Project Manager Jackie Kuechenmeister.
Project Overview
Stewart Avenue serves as a main passage for many individuals to reach school, work, essential goods and services, or transit locations. Along the corridor, each census block is designated as an area of persistent poverty, historically disadvantaged community, or both. As it currently exists, traveling on foot or bicycle along Stewart Avenue is an unpleasant, hostile experience. With more than 35 percent of all users being pedestrians and bicyclists, the fragmented sidewalks and minimal shade is creat... (more)
11-30-2022
Meet Jo Johnson, an engineer with our Bremerton Transportation team who recently officially became a professional engineer! Learn more about Jo's career, goals, and advice for others pursuing their PE license.
Tell us about your professional background. What is your area of expertise?
I started as a geotechnical consultant for construction services right after graduating with my bachelor’s in civil engineering at Saint Martin’s, then transitioned into a design role in the Parametrix Bremerton office transportation design group. At Parametrix, I do roadway, stormwater, and utility design for local agencies in the Puget Sound.
What is your next career goal now that you’ve earned your PE license? What is your ultimate career goal?
I’m not sure what my next move will be career-wise, and I think that’s okay. My PE license has opened ... (more)
11-22-2022
Mari Orama, a Senior Engineer with the Puyallup Water group, was selected as Parametrix’s 2022 Volunteer of the Year! Mari joined Parametrix just six months ago and has already made a big impact during her time here. I asked Mari a few questions about her recent volunteer experience and how others can get involved. Read her responses below.
Tell us about your volunteer experience over the last year.
Over the last year, much of my volunteer experience was through a small outreach project I started with a close friend of mine, Emily Anderson, a Support Engineer at Microsoft Azure. We call this small project more)
11-14-2022
Valerie Garcia, a Senior Office Administrator from our Albuquerque, NM office, was recently named Parametrix's 2022 Employee-Owner of the Year for her dedication to clients and fellow employee-owners. We asked her a few questions about her career, life outside of work, what she enjoys about working at Parametrix, and goals for the coming year. Read her responses below!
Tell us about your role at Parametrix and professional background.
I started Parametrix in December 2019. After being in the industry for over 10 years I finally found where I belong. I am currently the Senior Office Administrator in New Mexico and lead administrator for the Southwest Region. Other than the day-to-day functions, I also provide support to the regional Vice Presidents and Project Managers with financial performance for offices and projects. I have been able to work with different offices and departments and have... (more)
10-18-2022
By John Phillips, Director of Integrated Watershed Management
Today, October 18, 2022, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.
The 1960s were marked by some truly horrific revelations regarding water pollution. A 1968 survey revealed that pollution in the Chesapeake Bay resulted in millions of dollars of lost revenue for the fishing industry, while a 1969 study found that bacteria
levels in the Hudson River to be at 170 times the legal limit. The same year, pollution from local food processing plants killed 26 million fish in one lake in Florida, the largest fish kill on record, and an oil slick resulted in an infamous fire
on the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland.
President Nixon’s Impact on Environmental Policy
During his first State of the Union address, delivered in 1970, Presiden... (more)
8-30-2022
Meet Kaylee Moser, a scientist with our environmental planning and compliance team in Seattle. She has 9 years of industry experience, 5 of which have been with Parametrix. Recently, she earned her Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification. We asked her a few questions about her career, inspiration, and favorite projects. Read her responses below.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a wetland scientist?
I have always been fascinated by aquatic ecology since playing in the creeks behind my house in Ohio as a kid. I started my career in fisheries and environmental education and then shifted into the wetlands world here at Parametrix after completing the University of Washington Wetland Sciences and Management Certificate program in 2017. I was inspired to do the program after working for a timber company in coastal Oregon where I performed endangered species surveys and ... (more)
8-26-2022
We're thrilled to have several interns joining us at Parametrix this summer! We strive to provide challenging, hands-on project experience to students entering our industry. Inspiring young professionals early in their career is critical for the future of our profession and for our purpose of restoring the health of the planet for future generations.
Meet Russell Wells, Jr., an intern with our Puyallup, WA water group. He is from Port Orchard, WA but moved to Texas in 2013 for his military service. He attends Texas A&M University with plans to graduate in August 2023 with a degree in electrical engineering.
Why did you choose an internship at Parametrix?
I chose Parametrix because of the nature of the work they do as consultants. I very much enjoy the idea of working on an entire site instead of a tiny component or part.
What would you like to accomplish during your internship?<... (more)
8-23-2022
Meet Kyle Goodman, an engineer with our Spokane Transportation team who recently earned his professional engineer license. We asked him a few questions about his career, what inspires him, and advice for others.
Tell us about your professional background. What is your area of expertise?
I graduated from Washington State University in 2018 after interning at the Puyallup office of Parametrix in the summer of 2017. I loved Parametrix and wanted to live on the east side of Washington, so the Spokane office was a perfect fit for me. I have worked at the Spokane office since I started in June of 2018.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I was always much better at the math and science classes I took growing up than I was at the others like English or history, so I thought I would play to my strengths a... (more)