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Engineers Week 2023
Engineers Week: February 19 - 25, 2023
This year’s theme — Creating the Future — recognizes how engineers play a vital role in innovating solutions to global challenges that impact future generations. Engineers create new possibilities that improve the world by working together to develop new technologies, products, and opportunities. This week, Team FRED will engage with students through engineering demonstrations at Legacy Elementary to inspire future innovators!
Get To Know Your Town Engineering Department
We caught up with team members to find out what they are working on, why they became engineers, and what they want you to know. One thing is sure; your Town Engineers are passionate about making your world a better place to live!
Sarah Watson, Civil Engineer
Q. What projects are you working on now?
A. The Potable Water Infrastructure Master Plan and Lower Boulder water change case are the main projects already underway this year. The master plan identifies improvements that can be made to the existing system to continue to provide water service to our customers and what improvements are needed as the Town continues to grow. The Lower Boulder change case is a Water Court Application that will allow the Town to use the water within the Town’s service area and treat the water at Milavec Lake in the future. We are also working on the Raw Water Master Plan Update and Water Rate Study. The Raw Water Master Plan is similar to the Potable Water Master Plan but only deals with non-potable irrigation water. The Water Rate Study will help the Town understand the existing and future water system costs and recommend appropriate rates.
Q. Why did you choose a career in engineering?
A. As a kid, I was always interested in how things worked. We also had many visits from students from CU Boulder to teach us about engineering throughout elementary, middle, and high school. My High School also had an engineering-focused program which allowed me to learn about the different types of engineering, which helped narrow down what I was interested in. In addition, my father is also an Engineer, so I saw firsthand the work he did as an engineer with aerospace engineering on satellites.
Q. What is something you want residents to know about being an engineer?
A. An engineer’s main focus is solving problems. By doing that, we work to improve everyone’s lives every day.
Kylie Couch, Civil Engineer
Q. What projects are you working on now?
A. I was recently hired as the Town of Frederick’s Water Conservation Specialist. I will primarily work on the water conservation programs such as the Garden In A Box, Lawn Replacement, and Slow the Flow Programs. I will also outline the next steps for other programs identified in the Town’s Water Efficiency Plan.
Q. Why did you choose a career in engineering?
A. My career in engineering was born of my interest in science and math combined with my desire to protect the world’s water resources. As an undergraduate student, I had the privilege of working with a chemist who does a lot of research in collaboration with water utilities. My career has grown from there!
Q. What is something you want residents to know about being an engineer?
A. One of my favorite things about engineering is learning about things that operate in the background of everyday life. For example, I have enjoyed learning about what it takes to get clean water to our taps and what happens to the water that goes down the drain, among many other things!
AJ Sandavol, Construction Inspector
Q. What projects are you working on now?
A. All development improvement inspections, water service line inspections, right-of-way work, erosion control measures, and capital project inspections.
Q. Why did you choose a career in engineering?
A. Through a series of opportunities and chances, I found a place of work that fits my skills.
Q. What do you want residents to know about working in the Engineering Department?
A. As a Construction Inspector, you must have a diverse background with knowledge in many construction aspects to bring a successful project together.
Jason Berg, Civil Engineer
Q. What projects are you working on now?
A. I am in the process of finalizing the design of Silver Birch Blvd and Godding hollow Pkwy Intersection Improvement project and managing a request for Proposal/Qualifications. In addition, the DRCOG Southwest Weld Forum Grant opportunity for the Colorado Blvd and Bella Rosa Pkwy Intersection Improvement Project with the Town of Firestone for design in 2024 is in the works. Also, I prepare the bid documents for the 2023 Pavement Maintenance Project. And we are implementing new software for Town asset management in cooperation with the GIS, Public Works, Parks and Open Space, and Fleet Management Departments.
Q. Why did you choose a career in engineering?
A. I gravitated to STEM in school and liked physics and shop classes. I enjoyed taking things apart and finding why and how things worked. I liked building models and legos as a kid, working on projects with my father, building and fixing different things around the house, and working with my hands to see something come to fruition.
Q. What is something you want residents to know about being an engineer?
A. Things take time. We can spend years working on projects.
Zackery Roberson, Civil Engineer
Q. What projects are you working on now?
A. I am working on the Colorado Blvd and Bella Rosa Drainage Improvement, a big project that will resolve flooding issues near the intersection. The design phase of the Colorado Blvd and Bella Rosa Drainage Improvement project will take me through the summer of 2023. In addition, I oversee the downtown groundwater impact study to help the Town determine what is causing the increased groundwater presence in the downtown area and propose some possible mitigation solutions. My projects take a while to plan. The groundwater study is anticipated to take until the first quarter of 2024.
Q. Why did you choose a career in engineering?
A. I have always loved solving challenging projects and helping people. In the engineering field, I can make a difference in my community. Also, my love of science and an excellent job helped me decide it was the right path.
Q. What is something you want residents to know about being an engineer?
A. While our work can get very technical sometimes, we continually work to help our community.