#CoolJobs – Blog /blog 91Ӱ Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:15:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 /blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32-1-2-150x150.png #CoolJobs – Blog /blog 32 32 #CoolJobs: The pristine Brazilian coast is my office /blog/cooljobs-the-pristine-brazilian-coast-is-my-office/ /blog/cooljobs-the-pristine-brazilian-coast-is-my-office/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2015 17:38:25 +0000 /blogs/?p=994 While I was studying for my bachelor’s degree in oceanography, I was also trying to choose the right career path for me. Like most students, I had many doubts, but I still remember thinking there was one thing I was certain about — that I wanted to travel and experience as much as I could […]

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While I was studying for my bachelor’s degree in oceanography, I was also trying to choose the right career path for me. Like most students, I had many doubts, but I still remember thinking there was one thing I was certain about — that I wanted to travel and experience as much as I could along the 8,500-kilometer-long Brazilian coast.

Now, here I am, a project specialist on 91Ӱ’s socioeconomic team in Brazil, where I have reached above and beyond my undergraduate expectations. My job involves traveling, visiting pristine landscapes and experiencing the incredible traditional cultures of Brazil. While working at 91Ӱ, I have visited five states, approximately 50 municipalities and more than 150 coastal communities.

My role on the socioeconomic team involves contributing design and planning work, as well as conducting research about fishery activities. This research is extremely important for the licensing and permitting process of the offshore oil-and-gas industry in Brazil. Our methods are mostly qualitative, and are based on the use of questionnaires and participatory tools such as mapping, diagrams and history lines, to name a few.

Pic1b_690x355Davi Rodrigues and his team use participatory mapping to identify fishermen, fisheries and sacred territories.

This has been one of my most-challenging fieldwork experiences to date. Oil-and-gas offshore activities are still very underdeveloped in northern Brazil compared to other regions of the country. Regardless, most of the people in that area are dependent on fishery activities as their main source of income and food. Considering the high sensitivity and vulnerability of nature in northern Brazil, the government demanded a very comprehensive and complex environmental impact assessment. Despite these challenges, it was still a really amazing trip.

Characterizing the activity of artisanal fisheries was difficult because, in northern Brazil, the economic sector is very traditional and informal, and is dispersed among several coastal communities. However, we still were able to successfully complete the project.

Pic2_690x355A small-scale artisanal fishery boat. Artisanal fishery is responsible for 50 percent of the country’s fish production.

During our team’s research, we surveyed more than 300 people, including fishermen, fish dealers, local leaders and government representatives. We found a great diversity of boats and gear used to fish for more than 100 different species. We learned that the artisanal fishermen often cannot rely on proper infrastructure to support their activities, and as a result, are exposed to many operational risks. We also realized that these individuals love what they do and would not do anything else.

Pic3_690x355Salt fish (also known as bacalhau) at a local market.

Meeting with the local communities and learning about their livelihoods was a life-changing experience for me. This was not just pragmatic data collection. They invited our team to have meals with them, which was an incredible demonstration of generosity and kindness. We were overwhelmed with great stories and examples of relevant traditional and ecological knowledge. One of my favorite stories was about the legend of Curupira, the guardian of the mangrove. The fishermen believe that when Curupira appears, they get lost inside the mangrove and the only way out is to release the crabs they captured. I learned about myths, religions, music, dancing, local technologies and community-based management of natural resources. We also learned about some of Brazil’s cross-cultural contradictions that lead to tough dilemmas, so I learned a lot more about my own country’s cultural diversity.

Pic4_690x355A fish trap made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles.

What about nature? Well, northern Brazil is breathtaking. I had the opportunity to visit the great Delta do Parnaíba (Parnaíba River Delta). I walked through the whitest field of sand dunes I had ever seen in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. I navigated through estuaries with the biggest tidal variations in Brazil (with amplitudes of about seven meters). I saw an abundance of natural resources, including oysters, mussels, crabs, shrimp, along with dozens of different fish and bird species. The mangrove trees were 30 meters high, and we could easily stand under their suspended roots.

Due to the large number of fishery assessments I have conducted during my first three years at 91Ӱ, I have grown professionally in many ways. I am also continuously learning from my colleagues on the socioeconomic team. Moreover, working at 91Ӱ gives me the opportunity to grow as an individual because I am able to explore my country and better understand and appreciate its nature, culture and people.

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Davi Rodrigues is a project specialist on 91Ӱ’s socioeconomic team in Brazil and has been with the company for three years. His work comprises designing, planning and conducting research to identify the impacts caused by the oil-and-gas industry in the fishery sector. Davi also loves the ocean and believes in the positivity of humanity.
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#CoolJobs: Front row view of the evolution of spaceflight /blog/cooljobs-front-row-view-of-the-evolution-of-spaceflight/ /blog/cooljobs-front-row-view-of-the-evolution-of-spaceflight/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:41:12 +0000 /blogs/?p=969 91Ӱ’s Joshua Taylor sits in one of the chairs in which astronauts from well known shuttle missions donned their flight suits hours prior to launch. My job at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is amazing because I get to work with rare equipment, I am able to interface with customers in all areas of development, and I […]

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91Ӱ’s Joshua Taylor sits in one of the chairs in which astronauts from well known shuttle missions donned their flight suits hours prior to launch.

My job at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is amazing because I get to work with rare equipment, I am able to interface with customers in all areas of development, and I have a front row view of the evolution of spaceflight. I first became interested in the aerospace industry at a young age while watching my father work on various aircraft as an avionics technician in the United States Marine Corps. Growing up in Titusville, Florida, allowed me to have unlimited access to all things “spaceflight.”

R-18-Pumping_690x355One of the six rechargers used to support launch customers.

At KSC, I am personally responsible for our multimillion-dollar fleet of six rechargers — units that convert cryogenically cold commodities (gases super-cooled until they become liquids) from a liquid to a gaseous state and pressurize it up to 10,000 pounds per square inch gage (psig). These rechargers are routinely used to supply inert gases to customers for purging and pressurization of flight components. They are also used as contingency support for launch customers — just in case the primary systems were to fail.

91Ӱ designed and built a tanker to store liquid natural gas used to fuel NASA’s Morpheus program — a prototype planetary lander capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

LT-81---LNG_690x355Liquid natural gas tanker designed and built by 91Ӱ employees to support NASA’s Morpheus program.

The Propellants and Life Support Division at KSC also fabricated a 10,000-psig, oxygen-compressed gas trailer — something previously unheard of in the commercial industry — for the Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System (NORS) that will provide portable cylinders of nitrogen and oxygen to the (ISS), a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit. The system will replenish the atmosphere inside the ISS and for other operations onboard.


A video of the launch of NASA’s Morpheus Free Flight 15.

I am certified to work launches at the converter/compressor facility, which is the only place at KSC that converts helium from a liquid to a high-pressure gas. Previously, I was responsible for the breathing air system used for suiting astronauts. I was able to sit in the chairs in which astronauts from Gemini, Apollo, and shuttle missions donned their flight suits hours prior to launch. It is awe-inspiring to think of what those men and women have accomplished.

Astronaut-suit-room_690x355Astronaut suit room at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. 

I am also working at KSC during an exciting time of major transition that will shape the way we reach space. I began working here towards the end of the Shuttle Program on the replacement Constellation Program. The Space Launch System (SLS) then replaced the Constellation program as the next NASA vehicle a couple months after the landing of STS-135, the last shuttle launch.


The landing of NASA’s STS-135, the final space shuttle mission.

During the same timeframe, NASA began providing incentives for companies to transport astronauts to the ISS so that NASA could focus on reaching Mars. Boeing and Space Exploration Technologies rose to the occasion and from NASA for at least four (potentially 12) trips to the ISS to ferry astronauts and supplies. Along the way, NASA also selected Lockheed Martin to build its Orion capsule for SLS here at KSC.

I have been lucky enough to hold a position where I routinely deal with these major customers. I also work with the long-time customers on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida such as the United Launch Alliance, which currently launches most of the Department of Defense’s payloads (what the rocket is carrying into space) such as the Global Positioning System satellites.

I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting journey and to watch how 91Ӱ and these companies transform themselves and the future of spaceflight.

JAT_Headshot_89x100Joshua A. Taylor is an engineer working on 91Ӱ’s Institutional Services Contract in the Propellants and Life Support division of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. Joshua was raised in Titusville, Florida, and attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to attain his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He and his wife have two children, ages three and five; love to travel; and enjoy outdoor activities such as surfing, fishing, going to the beach, and playing soccer.
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#CoolJobs: I get paid to climb trees and save bats /blog/cooljobs-i-get-paid-to-climb-trees-and-save-bats/ /blog/cooljobs-i-get-paid-to-climb-trees-and-save-bats/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2015 13:00:12 +0000 /blogs/?p=961 Charlie checks the tightness of her harness while conducting survey work. From dormouse monitoring, sediment sampling and pitfall trapping for great crested newts to taking National Vegetation Classification surveys of Royal Naval Air Service runways and camera surveys of urban badgers, the sheer variety of work within my cool job as an ecologist keeps me on […]

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Charlie checks the tightness of her harness while conducting survey work.

From dormouse monitoring, sediment sampling and pitfall trapping for great crested newts to taking National Vegetation Classification surveys of Royal Naval Air Service runways and camera surveys of urban badgers, the sheer variety of work within my cool job as an ecologist keeps me on my toes and makes every day rewarding.

Bat surveys are a large and fascinating part of my work at 91Ӱ. Bats are notoriously harder to survey than other protected species as they are small, airborne and nocturnal. In addition, around three quarters of bat species frequently roost in trees.

My interest in how bats use trees was piqued after a training course on the subject. The course increased my curiosity to understand these features more thoroughly, especially since a key part of the course was aimed at making people aware that bats may only use an individual tree roost for two percent of the year. Therefore, the chances of actually finding a bat in a tree roost are extremely slim. Consequently, other features to consider are the habitat and wider environment, as well as the roost feature itself, including characteristics such as internal structure, texture and colouring. Gaining a better understanding of the types of roosts that bats use can influence impact assessments, the mitigation methods employed and improve the suitability of replacement roosts.

In addition, bats play a significant role in the environment, which is why all native species of bats are strictly protected under law in the U.K. and Europe. There are 17 species of bats breeding in the U.K., and they are key indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health as they provide a number of ecosystem services. More than 500 plant species rely solely on bats for pollination (a process known as chiropterophily). Furthermore, bats act as an excellent pest control. The common pipistrelle bats can consume more than 3,000 gnats (flies such as mosquitoes) in one night.

Up-tree_690x355Charlie works to obtain the highest anchor point in a pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) before checking potential bat roost features.

My love affair with tree climbing started in February of this year when my line manager, Paul Gregory, asked if I wanted to train for my tree climbing licence to assist 91Ӱ with its work on the High Speed 2 (HS2) project, a major high-speed rail line development between London and Birmingham. I jumped at the chance as I’ve always loved climbing, heights, and anything active and outdoorsy.

The training was a week-long course on the grounds of Saltram House, a Georgian National Trust property — an idyllic place to learn due to its stunning historic parkland views across the River Plym into the city. The course involved lots of knot tying, “thrusting” up trees, spiking, untangling ropes, climbing to 20 metres, branch walking to increase comfort levels in the canopy  and getting frustrated at missing my first anchor point due to my pitiful throwing skills. With each climb, I felt less nervous and the different knots became easier to tie. It was exhausting as well as exhilarating.

Once I passed my tree climbing assessment, it was time to put these new skills to use to investigate potential bat roost features. I was provided with an abundance of opportunity to do this on the HS2 project. I am lucky enough to have had the chance to be involved in this survey work, to reduce the environmental impacts of this high-profile scheme, and to play a part in transforming rail travel in Britain.

NVC-survey_690x355National Vegetation Classification survey quadrat of an airfield grassland.

The ecological surveys on this project have involved assessing woodlands, which will be impacted by the scheme. Trees are first checked from the ground, and any potential bat roost features are noted for the attention of the tree-climbing team, and that’s where I come in.

Checking a potential bat roost feature involves climbing a tree until you have an anchor point above the feature of interest. You can then hang down on a rope and investigate the feature, using torches and endoscopes. From the ground, the bat roost potential of a tree can be very tricky to determine — especially when the leaves are out on the trees. Climbing helps us get better answers about bats and their habitats, which helps the project as well as the bats.

The most exciting moment of my tree-climbing career so far has been the discovery of a female Brown Long-Eared bat roosting in a trunk cavity of an ash tree — definitely worth all of the blisters!

Long-eared-bat_690x355A brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus) bat.

Since I became a qualified tree climber, I have had the chance to work alongside some of the more senior and experienced 91Ӱ tree climbers. This has been a really valuable experience as I have picked up lots of handy hints and tips — from new ways to tie knots to new, less strenuous, foot-locking techniques. I still rely heavily on my throw bag, but it’s getting easier.

Charlie_Bellamy_HS_BW_89x100Charlie Bellamy is an ecological consultant working out of 91Ӱ’s Plymouth office in southwest England. She has a degree in zoology and has written a Master’s degree thesis on the use of birds as biodiversity indictors of climatic change at Durham University. She is also licensed to work with hazel dormouse and bats. Charlie is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and outside of work is an active committee member on various local wildlife groups and a volunteer hedgehog and bat carer.
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#CoolJobs: Our Ice Age dig adventure /blog/cooljobs-our-ice-age-dig-adventure/ /blog/cooljobs-our-ice-age-dig-adventure/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2015 20:58:37 +0000 /blogs/?p=950 When he was a child, for summer holidays in New Zealand, 91Ӱ’s Craig Helm and his family would visit a local river. Craig and his brother spent hours creating little “dams” on many of the small river braids. As an adult, Craig finds himself spending a lot of time working on significantly larger dam projects […]

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When he was a child, for summer holidays in New Zealand, 91Ӱ’s Craig Helm and his family would visit a local river. Craig and his brother spent hours creating little “dams” on many of the small river braids. As an adult, Craig finds himself spending a lot of time working on significantly larger dam projects that take longer to design and construct than one sunny afternoon. What started off as a way to pass the time during a summer holiday turned into a career that he thoroughly enjoys. Craig and his coworker, John Sikora, recently worked together on the Ziegler Reservoir Enlargement Project in Colorado and share their experience during this dig, which revealed some pretty amazing finds!

When we started working on the Ziegler Reservoir Enlargement Project, we had no idea it would turn into one of the largest mammoth and mastodon sites in North America.

The project consisted of the reconstruction and enlargement of an existing dam through an upstream raise and outlet works construction. Our 91Ӱ project team members also included Chris Rey, David Lady and John France. During the geotechnical investigations, we determined that a large volume of unsuitable foundation material had to be removed beneath the upstream dam shell prior to construction of the enlarged embankment.

John noticing this molar was different than the original mammoth molar — and realizing this reservoir site just got more complex!

Shortly after we began excavating the unsuitable foundation soils, the contractor’s bulldozer operator, during the last push for the evening, encountered a mandible. A closer look revealed a nearly intact mammoth as the cartilage between the vertebrae was still in place.

We contacted the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) to excavate the mammoth, but before they could mobilize, we uncovered molars from a different type of animal and figured out they were from a mastodon, an ice age animal that lived even earlier than the mammoths. The discovery prompted the project to evolve from a typical dam construction project to a site that required daily interaction between the owner, engineer, scientists, contractors and the media. We assisted DMNS with the geotechnical and geological interpretation of the site. As we continued to dig, we repeatedly found more bones from different species of ice age animals. It was incredible to watch as bones were being discovered everywhere. Since the initial detection, we discovered more than 5,000 bones from Columbian mammoths, mastodons, a giant ground sloth, ancient ice bison, deer, camels, salamanders and fish.

Ziegler_690x355The Denver Museum of Nature and Science encased skulls and significant bones with plaster to preserve and transport the bones back to their lab in Denver, Colorado, United States.

It was amazing how well preserved the bones were at the site. This was because an overlying layer of clay prevented any oxygen from infiltrating the bones, which stopped the decay process and kept them in pristine condition. The drainage area was approximately 35 acres, which, based on modern hydrology at elevation, is a nearly perfect monthly water balance. So, not only were the bones very well preserved, but other organic materials were also preserved so much so that green blades of grass and grass seeds were found with careful inspection of the bog soils. These types of materials can be useful for radiocarbon dating of the site, as well as for reconstruction of the environment that existed when these animals lived and died.

Craig_Helm_690x355Craig on site at the Ziegler Reservoir Enlargement Project.

The dynamics of the site quickly changed from a handful of contractors excavating the foundation soils to more than 50 volunteers and scientists extracting and preserving these ice age fossils. We worked to manage the excavation site so that the scientists and contractors could work simultaneously. Scientists needed to be able to properly remove the bones by hand, while the contractors needed to continue digging. For a week or two, it seemed that anywhere the contractors started digging, they hit bones and had to move to a new spot.

One of the most exciting parts of this project was seeing how a diverse team of contractors, scientists, volunteers and engineers could work together to achieve a common goal of safely excavating and preserving the bones while constructing the dam on a very small site.  Overall, this ended up being one of the most interesting and unique projects we have ever worked on.

Craig_HS_89x100Craig Helm is a geotechnical engineer (and Kiwi originally from New Zealand) based out of 91Ӱ’s Juneau, Alaska, United States, office who continues to work on dams and mining-related projects. He recently began working on a dam construction project on the West Coast of New Zealand, but has more recently found himself doing similar fieldwork in northern Alaska. Outside of work, he enjoys climbing in the mountains and spending time outdoors with friends and family.
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Sikora_HS_89x100John Sikora is a water resources engineer based in 91Ӱ’s Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States, office with more than 27 years of experience planning, designing and constructing hydraulic structures for water supply and tailing dam projects. John enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, backcountry skiing, roasting coffee and brewing beer on the western slope of Colorado.
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#CoolJobs: 91Ӱ underwater! /blog/cooljobs-aecom-underwater/ /blog/cooljobs-aecom-underwater/#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2015 13:00:47 +0000 /blogs/?p=939 I spend most of my everyday work life above water. However, on occasion, I get the opportunity to explore the underwater world — and I get paid for it! I’ve been an active member of the 91Ӱ Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) dive team for five years, conducting projects in New England, United States, and […]

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I spend most of my everyday work life above water. However, on occasion, I get the opportunity to explore the underwater world — and I get paid for it!

I’ve been an active member of the 91Ӱ Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) dive team for five years, conducting projects in New England, United States, and the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to diving for 91Ӱ, I was a member of another scientific dive team in Washington state. I’ve been a certified SCUBA diver for 15 years — achieving my open water certification at 16 years old when I discovered my love for the marine environment during a high school marine science class. Since my certification in 2001, I’ve conducted many recreational dives (for fun) and scientific dives (for work) and have enjoyed every underwater adventure.

Most recently, 91Ӱ’s dive team conducted an oyster population density survey in the Gulf of Mexico within a proposed shipping channel in Galveston Bay. The population counts that 91Ӱ’s dive team generated helped to dictate mitigation efforts that are used to minimize impacts on the ecosystem during channel dredging, which is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other water bodies. In order to estimate oyster populations, the dive team used a 0.25-square-meter quadrant (square) and laid it down on the sediment at numerous locations along a transect line (measuring tape). The number of oysters within each square was recorded and from that, a larger population was estimated.

Galveston_690x355Kaitlin splashes into Galvenston Bay in Texas to begin oyster survey work.

The team’s Galveston Bay trip turned into quite the adventure! And let me say, Texas in July is HOT. Initially, I thought jumping into the water to conduct the survey work would be a nice reprieve from the heat. But with average water temperatures in July hovering close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it was more like jumping into a hot puddle.

Each morning, and often in the afternoon, our boat was greeted by a pod of dolphins curious about what we were up to in their turf. To be honest, the sight of a fin in the water was pretty unnerving at first and, at some points during my dives, I was convinced a dolphin swam right next to me, although I couldn’t see it (more on that later).

Dolphins_690x35591Ӱ’s dive team spots a pod of Bottlenose dolphins in Galveston Bay, Texas.

We were able to achieve a seemingly impossible goal of conducting an oyster survey in water where the visibility was close to zero (meaning you could barely see your hand or a dolphin directly in front of your face). I jokingly refer to the dives we did in Galveston Bay as “blind dives,” and even though I was diving with a partner who I knew was only a couple of feet away, it felt like I was alone because I was unable to see him. However, to ensure we were always together underwater, we used our survey quadrant, as a tether. Diving in teams of two, each diver held on to a side of the square as we swam along the transect survey line. Surface support divers constantly watched our bubbles to ensure we were together and heading in the right direction as navigating with a compass was difficult in such low visibility.

Quadrant_690x355Kaitlin holds onto the survey quadrant prior to heading underwater in Galveston Bay, Texas.

While diving for 91Ӱ, part of our standard gear is a full facemask with a built-in speaker and microphone. This facemask enables us to speak to each other underwater and also allows us to communicate with the topside support. Without this piece of equipment, our “blind dives” would have been impossible.

The dives we did in Galveston Bay were extremely unique and challenging in nature, but allowed us to work as a team — providing support to one another under less-than-favorable conditions. Being a part of the dive team allows me to go places that I never thought were possible and to build relationships with people in many regions and practices within our company. The ability for us to provide the service of scientific scuba skills to our clients is incredibly unique. The dive team and I are always looking for a new adventure and enjoy being innovative to achieve project goals.

I’ll be above water for now — but will be sure to write in about our next 91Ӱ underwater adventure!

If you have any questions or comments about my diving experiences, please leave me a note below!

Kaitlin-Headshot_89x100Kaitlin Sylvester is a marine and freshwater scientist in 91Ӱ’s environment business and has been scuba diving since 2001.
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#CoolJobs: A passion for renewables /blog/cooljobs-a-passion-for-renewables/ /blog/cooljobs-a-passion-for-renewables/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:00:19 +0000 /blogs/?p=929 I have always been keenly aware of the challenges we face globally due to climate change, so I knew I wanted to be part of an industry that was helping to tackle this. As a result, I studied at Birmingham and Glasgow universities to receive a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences and a […]

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I have always been keenly aware of the challenges we face globally due to climate change, so I knew I wanted to be part of an industry that was helping to tackle this. As a result, I studied at Birmingham and Glasgow universities to receive a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences and a master of research degree in environmental management, respectively.

My career in the wind industry began with a job at an ecological consultancy working on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). This allowed me to begin learning about the impacts of onshore renewable energy developments and how these impacts can be mitigated. I also worked as the planning and policy manager for a renewable energy trade body based in Scotland, and after that, as an onshore wind project development manager.

Rosie-Vetter-4_690x355

For more than two years, I have worked at 91Ӱ as a senior environmental consultant, which means that I manage the development of onshore wind and solar energy projects. At the moment, this includes a number of onshore wind projects within a portfolio of sites that we have with PNE WIND UK.

My day-to-day work involves checking planned wind farm sites for any development constraints; writing environmental survey chapters, including industry guidance documents; managing EIA specialists; and reviewing existing policies for improvement opportunities.

Rosie Vetter 6_690x355

I also enjoy the flexibility of my job. For example, I am based in Leeds, but often travel to London, Wales, Scotland and other locations across the United Kingdom as well as continental Europe.

I love going to work knowing that I’m contributing to a sustainable future as part of what I see as an energy revolution — moving from traditional forms of energy generation to renewable forms. More countries, governments and people around the world are beginning to invest in renewable energy technologies, and I find this really exciting. I also think it’s important for high-profile people to show support for renewables, and I remain dedicated to promoting the importance of renewables at all times. For example, I recently met Vivienne Westwood, an English fashion designer, at an awards ceremony and discussed renewable energy with her for nearly 30 minutes.

Rosie-Vetter-5_690x355

In careers like mine, you need to keep an open mind, be focused and passionate as well as have the ability to handle negative public reaction face to face! For example, during community meetings or exhibitions, I have had members of the public figuratively wield sticks at me — screaming and shouting in my face. I learned that the best and most important way to address an angry person — no matter how unreasonable their argument may be — is to avoid correcting them, but instead, calm them down by offering them a cup of tea and allowing them to vent. I have found that most of them often end up apologising.

Rosie-Vetter-2_690x355

I chose the renewables industry due to my own concerns around climate change and the future of energy supply. Figures recently released by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that, for the first time since this data was initially recorded, the parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was over 400 globally for a month. This measure is the key indicator of the amount of planet-warming gases humans are putting into the atmosphere. The last time the earth had this much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was more than a million years ago.

For me, renewable energy is about hope and how we need to live our lives moving forward in harmony with the environment. You are part of a movement of people who really feel like they can make a difference. By investing in renewable energy, we are not only reducing the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere, but we are also helping to ensure security of supply which, in our changing world, is extremely important.

Rosie-Vetter-3_690x355

These statistics coupled with the hope to move forward are why I am so passionate about my job and the environment.  That’s what sets my job apart from others and why I consider myself to have a “cool job” — knowing that I’m doing something that will one day make a difference in the future.

To learn more, you can check out my video below, in which I speak about my work. This video was chosen to be aired as part of a keynote address delivered by Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Right Honourable Edward Davey Member of Parliament, and was featured in a campaign run by to help showcase the wide variety of jobs available in the renewable energy industry.

Please comment below to share your thoughts on renewable energy!

Rosie_Vetter_HS_89x100Rosie Vetter is a senior environmental consultant at 91Ӱ who manages onshore renewable energy development projects across the U.K. She has more than eight years of experience working in the renewable energy industry. She hopes to sit on the community group for the extension of the Scottish and Southern Energy project east of her home, and will have an open debate about renewable energy with anyone who is willing to listen.
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#CoolJobs: Working at One World Trade Center /blog/cooljobs-working-at-one-world-trade-center/ /blog/cooljobs-working-at-one-world-trade-center/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2015 13:00:24 +0000 /blogs/?p=920 From a young age, my parents encouraged me to “choose a profession that makes you want to get up in the morning and want to go to work.” I finally understand what they meant and have found that “dream job” as a project manager. As a native New Yorker, being part of the One World […]

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From a young age, my parents encouraged me to “choose a profession that makes you want to get up in the morning and want to go to work.” I finally understand what they meant and have found that “dream job” as a project manager. As a native New Yorker, being part of the One World Trade Center (1 WTC) project team is an accomplishment and opportunity that has motivated me to go to work every day and put 100-percent effort into everything that I do.

My project team has so much to be proud of. Together, we built 1 WTC, which stands as both a monument of respect to the fallen heroes of the September 11, 2001, tragedy, while also representing a symbol of freedom that will forever change the skyline of New York City.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was in high school in Staten Island. My former track coach, a friend’s mother who worked in the building, and another friend’s father who was a firefighter, were among the many who lost their lives that day. Rebuilding the World Trade Center has multiple meanings for me, but most important, I feel like it is the small contribution I can offer to New York City and to those who lost loved ones during the tragic event. My role in the construction of 1 WTC makes me proud. It is something that will always have a special place in my heart, and I look forward to sharing my story with my future children and grandchildren.

In addition to the importance of this project, one of the most-rewarding aspects of my job is the people I work with and the knowledge I gain and share in the process. My team is supportive, entertaining and nurturing — much like a family. We can make jokes, laugh and speak freely because we are all passionate about our jobs, and we care about each other as well as the project. Sometimes, we give each other compliments for a job well done; other times, we have to be honest with one another about something that could have been handled differently. At the end of the day, we treat each other like family members and take pride in our work. One person’s accomplishment is an achievement for the entire team, and we celebrate that.

What I especially like about my job is the unpredictability. Some days, I’ll go into the office wearing a dress and heels, but I leave wearing pants, a hard hat and construction boots from the site. I never know when I’ll need to make a quick run to the site to meet a contractor or go through any outstanding tasks with the field team. The days go by so fast because I am trying to multitask and handle several different things at once. However, I enjoy the spontaneity of my job because it keeps me accountable for finishing tasks quickly and effectively.

1 WTC is an extremely complex building with many different systems and components. Learning all the details can be challenging, but the fact that knowledgeable people are willing to share their expertise makes working enjoyable. I remember taking a coffee break with one of my coworkers, and we began discussing fan coil units. I wasn’t familiar with these, but I was interested in learning how they work. My coworker explained the system and showed me a unit in the field. Before I knew it, I began to better understand the discussions about fan coil units as they came up during weekly meetings. That is the beauty of my job — we share information, and we grow personally, professionally and intellectually along the way as a team.

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I feel very lucky to have a “cool job.” I think the positive office culture and the acknowledgment that “we are in this together as a team” makes my job gratifying. In the past three years working at 1 WTC, I have developed friendships that I will always treasure and have grown as a person. Working with people from all walks of life and being involved in a large and impactful project has been a privilege and an opportunity that makes my job awesome.

Carolyn_HS_89x100Carolyn Caranante works as an architectural project manager at One World Trade Center in New York City for Tishman Construction, an 91Ӱ company. She is a native New Yorker and is currently in the process of obtaining her Registered Architect license. Carolyn’s interests include traveling the world, creating art, gardening and spending time with her family.
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