QK

QK is excited to attend the 2025 San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Conference from April 9-11 in Merced! This event brings together professionals from across the region to discuss transportation, housing, air quality, technology innovations, and more. With sessions at UC Merced, tours of key infrastructure projects, and networking opportunities at the newly renovated El Capitan Hotel, it’s shaping up to be an insightful event! QK’s Christine Chavez and Keasha Blew will be in attendance, ready to connect and engage in important discussions about the future of the San Joaquin Valley. See you there! #WeAreQK #SJVRPC2025 #SanJoaquinValley #PolicyConference #Transportation #Housing #Infrastructure

QK’s Visalia Branch Manager and Senior Engineer, Monique Mello, PE, will speak at the IMPACT Leadership Conference in Visalia, CA, on March 19! She’ll participate in the breakout session "Crafting Your Company Culture: A Blueprint for Business Success" from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., which is a must-attend for business owners and leaders looking to build a thriving workplace culture. The IMPACT Leadership Conference fosters workplace skills, personal growth, and leadership development while connecting professionals across industries. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Monique and other experts! ?? Visalia, CA ?? March 19, 2025 ??? Learn more & register: https://lnkd.in/gNjh7m4F #IMPACTLeadership #LeadershipConference #CompanyCulture #BusinessSuccess #QKLeadership #WeAreQK

For Marina Hueners, thoughtful design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about shaping communities with intention, care, and a deep respect for the people who call them home. Her career began after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Landscape Architecture. This led her to Washington, D.C., where she worked on national and global federal master planning projects. Marina developed a keen ability to balance functionality with cultural identity, from military bases to urban spaces, ensuring that each project met operational needs and reflected a community’s unique character. One of her proudest professional moments came while working on a 16-acre site design for the Patawomeck Indian Tribe in Virginia. After centuries without land of their own, the tribe was granted the site along the Rappahannock River—land that Marina had the honor of helping design. Seeing their heritage, culture, and connection to the land reflected in the plan was a powerful reminder of the impact thoughtful design can have. At QK, Marina finds fulfillment in collaborating with teams dedicated to quality—whether through late-night design sessions on Teams or envisioning the future of communities. She appreciates QK’s culture of humility and expertise, where knowledge is shared freely and leadership is demonstrated in the way projects are managed and executed. Outside of work, you’ll find Marina embracing the outdoors—overland camping with her family, hiking local mountain ranges, and hitting the driving range with her kids. She credits her mother for instilling perseverance in her and her Cal Poly professors for building her confidence as a designer. With a career that has taken her from large-scale military master planning to local urban design, Marina continues to bring quality and vision to every project she touches. We’re lucky to have her on our team! #WeAreQK #Quality #StaffSpotlight

Assistant Project Manager Gaelle Collin has always been deeply curious about construction and engineering. Her interest in the field sparked during her childhood when her parents built their home. She enjoyed visiting the construction site and watching her uncles, who were contractors. Gaelle found herself fascinated by the planning and design required to construct buildings, roads, and bridges, ultimately leading her to pursue a career in Civil Engineering. Before joining QK, Gaelle worked as a project manager for public agencies in France, focusing on renovations and maintenance of middle schools and public buildings. When she moved to the U.S. during a difficult economic period, she turned to volunteering—working at the Sequoia National Park nursery, assisting with translations, and maintaining contact databases. Through these experiences, she built valuable connections, which eventually led her to a position at the Visitor Center, where she helped travelers plan their trips. At QK, Gaelle thrives in problem-solving and collaboration. She enjoys the early stages of a project, where research and coordination are key—particularly when resolving utility conflicts. Gaelle appreciates the teamwork-driven culture, where colleagues support one another and innovative ideas are welcomed. To her, true leadership is about bringing a team together to achieve a common goal in a positive and productive environment. Outside work, Gaelle is an avid traveler and hiker, often exploring new places on weekends. She enjoys creating photo albums and craft books documenting her adventures and knitting—recently focusing on National Parks-themed beanies for her friends. A little-known fact about her is that she purchased a home in France 20 years ago and personally rebuilt most of it, proving her expertise extends far beyond the office. As she looks to the future, Gaelle focuses on ensuring a smooth transition by training her successor and finalizing key documentation on utility coordination processes before she moves back to France. Her commitment to organization, teamwork, and problem-solving continues to make a significant impact at QK, where she plays a vital role in the company’s success. #Community #WeAreQK

https://lnkd.in/gtPcVDYY Job Type Full-time Description Explore the exciting career possibilities a multi-disciplinary firm brings while working with a purposeful, goal oriented, close-knit team to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the Central Valley and beyond. QK has been a home for hundreds of people to build their careers over the past 50 years. Join our team of highly experienced, innovative professionals and start elevating your career today in a place built for professionals to flourish and find professional success while building lifelong relationships with our team and our clients. ESSENTIAL TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Oversight of all aspects of projects, including monitoring contracts, creating budgets, monitoring timelines, developing schedules, and enduring quality deliverables Formulate and conduct technical planning studies Maintain communication with client and/or other project managers from project conception through completion Manage, lead, train, develop, and mentor other technical and professional staff and/or Planning workload Manage project plans, budgets, timelines, and ensure quality deliverables Prepare and oversee research, field work, legal regulations, and documentation in support of Planning reports and documentation Read, interpret, compose, and review Categorical Exclusions, EAs, EIRs, and other technical documents Prepare, coordinate, and facilitate public involvement meetings and workshops Prepare and/or coordinate preparation of winning proposals and lead proposal presentations Develop recommendations affecting land use, public utilities, community facilities, housing, and transportation to control and guide development Visit field sites to gather facts and data, and conduct investigations Prepare technical studies and documents, with emphasis on NEPA and CEQA documents Prepare and oversee research, field work, legal regulations, and documentation in support of NEPA and CEQA document preparation Read, interpret, compose, and review Categorical Exclusions, EAs, EIRs, and other technical documents Lead and manage work of other planning staff Attend meetings inside and outside of the firm Familiarity with, and assistance to senior staff for monitoring contracts and budget Requirements Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years of experience in planning, environmental, transportation and/or socioeconomics or 10 years general planning experience mandatory. AICP preferred. Minimum of three (3) years of experience writing CEQA documents preferred Salary Description $96,000 - $110,000 #WeAreQK

Associate Project Manager Stephanie Hermeston built her career on a foundation of leadership, problem-solving, and her commitment to continuous learning. Stephanie’s journey into project management began in the United States Army, where she served as Military Police. Naturally drawn to leadership roles, she developed a knack for organizing tasks, tackling challenges, and fostering collaboration—skills that seamlessly translated into project management. Over the years, she expanded her expertise through retail and IT project management roles before discovering her passion for construction management. Stephanie thrives in problem-solving. She finds satisfaction in analyzing complex issues, identifying root causes, and working closely with her team to develop effective solutions. She believes the best outcomes come from collaboration, leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise to drive innovation. Additionally, she takes great pride in mentoring and developing team members, helping them grow professionally and personally. For Stephanie, authentic leadership is about leading by example, empowering others, and fostering an environment of trust and growth. She embraces continuous learning and looks forward to expanding her knowledge of construction processes, materials, and techniques to drive innovation in her role. Her best professional advice? Strive to do your best, but don’t let stress or setbacks overwhelm you—success comes from balance, not perfection. She encourages curiosity for those just starting their careers: "Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The only dumb question is the one never asked." Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys hobbies such as farming, raising livestock, traveling across the U.S., and unwinding with a good movie. She values QK’s company culture for its strong sense of connection and belonging and appreciates the meaningful relationships she has built within and with external partners. As Stephanie continues to grow in her role at QK, her dedication, leadership, and problem-solving skills will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on her team and the industry.

Today, we join the global celebration of World Engineering Day 2025, which recognizes engineers' vital role in shaping a more sustainable future. This year’s theme, "Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals," highlights engineering's impact on addressing the world’s most pressing challenges—from clean water and infrastructure to renewable energy and resilient communities. At QK, we are proud to support and empower engineers who are making a difference every day. Their innovation and expertise drive progress, creating solutions that meet today’s needs and build a better tomorrow. Join us in celebrating the incredible contributions of engineers worldwide! #WorldEngineeringDay #SustainableDevelopment #QKersEngineeringTheFuture #WeAreQK

This week, we celebrate the incredible women shaping the construction industry—breaking barriers, driving progress, and building the future! At QK, we’re proud to recognize Gaelle Collin and Stephanie Hermeston, two outstanding QKers in our Construction Management discipline. Their dedication and expertise are a testament to the vital role women play in shaping our communities. Women in Construction Week is a time to reflect on the challenges women have overcome, the progress made, and the opportunities ahead. To all the women in construction—thank you for your hard work, innovation, and commitment to the industry! Let’s continue to support and inspire the next generation of women in construction! #WICWeek #WomenInConstruction #QKersBuildingTheFuture #WeAreQK

Willow & Balch Park in south Fresno got a major upgrade! Previously, one of the park’s two play structures was lost in a fire and had to be removed for safety reasons. In response, QK stepped in to transform the space, replacing both tot lots with a larger, modern play structure with a shade cover and soft fall surface to enhance safety and comfort. As part of the project, our team reviewed ADA compliance and provided recommendations to ensure accessibility for all visitors. Collaborating with the City of Fresno, we utilized a topographic survey to prepare accurate project estimates and deliver a well-designed, inclusive space for the community. This revitalization effort brings new life to Willow-Balch Park, providing a safer and more enjoyable place for children and families to gather, play, and create lasting memories. #WeAreQK

Senior Associate Environmental Scientist Karissa Denney has always been captivated by the natural world. Her journey into the field of environmental science began unexpectedly during a general biology course in community college. She recalls being enthralled by a lecture on population ecology, where she learned about the cyclical relationship between red foxes and snowshoe hares. The idea that scientists could understand these intricate ecological patterns simply by observing and recording data sparked a passion that would shape her career. Today, Karissa thrives in her role at QK, where she enjoys the dynamic nature of her work. One of her favorite aspects of her job is working on diverse projects requiring various survey techniques for multiple species. The ever-changing nature of her work keeps things fresh and exciting, allowing her to engage with different aspects of environmental science every day. Among her proudest professional accomplishments, Karissa is working towards obtaining her Scientific Collecting Permit (State) and Recovery Permit (Federal) for the California red-legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and California tiger salamander. These permits are crucial in advancing conservation efforts for these species and achieving them is a testament to Karissa’s dedication to wildlife preservation. Outside of work, Karissa finds joy in spending time with her two beloved dogs, Lexi and Blair. She is also an avid traveler, with a deep appreciation for exploring national parks, monuments, forests, and state parks across the country. Documenting her adventures through photography allows her to capture the beauty of nature while creating lasting memories. At QK, Karissa appreciates the company's diverse and inclusive culture and its commitment to valuing employee input. Looking ahead, she is excited about continuing to contribute to the growth and development of the QK biology team. Additionally, she hopes to refine her public speaking skills, recognizing the importance of effective communication in her field. Karissa Denney’s journey proves the power of curiosity, dedication, and passion. QK deeply values Karissa’s contributions and appreciates her dedication to the company’s mission. As she continues to make strides in her field, her work inspires those passionate about ecology and conservation.