Ventura County Public Works Agency

Erik Hernandez Accounting Assistant I, Water & Sanitation #EmployeeSpotlight Introducing one of our newest members to the PWA team, Erik Hernandez! As one of our agency's accounting assistants, Erik provides top-notch customer service for our water service customers, helping folks with any questions they might have related to their water service or account setup. Erik describes himself as someone who is passionate about supporting others and who likes being a person that someone can count on for a helping hand. It's these qualities that led him to pursue a career with PWA. "I feel that everyone in PWA truly wants to help and support the public, and guide them as best we can." One of his proudest achievements is his bachelor's degree in business administration. After exploring a few different areas of interest at Oxnard College, he eventually switched to a business focus and is proud of his commitment to his education during the pandemic, crediting his family and friends with providing a strong support base. In his free time, Eric enjoys bowling, live music and seeing movies with friends. "There's such a huge difference between listening to a song with headphones and seeing it live."

On Monday, we welcomed 50 attendees, including Supervisor Matt LaVere, Ojai Councilman Andy Whitman, and representatives of State Senator Monique Limón and State Assemblyman Steve Bennett to the grand opening of Ojai Valley Organics (OVO). This is an exciting time for our community and, after five years of work, the site, at the end of Old Baldwin Road, once again provides an incentive for Ojai Valley residents to recycle locally, buy locally, and keep yard clippings and lumber separate from other materials. OVO will recycle yard clippings and lumber into high-quality, local mulch and compost. After statements and recognitions, attendees were treated a grinding presentation — the scene stealer! Thank you to all those who made this opening possible! To learn more, check out the articles from PWA Environmental Resource Analyst David Goldstein. VC Star https://lnkd.in/gganCZpT Ojai Valley News https://lnkd.in/gSsF4F_x VC Reporter https://lnkd.in/g9nnENjQ

???? Join the Movement to Restore Monarchs & Pollinators! ???? Watershed Protection is to partner with Ventura County Resource Conservation District (VCRCD) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW) on the HARMONEE Project – enhancing habitats to support monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Want to make a difference? Volunteer for an upcoming planting event! Get your hands in the soil and help create thriving ecosystems for these vital species. ?? Sign up to volunteer: Click Here #SaveTheMonarchs #PollinatorPower #HARMONEEProject #VCecology #VCPWA #PWA

On Monday, we celebrated two events marking the tripling of free carpet recycling capacity in Ventura County! First up — a tour for County leadership at Harrison Industries' Gold Coast Recycling and Transfer Station, followed by a public event at WM's Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center in the afternoon. These centers expand upon the free carpet recycling program already in place at Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station in Oxnard. A special thank you to Supervisor Janice Parvin, who was able to attend WM's event and provide comments on the importance of this expanded recycling capacity, as well as to Harrison Industries, WM, Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) and Gold Coast Recycling who joined PWA's David Goldstein in the grand openings. Many individuals came together from these organizations to advocate for this expanded recycling, and we're grateful for the partnership and care for sustainable programs!

?? We're Hiring! Director of Watershed Protection (Flood Control)?? Are you a strategic leader with a passion for flood control, water resources and environmental resilience? PWA is looking for an experienced Director of Watershed Protection District to lead critical efforts in floodplain management, sustainability and infrastructure development. This executive position oversees an $86M budget and 130 employees across five divisions: ? Design & Construction ? Operations & Maintenance ? Planning & Permits ? Water Resources ? Strategic Resiliency Group What We're Looking For: ?? Experienced, results-oriented leader with a track record in managing large departments & capital projects ?? Expertise in long-range planning, program development and regulatory compliance ?? Strong political acumen to engage with officials, agencies and the community ?? Experience in Lean Six Sigma, Continuous Process Improvement or similar methodologies is a plus https://lnkd.in/gWWaCmYN #Hiring #VenturaCounty #PublicWorks #WatershedProtection #FloodControl #Leadership #Sustainability #PWA #VCPWA

Chris Solis Senior Engineering Manager, Roads & Transportation #EmployeeSpotlight Chris Solis is a Senior Engineering Manager for the Advance Planning & Permits Division of the Roads & Transportation department. The division is responsible for managing the County's Pavement Management System and updates to the Multi-Year Resurfacing Program. Additionally, they provide input on PWA's five-year Capital Improvement Program report, perform feasibility analyses, planning level cost estimates and funding projections, and prepare project applications — among other responsibilities. While Chris says that he has heard that he can give off a "Darth Vader vibe," he wants folks to know that he's nice, approachable and easy to talk to. Don't be intimidated by his "engineer speak." In the five years he's worked at PWA, he's observed that it's a great organization for opportunities for growth and advancement and really appreciates the commitment the agency puts toward investing in leadership development. "The agency has engaged and loyal employees, a clearer strategy and more defined culture, and the ability to be agile in the face of challenges because of these leadership programs. It shows in our response to emergencies and customer service." Chris shares that he is proud to be part of an immigrant family, raised in Ventura County (went to Rio Mesa High School and California State University, Northridge) and to be able to apply his excellent public education to a role supporting Ventura County. Some outside-of-work fun? Video games, traveling and trying fancy restaurants with his family.

??We're pleased to invite you to attend the grand opening of Ojai Valley Organics on March 10 at 11 a.m! The County-owned site, has, since the 1950s, served as a burn dump, a garbage transfer station, a recycling center, and, until 2019, a location for recycling yard clippings and lumber. ?? Vacant for the past six years during the permitting process, that final use will again be the site's purpose as Progressive Environmental Industries (PEI), the County's contractor, begins operations! ??Address: 534 Old Baldwin Road, Ventura, CA 93001 ??Parking: Please park between the Old Baldwin Trailhead and the entrance to Ojai Valley Organics.

On Feb. 20, PWA's Surveyor's Office hosted the "Monument Preservation Presentation". As the lead agency regarding surveying in the county, we felt the necessity to get the information out there. The presentation was led by Ric Moore, PLS, Executive Officer for the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. Ric shared invaluable insights on the role of Agency Engineers in preserving survey monuments during construction. ??? With more than 60 Engineers and Surveyors from local agencies in attendance, it was a productive session filled with crucial information for our industry! Thank you to everyone who participated! ?? #MonumentPreservation #EngineeringExcellence #SurveyorsUnite #VCPWA #PWA #VenturaCounty

We're Hiring! Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker & Supervisor Looking for a hands-on career in water and wastewater operations? PWA is seeking dedicated professionals to help maintain, repair and operate essential water and wastewater systems serving our communities! ?? Senior Water/Wastewater Services Worker (Sr. WWSW) ?? Operate, maintain & repair water/wastewater systems ?? Provide customer service & meter reading ?? Lead & coordinate work of team members #Hiring #VenturaCounty #PublicWorks #WaterJobs #WastewaterServices #EssentialWorkers #NowHiring #PWA #VCPWA

Joel Chappell Health and Safety Officer, Central Services #EmployeeSpotlight As the Health and Safety Officer for PWA, Joel Chappell's responsibility is to ensure that every employee has a safe and healthy work environment. "To put it simply, I believe the purpose of my job is to ensure that our staff go home each night to their loved ones, perhaps a little tired after a long day of work, but safe, uninjured and able to enjoy quality time with their family and friends." It's all about the people, for Joel. He enjoys that PWA employees really care about the overall mission of the agency, and about the excitement and pride Operations & Maintenance crews convey when they share about the work they do and how it positively affects our communities in Ventura County. One of Joel's proudest accomplishments is going back to school at the age of 40 to earn his college degree. It allowed him to pursue the career that eventually brought him to PWA and helped show his children the importance of education and pursuing your dreams. Prior to the agency, Joel worked as an emergency medical technician for major trauma centers for 21 years, and even provided disaster relief support in medical clinics throughout the world. He's always wanted to ensure that the work he is doing has meaning and purpose, and counts his blessings to be in his current role, and to have the opportunity to be of service to others on such a large scale. At home, he enjoys the moments he gets to spend with his family that are distraction-free from devices and technology. He and his wife are also very active in their church community, hosting monthly food pantries and volunteering with Guide Dogs of America as puppy raisers. Joel enjoys hiking, kayaking and paddle boarding … but what takes the cake? A Dodger's game, no doubt about it!