Karen is a planner, project manager and environmental analyst with a background in geology and soils science. She manages or assists with preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents and regulatory permit applications for water utilities, energy, and community development projects. As a technical analyst, Karen prepares geology and hydrology sections for CEQA documents and conducts resource mapping and analysis using GIS.
What is your favorite ESA moment/memory so far?
Wow that’s hard to answer! I’ve hit many great milestones on big projects with my colleagues. I’ve also attended many fun holiday parties over the years 🙂
What does it mean to you to be part of an employee-owned company?
We can all make a difference in how well the company does. We all benefit when each of us does well.
What keeps you coming to work here at ESA every day?
Interesting projects and knowledgeable coworkers!
What is your hidden or special talent(s)?
I sing in a women’s acapella chorus.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are out of the office?
Hard to pick just one! You’ll often find me gardening, singing, or playing music.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
Go for a hike!
What are three skills that you bring to the ESA team? In other words, what should colleagues know to reach out to you about?
- CEQA/NEPA and permitting project management
- Geology, soils, and hydrology
- Microsoft Project schedule user
In a nutshell, what kind of work does your team do?
My team prepares CEQA/NEPA documents and oversees regulatory permit applications for water infrastructure projects.
Describe your role at ESA and the type of work you do.
I’m an environmental planner and project manager for water infrastructure projects.
What’s been your favorite project to work on here at ESA and what impact did it have on the community and/or environment?
The Biosolids Digester Facilities Project EIR in San Francisco was one of my first big projects and one of my favorites. The project proposed modifying and modernizing an existing wastewater treatment plant plus providing other community benefits to the surrounding neighborhood, including based on measures identified in an environmental justice analysis. While project construction had significant air quality impacts, the client also worked with the air district to identify mitigation opportunities to offset construction phase NOx emissions. Construction is ongoing.
Have you had the opportunity to work on any career-defining projects?
Many projects have guided my career so far, including the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project (since then I’ve worked on many projects for the same client), the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation project, the Sunnyvale WPCP Master Plan and subsequent projects, and the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project, among others.
