People Behind the Pipes

1. What is something unique about you?

After graduating from college I interned for a summer with Engineering Ministries International, which included a week spent in Haiti providing free engineering for those who can’t afford it. We helped design a structurally stable school facility. After that experience, I organized and led three teams from my church to assist missionaries in Thailand with construction to rebuild after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004. This involved a lot of physical labor that included mixing concrete, plus bending and tying rebar by hand with minimal tools. I like to think that I was pretty buff after those trips.

Associate Engineer-Supervisor Jackie Yee visits a project site for the District.

2. Describe your job.

I’m an engineering supervisor for our permitting group that handles development and construction services. I coordinate a lot with developers of both residential and commercial projects. My staff review plans for developments and they check for sewer or water capacity that is being requested to see what’s available and the costs to purchase capacity. We make sure everything is according to District standards because eventually DSRSD will accept the sewer and water mains and have to maintain them. We also issue permits for construction and coordinate with the cities of Dublin and San Ramon. I supervise the District’s inspectors, who also coordinate with developers on what they plan to install including the materials they will use and how installation will be done. Sometimes plan reviewers and inspectors have to reject submittals, so it’s not an easy job. It comes down to a lot of coordinating and keeping our standards updated. Standards include specifications for installing things such as water mains, sewer mains, manholes, grease traps, fire hydrants, and so on. The District standards can been seen as a recipe book for construction. We also oversee current tenant improvements if a business is converting, such as changing from an office building to a restaurant, as well as residents who might add an accessory dwelling unit that requires additional water and sewer.

I’ve been an engineer with the District since 2007, and so I’m also overseeing one of our largest projects through to completion even after taking on the supervisory role about a year and a half ago. I’m DSRSD’s engineer for the Primary Sedimentation Expansion and Improvements, a $19 million project that will enable the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant to treat more wastewater and improve the treatment process. In engineering, it’s very common if you have something you’re working on, it stays with you until you’re done with it. It will be nice for me to be able to say I’ve completed it, which we estimate to be in the spring of 2022.

3. What do you like best about your job?

I like the collaboration with all the different groups from Field Operations to Capital Improvement Projects to Permitting. I’m very fortunate that the people I work with are just good people and they have good attitudes. I learn from each of them daily and recognize their importance to the District.

I also enjoy the project management side of my job. It’s nice to see an actual physical project completed. I get to collaborate with the wastewater treatment plant and Field Operations staff, and working with the designers helps me learn the process. I like trying to keep things moving and come up with resolutions for issues that arise. It’s exciting going from paper to actual construction.

4. How did you get into the water/wastewater industry?

In high school, I did an engineering summer program with Caltrans where we designed a hypothetical road and bridge. At the end, we gave a presentation to engineers on our designs and costs. I found that very satisfying, and that’s what got me interested. Problem solving was something I enjoyed as well as working with others. I received a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

I started my career with Contra Costa County Public Works doing road design. At the county, they offered a rotation program that allowed me to go through planning, design, construction and maintenance so I was able to work with roadways and flood control facilities. I came to DSRSD in 2007 as an Assistant Engineer and became an Associate Engineer after working on the central Dublin recycled water conversion project.

5. What is the biggest challenge of your job?

I think the hardest part about the position I’m currently in is having enough time to take care of all the items. There are a lot of projects going on in development through planning and inspections. Issues can arise on every individual project that would require thought, discussion, and collaboration on a solution. In addition to that we are working to build and implement a new software system that will create a customer portal allowing applicants to track their projects in the review and inspection process.

6. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your job?

A lot of our work has gone online, including coordinating with developers. A week or two before shelter-in-place began in March 2020, our division worked with DSRSD’s Customer Services staff to put limited construction permit payments online. Being able to do that was a good step forward. My group has really embraced it and have worked well with connecting online.

7. What is it like being a woman in this field?

I cannot speak for all women in engineering, but I know personally I have often felt a burden to prove myself. Sometimes I feel I need to represent women in a good light in engineering, especially that I am not missing details and I’m capable of making sound decisions. I wonder if I am harder on myself than is necessary when I make mistakes because I want to put a good impression forward in the industry as a woman. I do feel fortunate that rarely do gender differences cross my mind at work; at DSRSD everyone is treated equally and fairly.

8. What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Before I had my daughter, who is now 5, and my son, who is now 2, I used to sing and play guitar more. I used to lead worship at my church. Now my guitar mostly stays in my closet, but I’ve been bringing it out some during quarantine this past year. I find it very therapeutic when things are stressful.

My husband and I also love taking the kids to Disney parks. It’s something we did when we were dating, and we really appreciate the detail in the parks and the way they make you feel. With my engineering background, I’ve read a couple books on Imagineering. We are trying to visit all the Disney parks in the world and still need to go to Shanghai and Hong Kong.