Name: Sara Sutherland, CET, EP
Role: Project Manager
Location: Toronto, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as a Project Manager?
I’m responsible for coordination and management of projects from beginning to end, including preparing quotes, coordinating field work, liaising internally between Terrapex’s different service lines (environmental, geotechnical, hydrogeological, and ecological) to facilitate a smooth execution of multi-disciplinary project work and liaison externally with our clients and sub-contractors. I also complete and produce the final reports and approve project invoices, as well as provide support and mentorship to more junior staff.
Career Development:
After a five-year career in the freight forwarding and customs brokerage industry, I returned to school to pursue my interest in environmental science. I started my career at Terrapex as a junior Environmental Technologist, and have since progressed in seniority to Project Manager. My experience in the field has provided me with a very good understanding of what the time, costs and challenges are at various job sites and how to best approach them.
My professional development includes receiving various designations including OACETT’s C.Tech (Certified Technician) and C.E.T. (Certified Engineering Technologist) designations, and ECO Canada’s E.P. (Environmental Professional) designation.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes from working on a project from inception to completion, especially large projects that may take several years of work and include Records of Site Condition, Risk Assessments and our other service lines. I also like that every project is unique with its own set of factors and challenges to work with and that each project adds to my knowledge and experience.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
Terrapex has a great corporate culture with good flexibility and work/life balance for staff. We are lucky to have a place of employment that offers us great colleagues, challenging and interesting work, career development opportunities, and upper management that genuinely cares about you as an individual.
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
My favorite sports are snowboarding and kiteboarding (also called kitesurfing). I often travel in pursuit of these sports and have even lived on the beach in the Dominican Republic in order to get out on the water every day. My most recent adventures have included travelling to Australia’s Gold and Sunshine Coasts, as well as Sakalava Bay on the north coast of Madagascar.
Visiting provincial parks to do some canoeing and back-country camping with friends is a great challenge and is also a lot of fun. I am also a bit of a nerd who loves to read fantasy and sci-fi novels, play RPG video games and watch anime. I am always up to playing a card or board game with my friends and family.
Name: Rachel Herzog
Role: Geotechnical Project Coordinator
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as an Geotechnical Project Coordinator?
I provide geotechnical engineering services on a variety of projects including residential, commercial, and industrial sites across Ontario.
My responsibilities include preparation of technical proposals and reports, liaising with clients, coordination of geotechnical investigations, construction inspection and material testing services. Fieldwork tasks include carrying out geotechnical investigations and construction inspections, environmental groundwater monitoring and sampling events, vibrations monitoring and pre/post construction surveys.
Career Development:
I joined Terrapex in 2012 as a Field Inspector at our Toronto office, and while there I became a Certified Engineering Technologist with OACETT. In 2016, I was given the opportunity to start the geotechnical department at our Ottawa location. Since then I have been promoted to Project Coordinator where I help manage the geotechnical work and assist in environmental fieldwork.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
I’ve always considered myself “outdoorsy”, and my role allows me to have a great mix of fieldwork and office work. I enjoy the variety of tasks associated with my role as it keeps me interested and constantly challenged. I also enjoy working on multi-disciplinary projects that involve Geotechnical, Hydrogeological, and Environmental disciplines, as they require skill-sharing and collaboration with the team members from different divisions.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
Terrapex has a great team behind its name; everyone is friendly and passionate about their work which makes for a great environment. I appreciate how Terrapex acknowledges and promotes individuals who demonstrate their willingness to work and learn regardless of experience.
Terrapex has a very approachable leadership style, where we are encouraged to speak up and get involved which allows you to feel part of a team rather than a spoke in a wheel.
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
My main hobbies are kayaking, cross country skiing and horseback riding but I love any activity which gets me outside. My favorite way to relax would be to curl up in a hammock, dockside with a book and a beer!
Name: Rachel Gregory
Role: Environmental Scientist
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as an Environmental Scientist?
My responsibilities include coordination and preparation for fieldwork tasks, completion of fieldwork, selection and preparation of samples for analysis, data tabulation and analysis, and report writing. Fieldwork tasks include groundwater monitoring and sampling, supervising test pits, supervising drilling, and providing environmental oversight on construction projects.
In addition, I have been involved in the writing and compilation of proposals, and have spent time on health and safety tasks such as the inclusion of health and safety considerations within the Standard Operating Procedures, and development of a new style of Job Safety Analysis form.
Career Development:
I started my career as a Graduate Geoenvironmental Engineer in the UK and progressed to a Senior Environmental Consultant at Delta Simons Environmental Consultants. I was then given the opportunity to move from Delta Simons to Terrapex Environmental in Canada, due to a partnership between the two companies as members of the Inogen Alliance.
Working at industry-leading companies in the UK and Canada has given me a unique perspective of the site investigation industry, and a breadth of experience which I would not have been able to acquire working in a single country.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
For me, the huge variety of tasks associated with my role is one of the main advantages, as it keeps me interested and constantly challenged. I also consider myself an environmentalist, and the feeling that I am gradually improving the environment through the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites is important to me.
I enjoy working outside during the summer months and love the feeling of satisfaction after successful completion of fieldwork. Additionally, I appreciate being able to travel around the province for fieldwork, visit different towns, and enjoy the beautiful Canadian landscape.
I have also been able to spend time working on proposals, which is very interesting. I enjoy the challenge of assessing the client’s requirements and presenting Terrapex’s strengths and skills to demonstrate our suitability for the contract.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
I have found that Terrapex has a very strong “listening culture” – upper management actively seek out your thoughts and opinions to make the company a better place for everyone. Everyone is very supportive; it’s the kind of place you feel comfortable owning up to a mistake!
I also appreciate the comprehensive systems that are in place; you can always look up the Standard Operating Procedures if you are not sure how to do something. This means I don’t need to bother my colleagues with silly questions!
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
My main hobbies are rock climbing, ballet and field hockey (an unusual mix!) but I love any activity which gets me outside. Whilst in Canada, I have particularly enjoyed skiing, trail running, skating and paddle-boarding. To relax, I love to read and have made a particular effort to read books by Canadian authors whilst I have been here – my favourites so far have been Richard Scarsbrook and Miriam Toews.
Name: Ms. Shabnam Aziznejad, P.Eng.
Role: Geotechnical Project Manager
Location: Toronto, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as a Geotechnical Project Manager?
I provide geotechnical engineering services such as site investigation, design, and construction inspection on a variety of projects including residential, commercial, and industrial sites across Ontario.
My responsibilities include preparation of technical proposals and reports, liaising with clients, coordination of geotechnical investigations, and management of construction inspection and material testing services. I aim to ensure that at all times, I provide high quality service to clients in a cost-effective and timely manner.
Career Development:
I joined Terrapex in 2016 as Junior Field Inspector and was promoted to Senior Inspector in less than two years. In 2019, I became a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and was promoted to the role of Project Manager. Terrapex has always given me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, take on new challenges in my career, and grow rapidly and professionally.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
I love how I am challenged every day in either developing a practical approach to solve problems or finding ways to improve efficiency and financial aspects of projects. I like the sense of accomplishment when I am up against a deadline. The interaction with project team, clients, and our sub-contractors is another enjoyable aspect of my role.
I also enjoy working on multi-disciplinary projects that involve Geotechnical, Hydrogeological, and Environmental disciplines, as they require skill sharing and collaboration with the team members from different divisions.
All of these make my job more than just a list of duties and paychecks. I truly enjoy going to work every morning.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
Terrapex has a flexible work environment which helps us maintain a positive work-life balance. This flexibility also reduces the workplace stress and encourages productivity. For example, we can work from home, have alternative work schedules, and bank our overtime hours for future use.
Terrapex also has a very friendly work environment. We have a social committee organizing fun activities and social/ charitable events regularly. I love the culture of wellness in Terrapex. They truly care about the well-being of the staff and treat us as people; not as employees.
We have regular Lunch and Learn sessions, which provide opportunities to learn and grow professionally. Terrapex also provides opportunities for external training.
I enjoy the appreciation we receive from the people we work within Terrapex. We have monthly “TERA” awards, and people who deserve extra recognition for going above and beyond their normal work duties get nominated and win.
All of these give me the feeling of belonging to the team; feeling of not just being in charge but motivated to work productively.
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
I enjoy reading in my spare time. Recently, we started a monthly book club with my friends. This way we get to read at least one book each month and socialize in our discussion sessions. It is a real break from everyday life.
Watching movies is my other hobby. We used to have monthly movie nights with my friends for a long time. Recently, I decided to take my hobby to the next level and I am taking a “History of Cinema” class.
Name: Craig Beaton
Role: Senior Project Manager, Client Contact for a major petroleum company, Eastern/Northern Ontario
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
What are your responsibilities as the Client Contact for a major Client in Eastern/Northern Ontario?
I manage the projects in Eastern and Northern Ontario for a major petroleum company and act as one of the primary points of contact between the Client and Terrapex. My principal responsibilities are to evaluate site conditions on the Client’s sites, determine what work is needed to meet the Client’s objectives and then ensure that the work is completed in an efficient and cost-effective manner. My responsibilities also include acting as a liaison between the Client and regulators, municipalities and property owners.
Why is a client specific contact important?
Providing a primary point of contact in different regions across the province ensures a consistent product that meets the Client’s requirements. It also allows the Client to rely on myself and Terrapex’s other regional points of contact to make appropriate decisions for their sites that reflect the Client’s values and objectives, based on working relationships we have with local municipalities and regional regulatory offices.
Career Development:
I began my career as a field technician and have grown professionally since then. In 2011 I became a Project Manager and was recently promoted to the role of Senior Project Manager. Through Terrapex I have been able to work on a wide variety of projects across Ontario for various clients including commercial and industrial clients, and federal, provincial and municipal government clients.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
I enjoy both the problem solving and service-driven aspects of consulting. I also like the challenge of evaluating site conditions to understand contaminant migration pathways, in order to develop practical and cost-effective options to remediate/mitigate the contamination.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
There is a concerted effort to provide employees the ability to pursue different opportunities and grow as professionals/individuals. The flexibility afforded – I can bank my overtime hours to be used later. Finally the relationships with co-workers: the Ottawa office is a fun group and is a relaxed environment to work in.
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
Primarily sports (I play on recreational hockey and softball teams and play golf and tennis whenever I can); spending time with my wife and both of our amazing families; and, playing with our dog.
Name: Ms. Sara Legros
Role: Environmental Scientist / Quality Management System (QMS) Manager
Location: Burlington, Ontario
What is Terrapex’s Quality Management System?
The overall goal of the quality management system (QMS) is to provide a quality product with all deliverables – both external and internal. All tasks completed by Terrapex staff such as a client report delivered or a field sampling log follow Terrapex’s standard operating procedures. A key component of the QMS is continuous improvement. Terrapex staff are encouraged to make suggestions if they have any ideas / observations they believe will improve a process / procedure based on their experience working with it.
What are your responsibilities as the QMS manager?
I am the main contact for the company and our staff. My principal responsibilities are to receive suggestions or observations, audit completed work programs, identify areas of improvement, develop follow up actions based on the feedback received and follow up on the implementation of recommended actions.
Why is a QMS important?
Delivering the best quality work product possible is important to all our staff and reflected in our core value of “Technical Excellence”. Our staff take great pride in the work they deliver to our clients and having their name associated with it. Having a QMS in place allows us to improve the way we do things based on staff observations / feedback. Our staff know that their feedback is valued and that there is a system / process in place to act upon it.
Anything more to add on QMS?
Our QMS and continuous improvement process allows us to identify solutions to improve the way we do something and implement follow up actions to address it. That does not mean we are constantly changing what we do. Rather, we will make small revisions or “tweaks” based on staff feedback that results in a better product or improved project efficiencies.
What do you enjoy most in your role?
Anytime I get to go outside when it is not sub-zero or raining. When you have the perfect number of samples to fill out all the lines in a chain of custody form. Technician dance parties in the car on the way to/from the job site.
What other aspects of Terrapex make it a great place to work?
You are not pigeon-holed into one task and if you enjoy learning you can pursue different opportunities. The flexibility afforded – I can bank my overtime hours and sometimes people bring their dogs to the office. Finally the fall paintball session – it’s the most important team building day of the year!
Finally, what keeps you busy besides work?
Watching shows and eating snacks keeps me the busiest… but I sprinkle in a few productive activities like volunteering at the RBG, reading a good book, or hot yoga.
TORONTO OFFICE
