Favorite Parts of Being a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc
Claire enjoys the multidisciplinary nature of her role as a Construction Project Manager at HELIX Environmental Planning Inc., managing "design build projects" from "start to finish," collaborating with internal teams across planning, design, biology, and construction phases. This unique, in-house capacity differentiates HELIX from competitors who often outsource tasks, offering Claire rewarding teamwork opportunities both internally and with external partners.
Project Management, Teamwork, Environmental Science, Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Design-Build
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Claire Watkins
Construction Project Manager
HELIX Environmental Planning Inc
Oregon State University
Environmental & Related Sciences
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Managing multidisciplinary projects and working with multiple teams across different disciplines (design, permitting, biology, construction) within the company is a highlight of the role. This allows for a comprehensive involvement in projects from start to finish, unlike many competitors who only specialize in one aspect of the project process.
2. The company's unique 'design-build' approach, encompassing planning, permitting, design, and construction, is a key aspect of the role and provides a comprehensive project experience. This sets HELIX apart from competitors who often rely on external partnerships for various project tasks.
3. The opportunity to collaborate with both internal teams and external partners is highlighted as enjoyable. This demonstrates the dynamic and collaborative nature of the construction project manager role and the value of networking within the industry.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
One of the things I enjoy most is managing multidisciplinary projects and working with multiple teams. This is especially true for our design-build projects, where we handle the entire process from start to finish for restoration projects.
We design a habitat restoration project and then install it, involving all our disciplines. Our permitting and planning team conducts the CQA review and obtains regulatory permits from agencies like California Fish and Wildlife and the US Army Corps.
Our landscape architecture team then designs the restoration site and drafts the plan sets. Our biology team surveys the site, maps wetlands, and can also help monitor the project.
Once the design is complete, we implement the project, handling all the planting and long-term maintenance. Biologists continue to monitor the project.
It's rewarding to engage with everyone on these projects. Many competitors or consulting companies only offer a few services and must partner with others for additional tasks. My construction team is sometimes contracted by other consulting companies that lack our capabilities.
I also enjoy teaming with other companies and have many enjoyable partnerships with them. I believe our capacity to handle all design-build tasks internally is really cool and unique. It's also nice to work with colleagues across the entire company, not just within our own group.
Advizer Personal Links
LinkedIn: Claire Watkins