Sierra Brewer, Civil Engineer, PE Supervisor’S Office

Sierra Brewer, Civil Engineer, PE Supervisor’s Office amed after the Sierra Nevada She is also licensed as a Professional Mountains near her hometown Engineer (PE) by the Nevada Board of Nof Winnemucca, Sierra Brewer may Professional Engineers. have seemed destined to work for the U.S. Forest Service. Although she Sierra explained that much of the grew up enjoying hiking, camping, work she does is not typical for her they like it. Also, students who enjoy and hunting, working for a land profession. “Most engineers just problem-solving and being innovative management agency was the farthest design, but Forest Service engineers should consider engineering. It is a thing from her mind. also do maintenance, implementation, challenging and rewarding career, and operations. We may work with especially in the Forest Service, for “I was the first in my family to attend our own crews or with contractors on people who like to figure out how to college. I studied civil engineering at construction. We also make things work.” the University of Nevada in Reno,” work closely said Sierra. “If anyone had asked me with the budget about working for the Forest Service, office to make From the office to the field, boots I would have thought all the jobs were sure that money symbolize the work the U.S. Forest for botanists and wildlife biologists. I is spent correctly Service employees do caring for never thought there would be a place and appropriately the land… for me there!” on our projects.” Sierra recalls an unusual incident called During college, Sierra had interned This variety of job duties keeps “Project Peanut Butter Clean-up” that with Farr West Engineering in Reno Sierra’s work fresh and interesting. ruined her first pair of field boots... and was hired after she graduated. “I love the combination of office “A few years ago there was an accident When she was laid off a few years and field work,” she said. “I even involving a semi truck that overturned later, she began to look for new like writing reports! When there is a onto Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest opportunities. wildfire, I get to help by working on a lands on California State Route 4. The buying team, where we are responsible driver was OK, but he had been hauling a “I had joined the Society of Women for ordering supplies. There is always cargo of peanut butter, which spilled all Engineers when I was in college. My something new and different going over. I helped with the clean-up effort, mentor, Natalie Little, was working for on! I never thought I would end up which took all day. It was also rancid the Forest Service. She passed along an working here, but I love it!” because it sat out there for a year before outreach notice for a civil engineering we could take care of it. We had to wait internship with the Humboldt-Toiyabe Sierra also helps the next generation of for the insurance claim to be settled National Forest,” said Sierra. students learn about opportunities with before we could move anything. Bears the Forest Service. “Every year I give had been eating it, and it was a huge mess. I got spoiled peanut butter all over Sierra applied and in 2010 was hired presentations to local high schools my boots because I was walking through through the Student Career Experience and colleges about my career path Program (SCEP) (now known as it. They were caked, and it was disgust- and experiences, I always get great ing! I ended up having to throw them the Pathways Program). As a Civil feedback!” she said. Engineer based in Sparks, Nevada, out. I really miss those boots. They were so comfortable! I finally found a replace- Sierra designs and coordinates “There are so many different programs ment pair that also fits well. I definitely construction projects for campgrounds, with the Forest Service, I would advise will not be walking through any peanut bridges, buildings, dams, water anyone who might be interested to try butter in these boots!” systems, and many other projects. working with us for a season to see if .

Load more