Dara Zimmerman
Year Graduated: 
2013

Disaster Response Engineer

US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Job Description

I work as a Disaster Response Engineer with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corp and am currently stationed with the National Park Service as a Facilities Management Engineer in the Project Development Branch of the Pacific West Regional Office. When I am not responding to disasters, I develop engineering projects for NPS across the West Coast. I previously was stationed with Indian Health Service in Arcata developing water/wastewater facilities for Tribes across the North Coast.

Why did you choose this program?

I knew I wanted a more environmental and hands-on engineering program than a standard civil engineering program, and the beautiful nature of Humboldt brought me to the area.

How did this program prepare you for your job?

I am thankful I went to an engineering program more focused on my passion for water/wastewater, which also taught me basic programming and an awareness of environmental issues including air quality, renewable energy, and pollution.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

Discovering that I could be effective at bringing safe drinking water and wastewater disposal to people who truly do not have that access, I am actually able to help prevent illness in vulnerable populations with what I learned in college.

What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?

I was a more valuable job applicant for the water/wastewater/public health jobs I was interested in with my background from ERE, in comparison to competing with civil engineers who have less focused education on water/wastewater engineering. If you think you are more strongly interested in concrete, structures, materials, and transportation, you may not want to choose ERE as those are not the focus.