Whether you are preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, currently between jobs, or thinking of making a career change, this event series will help prepare you for success.
For parts 1 and 2, we have gathered panelists from various types of organizations to give insight into what each looks for in the application and interview processes. For part 3, attendees will learn more about practical skills for negotiating salary through a workshop format.
Part 2 will focus on the interview process. A panel of hiring managers will share what they look to hear and see from applicants during an interview, offer advice for how to best prepare for an interview, and share some of the most common mistakes they see interviewees make.
We are in the process of confirming the presenter and date/time for part 3. Those details will be posted as soon as they are available.
Our Speakers
Chelsea Spier works as a Senior Water Resource Engineer at the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at one of the department’s 4 regional offices. In her current role, Chelsea provides coordination between internal programs and local agencies including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Office, the California Water Plan, Tribal Affairs office, grant programs, and drought response. Chelsea is also part of a 14 member racial equity team at the department.
Chelsea has experience hiring full-time staff and students for her section and has sat in on other hiring panels. In addition, Chelsea is involved in the race equity team’s work to improve hiring and recruitment. She has had the opportunity to read through hundreds of survey responses about the current processes to understand what can be done to improve them in the future. In her personal life, she has 3 lovely kids, ages 2 to 6, that keep her busy and entertained.
Amy Rowland has 30 years of experience in environmental consulting with the last 26 years focused specifically on infrastructure and energy projects. With Amy Rowland’s leadership as the CEO and co-founder of Pangea Biological, a woman-owned environmental services company, Pangea received Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's (LADWP) 1st Small Business Enterprise/Women-Owned Business Enterprise Contractor of the Year award. Amy’s mission is to lead the way towards environmental solutions while balancing real-world construction challenges on energy and infrastructure projects throughout the United States.
Amy is responsible for overall client management, team development and training, strategy, quality assurance/quality control, contract execution and performance, and overseeing all business aspects of the firm. She provides expert technical input and strategy, oversight on multi-faceted, complex projects, and regulatory coordination, negotiation, and strategy. In addition, Amy is highly experienced in the design, development, and delivery of environmental education and training programs.
Amy is a formal mentor with AWWEE – mentoring others in STEM and offering any nuggets of wisdom she can, just as was done for her when she began her career 30 years ago. Amy lifts other business owners by providing guidance to help them avoid potholes along their business journey, and she focuses on providing contracting opportunities to diverse and women-owned businesses.
Valerie Gaeta Phillips has over 20 years of recruiting experience, including more than a decade of recent experience in executive search for public, private, and startup companies nationwide. Since joining Bob Murray & Associates, Valerie has completed hundreds of searches in a diverse range of fields, including city and general management, planning, finance, human resources, transportation, communication and public relations, community and economic development, information technology, parks and recreation, high-tech and operations. She has recruited executives for municipal, non-profit, and private organizations, from Directors and Chiefs to Executive Directors and Chief Executive Officers.
Valerie is a Latina business owner who is valued for her passion for finding and retaining the most outstanding candidates for even the most difficult or untraditional assignments, and for her commitment to her clients’ success. She is also active in a variety of industry organizations and in diversity-focused associations. Valerie is called upon often to serve as an expert speaker on topics such as managing one’s online reputation, diversity issues in municipal and non-profit leadership, and how to identify a good “fit” for organizational culture.
Laura Nomura is the Deputy General Manager for Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) overseeing all administrative functions including finance, human resources, information systems, customer service, purchasing and contract management and fleet services. EMWD is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider for more than 855,000 people living and working within a 555-square mile service area in western Riverside County. EMWD is a recognized leader in the water industry throughout California and nationally.
Laura has been an active member of AWWEE since 2015 and joined the AWWEE Board in 2020. In addition to participating as a member and providing strategic leadership as a member of the Board, Laura also enjoys participating as a mentor in The Exchange program.
Registration
Registration includes all three parts of the series. Each event will be recorded and available to registrants to view on-demand.
Space for this event is limited and will be first available to active AWWEE members only. This series is free to AWWEE members.
Any remaining spaces will open to non-members for $20 on October 2nd.