Watts Architects & Engineers

This week's "what are they doing?" feature comes from Dennis Rivera out of our Brooklyn Office. He shared a a bit about the subway track training our field members need to complete. This certification includes a written exam, that's renewed every two years, along with in-field/on-track training with a LIVE NYC subway train carrying passengers going by. According to Dennis, "The tunnel photo you see is of all trainees standing in an approved wall niche, waiting for the Brooklyn N train to pass. We are all trained beforehand to brace yourself against the niche wall when a train is passing due to the high velocity and proximity (two feet away) of the train can extract you from your niche location. It feels like a huge vacuum is trying to remove you from your bracing spot, while keeping a watchful eye on not stepping the 3rd rail. No vendor or contractor can work without this certification in hand. We all are wearing special safety gear , but one unique safety vest is worn by us all for the train operator to read. This is not for the faint of heart, some trainees walk out after the class, just before the on-site training. This is only one of the adventures of NYC Track Training (10-hour class)." 😱 🌠Now you know! About the "what are they doing" photo series: Have you ever seen a crew of people in safety vests on a project site and wondered "what are they doing"? You're in luck! Some of our talented technical and field staff have recently captured some of these moments. We'll be sharing these 'work in action' photos that shows and explains just 'what they are doing'. To learn more about Watts' regulated building materials design consulting expertise, visit our site: https://lnkd.in/eGctygR5

🌟Welcome to Watts, Raquel Densmore🌟 Our Architecture Department is excited to have Raquel join the team as our newest Architectural Designer. Raquel has has over a decade of experience and a strong educational background—including a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Technology, an Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Engineering Technology and in Interior Design (all from Alfred State), and a Master’s in Historic Preservation from Boston Architectural College. In addition to her architectural credentials, Raquel serves as an in-flight refueling specialist/Boom Operator in the US Air Force. Outside of work, Raquel loves reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She has a three-year-old daughter, Rylee, and is getting married later this month to her fiancée, Kari. Their family also includes an Australian Cattle Dog named Magick, a cat named Little Girl, and a leopard gecko named Norbert. We are so happy to have her aboard and look forward to her involvement on our upcoming projects.

🌟 **Join Our Team!** 🌟 We're on the lookout for talented individuals to fill open positions at Watts! If you're passionate about architecture, engineering, and environmental design and ready to make an impact, we want to hear from you! Check out our careers page for the latest opportunities and discover how you can grow with us. Let’s build the future together! 💪🏽🏗️ #JoinWatts #CareerOpportunities #AECJobs #hiring #nowhiring #careergoals #employment #jobsearch #jobopening #jobhunt #careerdevelopment #hiringnow #apply

Were you at ACEC NY's Fall Conference last week at the historic Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, NY? It was buzzing with excitement, and you might have recognized a familiar face during the panel discussions. Watts' Vice President, Phil Galbo, PE, F.ASCE served as a panelist, sharing insights on "Successes and Lessons Learned from Member Firms." He was mingling with Christina Minkler, P.E., Vice President at JMT in New York; Carla Artis, ENV SP, MCA, Director of Supplier Diversity & Compliance at Stantec; and J. Evans Doleyres, P.E., President of JED Engineering & Land Surveying. Jared Green, P.E., BC.GE, F.ASCE, the Principal and Chief Diversity Officer at Langan Engineering, skillfully kept the conversation flowing as the moderator. Panelists from the D/M/WBE firms, Watts and JED, candidly discussed their paths to securing work with public clients and the challenges they encountered along the way. On the other hand, representatives from JMT and Stantec, which are not D/M/WBE firms, shared their perspectives on what it takes to succeed with public clients and highlighted what D/M/WBE firms are excelling at to catch attention. The conference also featured an intriguing presentation on "Navigating Business Opportunities with the NYC School Construction Authority (SCA)", with insights from Aileen del Prado, P.E., Senior Director; Stacey Tyson, Chief Compliance Officer; and Mark Warren, R.A., Director of the DOPP Program, all from the SCA. Another standout moment was the engaging talk titled 'Engineering the Future of Capital Projects', led by Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation; Amanda Rogers, P.E., CCM, LEED AP, Deputy Chief Engineer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services; and Robert Rodriguez, President & CEO of DASNY. Overall, it was an inspiring gathering filled with valuable knowledge and connections! Were you there? Drop a tidbit of something you took away from the conference - we'd love to hear it!

Have you ever seen a crew of people in safety vests on a project site and wondered "what are they doing"? You're in luck! Some of our talented technical and field staff have recently captured some of these moments. We'll be sharing these 'work in action' photos that shows and explains just 'what they are doing'. This week's feature is from a project Watts is involved with environmental consulting services, the Greymont Avenue over Ebenezer Brook Culvert Replacement project. Watts was hired by Urban Engineers to provide the environmental assessment in support of the development of the culvert design report. 👷🏼♀️ Featured in the photos are Rachele Anthony, Environmental Scientist, and Bob "Dr. Bob" Ott, our Senior Environmental Consultant. 🦇 The photos with Rachele and Bob holding flashlights under the bridge is of them taking bat surveys. 👨🔬 Also featured is Rachele using GPS equipment to map a wetland boundary. 🌱 Once the wetland has been surveyed, a field delineation report is prepared.  The goal of the report is to present the findings of the field work and calculate the impacts the project may likely have on the wetland habitat.  Our engineers assist the scientists by identifying the magnitude (size) of both temporary and permanent impacts and calculate the quantity in both area and volume of the materials that will be both excavated from and placed within areas both above and below the OHWM and mapped wetland areas.  🌠Now you know! To learn more about Watts' environmental engineering expertise and see other wetlands projects, visit our site: https://lnkd.in/eMP2uHgh

⚡️Ready to Lead Structural Engineering Projects in Buffalo? We’re seeking a talented Structural Engineer Project Manager to join our Buffalo office, where you’ll take the lead in transforming ideas into tangible, innovative designs. If you’re passionate about engineering, thrive in collaborative environments, and love seeing your designs come to life—from renovations to new constructions—this role is for you. ⚡️Why Watts? At Watts, we’re more than just engineers—we’re creators. As a key player on our team, you’ll have the opportunity to lead projects that matter, mentor rising engineers, and make a lasting impact. Check out the role requirements and if this is a fit for you, apply with us today! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/en4svFke ⬅️ Pictured are photos from Watts' involvement with the cultural landscape restoration project at Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff residence. Design elements included preservation and structural stabilization for the original stone seat esplanade, cliff face and stair tower to the beach. As well as sanitary sewer, water supply, drainage, stormwater management, lighting, and SEQR consulting.

Sometimes roof inspections are no fun, but sometimes, when it's a beautiful. late summer afternoon, overlooking the Lower New York Bay, roof inspections aren't so bad 😏 Watts' Edgar Martinez, AIA, one of our Architecture team's Project Managers, enjoys a roof inspection with a view on top of top of a building in Staten Island, NY. He was in the field performing roof assessment as part of a statewide DASNY term with Trudeau Architects. Thanks again for the 'wish you were here' view, Edgar!

Watts is excited to welcome Katie Nelson to our Architecture Team! Katie is currently finishing her Masters of Architecture at UB and working part-time for the firm until then. We asked Katie to share a bit about herself for this welcome post and she had this to say: "I’m from Albany originally, but also have a lot of family in Texas now. I love traveling, painting, and playing with my cat (named Goose). I’ve always been passionate about architecture- playing video games as a kid, seeing the construction of my childhood home as my family built it, going to side jobs with my dad who worked in construction, and my travel experiences, particularly my study abroad in Rome- all led me to where I am today! I also am a teaching assistant at UB’s School of Architecture for the freshman design studio, so I love teaching and seeing how architecture and architecture education is evolving over time." 😊 We’re looking forward to working with Katie and excited to support her as she embarks on this new chapter in her career. With her fresh perspective and dedication we are confident she’ll be a valuable addition to the department and firm as a whole. Join us in saying “Welcome to Watts, Katie!”

We are proud to announce the promotion of Randy Bauer to Project Manager with Watts. His dedication and cool, calm, & collected mindset has consistently overturned challenges into opportunities for our team. He puts his best foot forward, always, and leads his team by example. It's not just a promotion, it's a well-deserved recognition of the wonderful impact he's made with the Regulated Building Materials team, and Watts as a whole. Congrats and thanks again, Randy for all you do! 🎉

Does this sound like you? The Architecture Team at Watts is seeking skilled individuals for both Project Architect and Architectural Designer roles to become part of our firm. You can find specific information about each position on our careers page: https://lnkd.in/en4svFke Submit your application with us today.🎇