Elizabeth

Upon graduating from Cardiff University in Marine Geography, with a specialism in near shore coastal surveying, I worked for 3 years as a land surveyor, progressing from assistant to full surveyor, responsible for managing survey teams and training new members of staff. I was involved in all stages of the survey from initial planning, establishment of GPS networks, the survey itself, which was generally a river survey and often incorporated topographic and threshold surveys, through to processing and delivery of the final product. During this time much of our survey work was for the Environment Agency via JBA Consulting.

I began work in the Atherstone office of JBA in the summer of 2005 as an Assistant Analyst, initially working on a number of small flood risk assessments for private developers. I also attended a wide range of training courses covering the basic elements of hydrology and hydraulic modelling. I have continued to work on Environment Agency projects, in particular a catchment wide modelling project for South-west Wales. This involved a steep learning curve but has proved to be extremely rewarding!

My next task is to produce a Catchment Flood Management Plan for Carmarthenshire, a job which will build on, and use, knowledge gained in the modelling work. I will also be the responsible for the day to day management of the project, necessitating good working relations and communications with the EA project manager and my colleagues in other JBA offices.

Within the office my survey experience and knowledge of 'the other side', has proved extremely helpful, providing guidance on survey requirements and interpretation of the survey results. It also enabled me to develop and refine the office procedures for quality control incoming surveys.

I have assisted in a number of Emergency Flood Planning Exercises and have progressed from providing general assistance, to facilitating a table and providing a structured debrief for a small group. Later in the summer I look forward to facilitating the participation of an EA office in a multi-regional exercise.

Although I am mainly office based now I still manage to get out on site from time to time, or attend meetings and events, so the shock of leaving the outdoor survey world has not been too great!

In addition to providing time and a budget for 'standard' training and workshops, JBA has been very supportive of my post-graduate study plans. With the company's assistance I began a part time MSc in Flood Risk Management earlier in year, which I plan to complete by 2009.

I have enjoyed my time at JBA and find it a friendly and supportive environment with good opportunities for personal and professional development in the future.