Jackie Balducci is a senior engineer with over 15 years of experience managing engineering and environmental compliance projects. Throughout her career, she has served as both an engineer and a project manager on numerous environmental remediation and water resource projects, addressing engineering, socioeconomic, environmental, and permitting implications. As a project manager, she was responsible for navigating financial oversight, reviewing civil design plans, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists. She has significant expertise in client coordination, proposal development, financial reporting, oversight of subcontractors, and final deliverable review. She has prepared designs for soil and groundwater remediation at several historical manufactured gas plants, as well as construction and stormwater management designs for remediation clients.
What do you find most rewarding about the work that you do?
Most of the projects that I am involved with have current or historical contamination. I find it extremely rewarding that the work we do directly improves the environments where people live and work. By tackling both visible and hidden contamination, we help create safer, healthier spaces for individuals and communities.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on several Superfund remediation projects, Coal Combustion Rule projects, and a landfill closure. Additionally, I collaborate with the renewable energy team to deliver sustainable solutions that support our clients’ environmental goals while providing financial benefits. These projects include solar energy evaluations and design, permitting, identifying incentives through operations and maintenance, wind energy evaluations, energy audits for industrial systems, and preventative maintenance of industrial electrical systems.
How can our clients benefit from this service/particular innovation?
Most remediation projects must comply with various regulatory requirements. It is in the best interest of clients to partner with experienced teams that collaborate effectively with regulators and ensure these obligations are met cost-effectively.
Renewable energy projects offer significant advantages, including reduced environmental impact, lower operational costs, and opportunities to generate additional revenue through exported energy, renewable energy credits, and carbon credits. Clients also benefit from improved safety standards and the enhanced reliability and performance of modern industrial equipment.
What advice do you have for recent graduates?
Always say yes! So many aspects of our jobs are not things that are typically covered in college curricula. When a chance comes along to work on a different type of project, try new software, handle a new client, or switch from office work to field work, go for it. You might just surprise yourself! Some of the most rewarding projects I have worked on were far outside of my comfort zone. Even if it is not your favorite, it usually ends with a good story and knowledge that will be useful in the future.
