Our wonderful team are our greatest asset. Not only experts in transport, engineering and placemaking but also committed to delivering better places for people through high-level-service client experiences.
We’re very proud to continue to celebrate the faces behind the fast-growing international consultancy that we are today in our monthly feature ‘PJA People’.
Next up in our series is Geo Environmental Engineer, Chris Oliver, based in our Birmingham office:
Tell us what you do at PJA
I am a Geo-environmental Engineer working with clients to help understand: the ground conditions of their sites; any potential chemical or geological constraints; and recommend any remedial actions to help push their developments forward.
What’s your career path so far?
I have BSc in Physical Geography and Biological Conservation and my first job was in an Environmental Chemistry laboratory working as an Assistant Environmental Analysist in the Environmental Forensics department. This involved extracting potential contaminants from soil and water samples and running them through a GC/MS or LC/MS to determine the concentrations specific analytes within them. Following approximately 4 years of this, I undertook a MSc in Environmental Consultancy. This is where I got a job as an Ecological Consultant within the Ecology department of an engineering firm working on protected species surveys, ecological mitigation, Bio Net Gain, and as an Ecological Clerk of Works, to name a few for approximately 2 years. This progressed to being offered a position within the Ground and Water team undertaking ground investigations and becoming a Geo-environmental Consultant, where I have been for the past 7 years approximately, two years of which as a Geo-environmental engineer with PJA.
What do you enjoy when you’re not working?
I am a keen climber, and I enjoy camping and generally being outdoors (not that there is any shortage of fresh air in the job). I enjoy going to the gym when I can. I also have a passion for Archaeology, and I volunteer for local digs whenever I get the opportunity to.
Are you a dog or cat person?
Dog person, 100%. The bigger and dopier the dog, the better.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
I’m not a big reader or watcher really. I am a bit of a gamer at heart so most of my free ‘indoor’ time is spent on games in some form or the other. Although anything with a good true crime story can get me hooked.
Claim to fame?
Not so much a claim to fame as it was not in any way reported to the wider public, but I have completed the John o’ Groats to Lands’ End cycle ride in 11 days.
I was also a ‘mostly’ unused extra in the Les Misérables film when they filmed some scenes in Northamptonshire, although I am yet to spot myself in the final cut!
Chris Oliver, Geo Environmental Engineer
Chris is an environmental professional with multiple years of experience in consultancy, undertaking both geo-environmental and geotechnical investigations for a large variety of clients. Chris undertakes consultancy on any geo-environmental and geotechnical issues our clients face, and the creation and examination of data, reports and other supporting documents in order to assist any of our clients’ requirements.
Get in touch with Chris: [email protected]
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