Jared Kaber: Ensuring Project Success at the Denver Service Center

Jared Kaber enjoying a mountain bike ride in Colorado representing the NPS Riders Club.

What are your names and job titles? Jared Kaber, Technical Branch Chief, Denver Service Center (DSC).

What experience and education do you have? I have an Architectural Engineering degree from the University of Wyoming with an emphasis on mechanical (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing) systems. I am also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. After college graduation in 1997, I moved to Denver and began my engineering career with the city’s top design firms. During my time as a consulting mechanical engineer and project manager, I designed buildings and worked on projects across the United States. I have designed state prisons, fire stations, aviation facilities, data centers, schools, places of worship, laboratories, restaurants, hospitals, and resorts. My design skills were tested on nearly every project type imaginable. I take pride in knowing that many of my designs are still in use today. It’s especially enjoyable to drive past a building that I designed and point it out to my kids!

In 2009, I started working for the National Park Service (NPS) at the Denver Service Center in the Technical Branch as a Sustainability and Mechanical Engineering Technical Specialist. Moving into this role felt like the natural next step in my career. The responsibilities combined my passion for design and the ability to work with a talented group of professionals including subject matter experts in the Technical Branch as well as Architect/Engineer (A/E) design teams and project managers and specialists.

In 2018, I started a detail as acting Technical Branch Chief and in 2019 continued in this position permanently.

What do you most enjoy about working for the NPS/DSC? I have a love for the outdoors, recreation, and the history behind our nation’s most valuable cultural and natural resources, which is why I enjoy working at the National Park Service. Working at DSC allows me to combine this with my skills and expertise in the design and construction. The NPS has such unique projects and design and construction challenges, I find myself always learning something new.

What are projects are you working on? My projects are a little different now as Branch Chief. My projects include building and growing our team of Technical Experts and Compliance Professionals, improving our Quality Assurance (QA) processes, providing updates to our DSC Workflows sites, prioritizing project reviews, planning for future workloads, and providing technical support. The Technical Branch performs approximately 250 QA reviews a year and our team provides subject matter expert support for DSC, parks, and regions so I am fortunate to have a little part in many of our design and construction projects!

What is a typical day like? I’m not sure that I have a typical day! Like many of us, a high percentage of a typical day includes emails and meetings. During the day, I collaborate with our project managers and specialists and Technical Branch team tackling complex issues on our projects. Since no two projects are alike, I always learn something new from the creative process and brainstorming sessions. I also have meetings with folks from other divisions, parks, and regions to discuss not only project specific issues, but ways to enhance our communication and partnerships. Most of my work now focuses on the bigger picture on how DSC can contribute to the success of Park Planning, Facilities and Lands (PPFL) and the NPS mission, but I still enjoy when the phone rings and somebody has questions about an HVAC system malfunction, or if photovoltaics makes sense at their park.

What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? I would encourage folks to either participate in a mentorship program like the one we have at DSC or find a mentor in a position or level that you have goals of achieving. The guidance and experience of a mentor is a great way to learn and grow professionally. I also recommend making connections with people across the service, other agencies, and in your own professional network. Having an extensive professional network allows for you to help others find opportunities to meet their career goals, but it can also connect you with an opportunity for your own advancement. And as a shameless plug, stay tuned for some exciting career opportunities at DSC and the Technical Branch!