Last updated: February 11, 2021
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Jen Baker Joins Denver Service Center Transportation Division
What is your name and job title? Jennifer (Jen) Baker, Project Specialist, Denver Service Center (DSC) Transportation Division
What experience and education do you have? I grew up in Alaska cultivating a love for the outdoors early on. I stayed close to home and attended college there, earning bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Civil Engineering as well as a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. I previously worked for the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation as an intern and briefly as a project assistant working with communities to fund water and sewer projects. After moving to Colorado, I worked at a small land development firm for several years where I focused on drainage, grading, and utility design for residential and commercial developments.
What attracted you to a position with the National Park Service? I am an outdoor enthusiast and spend most of my free time out on the trails. I greatly appreciate the mission of the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve these beautiful places and provide access in a sustainable way. When I found out NPS was hiring positions in Denver I immediately applied hoping I’d be able to bring my passion for the outdoors and engineering together on my career path.
What are projects are you working on? As part of the DSC Transportation group I’ll be providing project management for transportation projects across the NPS system. My first project will be a safety study at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
What is a typical day like? I recently joined NPS mid-January so I’m working on getting up to speed on the daily operations of my position, completing any required training, familiarizing myself with workflows and project processes.
What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? Never stop challenging yourself to grow or learn. Take charge of this process by seeking out opportunities for your professional development.