Meet the Water Team as Dynamic as the Puget Sound
In addition to its vast network of waterways, the Puget Sound region is home to one of Consor’s dynamic and deeply collaborative water planning and design teams. And you’ll get to know them through the lens of one of their group managers, Senior Engineer Nichole Kruse!
But first, a little bit about Nichole… During a college internship, she got a taste for how civil engineers collaborate to better our communities and mitigate environmental impact. And that still drives her today as she leads a team of 10 who deliver water and wastewater projects. They’re doing their part to keep the Puget Sound’s water clean and moving to and from the people who use it.
To get to the bottom of why Nichole’s team is so high functioning (and fun), we asked her some questions.
What motivates your team?
My team members want to contribute to the lasting betterment of our cities and neighborhoods. They do this work because it improves critical infrastructure, which provides positive, long-term community impact. It motivates them to do a good job every day, and they take pride in delivering designs to our client partners that will last the test of time.
What’s something that has helped define your leadership approach?
I went through the Venturi Program, Consor’s emerging leader development program. I took away two big things: how critical mentorship is and how to discuss challenging things in productive ways that lead to positive resolutions. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to have those conversations because it helps my teammates grow. My goal is to be a resource, a sounding board, and an advocate for all my teammates. I trust them to know when to come to me, and they appreciate that autonomy. I believe our best work is done when everyone feels comfortable voicing their perspectives; we don’t always have to agree, but I do want my team to strive to understand each other. That requires a level of trust that takes time to build, but it is so valuable that we leave conversations knowing we can talk about things because we are invested in each other and have the best interests of our client partners and communities in mind.
What could your team be spotted doing outside of work?
Many of my teammates are active outdoors, have busy families, are avid readers, and love to Wordle. We like to get together outside of work for Halloween costume contests, trivia nights, board game parties, volunteering, and even an escape room! Once, we had a debate about whether beer-battered or panko-crusted fish was better. We then met up at a restaurant to get fish and chips prepared in the style that won the most votes!
What’s a goal you have for your team this year?
A lot of my team members have been vocal about connecting more with people in our region. I believe it’s important for more junior engineers to be in the same space as their colleagues. They get more opportunities for peripheral learning, whether it’s overhearing conversations or jumping into a discussion about a project challenge.
What word best describes your team and why?
The first word that comes to mind is “dynamic.” My team has a broad mix of experience levels and skills, which often overlap. It allows everyone to step in and support however needed. And even when someone hasn’t done something before, we encourage them to try it! At every turn, Consor has supported and encouraged my teammates to pursue work that motivates them. Whether it’s meeting new client partners or tackling different types of work, they’ve been empowered—and I’ve seen that at every experience level. For example, I see junior engineers encouraged to interface with public agency staff, attend conferences, or participate in industry organizations.
If you’re curious about opportunities to join Nichole and her dynamic team, explore open positions!
