Client Spotlight: Jonathan Dziekan, Senior Project Manager and Civil Engineer with Tetra Tech, Inc.

When Jonathan Dziekan, Senior Project Manager and Civil Engineer with Tetra Tech, Inc. chose to pursue a career in environmental consulting, he was hopeful it would combine his keen interest in both field work and technical work. He begins, “I’m glad I chose  environmental engineering as my profession. I thought I would enjoy the combination of field work and technical aspects, and I have- very much so. Environmental remediation is a great combination of technical work and field/construction operations. Plus, there is also the science and engineering side with the implementation of the remediation strategy through field and construction work.”  Dziekan has been with Tetra Tech for over 21 years, joining the firm when it was Foster Wheeler at the time. Throughout his career with Tetra Tech, he has supported a variety of roles, including Field Engineer, Civil Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Health and Safety Manager, Site Superintendent, and QA/QC Engineer. He continues, “In my current role, I am responsible for all aspects of a project, including ensuring the scope of work is executed as contracted and the budget, schedule, and level of quality are met per the clients’ expectations.  This includes internal management of the Tetra Tech team, management of subcontractors, and coordinating and communicating with the stakeholders and the end user.  I am also responsible for working with the project health and safety manager to ensure our team works in a safe and healthy environment. This includes making sure our team has proper training and certifications for the work they are preforming.”

Preparing for a career in his chosen field included earning his BS in Civil Engineering and a MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering, both from Villanova University. To stay current with required trainings for his certifications (OSHA HAZWOPER, HAZMAT Safety Training, US DOT Safety Training, First Aid / Red Cross, Internal Tetra Tech Project Manager trainings), he participates in various trainings through Tetra Tech.

Based in Tetra Tech’s Langhorne, PA office, Dziekan has spent extended time working in various locations, including New York, New Hampshire, and Maine, which has often included military bases, where he has helped with active remediation projects. When asked what he likes most about his work, he says it’s the satisfaction of seeing his efforts come to fruition. He shares, “I enjoy seeing a project go from start to finish. The project life cycle is very interesting to me and its rewarding to see a project go from concept through to completion.  Furthermore, a project executed safely, without any health and safety incidents, which exceeds the clients’ expectations is rewarding as well!”

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, he appreciates their collaborative approach and technical prowess. He continues, “From my first introduction, REGENESIS has continued to provide high-end professional services. Specifically, REGENESIS communicates well and provides appropriate technical solutions to help our projects achieve its goals- on schedule and within budget. Their support on one particular project was unique in that they went above and beyond to provide complimentary consulting, data review and project planning.  This was a huge asset to the overall project and allowed for all pieces to come together smoothly.  In addition, this was advantageous to Tetra Tech’s end user client as well.” When it comes to using specific REGENESIS products he says PlumeStop® has been used successfully in a PFAS pilot study with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). He continues, “Tetra Tech contracted REGENESIS as part of the PFAS remediation pilot study to inject significant quantities of PlumeStop in highly contaminated groundwater in a source area. Through a performance monitoring program, the product is showing to be highly effective, reducing the contamination quantities by over 99.9%.”

Married and a father to three children, ages 13, 9, and 7, Dziekan and his family live in Bucks County, PA. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and tennis, as well as other sports with his children. He and his family also enjoy summer vacations at the beach and rooting on the Villanova Wildcats. He finds time to support various charities through Tetra Tech. “Tetra Tech selects an annual charity and I have supported this initiative for years.  Additionally, our Langhorne, PA office has done charitable work through the Society of American Military Engineers/Philadelphia Chapter, and I have enjoyed being a part of that volunteer work.” When asked about the most demanding aspect of his job, time management and prioritization come to mind. He shares, “In consulting, a Project Manager often has to support business development and marketing as well managing active projects. While all aspects of this process are critical from a business perspective, simply managing my time and prioritizing efforts is one of the biggest challenges I have in my career.”

As one might expect with someone who has tallied over 20 years of environmental investigation and remediation experience, Dziekan has observed some changes within his industry. “Over the past two decades I have consistently seen an increased focus on health and safety in the workplace, both in the field and in the office.” And what advice would he offer to those considering joining his field of study? He concludes, “I would let people know that environmental work is rewarding, challenging, and ever changing.  No projects are ever the same. No two job sites are ever the same, but the end goals are often very similar.  It’s about how you get there- that is the interesting part!

REGENESIS is proud to have Jonathan Dziekan, Senior Project Manager and Civil Engineer with Tetra Tech, Inc., a global environmental, civil and engineering firm, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and they appreciate his expertise and dedication in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.