Christopher Bowker Email & Phone Number

Portland, Or, Us

Portland, Oregon, United States

As part of the Water Bureau's Special Projects Team, I provide program and project management assistance for the Water Bureau's treatment projects. This includes efforts such as reviewing consultant reports and specifications, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure thoughtful and robust planning, managing sustainability measures, and monitoring compliance with federal requirements.Much of my time in the Special Projects Group has been spent researching, evaluating, reviewing, and documenting recommended project alternatives to establish strong foundations for these significant projects which will protect the region's drinking water for years to come.

Worked to manage and identify water mains at risk for failure throughout the water system. Maintained a database of all mains with leaks and condition issues and used this database to recommend replacement projects as well as identify opportunities for asset replacement that aligned with development or of City projects. Coordinated this work with PBOT, BES, BDS, and requested ESA Level I & II work as needed.Spent much of my time working within the Planning Group performing evaluations of system assets to determine recommended alternatives, such as repair, replacement, etc. Evaluated a variety of asset types and cohorts including tank sites, trestle spans, emergency power systems, and water mains. Efforts typically involved evaluating concerns with or impacts to: water quality, asset remaining useful life, capacity, service levels, neighbors, as well as state and federal regulations.

Portland, Or

While looking at the city's drinking water conduit supply system, I Identified conduit trestles that posed potential structural concern to the Bureau based on records generated during my internship. I prepared a quantitative, corrosion analysis under the supervision of an experienced corrosion engineer to evaluate conduit stresses being generated by the local operating pressure. Surface depth profiling and ultrasound wall thickness measurements were performed on Conduit Trestle No. 2; field reconnaissance data was then evaluated to determine conduit trestle galvanic corrosion effects on structural integrity.I determined the remaining pipe strength per ASME B31, and AWWA M11 standards, evaluating MAOP and based on acceptable industry standards, generated an actionable recommendation to the Bureau regarding remediation methods for Conduit Trestle No. 2.

Portland, Oregon Area

During my internship with Portland Water Bureau, I assessed conduit trestles, which represent weaker links in the drinking water supply system. I filtered through dozens of maps, reports, photographs and conducted exhaustive field reconnaissance to assess conduit trestle degradation using a simplified version of the National Bridge Inventory rating system. I developed an internally maintained Access database capable of recording conditional ratings of all trestle bents, bent members, and auxiliary information pertinent to continued site inspection. Based on this rating system, I supplied my supervisor with an actionable list of conduit trestle maintenance recommendations. In addition to performing conduit trestle inspections, my responsibilities included maintaining and improving a nascent culvert inspection Access database pertaining to all culverts in the Bull Run Watershed, creating a plan to systematically address culvert maintenance on a rotational basis.Finally, as an intern working within the Bureau’s Design Department I witnessed multiple construction management processes and attended weekly charrettes where itinerary development and issue resolution occurred. The importance of environmental compliance was underscored in such large projects the Dam Two Towers Project and in the construction of the Powell Butte Reservoir Project.

Improved my client/clientele interaction by working in specialty departmentsContinue to act as customer interface while discretely solving issues as they arise, working with product vendors/manufacturers as needed to complete tasks expedientlyActively improved product knowledge via company training and personal driveTravel off-site for direct vendor training and going above and beyond to find out minute details which improve conceptual understanding of tasksPromoted to specialist due to proven customer commitment and desire to be "hands on"Proven sales record with sustained sales per hour ranging from 120-150 dollars per hour

Researched relevant industries' projects, past and present to develop appropriate plans for committee submission, initiating contact between various government agencies to validate accurate data collectionAid event planning for specific Sierra Club events, contacting attendees, acquiring supplies and donations, writing various submissions for publication in neighborhood association forums

Performed irrigation and fertilization studies for the forestry and Christmas tree industries, predominantly analyzing the effects of cyclical versus once a day watering on deciduous trees and conifersOperated sensitive job-specific equipment including photosynthesis, pressure, SPAD, and soil moisture meters Installed on-site environmental sensors and Campbell data-logger

Traffic Recording and Pattern Identification for MSU/MDOT collaboration evaluating viable intersection options at Collingwood and East Circle DriveIndependently operated video equipment including camcorders, and playback systems to actively monitor traffic behaviorSelectively analyzed results to assure proper data collection

Improved multitasking skills due to juggling customer orders, restocking items, and assisting fellow employees while concurrently maintaining a clean work environment Developed time management skills by understanding goals and deadlines set forth by team leaders and co-workers Actively engaged in teams, building interpersonal skills and instilling a sense of duty towards team-members

Executed park duties including general cleaning, public interface, landscaping, animal caretaking, rule enforcement, and manual labor park improvementCompleted park improvements to augment public safety and serviceability of utilities

Masters Of Science, Environmental Engineering, Watershed Hydrology, Groundwater Contaminant Transport, Sediment Transport, Estuary Processes, Graduate

Graduated from Portland State University with a Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering with a focus in water resources..

B.S.C.E., Environmental/Civil Engineering

Activities and Societies: American Society of Civil Engineers Air and Wastewater Management Association Concrete Canoe Team Concrete Canoe.