Nicole Rodriguez
Environmental Health and Safety Technician
Describe your job.
I’m the Environmental Health and Safety Technician supporting the Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Divisions. In a nutshell, I help make sure our team is safe while they’re working – both in their work practices and their work environment. This is accomplished by making sure every employee is up to date with their safety training and certifications and provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). I also conduct regular life and safety building inspections at our various facilities to make sure there are no hazards and all required safety equipment and systems are in place and functioning properly. We have over 20 safety programs that guide our work, and I assist in updating, maintaining, and implementing them.
My role in Emergency Preparedness is to help coordinate and carry out evacuation drills, support the District’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and ensure our emergency supply inventories remain stocked and up to date. On the Security side, I assist with maintaining our security systems and procedures and making sure employees and external contractors have the appropriate facility access.
What do you like best about your job?
I’m a people person, so I really like that I get to work with employees from every division across the District. I meet our new hires when I’m completing their Safety onboarding, which helps me know all my coworkers by name – even if I’m not working in the office space next to them. I really enjoy collaborating with others, and that’s a regular part of my job. This has helped me learn so much about what each position does and how that role supports the overall service we provide to the community.
How did you get into the water / wastewater industry?
Before joining Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD), I spent six years working in local government at a neighboring city within the District’s service area. I really enjoyed the public service aspect of that work, and I knew that was something I wanted to continue. When an opportunity became available at DSRSD, I was definitely interested, and although I didn’t have water/wastewater experience at the time, I was familiar with DSRSD as an organization and understood how a special district operates. I also live in the District’s service area, and I really enjoy getting to work for an organization that directly serves my community. It felt like a natural transition and a great fit.
What is the biggest challenge of your job?
As I mentioned, working with employees across the District is one of my favorite parts of the job, but it also brings the challenge of staying on top of who needs what and when. Each division and position have different safety training and certification requirements. Coordinating group trainings across divisions can also be challenging because of differing schedules and demands. Finding a balance that works for everyone can take some doing – luckily, we have a great team and effective systems in place to assist me in this effort.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy travelling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. I have two children and spend a lot of time cheering them on at their sports events. My daughter and I are currently staying active with recreational tennis lessons.