Chris Howard

While I have worked for New Bern Construction, I have had opportunities to work on several projects during my time here, such as the Havelock bypass, the Harkers Island Bridge Project, the Adams Creek Project, James City, and many more. I have overseen smaller projects by myself, such as TA Loving and Lamberts, for utility relocation and drilling. I am currently working on the Havelock Bypass Project. I am working on the roadway while I have been working in Havelock. I have been checking grade, checking conventional density, ABC samples, writing trucking reports, measuring woven wire fence, completing pay records, and much more. Before working on the Havelock Bypass, I was working in survey with New Bern Construction. I had the ability to learn and operate surveying instruments and equipment, such as shooting a level loop, grade rod, shooting sight calibrations, locating right of way, identifying areas, checking anchor bolts, piles, footers, as well as other structures. I have used many different software, such as Trimble, and utilized CAD using Microstation and ORD to complete tasks for surveying and inputting information. While using many types of softwares and instruments with performing my job I am easily adaptable to learning new things. I have learned a lot about surveying in my time being here. Before I was at survey I worked in Harkers Island where I was working in structures- superstructure and substructure. I monitored driving piles, various types of concrete pours from deck pours to footers and caps, to curb and gutter, grout pockets on wing wall, coping, and more. I was tasked to be over the structure and building of the wing wall on the Harkers Island side of the bridge. While driving piles I learned about the many types of hammers, stroke rates, fuel settings, and cushion blocks that are acceptable in operation. I’ve assisted in completing PDA for retaining wall one to test strokes on the concrete pile and see the stress of the concrete upon impact. I worked closely with Thomas Santee from Geotechnical regional office in testing strengths of different pile driving hammers and altered bonnets to ensure piles were not fracturing from the blows and piles being over stressed. I was tasked with under bridge inspection for the entirety of the Harkers Island Bridge for the final review of the bridge to complete this task we used a hydro platform and boat to complete the inspection. I would document any repairs and work with a subcontractor and NCDOT M&T specialist to make sure the repairs were done to NCDOT standard. Over the course of this project I was able to learn and grow my knowledge in many avenues of inspection for the state such as concrete pour and testing over the coping, inspecting point and patch work on columns, caps, and footers, erosion management, and documenting through diaries, receiving, pay records, and documenting materials received. I've assist on all concrete pours and testing, checking parapet wall bolts with certified pressure gauge, checking deck by completing dry run before concrete pours, inspecting coping forms to engineer specifications before pours. I’ve assisted in pile driving piles for bents to check barring and driving piles for rent wall one. I have learned a lot on this project being it is the first bridge in the state of North Carolina to be a non-ferrous structure. The rebar support is made of fiberglass and carbon fiber. I have five years collectively of engineer tech experience. I have completed the four years of schooling for the Fundamental Engineering Program(FEP) to which I have my certificate from ITRE North Carolina State University. I have ABC Sampling certification, Borrow Pit Sampling certification, Erosion Control I, Erosion Control II, Concrete certification, Conventional Density certification, Intro to Asphalt certification, QMS certification, Nuclear safety certification, and many other certifications related to inspection and leadership that have assisted me in my growth as an inspector.

• Protect the citizens in the Town of Swansboro and uphold all laws. Investigate all criminal actions and follow up with the case as needed. Enforce all traffic laws whether while working a traffic crash or while working traffic on the road. As a police officer with Swansboro Police Department I would write up and conduct traffic checkpoints, and oversee the officers involved in the operation. We would use numerous types of software as resources to conduct our investigations through computer software systems. As new officers would come to the police force they would ride with me for me to mentor them on how to conduct proper major and minor investigations, drug enforcement, and conduct traffic stops.

• While working with Carteret Maintenance I have had great opportunities to utilize equipment such as Front End Loader, Backhoe in ditching operations, forklift, and Sewer Jet. Though my time here has been short I have many certifications and experience from working with Division 3 Roadside Environmental Unit. I have working knowledge of Work Zone Safety and Work Zone Safety Policies. I have working knowledge of standard road maintenance and construction procedures. I have experience in erosion control devices. I have experience on the following equipment: Dump Truck, Tandem, I have Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement, A-Boom tractor, Tractor, Tractor attachments such as seeder, disk, Bush Hog, Ventrac, Hydroseeder, Mulch Blower, assisting in spraying herbicides, Wood Chipper, Backhoe, Bucket Truck with Aerial Lift, and certifications also on Track Excavator, Rubber Tire Excavator, Skid Steer, Tractor Auger, Post Driver, and Front End Loader. While I've been at Carteret Maintenance, I've assisted in ditching operations, flagging, setting up work zones, driveway repairs, filling in low shoulders, filling potholes, filling in washouts, sewer jet operations cleaning, deceased animal retrieval, and disposal. I've also worked winter storm operations, such as how to put out brine, salt, and plow operations. I worked emergency operations in hurricanes, tropical storms, as well as cold weather emergency operations such as snow anWhile working at Carteret Maintenance, I was promoted from a Transportation Worker 1 to a Transportation Worker 2 for my drive, work ethic, and ability to take on new tasks and operate equipmentipment.

• While being employed with NCDOT I have had great opportunities from working/operating heavy equipment and physically intensive labor with field crew to overseeing contractors performing engineer technician work as an inspector. I have fulfilled the role of an inspector or engineer technician from August 2019, to April 2021 as well as worked as transportation worker fulfilling every day task. When I first started inspection work I was over plant bed maintenance contract for Interstate 40, and other various plant beds throughout Division 3 in all six counties. I would work with contractors in scheduling days and times they would be at plantbed locations to watch over their work. I would read and retain the contract in place to make sure they were following contract. Some of the duties for plantbed contracts were making sure the crew had appropriate PPE and equipment for the task at hand, making sure the appropriate signs were set for work zone safety, that the litter was picked up, that the trees and shrubbery were pruned and trimmed to contact specifications as well as spray herbicide for preventative care. After every plantbed was cleaned, cut, and pruned per contract specification I would use a DOT iPad to Survey123 the plant beds in case there were any damages to beds for documentation. This was also documented to show pictures and exact gps coordinance of the location. While maintaining plantbed contracts I also had the opportunity to manage shoulder mowers for multiple different counties within Division 3. I would schedule with each individual foreman for that county to see when they would start and work in my schedule which mowers to meet first that day. I would start my day by using Fleet.gps to make sure all mowers gps were working and they were working in the correct zone of the county they were supposed to be working at. I would notate the general areas the tractors were working so I could drive by them without them knowing to make sure they had the proper work zone safety setup and were working within contract. There were days I would start off in Onslow county with mowers then check New Hanover and end in Brunswick county. With managing the shoulder mowers and long arm mowers contract I found I had to have communication with citizens, water companies, electric companies, cable companies, law enforcement, and others for damage claims. While researching damage claims, I would sometimes search GIS to find out who the resident owners were to make sure proper repairs and documentation were made. If any damages were made I would immediately contact the foreman and make sure the matter was resolved in a timely manner. I’ve had direct contact with cable companies to let them know the mowers future travel so the could protect the cable boxes by marking them before the mowers came to the area. I have had contact with citizens stating they had property damage or motor vehicle accident working with the foreman to resolve issues. Every incident the mowers had was documented and closed out when resolved. Also while the tractors were mowing I would check off all the roads that were cut in case there needed to be any corrective action. While working with Roadside, I've also had the opportunity to assist with some enhancement projects, such as Leland's plant bed and Ocean Isle Beach. While doing inspection work traveling to different county I would take a list of CAR’s to review what equipment the crew would need to complete the job or if we needed to hire a contractor to take care of said job. I have access to CAR’s and would input and close out CAR’s with a resolution for the crew and office. I’ve also assisted in doing inspections for the Rest Areas within Divisiin 3. While I was working managing mowing contracts I was able to work at Jacksonville District Construction Office under District Construction Engineer Trevor Carroll once a week. I worked directly with Brad Haste Assistant District Construction Engineer. While I went to the Onslow County District office I was able to learn about how to read plats and plans, how to use check off list for driveway permits and encroachments. While working with Mr. Haste I was able to review several different engineer plans and assist him in finding errors in the plans and making sure they followed the check off list. I rode with another inspector a few times to check on driveway permits. After arriving to the site that wished to put in a driveway we would measures the distance of the area they wanted said driveway and then measure their neighbors nearest driveway to make sure they are able to have one put in. I was able to review a wide range of construction projects taking place from driveways to multiple phase developments. Through my time at Onslow District Office and Roadside Environmental I have knowledge of standards and specifications and plan reading. Experience working independently conducting inspections for compliance of contracts, driveway permits, encroachments. I have planning, developing, scheduling, tracking and completing projects independently or with limited supervision. I have knowledge and skill in the use of computer equipment, iPad, and software. Skill in researching and providing right of way information on roads for public as well for internal Department use. As a transportation worker one we have done debris removal, tree removal, retention pond cleanups, clean curb and storm drains, seed roadway and ditch banks, maintained plant beds and performed many other various vegetation management task. I have working knowledge of Work Zone Safety and Work Zone Safety Policies. Working for Roadside Environmental I feel I have working knowledge of standard road maintenance and construction procedures. I have experience in erosion control devices. I have experience on the following equipment: dump truck, tandem, I have Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement, Forklift, Sewer Jet, A-Boom tractor, Tractor and tractor attachments such as seeder, disk, bush hog, Ventrac, hydroseeder, assisting in spraying herbicides, wood chipper, backhoe ditching operations, bucket truck with aerial lift, and certifications also on Track Excavator, Rubber Tire Excavator, Skid Steer, Tractor Auger and Post Driver, and Front End Loader. Also early on with NCDOT I was given the opportunity to work with the technicians overseeing numerous contracts. I’ve assisted in overseeing plantbed maintenance contractors, shoulder mowing contractors, and litter crew contractors over multiple counties at one time. I have also been given the opportunity to survey plant beds, fallen trees, guard rails, and capped islands on Survey123. I’ve assisted on inspecting Rest Areas for their general appearance, and work the contractors maintain on the site. Working with NCDOT has been a constant learning experience as well educational learning experience. I have had the opportunity to learn numerous new skills and extend my education through in the field and online learning as well as the Fundamental Engineering Program.