MICHAEL HARKNESS
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
Results-oriented Senior Project Engineer with 17 years of experience designing and implementing Water / Wastewater evaluations and projects. Successful in determining project scope, creating project parameters, designing technical drawings to meet objectives and building project deadlines that lead to on-time completion. Proficient communicator in working with teammates to solve problems that arise during implementation.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Engineer
HWC Engineering
09.2024 - Current
- Senior Project Engineer in the Water Resources Group assisting as design engineer for water distribution projects and sanitary sewer projects
- Responsible for the layout of the piping network, development of the plans and specifications, submittal to permitting agencies, and assisting the project through the bidding phase
- Assist with the development of Engineering Reports for submittal to funding agencies
Fire Investigator
Indiana DHS, Fire Marshal’s Office
03.2024 - 08.2024
- Per NFPA 921, conduct scene investigations of fires involving various structures and vehicles, documenting findings through notes, diagrams, and photographs; provided reports summarizing findings
- Collect evidence following chain of custody protocols and procedures
- Assist various fire and law enforcement agencies with investigations, including possible criminal activities associated with the fire
Firefighter - EMT
City of Indianapolis Fire Department
02.2004 - 02.2024
- Captain within the department assigned to an engine company supervising up to 8 personnel in response to fires, EMS, and other emergencies as well as station upkeep and staffing responsibilities
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills while serving as a mentor to new firefighters, fostering a culture of teamwork and professionalism within the department. Supervising up to 8 personnel in response to fires, EMS and other emergencies as well as responsible for staffing of the apparatus within the station as well as coordinating station upkeep
- Periodically assigned as Battalion Chief responsible for staffing and personnel issues within 6 different stations as well as command of operations at multi-station fires and tactical responses
- Evaluated situation at emergency sites to determine and execute most effective methods for saving life and property.
- Participated in community outreach programs to raise awareness of fire prevention and safety measures.
- Prepared incident reports detailing personnel, location and results of each call.
Fire Investigator
Donan / National Fire Experts
07.2019 - 02.2024
- Conducted thorough fire origin and cause investigations including written and photographic documentation, scene excavation, and collection of evidence following proper chain of custody protocols involving commercial and residential structures as well as vehicle fires per NFPA 921 and company guidelines
- Prepared detailed reports, outlining investigation findings and presenting the results of those investigations
- Conducted comprehensive interviews with witnesses, property owners, and first responders for accurate case documentation.
Fire Investigator / Civil Engineer
Wolf Technical Service
04.2016 - 06.2019
- Responsible for investigating and documenting fires in various commercial and residential structures, including desktop reviews, as well as vehicle fires to determine origin and cause
- Generate reports summarizing findings per guideline presented in NFPA 921
- Assisted with gathering documentation and downloading of the event data recorder to aid in vehicle accident reconstruction
- Provide forensic consulting and expert witness services regarding various civil engineering and construction cases
Civil Engineer
Commonwealth Engineers, Inc.
12.2013 - 12.2015
- Responsible for evaluating water distribution systems and sanitary sewer systems utilizing modeling programs, i.e. WaterGEMS, and other investigative tools such as closed-circuit televising
- Assisted in writing and reviewing Preliminary Engineering Reports presenting findings from studies on the infrastructure and potential solutions to best optimize and improve the infrastructure; Reports were also utilized submitted to various federal and state agencies to obtain funding for the various types of projects proposed
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design sustainable infrastructure projects, addressing community needs and environmental concerns.
- Also employed March 2010 to September 2011
Project Fire Investigator
American Structurepoint, Inc.
10.2011 - 12.2013
- Responsible for conducting fire origin and cause investigations involving commercial and residential structures per NFPA 921
- Assisted with large loss investigations in commercial structures and on behalf of large energy companies, insurance companies, and attorneys who specialized in fire claims
Civil / Project Engineer
The Schneider Corporation
08.2007 - 02.2010
- Project Engineer assisting in planning and designing of force main and sanitary sewer pressure lift station
- Assisted with evaluation of wastewater treatment plan for operation and serviceability
- Preparation of Environmental Assessment for new wastewater treatment facility
Project Engineer / Manager
American Structurepoint, Inc.
09.2000 - 02.2004
- Optimized water distribution networks through advanced modeling techniques (WaterGEMS) for increased system reliability; completed engineering study reports of those systems by performing cost-benefit analyses of proposed engineering solutions, ensuring the most effective approach was selected while balancing financial constraints
- Conducted evaluations of various sizes of sanitary sewer piping networks utilizing techniques such as closed circuit televising and modeling; recommended rehabilitation designs, including trenchless techniques as well as various open cut designs to improve the efficiency of the network
- Managed budgets and schedules throughout project lifecycles, delivering high-quality work within established timeframes and financial parameters.
- Project Manager responsible for the design and coordination during construction of a large Diameter Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project under a botanical gardens and pond in the City of Fort Wayne; the sewer also changed diameter and contained a 90-degree bend; the project was published in Trenchless Technology magazine
- Project Manager in charge of evaluation of a large diameter Cured-In-Place pipe liner failure in the City of Indianapolis
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design sustainable infrastructure projects, addressing community needs and environmental concerns by coordinating preparation of construction drawings and specifications for various water distribution systems
Project Engineer
M.D. Wessler and Associates, Inc.
05.1995 - 09.2000
- Conducted construction project inspections to evaluate excavation contractors and ensure proper procedures were followed regarding the installation of underground infrastructure; provided proper documenting techniques during the inspection
- Responsible for utilizing modeling software (WaterGEMS) in evaluating various water distribution systems and presenting financially sound options to the client to improve system efficiency and product to the users
- Conducted evaluation of sanitary sewer networks utilizing modeling techniques as well as other methods including closed-circuit televising and field inspections. Presented findings and options to the client to improve the networks including trenchless technology techniques
- A key component of the project team tasked with the development and implementation of storm water pollution prevention plans for various entities including the Indianapolis International Airport
Project Engineer
Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd.
10.1993 - 05.1995
- Assisted with data gathering for City of Fort Wayne Combined Sewer System Master Plan and the hydraulic analysis of City of Carmel Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Project Engineer responsible for the design of gravity and force main sewer systems throughout Indiana
Education
B.S. - Engineering Science
Manchester University
North Manchester, IN05.1991
B.S. - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05.1993
Skills
- Hydraulic Distribution Modeling
- Sewer Network Modeling
- Detailed Master Plan Analysis
- Project Oversight
- Project Design Engineering
- Specification Development and Review
- Client Relations
- Fire Origin Investigation
- Photographic documentation
- Scene safety assessment
- Evidence Gathering
- Analysis of Fire Behavior
Licensing
- Indiana Professional Engineer’s License, 06/01/00
- Firefighter I/II, 06/01/04
- Inspector I/II, 06/01/20
- Certified EMT – Basic, 01/01/02
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), 03/01/12
- Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), 06/01/18
Certification
- Professional Engineering License (PE) - National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, Indiana - Summer, 1999
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator - March, 2012
- Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator - June, 2018
Timeline
Senior Project Engineer
HWC Engineering
09.2024 - Current
Fire Investigator
Indiana DHS, Fire Marshal’s Office
03.2024 - 08.2024
Fire Investigator
Donan / National Fire Experts
07.2019 - 02.2024
Fire Investigator / Civil Engineer
Wolf Technical Service
04.2016 - 06.2019
Civil Engineer
Commonwealth Engineers, Inc.
12.2013 - 12.2015
Project Fire Investigator
American Structurepoint, Inc.
10.2011 - 12.2013
Civil / Project Engineer
The Schneider Corporation
08.2007 - 02.2010
Firefighter - EMT
City of Indianapolis Fire Department
02.2004 - 02.2024
Project Engineer / Manager
American Structurepoint, Inc.
09.2000 - 02.2004
Project Engineer
M.D. Wessler and Associates, Inc.
05.1995 - 09.2000
Project Engineer
Jones & Henry Engineers, Ltd.
10.1993 - 05.1995
B.S. - Civil Engineering
Purdue University
B.S. - Engineering Science
Manchester University
Similar Profiles
JOSHUA HENSLEYJOSHUA HENSLEY
CAD Manager/Senior Civil Designer at HWC EngineeringCAD Manager/Senior Civil Designer at HWC Engineering
Crystal WeeseCrystal Weese
Clinical Research Coordinator at HWC ResearchClinical Research Coordinator at HWC Research
Rhonda marshallRhonda marshall
Driver at HWC LogisticsDriver at HWC Logistics