Risper Wamuyu Rwengo
Oakland
Summary
Professional environmental engineer and GIS analyst with a robust background in environmental field engineering, remediation, and geospatial analysis. Expertise includes soil, groundwater and soil vapor sampling, vapor intrusion mitigation, construction QA/QC, stormwater compliance, and GIS-based spatial data validation, with a proven track record of successful project execution across California and sub-Saharan Africa. Proficient in supporting field engineering and ensuring environmental compliance for remediation, vapor intrusion, and active construction projects, including geotechnical stabilization, hazardous materials surveys, and particulate monitoring. Committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance environmental protection and sustainability.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff II Engineer
Terraphase Engineering
Oakland, CA
06.2025 - Current
- Provide field engineering, environmental compliance, QA/QC, and GIS/CAD support on complex civil, remediation, vapor intrusion mitigation, stormwater, and construction projects across California. Responsibilities include field oversight, instrumentation deployment, radon and vapor intrusion testing, stabilization QA, SWPPP compliance, project documentation, data validation, and technical reporting. Supported projects include sludge–soil–cement geotechnical stabilization, vapor intrusion performance testing, hazardous materials surveys, and particulate monitoring on active construction, stockpiles and redevelopment projects.
GIS Analyst
Statewide Database
Berkeley, CA
03.2024 - Current
- Conduct GIS quality assurance and spatial analysis supporting California’s official election precinct datasets. Perform QGIS software testing and bug reporting, topographic analysis, map editing, and large-scale spatial data validation across multiple California counties. Deliver accurate geospatial products that support research, public transparency, and community-based initiatives.
Lead Research Specialist
OAK Collaborative
Oakland, CA
11.2024 - 06.2025
- Led environmental and community-based research on Jenkins Yard, a brownfield site in West Oakland. Conducted Phase I environmental research using DTSC EnviroStor and EPA databases, coordinated Phase II investigations including drilling and sampling, and supported subcontracted environmental testing. Facilitated participatory research with community members, delivered education on brownfields and bioremediation, and supported neighborhood-driven redevelopment planning.
Development Engineering Fellow
California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)
Sacramento, CA
06.2024 - 07.2024
- Analyzed statewide environmental data on fumigant trends (1990–2022) and supported the Wildfire Smoke and Health Convening Project in collaboration with Cornell University. Coordinated stakeholder interviews with county governments, CAL FIRE, CARB, CDC, national laboratories, clinicians, landowners, and academic researchers. Synthesized technical findings into policy-relevant reports informing public health and climate resilience efforts in California.
Graduate Research Assistance
Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
08.2023 - 12.2023
- Contributed to research on green hydrogen development in Kenya, supporting spatial and energy systems analysis of grid-connected electrolyzer scenarios and renewable integration. Assisted with the preparation of maps, figures, and technical summaries evaluating electricity cost impacts and infrastructure planning considerations.
Field Engineer
Baker Hughes
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2023 - 05.2023
- Completed intensive training in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), cybersecurity, and enterprise risk management. Supported drilling, well completion, wireline services, reservoir technical services, and geothermal field operations across multiple projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Contributed to field operations in Naivasha geothermal wells, emphasizing operational safety and environmental compliance.
Field Engineer Intern
Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
Nairobi, Kenya
05.2018 - 06.2018
- Supported environmental impact assessments, mineral and energy resource data collection, mapping and community engagement across oil, gas, and mineral exploration blocks in Kenya. Conducted laboratory and field analyses, including sample preparation, petrographic analysis, XRD, XRF, AAS, and ICP-MS Analysis. Contributed to policy-relevant reporting and earned recognition for technical excellence.
Education
MASTERS - DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING, ENERGY, WATER, AND ENVIRONMENT
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA12-2024
BSc - PETROLEUM CHEMISTRY(ENGINEERING AND GEOLOGY)
KISII UNIVERSITY
Kisii, Kenya12-2020
Skills
- Field engineering with QA/QC expertise
- Geotechnical project oversight
- Construction Quality Management
- Comprehensive environmental sampling
- Environmental compliance assessments
- GIS analysis using ArcGIS and QGIS
- Technical reporting and documentation
- Regulatory compliance and field documentation
- Stakeholder engagement and community-based research
- Project coordination and field logistics
- Health, Safety, and Environment
- Field safety compliance for hazardous materials
- Dust Monitoring
- Project Engineering support
- Project management
- Project planning
- Data analysis
- System troubleshooting
- Root-cause analysis
- Quality assurance controls
- Technical writing
- Process improvement
- Cost analysis
Certification
HAZWOPER, Construction Quality Management(Army Corps) &
Project Management(Procore)
LANGUAGES
English
Swahili
Kikuyu
Timeline
Staff II Engineer
Terraphase Engineering
06.2025 - Current
Lead Research Specialist
OAK Collaborative
11.2024 - 06.2025
Development Engineering Fellow
California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)
06.2024 - 07.2024
GIS Analyst
Statewide Database
03.2024 - Current
Graduate Research Assistance
Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, UC Berkeley
08.2023 - 12.2023
Field Engineer
Baker Hughes
01.2023 - 05.2023
Field Engineer Intern
Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
05.2018 - 06.2018
BSc - PETROLEUM CHEMISTRY(ENGINEERING AND GEOLOGY)
KISII UNIVERSITY
MASTERS - DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING, ENERGY, WATER, AND ENVIRONMENT
University of California, Berkeley
AWARDS
40-Hour HAZWOPER (with refresher), Radiation On-Site Worker Safety Training, Mastercard Foundation Scholar, UC Berkeley, Mastercard Alumni Impact Fund, Zaffaroni Fellowship, RAEL Lab, CCST Climate Action & Innovation Fellowship, CITRIS Innovation Intensive on Climate, UC & NASA Ames, Big Ideas Contest – Supply Chain Diversity Prize, Shine On Scholarship (The GREEN Program-Nepal)