Tarra Thomas, P.E.

Wastewater process expert supporting the operations staff

Projects and tasks include:

• Process Control program management, which includes reviewing process data, creating Excel charts, analyzing data, presenting data to management
• Pilot testing. One project includes testing a primary sludge fermenter to increase the amount of Volatile Fatty Acids concentration in the biological nutrient removal process. My team designed a small-scale fermenter, conducted the sampling and field testing, and provided a TM for the designers to decide the implementation.
• Project management. One project was managing a temporary belt filter press, which include acquiring the belt filter press, coordinating installation and connections, coordinating testing of biosolids for offsite disposal, negotiating contracts, and reviewing invoices.
• Writing RFPs. Some RFPs I have written include: contracts for dredging, land applying and off-hauling 15,000 dry tons of biosolids and chemical deliveries for biosolids treatment
• Public speaking. I am a tour guide for special, technical and public tours. I also conduct presentations and facilitate meetings
• Managing HachWIMS database of lab and Ovation plant process data -Data QAQC
• Assisted in preparing proposals, budgets, and schedules for civil engineering projects, resulting in successful bidding processes.
• Mentored junior engineers, providing guidance on best practices while fostering a supportive learning environment for professional development.

• Reviewed funding applications for water system improvements, checked funding eligibility of the water systems, and reviewed the solution to the current problem.
• Required use of engineering knowledge to review design and give recommendations. Helped regulate fraud, waste and abuse of state funding.
• Used project management skills to track specific requirements and progress of projects.

• Designed geometry of roads
• Determined traffic signal locations
• Created striping and signage plans
• Designed grading plans for roads and parcels
• Performed traffic analysis using RODEL and Synchro software for planning lane configuration and intersection design, prepared analytical reports
• Cost estimates.

• Provided assistance to various project engineers by drafting construction plans in Autodesk Land desktop, edited construction plans, calculated grading for drainage and hydrology plans, determined locations for water, sewer and storm drains, performed retaining wall calculations, drew striping plans, created site plans and street geometry, created a DTM and contours, created Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), and helped conduct Preliminary Site Assessments.

• Performed various tests on compost heaps. The tests included measuring temperatures of the piles and ammonia and humidity levels.