Highpoints

Volume 40, No. 3 -- March 2024

Have You Renewed Your Board Certification for 2024?

If you have not yet renewed your specialty certification, you can do so here:
Click here to complete your specialty certification renewal online.  

Email Susannah with any questions you may have: swalz at aaees.org.


 

2024 AAEES Awards

The AAEES Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from NOON to 3:30 pm Eastern.  This awards conference will be a hybrid event taking place in person at Howard University in Washington, D.C. as well as live streamed via Zoom. 

For registration information, go to https://www.aaees.org/aaeesawardsceremony.


 

Water for Peace

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists joins in the annual celebration of World Water Day on March 22, 2024.  

World Water Day raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. The theme of World Water Day this year is “Leveraging Water for Peace.”   

A recent AAEES webinar ties in well with the World Water Day theme this year. The event was presented by this year’s AAEES Honorary Member, Bernard Amadei, PhD, NAE, NAC, Dist. M. ASCE. 

Bernard AmadeiProfessor Amadei teaches Civil Engineering at University of Colorado, Boulder and he spoke about Peace and Diplomacy in Engineering.

This presentation makes a compelling argument for the role of the engineering profession in advancing human development and security, and its contribution to peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts in the 21st century's vulnerable, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment.


Watch the recorded webinar here for FREE: Peace and Diplomacy in Engineering Webinar on YouTube.


 

2024 AAEES Kappe Lecturer

Craig Benson

AAEES is pleased to announce that Craig H. Benson, Ph.D., PE, BCGE, BCEE, NAE is our 2024 AAEES Kappe Lecturer.   

Dr. Benson is Wisconsin Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Dean of Engineering and Hamilton Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia. Benson is a geoenvironmental engineer with expertise in waste management, waste containment systems, recycling and beneficial reuse, and sustainability. He served as Dean of Engineering at the University of Virginia and as a Department Chair and Director of Sustainability Research and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Benson has a BS from Lehigh University and the MSE and PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, all in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in geoenvironmental engineering. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), as well as a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  Dr. Benson has been an AAEES Board Certified Environmental Engineer since 2014 with a specialty in Environmental Sustainability.

For more information about the AAEES Kappe Lecture Series and to learn how to have Dr. Benson visit your campus, go to https://www.aaees.org/kappelectureseries.


 

NCEES News

NCEES is seeking licensed environmental engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study, or PAKS, for the PE Environmental exam. The results of this online survey will be used to update the content of the PE exam, which is a process that occurs every six to eight years. NCEES requires a cross section of licensed professional engineers practicing environmental engineering—including those working in industry, consulting, the public sector, and academia—to complete the survey. If you are a licensed professional engineer, we would appreciate your input. The survey can be completed in about 15–20 minutes.

Access the online survey here: NCEES Online Survey.

The survey will be open until May 5, 2024. NCEES sincerely thanks you for your contribution to ensure the PE Environmental exam is reflective of the current practice of P.E.s.


 

Upcoming AAEES Webinars

 April 2024 Tuesday, April 16, 2024
NOON - 1:30 PM EST
Getting Started with Digital Water
 May 2024

Wednesday, May 01, 2024
NOON - 1:30 PM EST
Development of the ICARUS Floating Membrane Photobioreactor for Direct Algae Cultivation in Wastewater

Wednesday, May 15, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM EST
Role of Environmental Biotechnology in Enabling Transition from Waste to Resource

 


 

Everything You Need to Know About Becoming AAEES Board Certified

Have you ever thought about Board Certification but aren’t sure where to start? Or perhaps you’ve taken a look and are worried about studying for the written exam? Or maybe you’re not sure if your work history is sufficient to make you eligible? Let us help to remove some of the (unneeded) mystery from the process of Board Certification!

Join us for this interactive meeting to sit down with our Executive Director, Professor Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE, BCES, so you can learn all about becoming Board Certified with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists!

Upcoming meetings:

 June 12, 2024 Wednesday, June 12, 2024
NOON - 1:30 PM EST
Everything You Need to Know About Becoming AAEES Board Certified
 September 4, 2024 Wednesday, September 4, 2024
NOON - 1:30 PM EST
Everything You Need to Know About Becoming AAEES Board Certified   
 December 4, 2024 Wednesday, December 4, 2024
NOON - 1:30 PM EST
Everything You Need to Know About Becoming AAEES Board Certified   

 

Details can be found at: https://www.aaees.org/everythingyouneedtoknow-boardcertification


The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation Scholarships

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation (EESF) has created eight annual scholarships for students majoring in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Science at the Master's level. 

EESF Master's Degree Scholarships in Environmental Engineering and Science 

Five scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each are offered to students completing undergraduate degree programs at accredited four-year institutions.  Applicants must have been accepted to enter an accredited graduate program to complete a Master’s Degree either in Environmental Engineering or related field of engineering or Environmental Science or related field .  These scholarships are based on academic performance.

EESF Master's Degree Scholarships in Environmental Engineering and Science for Under-Represented Minority (URM) Students

These three scholarships are identical to those described above for Master’s degree candidates but are available to students who self-identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. The URM category will include individuals who identify two or more affiliations if at least one of their affiliations is one of these groups.

Details, FAQs, and application forms can be found at: https://www.eesfoundation.org/scholarship/.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2024.


Foundation Donations

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation's primary purpose is to recognize and promote excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. As a result, the public will become more aware of the important role Environmental Engineers and Scientists play in managing global, national and regional environmental challenges. To accomplish its goals, the Foundation dedicates its resources to education, research and awards focused on outstanding Environmental Engineering and Science achievement.

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, all contributions donated through this site are eligible to receive a tax-deduction. The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation supports several educational, awards, and outreach programs and supports a variety of activities and initiatives of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Descriptions of the various funds and their charitable objectives can be found here. https://www.eesfoundation.org/donate/

DONATE TODAY

Did You Know?

The AAEES calendar is a great way to stay connected with listings of upcoming events, meetings, deadlines, industry observances, and other important dates.  

Click here to view the AAEES calendar. 

Past AAEES Webinars

webinar libraryDid you know you can watch our past webinars on YouTube? Click here.

 

 


Need PDHs?

You now have the opportunity to earn PDHs from recorded webinars! If you miss an AAEES webinar, you can watch it at your convenience and then take a quiz to earn PDHs. 

  1. Go to our webinar library and watch a webinar of your choice. 

  2. Once you have watched it, go to the coordinating quiz link to purchase and complete a brief quiz. 

  3. Once you pass the quiz, we will send you your PDH certificate. 

It’s that simple!

Go to our webinar library to browse our recorded webinars: https://www.aaees.org/aaeeswebinarslibrary.


Stories Submission 

AAEES is THE collaborating organization in environmental engineering and environmental science. Environmental engineers and environment scientists can come here to tell a story and connect with others. 

We accept a variety of formats:

  • Photo(s) with description
  • Links to news articles
  • Video clips 
  • Links to relevant webinar/podcasts
  • Links to industry white paper

We appreciate everything our members submit. Depending on the size of your item, we may include it on social media, the monthly Highpoints Newsletter, or Environmental Engineer and Scientist magazine.

For more information, and to submit your story, go to https://www.aaees.org/MemberStories


Update Your Profile

Is your information up to date? Log in to your account at https://www.aaees.org and click on ‘Go To My Profile’ under Quick Links. Update any outdated information, change your primary contact information, or view any events for which you have registered.


AAEES Podcasts

Environmental Engineering and Science: A Team Sport

Heather TahoeJoin us as we sit down with two of our Board Certified Environmental Scientists. Dr. Mary deFlaun, BCES is a Sr. Principal Microbiologist at Geosyntec Consultants. Dr. deFlaun will be interviewing Heather Tahon, BCES, a Principal Scientist also at Geosyntec Consultants.  Heather has worked in environmental consulting for almost 20 years now and has worked at Geosyntec for the past 11 years.  Heather’s practice includes managing environmental investigation, remediation, transactional due diligence, and compliance projects primarily for industrial clients.  Heather currently manages the groundwater remediation and environmental management department in Geosyntec’s Pittsburgh, PA office.

During this podcast, Heather discusses how her mentors have helped her throughout her career and how being board certified with the Academy has benefitted her credibility in the consulting world. Heather also gives advice on how young professionals can develop their own leadership style. 

As a strong leader who now mentors others, Heather is an inspiration to anyone working in the environmental engineering/science world.

Stream or Download Now

A Day in the Life of an Environmental Engineer and the Steps it Takes to Get There: Interview with Isreal Hodges, Jr., P.E., BCEE

Isreal HodgesJoin us as we sit down with two of our Board Certified Environmental Engineers. Anastasia Rudenko PE, BCEE, ENV SP who is an associate with GHD. Anastasia will be interviewing Isreal Hodges, Jr., P.E., BCEE who is a Lead EHS Specialist for Rivian Automotive. Almost four years ago, Isreal became a Board Certified Environmental Engineer with The Academy with a specialty in Air Pollution Control. Isreal’s story will inspire any young professional who is striving for a career in environmental engineering/science. During this podcast, Isreal talks about how being Board Certified with The Academy has helped his career and he emphasizes the importance of being proactive with early career networking. Isreal also discusses his favorite part of the job, overcoming career challenges and how prioritizing physical health improves all aspects of his life. Above all, Isreal reminds us to enjoy the journey and celebrate success. As an ambassador of environmental engineering, Isreal is an inspiration to anyone working towards becoming an environmental engineer.

Stream or Download Now

Overcoming Obstacles to Become a Successful Engineer: The Story of Melody Gonzalez

Melody GonzalezJoin us as we sit down with Anne Germain, a Board Certified Environmental Engineer and Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs for the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) who will be interviewing Melody Gonzalez, a Project engineer at Black & Veatch. Melody has a captivating story to tell. Originally from Venezuela, Ms. Gonzalez used her strength, grit and determination to become an engineer all while raising two boys on her own. During this podcast, you will learn the unique details of Melody’s journey from being a single mother with limited family support to growing into an engineer practicing in the United States and working on earning a PE license. Melody talks about the importance of having a good mentor along the way and also emphasizes the importance of being a good mentor to others. Melody also discusses the importance of getting involved. Joining professional organizations, being active in the industry, and cultivating a network all serve as the building blocks for getting an engineering career off the ground. Melody is an inspiration to all women and anyone who dreams of becoming an engineer.

Stream or Download Now

Interactive Who’s Who

The Academy’s website has an improved and expanded feature for members: the Interactive Who’s Who. Look for the link just below the welcome message after you log in. With this tool you can search for members by name, specialization, organization, and location. You can use this feature to find Board-Certified individuals within a specialty for possible engagement on projects. You can find out who else in your organization is a member and see their biographical information. You can get contact information for colleagues in the Academy. Universities can find local Board-Certified members in order to engage them with their program as mentors or external advisory board members. The feature is intuitive to use by selecting one or more text fields to search for. Once you find a member you can then click on them for more detailed profile including contact information. And, if you search for yourself, you will be able to edit your profile including adding a headshot photo for your colleagues to know you by. Enjoy this new feature that will help our members connect with each other.


Have You Logged In To Your Account at AAEES.org?

If you haven't yet logged in to your new account:

If you are having trouble accessing your account, email Yolanda at YMoulden at aaees.org for assistance.


AAEES Career Center

The AAEES Career Center is available at https://aaees.mcjobboard.net.

Job Seekers may post resumes, apply for jobs, and have access to useful tools such as alerts, keyword search, and a resume bank exposure.

Employers may post opportunities for internships, contract positions, part-time positions, and full-time positions. You will receive renewal notifications if your job is about to expire and access a resume bank of potential candidates.

How can you log in to the AAEES Career Center?

If you have a log in for AAEES.org, then you already have access to the AAEES Career Center.  Just go to https://aaees.mcjobboard.net and log in using the same credentials that you use for AAEES.org. If you do not have an account, click on "Create an Account" under Quick Links and use those credentials to log in to https://aaees.mcjobboard.net.

Pricing

Job Seekers may post their resumes for free. This is open to members, non-members, and students.

Employers may post jobs at the following rates. As a member benefit, AAEES Board Certified Individuals and AAEES Members may post jobs for FREE. Just log in using the same credentials that you use on AAEES.org.

  Non-member Pricing Member Pricing
30-Day Listing $200 FREE
60-Day Listing $400 FREE
90-Day Listing $600 FREE
Featured Listing $50 $25

With a Featured Listing, your job will be promoted at the top of the board and published to the Google Jobs Network.

New Jobs Posted at the AAEES Career Center 

Lab Director
Davy Laboratories - La Crosse, WI

Water Resource Engineer/Scientist
Delaware River Basin Commission - West Trenton, NJ

Lead Permit Developer/Facility Manager (Environmental Specialist 4)
WA State Department of Ecology - Union Gap, WA


New Member Benefit – PDH Online

pdh onlineThe American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists has renewed our partnership with PDH Online to provide its members with professional development hour courses. All AAEES members receive a 30% discount off any of PDHonline's 3,000+ courses, including live webinars. AAEES will receive a 20% royalty for each course taken by AAEES members using the AAEES membership code AAEES30. Members can search courses and sign up at https://www.PDHonline.com.

PDH Online is one of the leading online course providers and is an approved continuing education sponsor by many state licensing boards for professional engineers. Over 100 of their courses have been developed by BCEEs. AAEES has designated PDH Online as the Preferred PDH Provider to help AAEES members complete all their bi-annual PDH requirements.


Share Your Story

We always love to hear what our members have been up to! Send us your recent articles, news, project photos, etc. We would be happy to share with the rest of the environmental engineering and science community via social media. Send an email to Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org.


It's Simple - Refer a Colleague to Apply for Board Certification


Not Getting Email Announcements from AAEES?

Please be sure to whitelist or add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure you receive important updates and announcements to your inbox.


Host a Virtual Event

It's easy and free to host an AAEES Webinar or Virtual Workshop/Event

If you would like to learn more, please email Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org. Be sure to give an approximate date and suggested topic and possible speakers.


AAEES Patrons

Patrons of the Academy are organizations that are distinguished by providing financial support to the Academy's programs in addition to their engagement in specialty certification of their Engineers and Scientists. They are dedicated to a collaborative effort with the Academy in pursuit of Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. For more information, go to https://www.aaees.org/patronsprogram.


Student Lounge

We always love to hear what our student members have been up to! Send us your recent articles, news, studies, project photos, etc. We would be happy to share with the rest of the environmental engineering and science community via social media. Send an email to Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org.


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Our Partners

ABET AEESP AIChE APHA APWA ASCE ASEE AWMA  Black and VeatchCDM Smith CESB DSWA EESF Geosyntec LACSD ladwp   MWDSC nacwa naem    OCSAN PDH Online SCS Engineers Stanley ConsultantsSWANA usaidis uswaterpartnership WEF