Anna has always had an affinity for working outdoors and learning new things. When she applied for a job at Tetra Tech, Anna was only looking for steady and reliable work. Instead, she found a rewarding career she could grow in, learn vital skills and work with a team she could truly rely on.
In this interview, Anna shares why she joined Tetra Tech and how her role is making a difference in our communities.
How did you get involved with a career as a leakage technician?
I’m a mother of two from an administration and outdoor education background. My friend, who is a leakage technician, Aaron, was telling me about his new job, all the interesting things that he was doing, and all the benefits it has to offer. This attracted me to the role. But also, I’ve been an outdoors gal for as long as I can remember. I was ready to move from an administration-based role into something that I could really thrive in. So, this job really scratched that itch, and to be perfectly honest, it was a complete surprise for me. I didn’t anticipate how much I would enjoy it.
What does a typical day look like to you?
It involves engaging with the public. We’ve got a traditional method of how we listen for leaks with a big listening stick, a pry bar, and sometimes a torch. Nighttime and during the day, if you’re listening to a tap on the footpath outside the house, you’ve got people coming out, going, “what are you doing?” So, you must have that balance of ‘I need to actually concentrate on what I’m doing’, but also, you’ve got a duty of care to let the public know what you’re doing. You must manage the public as well as your own job, your team member and obviously, health and safety as well. There’s a whole range of different factors that we need to take into account from the minute you step into a van and drive to the site.
What skills and qualities do you need to be successful in your role?
The resilience part of it is important. You could be in rural areas, in a field, a woodland, or a farmland. You need to be prepared enough to make sure that you can access that asset safely in all conditions.
How has Tetra Tech supported you to be successful in this role?
We all come with our own personal skills and communication skills, but the actual work in a role is a different language altogether. The support that I have received has been amazing, irrespective of who I have approached for help. Every person that I’ve worked with has had the patience and the time to be able to share their vast amount of experience and knowledge. They have welcomed me with open arms from office staff to senior management and delivery managers. I think we are quite a special team.
