Her Story
About Brittany
My career in the utility industry began almost 13 years ago, though it wasn't my original plan. I had intended to study forensic science at the University of Central Florida to become a forensic pathologist, but I chose to stay local and attend community college for my associate's degree. My stepdad, who was a wastewater treatment plant operator for the City of Port St. Lucie for 25 years, saw potential in me and suggested I'd be really good as an operator. I got my books and pursued it, though it took three interviews before I finally landed my first position with the City of Port St. Lucie as a water treatment plant operator. The gentleman who trained me eventually moved to Martin County, and I followed, joining Martin County nearly 10 years ago. What drew me there was the opportunity to work at a facility with both water and wastewater plants on the same site. I earned my Class A water license and then pursued my Class A wastewater license, which is quite rare since it takes 5 years to reach Class A for either water or wastewater, meaning 10 years total of operating plants and 6 tests. The county supported my education, paying for my bachelor's degree in water resources management, and I went on to earn my master's degree in hydrology. I progressed from operator to treatment plant administrator, and about two years ago, my director asked me to take on the maintenance administrator role to work through some challenges. After six months, he offered me the assistant director position. Now I primarily oversee the maintenance and treatment divisions' budgets, manage projects at treatment plants and in the field, and handle special projects, which I really enjoy because I don't like to be stagnant. I've become the go-to person for random questions when people have exhausted all their other options for help. Beyond my full-time role, I teach college courses for Florida Gateway College in their Water Resources Management Program, both online and virtually at the Columbia Correctional Institute. I'm passionate about giving back and volunteer extensively for the Florida Water Environment Association, where I currently serve as chair of the Treasure Coast chapter. I was recently honored to receive the President's Award from Joan Fernandez, this year's FWEA president. Everything I do, I do for my team, and while I've accomplished everything I set out to do, it feels good to help other people be successful too.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brittany
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never giving up on something I want to do. I didn't get my first job on the first interview, or even the second, but I got it on the third. All it takes is for someone to just believe in you, that's it. My stepdad believed in me when he suggested I'd be really good as an operator, and even when I faced negativity, like when a lab manager at my second interview told me I could do better than working there and that I didn't want to be like my stepdad, I didn't listen to that negativity. If I had given up or listened to the doubters, I wouldn't have this great career and all these opportunities. I just kept going because I knew it's what I wanted to do, and I'm grateful I didn't listen to the negativity.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them exactly what I told myself 13 years ago: never give up on something that you want to do. Ever. Because if I did, I wouldn't be here. I didn't get it on the first time. I didn't get it on the second, but I got it on the third. All it takes is for someone to just believe in you, that's it. Don't listen to the negativity. When I went to my second interview for a lab position, the lab manager gave me medical lab coursework and told me I could do better than working there, like I didn't want to be like my stepdad. It hurt, because my stepdad is a great person. But if I didn't listen to him and instead listened to that negativity, I wouldn't have this great career and opportunities.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity are the most important values to me. My job is in a public position, and we do reporting for the plants for the state. As a chief plant operator, which I was at one point, you basically sign your life away in a test that says this is true and factual, under perjury. You have to be truthful. I tell everyone that works for me, like, if you make a mistake, just come tell me the truth. We'll get through it together, but I can't help if you hide it from me. These values apply to my personal life too, not just work.
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