Wendy Kemp

HYDROGEOLOGIST

beth mclarty halfkenny

What is your current job title, and what do you do? Where do you spend most of your workday?

Current tile: Director, Water and Wastewater Asset Management at the Regional Municipality of York

I lead a team of Engineers and Hydrogeologists who manage risks to our assets from many aspects including climate change, growth and urbanization.

I spend a lot of my time simplifying key messages for senior management and political leaders so they can make decisions on complex technical matters. Most of my days are in meetings, influencing and leading technical teams to make decisions on complex issues relating to water and wastewater services and assets. I write reports, present to many diverse groups, and aim to create a work culture that people want to work and thrive in.

What education, training and past work experience do you have?

Master’s of Science in biogeochemistry and Joint Bachelor’s of Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences

I’m a registered Professional Geoscientist.

For the past 20 years, I’ve worked at York Region in various leadership roles in areas of water resources, operations workforce management, sewer bylaw, climate change, innovation and asset management.

What’s great about being an Earth Scientist?

I enjoy helping the communities where I live grow in a way that is sustainable, provides clean drinking water, and maintains our natural environment. Having a technical team requires me to pull from my background skills to get important issues in front of our political leaders. It requires strategic leadership to ensure they focus on key issues and that requires excellence in communication. Working in the public sector provides excellent work/life balance.

What interests and abilities lend themselves well to an Earth Science career?

  • Interests in public service, serving communities and residents.
  • Comfortable with uncertainty.
  • Able to see the possibilities and opportunities to weave in sustainable practices.
  • Able to simplify the complex.
  • Strong communication skills.

What advice would you give someone interested in an Earth Science career?

Take your passion for the natural environment and apply science to influence decision makers on how resources are used and protected.
ESC Careers