Employee Spotlight – Joel Sundeen

Getting to know Joel Sundeen, Senior Environmental Scientist

Q: How long have you been with the company?
I’ve been with PE Services for just under a year and a half.

Q: What does your job entail?
I am a part of the Environmental Health and Safety Division at PE Services, working as a Senior Environmental Scientist. I’m involved with ensuring environmental compliance is met on highway heavy construction projects as a part of the MnDOT Inspection/Verification teams.

Q: In terms of successes, which accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of my greatest accomplishments so far at PE Services came last year, when one of my projects that I helped to manage for environmental compliance was selected by the MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship to perform a training session/tour with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It was a proud moment for me knowing that MnDOT had the confidence in PE Services to invite a couple dozen regulators to a project site we were responsible for managing. They wanted to showcase the good work that was being performed on the project, demonstrate a cohesive working relationship with the construction staff, and highlight the complexity of the project environmentally. This was both satisfying and rewarding to have been selected.

Q: What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
Unresponsiveness can be a challenge. It is important to keep reaching out and following-up on items to keep the lines of communication open and ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner. At PE Services, we know that follow-through is important. Sometimes I wish others had the same sense of urgency for environmental compliance issues as we do.

Q: How have you grown professionally while on our team?
In addition to my focus on environmental compliance, this past winter, I was involved in expanding my knowledge in construction inspection and material testing. I was provided the opportunity to take and successfully receive 7 MnDOT certifications. I often overlap with our team that provides these services. I am excited to keep learning and expanding the services I am responsible for providing at PE Services.

Q: What’s a passion you have outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife Katie, my newborn daughter Ellie, and our two Golden Retrievers (Benne and Jett). I’m a big MN sports fan (SKOL!) and enjoy trips up to the cabin to relax and go fishing all year round.