Jessie Farmer has always had an interest in the natural environment, particularly in water preservation. After earning a degree in environmental engineering from Northern Arizona University, she sought a career that allowed her to make a real-world impact. “I hadn’t originally considered a career in construction,” says Farmer. “Meeting people from PCL and seeing what the company did inspired me to pivot into the industry. Construction is a great way to address global water issues.”

Today, Farmer has combined her personal and professional passions as a preconstruction engineer for PCL’s Civil Infrastructure Division, where she plays a pivotal role in bringing water and wastewater infrastructure projects to life. “Water is an increasingly scarce resource, and being on the front lines of its preservation and improvement is something I am very passionate about,” says Farmer.

With experience in both estimating and project management, Farmer’s role at PCL includes helping to win projects, fostering relationships with clients and engineering partners, and assisting in the project design process - all through a lens focused on constructability. From creating schedules to conducting design reviews and cost modeling, her goal is to ensure projects are set up for success. 

Two projects stand out to Farmer as particularly special: the South Platte Renew project and the Arvada Filters and Solids Handling project. The South Platte project was close to home, impacting Jessie’s local community in Littleton, Colorado. The Arvada project presented a challenge due to the need to work within an active operating facility. “Our team had to learn the plant inside and out,” says Farmer. “It was a really rewarding challenge.”

For Farmer, PCL stands out not just for its building expertise, but for its people. “PCL hires the best people who are not only great at building but care deeply about the work we do and building relationships with our clients,” she says. This commitment to both high-quality work and strong relationships makes PCL an exceptional place to work—and an excellent partner for clients.

Farmer spearheaded the creation of a community service committee for PCL’s Denver Civil Infrastructure Division, a group that remains active today. Through this initiative, the group has donated their time to improve public spaces in the communities in which they live and work, including in the cities of Arvada, Westminster and Boulder. The group also works with organizations like Ralston House, an agency that provides a safe place for child and teen survivors of abuse to tell their stories and begin the healing process, and Water for People a global nonprofit working across nine countries to address the global water crisis and equip communities with lasting access to clean water.

Farmer’s passion for environmental conservation, combined with her dedication to community service and commitment to PCL’s values, makes her a standout team member in the water and wastewater infrastructure sector.