TOKW: City of Richmond Stories

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

I am fortunate in that I have a very dynamic and varied role. A typical day may involve having online meetings with artists who want to apply for a grant to welcoming arts groups and students who practice their craft at the Richmond Arts Centre. I also supervise the Media Lab and am involved with setting up filming public service announcements for other departments. When they are permitted, I lead events teams such as our annual Children’s Arts Festival.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?
I immigrated to Canada, with my family, when I was 11 years old and now it is 40 years later! I went to high school in North Vancouver. I have a BFA in Theatre Acting and an MFA in Theatre Directing. I had a great career working in film, television, radio and theatre both in front of and behind the scenes. I founded a theatre company that grew to be one of the most successful in Canada. I also worked in the social services as the Executive Director of a youth leadership program. Ten years ago, I was fortunate enough to see a job posting in the Arts at the City of Richmond and here I am.

What parts of your work inspire you?
Serving the community, seeing people inspired by the arts, working with teams of really good people who I learn from every day.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?
Try your hardest to be great at whatever you choose to do. Don’t beat yourself up if you try and fail. Enjoy being in school and getting an education.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?
You are our future and you are lucky to live in an amazing corner of the world. Use that opportunity well and believe in yourself.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

• Working on projects or initiatives involving Transportation, such as the new Canada Line Capstan Station (with TransLink staff and other staff), new Steveston Highway interchange (with BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) staff and other staff).
• Seeking cost-share funding from other agencies (e.g. TransLink, ICBC, MoTI, federal government, etc.).
• Participating in meetings (virtual for now) related to transportation initiatives, with other agencies (e.g. TransLink, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and other regional municipalities).
• Responding to inquiries from the public, staff in other departments, Transportation staff, Mayor and Councillors, RCMP, etc.
• Overseeing other staff: knowing what they are busy with, who is best to address new inquiries/initiatives, ensuring they are all engaged and informed of new updates, ensuring deadlines are being met.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I graduated from UBC with a Bachelors in Applied Science (Civil Engineering), then worked as a transportation engineer for private consulting firms in Toronto and locally, then at the MoTI before working at the City. At the City, I started as a Transportation Engineer for a couple of years before moving into the role of Manager, Transportation Planning.

What parts of your work inspire you?

• Working with the community I live in and knowing I can help make a positive difference.
• Looking after public safety from a transportation perspective.
• Encouraging people to use alternative modes of travel besides depending on a car (e.g. transit, cycling, walking).
• Implementing work that improves our community such as new bike paths, new roads to help people get around better, projects that help people get to where they want to go (e.g. new Capstan Station).

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?
Be open minded to potential careers of the future. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself; enjoy these years in high school – it goes by fast and lifelong friends and memories are made. Join a club and/or sports; you’ll make new friends and develop new skills. Don’t get caught up in the little things and put things in perspective; think about the bigger picture!

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?

I share with you what my dad (who grew up during WWII in China) always said: “An education is something that no one can take away from you”, so get the best education you can. Push yourself to do well in school, and create good study habits now (it’ll take you far into your future).

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

Every day I get to work with one of my BFFs, who I met through work. We sit in an open reception-style area on the 2nd floor of City Hall. We meet lots of people as they pass by our area in their daily hustle and bustle. I’m a people person so I love to say hi to everyone. We’re the “hub” for Corporate Administration so we hear lots, see lots and get asked lots of questions. Some days we work on fun stuff and some days are less fun, but as long as we’re both there, it’s a good day!

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?
My first job ever was as a day camp leader and preschool teacher at Thompson Community Centre. Through this role I met and worked with a number of City staff. Eventually I was hired as a Front Desk Attendant and have worked at Steveston, South Arm, Thompson and City Centre Community Centres in this capacity. When I became a "regular” Attendant at South Arm, I was tasked with little projects while on shift. My supervisor quickly realized I was efficient and willing to learn so the projects I was assigned got more interesting and more challenging. When there was a temporary vacancy for the supervisor (Recreation Facility Clerk) role, I applied and was successful. After that I worked in “TFT” or temporary full-time roles across the City, fulfilling a variety of different roles including Recreation Leader, Recreation Facility Clerk, Community Facilities Coordinator, Arts Programmer, Departmental Associate and Corporate Assistant. I’ve worked in Recreation, Parks, Production Centre, IT, Arts/Culture and Heritage Services, Real Estate Services and finally in the office of the CAO. Having moved around so much has given me the opportunity to learn how different areas of the City operate and to build connections with colleagues throughout the organization. Those experiences and connections help me be effective in my current position.

What parts of your work inspire you?

• People: we meet/interact with so many different people on a daily basis. Seeing how they operate, how they handle challenges and how they celebrate successes teaches me so much. Through my journey with the City, I’ve made friends and connections that I will carry with me for life.
• Projects: the opportunity to work on different projects, events and with different teams keeps me motivated, inspired and keeps me coming back on a daily basis.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

Don’t get stuck thinking you’re going to do a particular job when you’re an adult. Be open to opportunities and possibilities. I was very focused on one career path; however, when I started down that path, I realized that lifestyle was not for me. I kind of “fell into” Recreation; when I was offered new challenges in my work, I took those and grew from them.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?

Use this time in your life to figure out what makes you happy and motivates you. Then try a series of jobs that fulfills those things. Don’t focus on finding a job first then becoming happy in it. Everything happens for a reason, go with the flow and grow from it.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

A normal day at the pool usually consists of teaching swimming lessons, guarding the pool, answering any questions visitors may have, and completing maintenance tasks which include water tests, cleaning change rooms and other small cleaning jobs. As well, you get to work with amazing staff!

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?
I grew up being very involved in sports such as swimming, volleyball, softball and many more activities. When I was ten, I began swimming with the Richmond Rapids out of Minoru. During my three years I swam with them, I also completed all of my Red Cross courses. After, I was not ready to stop swimming, so my mom began to put me in the lifesaving courses where I completed my bronze cross, bronze medallion and my Water Safety Instructor (WSI). By the time I completed these courses I has 15 and had to wait a year to complete my final three courses: National Lifeguard, National Waterpark and Standard First Aid. During that time, I got involved at Minoru as a volunteer in the swimming classes to stay busy. This is something I feel well-prepared me to get hired by the City and made my first few solo classes a little less nerve-wracking. Once I completed my final courses, I waited until the City was hiring and submitted my resume and cover letter. Once I heard back, we had an in-water interview where we had to teach a skill and perform our standards. During this time there were also staff who went over your resume with you and asked a few questions. Overall the interview day was approximately four hours! My experience at the pool has led me to pursue a degree in Sports, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Alberta as I want to continue to pursue a career working with amazing people within the recreation sector.

What parts of your work inspire you?

I would say that swimming lessons inspire me the most as they are the most preventative form of education we provide at the pool. If every person who takes swimming lessons improves their skills, we are doing our part to reduce the number of water-related injuries. As well, as an instructor I get to see my students improve their skills and move through the levels. At the end of the lesson sets, you can see how meaningful your work is when the little kids refuse to leave the pool.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

If I could give advice to my Grade 9 self, I would tell myself to be more involved with City events and to start volunteering. Through all my volunteer work, I have learnt a lot about myself and what drives me to learn and take a leadership role. Volunteering has also boosted my confidence and allowed me to take risks that I would have not previously taken. By getting involved in different areas within the City, you meet amazing people who will have a lasting impact on your life.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?
As a student I know how hard classes currently are. Keep working hard as it will eventually pay off! Do not be afraid to ask for help and speak out when you are having tough time. Teachers, parents and friends want the best for you.

Sign up for icanhelp.richmond.ca for volunteer opportunities.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

I have worked for Richmond Fire-Rescue for 20 years, the first 16 years as a Firefighter on the trucks, and the last four years as the public relations education officer. My job is quite different than the suppression crews. I am responsible for all information flowing through the fire department, including social media, education and news media.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I graduated from York University in Kinesiology in 1988 but somehow found myself working on-air at a Toronto radio station. I moved out to Vancouver for a radio job and eventually met people who convinced me to apply to the BC Forest Service to work in forest firefighting.

Forest firefighting led me to the Justice Institute (JIBC), where I graduated from the fire academy and applied for full-time firefighting jobs. Richmond Fire-Rescue hired me in August of 2000, and I worked as a suppression firefighter for 16 years until the department created a media position. My previous career in the radio industry made me a natural for the job.

What parts of your work inspire you?

Inspiration in firefighting arises from helping people. It's that simple; every day, every emergency, you can assist people in need. Over a career, it’s remarkably gratifying.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

If firefighting is something you may be interested in, I would take the opportunity to discover what you require to be successful. The information is widely available through the City website, the fire department website, or simply by contacting us directly. The process requires multiple certifications, experience and is extremely competitive.

You never know where life will take you; this wasn't my chosen career path. Still, all of the education and experience I gained before considering a firefighting career was critical in enabling me to be hired. I have never regretted this career choice. Everything you do now has a purpose later on.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?
Never doubt you are capable of becoming a firefighter; if you want it, you can achieve it. Feel free to contact me anytime for advice or information!

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

Normal (pre-COVID-19) usually consists of a bunch of different meetings to discuss development projects, soil movement applications, or a City project that has an environmental component. I might also contact a business on Mitchell Island to see how their new pollution control improvements are working. In the afternoon, I might attend an Ocean Protection Plan meeting where Indigenous people and organizations, and stakeholders such as coastal communities, non-governmental organizations and industry, can take part and contribute to how we would respond in the event of a large ocean spill. In the evening, I might receive a call from Richmond Fire-Rescue and guide them on how to safely cleanup a spill of diesel fluid entering a drainage ditch from a motor vehicle accident.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I went to high school in Burnaby and graduated from the University of Victoria with a Geography of Science Degree. I love the outdoors, so I took the Geography classes because they always involved great projects measuring, sampling, and documenting nature. From there, I spent ten years working on cleaning up properties that were polluted by gas stations and other businesses. Three years ago I was hired by the City, and now I get to help turn underutilized, polluted land into cool new environments. I now feel ownership of the City of Richmond, even though I have never lived there.

What parts of your work inspire you?

One of my projects involves working to improve environmental conditions on Mitchell Island. I work with other environmental scientists to identify pollution coming from businesses, and then work with provincial and federal enforcement officers, and the property owner to improve environmental conditions. The goal is to improve the quality of the stormwater entering the Fraser River. The Fraser River is an important ecosystem that supports fish, orcas, birds, and tons of other life forms. I feel like I am doing something really important with this project.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

Ask questions, and listen to people who are really passionate about something.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?Make sure you learn about the issues that could affect your life, and be a voice advocating for the world you want to live in.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

It’s never a dull day here at the City’s Film & Major Events Office. From approving a big stunt on a City street for a new superhero movie, to picking out food truck vendors for our next festival - my days are always full of surprises, hard work, and lots of opportunities to work with the best people (both within and outside of the City).

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I moved to Vancouver from Kenya for university in 2011 and graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts (Double Major in Sociology and Gender, Race, Sexuality & Social Justice). To be honest, even after graduating university, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I had/have so many interests and I never felt like I could really pick just one thing. It quickly became apparent to me that rather than looking for the perfect position, what was important to me was:

• Doing work that aligned with my values;
• Having a role that was eclectic and pushed me to grow both my strengths and weaknesses; and
• Working with inspiring people.

I was initially offered a four-month contract to help support the City’s Major Events team during the Canada 150 celebration year. Three years and multiple projects later, I am still here and loving it!

What parts of your work inspire you?

1. I am inspired by the creativity, dedication, and resilience of the people that I work with - especially in the arts, film, and events industry.
2. I feel motivated when I see people from all walks of life enjoying and participating in our events.
3. I feel really proud and humbled when I see something that was filmed in Richmond - I now know how much time and how many people it takes to get this work done!
4. I feel inspired when I serve my community.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

My advice would be to work hard, but allow yourself to have fun. You’re in this great stage in life, where you have responsibility but you also have a safety net. Take positive risks, ask questions, don’t be afraid to use your voice, and always remember your roots.

Corporate Programs Management Group (CPMG) is a program for high-performing, emerging leaders whose goal is to be accountable for excellent outputs, outcomes and results in our work while developing critical leadership skills with a broad understanding of the organization. We work collaboratively to support and advance corporate initiatives while acting as ambassadors of the Organizational Development program, providing positive impacts and strengthening our corporate culture that drives the City’s performance. Our team is presented with a unique work and learning environment where roles may vary from day to day and staff are requested to assist and re-align with other business units, depending on corporate priorities and need.

As much as we are expected to produce excellent work, our role is also to learn. CPMG participates in a Leadership and Development curriculum through which we are provided with an unparalleled platform to build a network, connect, interact and learn from staff from across the organization. We also benefit from interaction and mentorship from the highest level of leadership in our organization, the Senior Management Team (SMT).

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

Initially when I joined CPMG, I was told to get comfortable with ambiguity. I was not sure exactly what that meant, yet as I settled into my role, I quickly understood. Every day the structure and flow changes as projects and initiatives progress toward deadlines and new priorities are presented. Our environment is fast-paced, and direction may shift at a moment’s notice. We have to react as situations emerge (such as COVID-19), which require our immediate and full attention.

A typical day starts at 8:15 am and ends at 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. In reality, days may start earlier and may also end later depending on projects; I am excited to continue the progress of a project first thing in the morning or when I find myself immersed at the end of a day.

I report to the Manager, Corporate Strategic Initiatives and our portfolio includes (but is not limited to) initiatives such as: Council Strategic Plan, Corporate Projects and Programs (including the Organizational Development or 'Org Dev' Program, and the IMAGINE Richmond Program), Corporate policies, procedures and protocols, and other priority projects as determined by SMT or as directed by the Director of CPMG.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?
As a young boy, I had dreams, just like many other kids I knew, of one day playing in the NHL. I developed a drive geared to continuous improvement, to always get better and stronger in everything I do. Turns out, playing professional hockey is not an easy career path and not everyone, despite their best efforts will make it (though I certainly had fun along the way). My sport endeavors translated to a passion for health and wellness which led me to pursue studies in Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University in Toronto, before moving to Vancouver in 2007.

As nothing in life is predictable, a change in my career path presented an opportunity to start working for the City of Richmond in 2011 as a seasonal labourer in the Sewerage & Drainage department. Though this may not have been my dream role, I viewed this as an excellent opportunity and stepping stone to start a new career. The City of Richmond demonstrates value in their people and provides a safe, stable and secure environment to learn and grow. Things always happen for a reason and I could not be any happier for such an opportunity to pursue a successful and rewarding career.

Learning from building and maintaining our sewer systems, to leading and supervising major capital infrastructure construction and upgrade projects, I used each and every day to build new skills, knowledge and to unleash my creativity and sense of innovation. As I grew and developed into a supervisor, I learned about leadership and accountability to my team and my job as it was a reflection of me and how everyone contributes to the success of the organization. The biggest challenge of my work was not performing physical work itself. It was leading my team to achieve our desired outcomes all while ensuring a healthy and safe environment for our people and the community we work in.

Through this experience and my demonstrated skills of leadership, communication, teamwork and pursuit of excellence, just as my CPMG colleagues were identified in their respective previous roles, I was recognized by my supervisors and senior management as an emerging leader to move into my current role as a Program Manager with the Corporate Programs Management Group. From here, the sky is the limit!

What parts of your work inspire you?
My career in municipal government has been challenging, rewarding and has given me a lot to be proud of. I am inspired by my position and the opportunity for new challenges, to grow my leadership skills and to continue advancing my career. I have learned that I will never stop learning. The City of Richmond is a values-based organization and emphasizes the importance of the people who work here while providing opportunity for professional, technical and personal development. I also appreciate that my contributions affect so many people I work with, and also helps shapes the city where I live.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?
The road will sometimes be challenging and rough, but life has a strange way of teaching lessons while getting you to where you need to be at the time you need to be there. Cherish your youth, have fun, stay curious, never stop learning and don’t be afraid to make mistakes for fear of failure. These failures provide experience and lessons to be even more successful in future challenges. You will occasionally “fall” but each time you pick yourself up and learn from it, you develop resilience and positivity as a priority in your life which will only translate into your work life, one of the most important skills required for today.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?
You have the world at your fingertips. Although you may feel like you know what you want to do, study or become, keep your doors open and don’t be afraid to try new things and accept new challenges. “Test all different waters before diving in” and don’t get discouraged when the path you thought you were supposed to follow happens to change. This is the best part!

Along the way, the journey through my career has provided some amazing twists and turns and I don’t foresee that trend stopping. Sometimes, you will need to make difficult decisions about your path; trust yourself to make the best decision and don’t look back in regret. Make the best of every opportunity. Build relationships and network!

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

My work changes daily depending on the tasks required, which mainly focuses on maintaining the City's ditch systems and making sure all drainage systems work properly throughout the City. Some of the jobs that I do is install pipe, clean and maintain garbage screens, repair ditch banks and monitor the ditches to find blockages in the system.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I graduated high school and was fortunate enough to work for the City the summer in between high school and university. I was able to finish my first year of university and take the year off to work. The City of Richmond brought me back on to work full-time for the year and I haven’t looked back. This is a great job and I haven’t regretted my decision.

What parts of your work inspire you?

What inspires me is the opportunities the City of Richmond offers me. The opportunity to move to other positions to explore different career paths and the wide variety of training the City offers further progresses my knowledge of the organization's operations, allowing me to complete my job safely and to the best of my ability.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

Listen to your parents and teachers. Focus more on yourself and make sure you do your school work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek help if you need it; that’s what your teachers and counsellors are there for.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?

Keep your options open and realize that there are a lot of avenues to take after high school: college, university, trade school, full- or part-time work. Building a solid resume before school is finished/ends is always a good idea because it is harder to get a job without one. Getting your foot in the door with a municipality or big corporation always looks good on a resume.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

I’m lucky to have a diverse array of work responsibilities, and my day-to-day can vary greatly. Some of my regular responsibilities include:

• Management of the design and construction of district energy utility infrastructure.
• Management of the day-to-day operation and optimization of the district energy utilities.
• Customer service and coordination.
• Long term technical and financial planning.
• Policy development.
• Business case development and analysis for new utility services.
• Presenting analysis and recommendations to our Board of Directors and City Council so they can make informed decisions about the future of our utility.

I get to enjoy a mix of field and office work, including time spent on construction sites and at our energy plants, but also in the boardroom and council chambers. It is a highly collaborative work space with lots of teamwork required. While many of my responsibilities are regular and well-defined, there is always opportunity for me to shape my own work and develop projects and strategy to help the utility.

What parts of your work inspire you?

I love seeing things that start as ideas come to fruition in the real word. I like the challenge of managing a project through this process. This can be as simple as installing a new section of underground piping to transport energy to our customers, or as complex as developing a new policy and business model for the delivery of a new services to our customers.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

Don’t be afraid to dive into your passions more, inside and outside of school. Keep a balance, but make sure to focus on things you enjoy – it will serve you better in the long run.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?

Be curious, and harness the power of your curiosity to find things that you enjoy doing. I believe that people will excel at things they have a genuine interest and passion for.

What does a normal day in your role look, sound, and feel like?

A “new normal” day looks a little different but is just as fulfilling as a normal day in the office. New challenges are presented while working in a home office environment but connection with work colleagues, strategic teams and delivering results to meet the objectives of the People Development Strategic Plan remains the goal of each day.

Working in a home office for the most part is much quieter than working in an office environment so it sounds much different than it used to. For me, it’s important to connect with work colleagues on video and phone calls every day to continue to innovate and build-on ideas and concepts to continuously improve the City’s services and programs.

What is your story? How did you get to where you are now?

I started out as a BCIT Marketing Grad (Sales and Marketing in Tourism). I started my career in sport tourism with Tourism Burnaby (2007-2009) then applied to the City of Richmond to help the City open the Sport Hosting Office (2009-2014). I was then seconded from my sport hosting role into the City’s leadership development program in the Corporate Programs Management Group (CPMG). Working out of the CAO’s Office on strategic corporate projects taught me a lot about the organization and elevated my leadership skills (2014-2018). I was then fortunate to work with a great team as the Manager, Customer Service (2018-2019) which led me to discovering the wonderful world of Human Resources when I applied to be the Manager, People Development (2019-present).

It’s been a non-traditional route into Human Resources but it’s a route that I wouldn’t change for anything. The City offered many opportunities I would have never received at any other organization…for that I am grateful and look forward to growing my career further in the coming years.

What parts of your work inspire you?

Working with my colleagues on the HR team and around the organization. Whether we are working in a virtual environment or at the office, the work ethic, creativity and passion of our City staff team is incredible and is a source of inspiration for me every day.

What advice would you give your Grade 9 self?

• Be curious and ask questions – this will help bring clarity to what you are interested in and passionate about.
• Talk to people in the industry – don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are in careers you are interested in. Almost everyone is receptive to you reaching out and you can gain so much knowledge from a quick conversation.
• Pay it forward – when you are established in your own career, be sure to think back when you were in Grade 9 and support those that will follow in your footsteps.

Any words of encouragement for today's Grade 9 students?

Have fun…Grade 9 is a great time to be with your friends, learn something new everyday and be open to new ideas!