Geotechnical
Engineering
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
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Construction Materials
Engineering
& Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
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Civil/Pavement
Engineering
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
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Environmental Geology
& Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
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Roads & Bridges
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
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Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
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Airports, Ports & Dredging
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
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Rail & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
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Buildings & Parks
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
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HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
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Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
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Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
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Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
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Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
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Agencies
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
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Consultant Clients
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
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HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
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How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
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Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
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Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
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Rob Lawrence
Geotechnical Department Manager
Rob Lawrence - A passion for cultivating a team that cares and delivers for our clients
"The Geotechnical team is typically one of the first on a job site. If we blow the schedule or miss critical soil issues, it puts the entire project at risk."
Robert Lawrence, Department Manager for the Geotechnical Group at HVJ Associates® keeps this from happening. “My team strives to get ahead of the schedule, so the rest of the project stays on track,” he says. His group also identifies any unique issues with the soil and geology, which vary from site to site.
“Some conditions can severely affect the project,” Rob explains. “We bring those design challenges to the project team right away.” Addressing these problems early helps the design evolve correctly and benefits the client and everyone on the project team.
We sat down with Rob this month to ask a few more questions about what drives him and his group to excellence.
1. Starting with some background about yourself, How did you get started in this field, and what inspires you most in your work?
I came from a small town and didn't really know many engineers. But I was good at math and science, which pushed me into engineering. I chose civil engineering because it covered a lot of different things. During undergrad, I found geotechnical engineering to be the most challenging, which made it the most rewarding for me. That’s why I got my master’s degree in it.
With geotechnical engineering, no two projects are the same, because the soil and geology change from project to project. That means designing an element like a retaining wall or bridge, even if we’ve designed them before, will be totally different, because the site conditions will be different from previous projects. Each project becomes a unique experience and lets us provide the client with specialized, site-specific recommendations for their project.
2. What is your favorite type of project/work?
Any project that deviates from standard designs and requires us to put on our thinking caps to come up with a solution that best suits our client’s and owner’s needs for that particular project.
I also really enjoy public infrastructure projects. It’s rewarding to go around the place you live and see the projects that you've done and how they're helping the community.
3. What are the common types of problems that your customers are trying to solve? What do you think draws them specifically to HVJ?
Our clients are looking for solutions that are beyond the cookie cutter. And they need to be sure they're solving the problem in the best way for the groups of people they represent, whether they’re water districts, municipalities, or the state.
We have a very client-centered approach to our projects. We want the client to feel as if their Geotechnical team is sitting in the office next to them through the entire project. From the planning phase to the design phase and into the construction phase, we’re there as their teammate and co-worker. We help them throughout the project because we know that projects evolve as the scope is executed.
HVJ delivers that consistently. And I find that our clients recognize that we're able to deliver that higher quality and close relationship throughout the project. That’s what draws them to HVJ.
It means not only meeting the budget, deadlines, and scope, but also ensuring clients are confident and satisfied when they step away from the project. They know HVJ has done the job they needed, and we will be there with them for any changes or modifications that come down the road.
It means going beyond the project on the paper. It's getting to know the client and what their role is in the community and how they want to best serve their customers.
We make sure we’re aligned with their goals by getting to know clients beyond just the project we're working on. When we have that mindset, when we have that understanding, executing the work of the project becomes almost like second nature, because we understand each other at a better level before the project has even started.
HVJ provides continuing education for everyone in the company, whether laboratory technicians, engineers, geologists, or senior leadership. Learning never ends for anybody.
I've taken leadership training programs and project management training programs, both internally and externally. And I train in the latest trends, design guidelines, and recommendations that are coming out of the industry.
HVJ is always supportive of us going beyond the standard traditional learning that's required for certifications or licenses. The company talks with people about their career goals, from both the employee’s perspective and HVJ's perspective. Then HVJ aligns the training specific to those goals. That way, employees grow with the company and the company can grow at the same time.
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