Ruurd - Dredging Project Manager
Our water board manages 2,500 km of waterways. And they all need to be navigable. I coordinate the dredging work. We dredge small waterways ourselves, but for large bodies of water we hire a dredger. I take care of everything from start to finish to make sure this gets done. That means the preliminary investigations, the tendering process, the planning, and monitoring progress. It's a busy job with lots of different tasks. I'm a real all-rounder. I enjoy the variety. And I find it rewarding that my work contributes to the climate and quality of life in my own region.
‘Water workers have time on their side’
Sustainable dredging
Dredging work often takes place in rural areas, so I consult with farmers. First, we check whether the sludge is clean. We remove contaminated soil. We take good-quality sludge from the ditches and spread it on farmers' land. They receive a dredging fee for this and can use the sludge to fill in low-lying areas. The sludge comes from nature and is returned to the land. Dredging is very circular.
Immediate results
We are increasingly focusing on area-based working. This is an integrated approach. For example, when planning dredging work, we also schedule other activities that strengthen the waterways and ensure that water is retained more effectively. Think of the construction of nature-friendly banks and verges.
As water workers, we have time on our side. Water is a hot topic right now. You see that in politics and in the news. I do useful work that has a social impact. And what I also find very important is that you see the results of your work quickly and that people in the area benefit from it immediately.
‘I like having enough time for my family too.’
Before this, I worked for a large civil engineering contractor. The work was interesting and took place at all kinds of special locations, but I was often away from home for long periods of time. Now I work in the area I have known all my life. And I have normal working days. I like the fact that I have enough time left over for my family and other things. My work and private life are now much better balanced.
Room for personal development
The water board is a flat organization with short lines of communication and a good atmosphere. I am in contact with both managers and colleagues in the field. In addition, I am given a lot of freedom to do my work the way I want. And there is time and budget for personal development. I had some preconceptions about the water board, fearing that it would be a bit stuffy, but Noorderzijlvest is much more dynamic than I thought.
Will you choose water work too?
We work together to achieve the right water balance. But we believe that a good work-life balance is just as important!Withus, you can combine meaningful work with job satisfaction and good employment conditions.
