Tracy N. Jones
Soil Scientist
Class of 1996
Environmental Science

My classes at UT prepared me to do the things my current job requires, so they have all contributied to my career success. The soils classes provided a great background in how soil qualities and characteristics affect land uses and development, and the soil and water engineering classes gave me skills in handling issues like stormwater drainage, streambank stabilization and erosion control. All of these things directly affect water quality and quantity, and I use the knowledge from my college classes every day.

Most of my job has to do with land uses and development and how they affect water quantity/quality. My daily duties include helping the MPC with land planning by looking at property rezonings, inspecting commercial sites during development, running the Adopt-A-Stream Program, helping implement new stormwater standards and regulations for the NPDES Phase II Permit required by EPA, helping citizens with drainage/flooding problems, and assisting with programs such as Kids in the Creek, WaterFest, River Rescue, CPR and Environmental Stewardship.