Petero Waqanivavalagi Tuiwalese
Sacramento
Summary
Motivated civil engineer with over six years of experience in tier-one contracting, specializing in technical civil structures projects. Proven track record in implementing high-quality construction techniques and enhancing project outcomes. Experienced Engineering Laboratory Technician skilled in research, testing, and troubleshooting within engineering labs. Demonstrated ability to improve lab efficiency through streamlined processes and effective collaboration.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Civil Engineering Laboratory Technician
University of the South Pacific
03.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: The Department of Civil Engineering offers a four-year Bachelor of Engineering - Civil degree programme.
- Provide satisfactory support to course coordinators and duties carried out with diligence and in a timely manner.
- Leading on general management & housekeeping of laboratories and associated spaces.
- Purchasing of materials/types of equipment and the state of practical classes and projects. Purchasing of Lab apparatus through the University of the South Pacific e-quote system locally and internationally.
- Stocktaking, ordering, and accurate record keeping of equipment and resources. Record keeping in the University system through Asset registration.
- Carrying out maintenance of the school equipment and facilities.
- Provide technical support in School of Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Physics (STEMP)
- Assist Academic staff on technical matters and assist in research work and consultancy.
- USP/School outreach activities - Help in outreach activities as needed.
- The Department of Civil Engineering offers a four-year Bachelor of Engineering - Civil degree programme.
Technical Staff (Officer in Charge)
Ministry of Waterways and Environment
03.2020 - 02.2021
- Plan and organise and carry out regular inspection, technical investigations, monitor and prepare reports in the required templates for drainage, irrigation and flood mitigation schemes. Liaises with fieldsman, technical staffs, all field workers and all staff within the division and report to Senior Technical Officers.
- Create Data Base to ensure the work is completed as outlined in the work schedule.
- Supervise and follow up the work in progress to ensure the work schedule is achieved within the Timeframe.
- Compile agreed report in the required standards with recommendation within agreed timeframe.
- Actively contribute to all requirements of the Ministry's planning, budgeting and reporting requirements.
Clerk of Works
Fiji National University
07.2019 - 02.2020
- Quality Assurance - Inspect construction works to ensure compliance with architectural and engineering plans, specifications, and university standards. Monitor the quality of materials and workmanship to ensure they meet required standards. Verify that the work is completed to agreed benchmarks and finishes.
- Compliance and Safety - Ensure adherence to building codes, safety regulations, and relevant legal requirements. Oversee the implementation of health and safety practices on the construction site.
- Liaison and Communication - Act as a link between the university, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders. Report any deviations, defects, or delays in the project to the university or project manager. Attend project meetings and provide updates on progress and issues.
- Supervision and Monitoring - Regularly visit the site to monitor ongoing work and ensure it aligns with the project schedule. Witness key construction milestones and conduct inspections at critical stages of the build. Verify contractor compliance with contract terms, specifications, and agreed methodologies.
- Documentation - Maintain detailed records of construction progress, including site visits, inspections, and any identified issues. Prepare written reports on project status, quality concerns, and recommendations for corrective actions.
- Testing and Commissioning - Witness testing of systems and materials, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical installations. Verify that all systems are functioning correctly and meet university requirements before handover.
- Defects Identification and Handover - Identify and document defects or issues that need rectification before project completion. Assist in the final inspection and handover process, ensuring all deliverables meet the university's expectations.
- Cost and Time Efficiency - Ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and projects are completed within budget and time constraints.
Engineering Cadet to Site Engineer
Fletcher Construction Fiji Ltd
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: The Four Bridges Project was a design and build contract of four multi span concrete bridges for the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) located on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
- I was a key member in our Suva precast yard where we manufactured all of the pre-stressed bridge beams prior to shipping them to site. I was involved in the supervision of the bending and placing of the reinforcing cage, pre-pour inspections, stressing of the strands and acceptance of the ready mix concrete prior to pouring then heat curing the concrete.
- I was involved in the inspection and set out of the in-situ concrete construction of the sub and super structure where I ensured that the bridge was built to the correct line, level and had sufficient cover to meet the durability requirements.
- We bent steel on site and I was required to check that the bending radius, lap length and steel grade, diameter and bar type meet the drawing requirements.
- I also accepted ready mix concrete to site to ensure that it was suitable prior to placing and was exposed to various mix designs using different admixtures and binders such as micro silica and fly ash which after acceptance of the mix ensured our project team carried out correct compaction, finishing and curing.
- At the Lomawai bridge I worked alongside Fletchers New Zealand anchoring specialist to drill, install, stress and grout anchor tendons in to the shallow basalt layer in order to meet the seismic design requirements.
- Working with Fletchers foundation experts Brian Perry Civil I had exposure to the installation of bottom driven piles and was responsible for conducting the quality assurance required to ascertain if they reached capacity as well as reinforcing cage and welding inspections.
- To meet the seismic design we drove 15.0m x 300mm SED timber poles in a grid to prevent liquefaction and failure of the soil under the abutment in shear. I was responsible for set out and pre and post testing using a Swedish Screw Test to prove the improvement was effective.
- Fletchers have very high Health and Safety requirements which meet international standards. While working on these projects it was part of my role to carry out task based hazard identification, ensure Job Safety Environmental Analysis (JSEA) where followed, ran permit to work systems, carried out weekly site inspections and present at weekly tool box meetings when asked by the Project Manager.
- Working closely with all key stake holders was of extreme importance on this project and as such protecting the environment that they lived in was key. I gained experience in sediment control techniques in compliance with the Auckland Council TP90 Sediment Control Guidance and spill response requirements such as use of spill kits.
- Meeting FRA quality requirements was our highest priority and I was a key player in ensuring that the Inspection Test Plan requirements delegated to me by the Project Manager were meet and that the QA was recorded in a clear manor to ensure that sign off from our New Zealand based design team was an efficient process.
- The Four Bridges Project was a design and build contract of four multi span concrete bridges for the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) located on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Education
Bachelor in Honours Engineering - Civil
01.2019
Trade Diploma -
Civil Engineering
01.2015
References
- Mr Azam Mobashir, Contract Manager, Jacks of Fiji, +679 9993378, mobashir@jacksfiji.com
- Mr Wayne Areki, Structural Engineer/Assistant Lecturer, University of the South Pacific, +679 2740887, wayne.areki@usp.ac.fj
- Mr Thomas Kishore, Former Structural Civil Engineer/Assistant Lecturer, University of the South Pacific, +679 2740887, thomas.kishore@usp.ac.fj
Personal Information
Title: Civil Engineer
Industry Training
- Fletcher Construction, Sika Concrete Repair, 07/15, Concrete Technology, 07/15, Reinforcing Technology, 08/15, Swedish Screw Test for proof of ground improvement, 11/15, Rigging of Regular Loads, 05/16, Use of NDM, 05/16, Basic Set out with a Total Station, 05/16
- University of the South Pacific, Occupational Health and Safety Module I and II Training, Working in a Confined space Training
Timeline
Civil Engineering Laboratory Technician
University of the South Pacific
03.2021 - Current
Technical Staff (Officer in Charge)
Ministry of Waterways and Environment
03.2020 - 02.2021
Clerk of Works
Fiji National University
07.2019 - 02.2020
Engineering Cadet to Site Engineer
Fletcher Construction Fiji Ltd
03.2015 - 02.2017
Bachelor in Honours Engineering - Civil
Trade Diploma -
Civil Engineering
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