Meet A City Employee: Jorge Campos, Project Engineer With Public Works

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

The City of Dalton is special because of the people who work hard every day to make it the best place to live, work, and play in Georgia. The City is proud of the men and women working to serve our residents. This article is the first in a series of profiles we'll be running from time to time to spotlight the special people who are making a difference in our City. 

Jorge Campos is a project engineer with the Public Works Department. He joined the department in the summer of 2022 after completing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Campos has lived in many places, but he spent his formative years growing up in Dalton and considers it his home.

Here's a Q&A with Campos about his career so far:

So, you joined the city last year?

Yes, in August.

And is this your first job in engineering?

Yes, it is.

Where’d you go to school?

First I went to Dalton State and got my associate’s degree there, and then I went to Walla Walla University in Washington state. It’s in Walla Walla, Washington.

Wow, Washington - Did you grow up in Dalton?

I was born in Mexico, actually. I came to Dalton when I was about 12 years old.

So how big of an adjustment was it to go from Dalton to Walla Walla, Washington?

Well, it actually wasn’t that big of a change because Walla Walla is a small town, similar to Dalton. And the area where the college is was even smaller. But it was nice out there, it was colder out there, it snows a little more.

Right, the weather had to be an adjustment.

Yes, but I enjoyed it. It was nice.

So from Walla Walla, where to next?

I’ve been different places, I actually didn’t get my degree while I was still in Walla Walla. I moved to Michigan and lived there for a couple years and then came back to Dalton. When I got back here, I finished my degree online with Walla Walla University. I finished it in June of last year.

Where were you in Michigan?

I was in the East Lansing area and also in the upper peninsula in Houghton, Michigan. I went to school for a while there in the upper peninsula, and I also took part in training for public campus ministry.

And your degree is in civil engineering?

Yes, the official title of the degree is bachelor of science in engineering with a civil engineering concentration.

What made you want to come back to Dalton after living all across the country – other than maybe the weather being better here?

Well, I grew up here so, I have a lot of friends here and my parents still live here. So I wanted to be with my friends from church. The weather, I actually enjoyed the snow up in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It was really nice. It was really cold; I didn’t like the cold, but I liked the snow.

You’re back home and you’re near your family and friends – what do you enjoy about your work here with the city?

I enjoy going out and looking at the projects that are going on, and it’s really interesting to see how they go from design and then to construction and just seeing the construction process all the way to completion. I guess that’s what I really enjoy the most, just looking at the whole process and seeing a project completed.

You’ve only been here less than a year, but what would you say is the coolest thing you’ve worked on so far?

The (Heritage Point) soccer fields are pretty cool, that was a really cool project and they’re really nice. My first day here was when they started tearing down the downtown parking deck, so that was really cool to see the demolition. And now I guess the other project that’s going on right now is the stormwater drainage project at the West Hill Cemetery. That’s going to be really nice, and that’s going on right now. So I get to see all of the stages of construction.

For someone who doesn’t know what your job is, how would you explain what a project engineer does with the City of Dalton?

Project engineer, I deal with mainly two things here which are dealing with the city streets and also with stormwater management. So I would explain that I deal with construction and maintenance of city streets and also the drainage system of the city.

When people see a crew working to fix pot holes or pave a road, then that’s something that probably came across your desk at some point.

Yes, probably.

What are some of your goals for your future work here at Public Works?

So far, I’ve really enjoyed it, and I plan to stay long term. It’s a good place to work and a good career. Right now, I’m still learning so, I just want to learn as much as I can and contribute and serve the city the best that I can.

What’s the best part of working here at the Public Works Department?

I’d say the best part is just, like I said, going out and looking at the projects and seeing them come to fruition. That’s probably the best part.

Away from work, what are your interests? What do you do for fun?

I enjoy hiking, and walking in the parks. I go to church on Saturdays to the Dalton Hispanic Seventh Day Adventist Church. And something that I don’t do as much anymore but I used to and still enjoy when I get to is playing soccer. And I also don’t do it as much as I’d like to, but I play the guitar as well.

Were you ever in a band?

Just playing at home, and also playing at church sometimes. At church I also help with the audio visual department there.

Have you thought about joining one of the adult soccer leagues with the Parks and Rec Department?

I actually was part of one for one season and I might do it again if my friends keep asking me about it (laughs). I never played in school, I just played for fun. It was a past time for me.

What position to do you play? Are you a forward, midfield?

If I play in an actual game, I actually play defense. But I prefer playing midfield or forward.

Yeah, you look like you’d be fast enough to play forward.

Well, I’m actually really out of shape right now so I’m not fast at all.

Is there anything else that you’d like to say about your work or being back home in Dalton?

Dalton is like home to me, I really like Dalton. It’s a privilege to be able to serve the city.