When it comes to designing engineering projects for Jefferson City, Tia Griffin is the last woman standing.
Of the four people who formerly worked in the department, one has taken a new job with Boone County, a second transferred to the city's planning division and a third was promoted.
"I'm the only one standing out of the four of us," Griffin said.
It makes for a busy workday for the 30-year-old mother, who has worked as a design engineer for the city for eight years and as an intern for three years.
Griffin's responsibilities require her to take conceptual ideas and develop them into real-world construction projects.
Her process starts with creating an engineering design. She also works with area utilities, property owners and businesses. During the bid process - which she also manages - she answers contractors' questions. Finally, she serves as project manager, fielding engineering-related questions and solving unforeseen complications.
Renovating Water Street - the brick street that parallels the Union Pacific railroad tracks near Lohman's Landing - is one of Griffin's current projects. The city received a federal grant to replace the deteriorating street with permeable pavers and make the area compliant with ADA regulations.
Two other projects closer to completion are the construction of sidewalks along Clark Avenue and new stormwater facilities near Satinwood Drive.
She said kids were playing on the sidewalks before they were even completed. And, the new modern inlets along Satinwood Drive mean neighbors and city workers no longer have to venture out in the middle of storms to clear antiquated or undersized inlets of fallen leaves and other debris. Now the debris flows - along with the rain water - to where it belongs in Wears Creek.
Building things that people need is the most gratifying part of her job, she said.
"When people are happy with the end result, that's great," she said.
Griffin has a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of Missouri. She is married to Jason Griffin; together the couple has a 14-month-old son.
In their free time, the family likes to cheer on the Tigers and walk on area trails.