Eng. Karina Jiménez Rivera, PE, Esq. 

Project Manager

Professional Profile

Results-driven Program Manager and Licensed Civil Engineer, Karina Jiménez Rivera, PE, Esq. brings extensive experience leading end-to-end project lifecycles—from strategic planning and design through evaluation and construction—across residential, commercial, and public infrastructure sectors. She has specialized knowledge in land development, zoning, and permitting processes at both municipal and central government levels, with a focus on federally funded initiatives, including CDBG and FEMA programs. 

Karina’s experience includes her roles as former Director of Permits for both Puerto Rico’s central government and the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan, the island’s most complex and populous jurisdiction, where high-impact projects with local and federal components were evaluated and advanced. 
Karina is a proven leader of multidisciplinary teams that is focused on regulatory compliance, stakeholder coordination, and timely project delivery. She is skilled in aligning resources and streamlining workflows to meet technical, financial, and community goals. 

Core Competencies: 

• HUD CDBG-DR CRP Program Implementation 
• Regulatory Compliance (NEPA, 24 CFR Part 58, Section 106, 2 CFR 200) 
• Permitting & Land Use Regulations (OGPe, Puerto Rico Planning Board) 
• Environmental & Risk Assessments 
• Public Infrastructure & Housing Development 
• Interagency & Municipal Coordination 
• Legal Analysis & Policy Guidance 
• Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement 

Representative Projects

Tetra Tech, INC. JUL 2018 to SEP 2019 State Program Delivery Manager (SPDMG) 

• Served as State Program Delivery Manager for transportation sector disaster recovery efforts, interfacing with FEMA, COR3, and government agencies on infrastructure and financial recovery projects. 
• Managed permanent project allocations funded by FEMA and COR3, tracked progress in FEMA’s Grants Portal, and ensured applicant compliance with deadlines and documentation. 
• Provided technical guidance and expertise in federal regulations, assisting with project formulation, compliance reviews, and subrecipient procurement monitoring. 
• Conducted preliminary damage assessments (PDAs), developed scopes of work, and wrote Project Worksheets (PWs) for the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. 
• Supported design, development, and construction efforts to restore infrastructure, ensuring alignment with FEMA Public Assistance policies and construction standards. 
• Collaborated with project managers and engineers to deliver cost estimates and recovery services for moderate to complex disaster recovery projects. 
• Maintained communication with clients, measured performance using key metrics, resolved project-related issues, and kept leadership informed on progress and regulatory updates. 

Municipality of San Juan – Public Works Department - May 2016 to Jun 2018 Engineer II 

• Scheduled materials, equipment, and personnel for municipal and federally funded infrastructure projects, including road and drainage improvements. 
• Supported the Public Works Director in daily operations and management of repair, maintenance, and new development initiatives. 
• Managed disaster recovery claims and reporting requirements related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, including documentation of equipment usage in compliance with federal regulations. 
• Supervised and organized over 200 employees and ensured project execution met applicable building codes and quality standards. 
• Represented the municipality in legal matters involving infrastructure and department-related issues. 
• Coordinated with municipal, central, and federal agencies to align projects with regulatory requirements and funding conditions, including CDBG-funded efforts. 
• Oversaw rehabilitation of storm drains, sidewalks, street signage, and road markings, and led field staff in implementing project schedules and construction plans. 
• Co-led project scope, budget, and timeline control for roadway rehabilitation and stormwater management projects, ensuring compliance with MS4 regulations and EPA requirements. 

Municipality of San Juan – Permits Office - Jan 2013 to Apr 2016 Director 

• Directed all permitting operations, overseeing evaluation and analysis of infrastructure development projects for compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations. 
• 4 Eng . Karina Jiménez Rivera, PE, Esq 
• Served as President of the Municipal Bid Board, reviewing and awarding contracts for major projects funded by FEMA, CDBG, and other public and private sources. 
• Supervised, scheduled, and organized the work of over 60 employees, ensuring effective coordination of permitting functions and regulatory enforcement. 
• Liaised with government agencies to obtain necessary permits and endorsements, facilitating interagency coordination and streamlined approval processes. 
• Reviewed and approved project plans, specifications, and proposals for compliance with applicable laws and zoning provisions; issued resolutions, notifications, and determinations. 
• Advised engineers, architects, surveyors, commercial entities, and the public on technical requirements and regulatory obligations. 
• Led site inspections, performed assessments across project classifications, and collected and analyzed data to inform permitting decisions. 
• Provided training for technical staff on evolving permit requirements and contributed recommendations for policy and zoning updates. 

Regulations And Permits Administration - Jun 2008 to Jan 2013 Engineer II 

• Planned, coordinated, and supervised the technical evaluation and permitting of development projects, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. 
• Evaluated federally funded construction projects for regulatory compliance and zoning alignment. 
• Reviewed plans, specifications, and supporting documentation for approvals, and issued resolutions, notifications, and denials based on permit criteria. 
• Provided technical guidance to engineers, architects, surveyors, and the public regarding applicable laws and permitting standards. 
• Attended interagency meetings, performed site inspections, and made development recommendations aligned with land use policies. 
• Trained technical staff on permit review procedures and regulatory updates; analyzed data and compiled reports to support planning and policy decisions. 

Regulations And Permits Administration – Mar 2006 to Jun 2008 Director 

• Directed the “Centros Expresos para Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas (PyMES)” in San Juan, Carolina, and Caguas to streamline permitting for small and mid-sized businesses. 
• Oversaw the Technical Evaluation Office, managing interagency coordination to expedite permitting processes and regulatory compliance. 
• Supervised, scheduled, and organized the work of over 100 employees across technical and administrative functions. 
• Maintained full compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations and led the implementation of program goals, performance reviews, and continuous improvement plans. 
• Reviewed development project plans, zoning provisions, and specifications for legal and technical compliance; issued resolutions, approvals, and official notifications. 
• Provided expert consultation to engineers, architects, and the public on land use, permitting laws, and construction regulations. 
• Participated as a member of the Interagency Permit Committee, the Board of Beaches, and the Interagency Committee for the New Model of Permits. 
• 5 Eng . Karina Jiménez Rivera, PE, Esq 
• Conducted site inspections, reviewed data and assessments across multiple classifications, and provided recommendations to inform urban development decisions. 

Regulations and Permits Administration - Mar 2003 to Dec 2005 Engineer in Training 

• Conducted technical evaluations of development projects by reviewing plans, specifications, and zoning compliance in accordance with applicable regulations. 
• Composed and reviewed resolutions, approvals, denials, and official notifications based on regulatory criteria and project assessments. 
• Provided technical guidance to engineers, architects, and the public regarding permitting requirements and construction laws. 
• Attended interagency planning meetings, participated in development consultations, and made land use recommendations. 
• Performed site inspections, gathered and analyzed data, and supported planning decisions through tabulated findings. 
• Trained junior staff in permit procedures and contributed to process improvements for project review workflows. 

Vivoni & Villegas - Jan 2001 to Jul 2001 Engineer in Training 

• Conducted field inspections and supervised testing procedures for the expansion of a wastewater management plant. 
• Collaborated with contractors and clients on-site to monitor project execution and ensure compliance with specifications. 
• Prepared detailed daily reports to document progress, ensure quality control, and support project accountability. 
• Reviewed construction materials, method statements, and technical submittals for approval and compliance. 
• Oversaw handling and usage of materials, verified measurements, and ensured alignment with contractual deliverables. 
• Managed project site operations to maintain timelines, safety standards, and quality benchmarks. 

Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto – Oficina Del Gar - Sep 2000 To Dec 2000 Field Inspector 

• Served as field inspector for FEMA Public Assistance disaster response and recovery projects in coordination with the Puerto Rico government. 
• Conducted inspections to ensure project compliance with federal, state, and local building regulations.
• Reviewed technical documents including construction materials, method statements, drawings, and samples submitted by contractors. 
• Coordinated with relevant government bodies to align field activities with regulatory requirements and project objectives. 

Education

J.D., Law
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, 2013

B.S., Civil Engineer
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, 2000

Skills / Certificates

• PE Engineer License # 18,737
• RUA # 21,461 (Attorney and Notary).
• Project Management Institute( PMI) Member
• 35 hours of Project Management Education / Training (PMP) –(In Process
• OSHA 10 hrs.-Construction Industry
• OSHA 30 hrs. Construction Industry – 26-607303789
• GHS and OSHA Hazardous Communication
• Certificado Profesional en Redacción de Propuestas y Administración de Fondos Externos  – Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras
• Certificate on Legal Skills for Resilient Recovery Courses – Advocacy and Climate Change and Grants and Contracting from the UPR Resiliency Law Center

Additional Courses

• Impacto del Reglamento Conjunto 2020 en la Ingeniería y Agrimensura
• Rehabilitación de Edificios Antiguos
• Información de la secuencia de eventos en el suroeste y el rol del ingeniero y agrimensor durante los huracanes y terremotos
• Structural Lessons Learned from the String of Earthquakes Experienced in the Southwest of PR
• International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
• Simposio/Conferencia de Terremotos – CIAPR
• Adiestramiento de Seguridad en Zonas de Construcción Vial
• Proceso de Evaluación de Cumplimiento Ambiental para Proyectos bajo el Programa CDBG-DR – Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Planificación
• FEMA Courses: IS-393.b, IS- 800.d, IS-200.c, IS-100.c, IS- 700.b, IS-27, IS-321, IS-322