Women’s History Month | Kamber Box, Facility Civil Engineer

 Growing up in the small town of Mancos, Colorado, Kamber Box knew she wanted to do something special with her career that combined her love of the outdoors with her passion for helping others. She was also drawn to technical work. The Forest Service gave Box an opportunity to combine all three.

“I spent countless trips camping with my grandparents and hunting with my dad,” she said. “It was important to me to be able to give back to a wonderful small community as my great grandfather did when he worked on the San Juan National Forest road crew many years ago.”

As a Facility Civil Engineer, Box manage the Colville National Forest’s vast facilities program that supports five forest compounds, recreation sites, communication towers, lookout towers, water and wastewater systems, wastewater systems, and more. Her work runs the gamut from planning capital improvements and responding to facility emergencies or system failures to keeping track of hazardous materials and improving the efficiency and sustainability of forest infrastructure, and everything in between.

“In a nut shell, I do a little bit of everything to keep our infrastructure as intact, safe, and efficient as possible,” she said. “I enjoy being able to help fellow employees solve issues and concerns to make improvements to their work environment so they can continue to work our mission and improve our environment and community.”

Box has worked for the Forest Service since 2006. In that time, she’s worked on 3 forests in two regions, with the Colville being home since 2014. When asked what she recommends to new employees or those interested in entering the Forest Service, she suggests keeping an open mind and open eyes. “Train across all departments so you have a broader perspective of how we all work together as a team and with partners,” she said. “You never know how far you can reach unless you listen, have understanding, and can communicate with others.”

Outside of work, Box is proud to be a wife to her husband of 8 years and a mother to two little girls, ages 2 and 5. She also volunteers with Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), a nonprofit that provides physical and emotional support to empower children who have been abused.

“It’s rewarding to be able to help kids move on and be kids again,” Box said.

Box earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 2009. That prepared her to develop a fast moving and productive facilities program on the Colville while preparing to become licensed as a Professional Engineer. Known as the highest standard of competence in the industry, the certification will enable Box to continue to provide the excellent service that helps the Colville keep ticking. 

It’s a point of pride she hopes members of the public can appreciate. 

“We are regular people that want to make a positive difference in our community through the opportunities that the Forest Service allows us to use,” Box said. “We are up to the challenge to do the best possible for our community and our public lands.”