Rise Up for BeyondZero: A Q&A with Joe M. Olivarez Jr.

BeyondZero® is our approach to the health, safety and security of our people, the protection of the environment and the resilience of Jacobs. BeyondZero is so much more than a typical safety program. It’s helped us recognize and emphasize our whole selves, clearing the way for safety that encompasses the physical and emotional alongside the courage to raise our hands, speak up and stand down to create our Culture of Caring.

This year, BeyondZero is marking the 15-year anniversary of its launch – creating an opportunity for each of us to make an immediate and enduring commitment to contribute to our culture of work that’s healthy, safe and secure for our people and our planet. 

In celebration, we’re talking with some of the team members leading the efforts to extend BeyondZero beyond where we work and into our daily lives, so we’re able to create a safer and healthier future for our families and our communities.

In this feature, we’re talking with Joe M. Olivarez Jr. who is our Vice President, Operational Center of Excellence.

Hi, Joe. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role.

Hello, my name is Joe M. Olivarez Jr. and I am the Vice President, Operational Center of Excellence for Jacobs, a global role responsible for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Security & Resilience and Quality.

I started my career with Jacobs in November 2013 where I asked to build the first Global Security function within the company.  Now as the leader of the Operational Centers of Excellence,  the remit is broader and my focus is to drive strategy, build capability for enhanced business delivery, cultivate talent, enhance technology and measure our performance in the areas of HSE, Security & Resilience and Quality.

We do so with a collective group of talented personnel deployed strategically around the world to keep our people safe and execute efficiently. We leverage our partnerships in the Lines of Business (LOBs) to work collaboratively and in alignment with the aim of optimizing our performance.

How did you become interested in safety and security?

Born in El Paso, Texas my professional journey has spanned 30+ years in security and executive leadership. I started my early career (10 years) in government defense and later as a Special Agent with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) assigned to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

After, I spent five years in investigative and security with an International firm consulting to Chief Security Officers and General Counsel of Corporate clients around the global spanning various vertical markets including oil & gas, technology, logistics, financial and the entertainment industry.  The consultation work addressed challenges and threats those businesses faced including, but not limited to fraud, collusion, embezzlement, insider trading, theft of intellectual property, bribery & corruption, safety & security of personnel abroad, executive protection and crisis management to name a few.

Just prior to Jacobs I worked for a global international oil field services company with over 70,000 employees operating in 80+ countries. My early remit was to build a global investigative capability and anti-corruption program  Prior to departing to join Jacobs, I led the company’s security for the Western Hemisphere Security Program and the Security Center of Excellence which included crisis management, investigations, physical security, security training, regulatory programs and communications.

I’m rising up for BeyondZero because…

BeyondZero was a main differentiator of why I chose Jacobs over a like competitor when I was a candidate for similar roles at both companies.  This difference I observed during the recruitment process was that taking care of people was built into the fabric of Jacobs.  It was a not a pre-programmed robotic process.  It was authentic and a true Culture of Caring that meant something to all and meant something to all in their own unique way. 

My purpose in life is to help others up.  This includes doing all I can to keep our employees safe and secure no matter where they are around the world – the office, remote site or traveling.  This also includes doing all I can to help them build capability to keep their families safe and secure.  

Over the last couple of years our world and business has been challenged. Regardless, if it was the pandemic, global conflict, or natural disasters each time I am continually gratified by how we rally as a collective body to overcome any challenge placed in our path. We do so with humility, respect and genuine care for each other. 

How do you see BeyondZero supporting our strategy to boldly move the company forward?

In our Climate accelerator, we have a big role to play in continuing to build our Environmental capability across our own business. Doing so will validate the capability to our external stakeholders and drive-up confidence in the deliverables we bring to our clients. In addition, our Resilience during the pandemic demonstrated our ability to deliver during times of stability and instability. We must continue to maintain and enhance our resilience as the business environment continues to become more complex.

In Data Solutions, , pairing our Cyber and Operational (Physical) security capabilities are best practices in a converged approach security world. Working with our Cyber & Intelligence team, we can ensure both the front door and back doors are secure to maintain the integrity of the data we develop or are shared with us by our clients. This leads to enhanced relationships and allowances for rapid processing of information to expedite execution.

When it comes to Consulting & Advisory, opportunities are endless in HSE, security and resilience. Strategic planning, HSE and security master planning, resilience frameworks, intelligence and information sharing, and risk analysis approaches are areas for contribution as we expand our business through mergers & acquisitions, organic growth or partnership agreements.