Pantex Proud: Kevin Baird
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Kevin Baird work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.
When thinking of jobs at Pantex, many options seem obvious like Production Technician, Security Police Office, and Cyber Security. Others seem like a confusing word association game: high explosives - nuclear deterrence – prairie dog. When Wildlife Biologist Kevin Baird applied to work at the plant, a similar thought ran through his mind.
“Never in a million years did I think of wildlife biologist as a position at a nuclear facility,” Baird stated. “I was blessed to get a position out here and really surprised by the amount of natural space we have and the diversity in the wildlife population.”
Baird’s education and experience gave him a deeper understanding of nature and wildlife preservation, but now his expertise and duty extend to the animals prancing, slithering, and foraging across the estimated 16,000 acres belonging to Pantex.
“I am responsible for running the nuisance animal response team and training new team members,” Baird said. “My role is to address any concerns or issues that may arise regarding wildlife and natural resources. I also oversee the protection and maintenance of our wild areas to preserve them in as natural state as possible.”
Although Baird is continuously fascinated by the furry, feathered, and scaley creatures wandering the plant, there’s another Pantex native mammal that truly stands out to him.
“The people,” Baird said. “There are many different programs, teams, and departments, hosting an array of people from diverse backgrounds. They’re all friendly, helpful, and quick to get the job done. They also do whatever they can to help other groups that may be outside of their immediate department. “
Such comradery in the workplace is healthy and inviting, and in Baird’s case it’s one of the many reasons he loves Pantex. Working here has also afforded him personal growth, and a chance to serve toward a unifying goal.
“There are a lot of great people and opportunities that continue to increase my knowledge of natural resources, and the support to try new things in order to improve and maintain our local habitats,” Baird said. “I may not be directly involved with production, but I know my role is important to help keep things running smoothly. I take pride in knowing that I’m doing my own small part to help protect our nation by enabling the mission. I’m glad I’m here.”
What is your favorite aspect about your work environment? How does that aspect make you know the mission is being met?
Assisting with wildlife concerns. This allows me to go all over the plant and meet and interact with employees across all departments. When I take part in resolving a situation, I know that I’m helping protect my fellow employees from possible injury and ensuring that the mission can continue smoothly.
What work advice would you offer someone who is new to Pantex?
Always ask questions about how and why things are being done a certain way. Be willing to offer suggestions for improvements, but take time to learn the processes and the reasons behind them first. Also, try to meet and interact with as many people from as many different departments as possible. As you continue in your career, those connections will greatly help you find unique solutions to problems and to get things done in an expedient manner.
What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Spending time with my wife and daughters. We like going to new places and traveling off the beaten path to explore areas that aren’t always the normal vacation or tourist destinations.
Why is teamwork an important aspect when working at Pantex?
Everyone has a different job, experience, and knowledge set. Working together with other members of your group or across orgs allows you to tap into those different perspectives and try to anticipate issues you may not have anticipated. Additionally, you can leverage these various skills to more efficiently resolve issues and complete tasks.