Women at Work: Stories from Virginia Beach Public Works

As Women's History Month comes to a close, it's the perfect time to recognize contributions of women across all fields. In the Virginia Beach Public Works department, women are making an impact every day, contributing to the City’s infrastructure, sustainability and operations. Meet three inspiring women who have built careers in public works, bringing their own expertise and a shared love of serving their community.

The Joy of Hands-On Work and Fresh Air 

For 22 years, Carolyn Likens has dedicated herself to making Virginia Beach a better place, and she now serves as a motor equipment operator in Public Works. She thrives on challenges, seeing each obstacle as an opportunity to push her limits and prove what she can achieve. One of her proudest moments came during February’s snowstorm, when the City was running low on bulk salt. She sounded the alarm, and with her crew’s teamwork and determination, they kept supplies flowing. Carolyn finds joy in hands-on work, fresh air and the satisfaction of knowing her dedication makes a real difference. For her, success isn’t just about the job — it’s about giving her all and taking pride in every task, knowing she’s helping keep her community safe.  

Balancing Work, Wildlife and Wanderlust 

For the past three years, Kaitlyn Price has played a vital role in protecting public health as a biologist in the Public Works Mosquito Control program. Her work involves mosquito surveillance, species identification and disease testing to assess potential risks. As her job involves the outdoors, Kaitlyn is deeply passionate about nature and recently became a certified Master Naturalist. Whether she’s birdwatching, hiking or traveling the world with her husband, she finds joy in exploring and preserving the environment. She also loves the diversity of Virginia Beach, where she can go from grabbing lunch at Town Center to serene nature trails or a relaxing beach day in just minutes. For Kaitlyn, both in her career and personal life, every day is an opportunity to learn, discover and make a difference. 

Passion for Progress: Engineering a Stronger Community  

For nearly 12 years, Katie Shannon has been a driving force behind infrastructure improvements as the engineering support manager for Public Works. With a decade of private-sector experience before joining the City, she now plays a crucial role in developing the annual Capital Improvement Program’s sections under the City Engineer’s Office (Roadways, Coastal, Flood Protection and Stormwater). Katie takes pride in giving back to the community she calls home, knowing her work impacts the city where she is raising her family. She also loves the work/life balance the City offers. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and going on walks with her dog. She loves traveling to new cities and cultures, but when summer arrives, you’ll find her at the beach, soaking up the sun every chance she gets. 

For current career opportunities, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/Careers.