Public Works head gives back to city

Public Works Director Biridiana Bishop returned to Wasco to give back to her community.

A Wasco High graduate, she was a recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship, which gave her a full scholarship to UCLA.

Bidi, as she is known, has worked for the City of Wasco for four years, beginning as an assistant planner, associate planner, acting director of Public Works and finally director of Public Works.

Bishop met her husband while both were working at the Target Distribution Center in Shafter. She juggles motherhood, with two young children ages 9 and 2, and long work hours, and she attends night meetings during her normal work week and also manages to participate in several of the activities the city sponsors.

Meanwhile, both of her children attend American Academy of Gymnastics in Bakersfield.

Her duties as director of Public Works include maintaining the city's streets. She recently proposed a project to the City Council near Westside Park for street repairs.

Bishop had each repair scheduled and knew everything that was occurring in that area. It is up to her to prioritize areas where street repairs are required.

She also manages the city's fleet of vehicles, as well as equipment).

Bishop is responsible for the safety of the city's drinking water and handles sanitation and trash collection.

"What I like best about my job is it is different every single day," Bishop said. "The most challenging aspect of the job is updating the infrastructure, which is always changing."

"Another favorite part of my job is being able to direct and impact the residents," she added.

One of her least favorite aspects of her job is the legislative restrictions she has to work under, with funding always a challenge.