This job was facilitated by
CMB Regional Centers
Cathleen O’Higgins
Health, Safety, and
Environmental Coordinator
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy
Jamestown, N.D.
For some people, their passion leads them to a specific job.
For others, like Cathleen O’Higgins, however, her job led her
to discover a passion.
O’Higgins is the health, safety, and environmental coordinator at Dakota Spirit AgEnergy, a company in the ethanol
industry. In this position, she works to ensure the safety of the
employees and the workers. On the environmental side, she
oversees compliance with OSHA and the EPA.
“I have a degree in exercise science, and I kind of fell
into health and safety when I moved to Jamestown,” said
O’Higgins, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in
personal hygiene.
Before starting her current job, O’Higgins was not familiar
with ethanol. She did a lot of interviewing and learning, and
has found the process so interesting that she is considering
pursuing further education on environmental topics.
Although her master’s program does not directly relate
to her work, O’Higgins is considering taking advantage of
diverse course offerings that would prepare her for future environmental work. “As I get through the program, I am looking
at pursuing a dual program in environmental work, especially
as the ethanol technology has continued to advance. As we
are seeing environmental issues all over the world, I anticipate
seeing more interest.”
Originally from Toronto, O’Higgins moved to Jamestown,
North Dakota, for family, and found a passion in a job that
allows her to make an impact on her community.
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The biggest change, O’Higgins said, “was moving to a rural
community. There are so many jobs in North Dakota right
now. A lot of people have moved to Jamestown because they
are looking for that smaller community lifestyle.”
O’Higgins enjoys the rural lifestyle, including hunting
waterfowl and deer. Her love of the outdoors makes her job
even more rewarding.
“I feel like I’m doing my part to preserve the environment,
especially as an avid fisher and hunter,” said O’Higgins.
She also finds satisfaction in knowing that her company is
another customer and source of income for local corn growers.
Dakota AgEnergy uses a substantial amount of corn, and the
company is able to benefit the economy.
The community in Jamestown is small, and since people
know where she works, O’Higgins gets lots of questions.
“It gives me an opportunity to lobby ethanol, to educate
the community and people who know me,” O’Higgins said.
“Coming from a metropolis area, you have some issues knowing that you can see the smog line - knowing that ethanol is
out there and reduces the pollution.”
O’Higgins even posts on Instagram about ethanol now “It’s something I go out of my way to share on my personal
media,” she said.
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