Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Capital Outlay Analyst Tonya Martin.Tonya Martin loves seeing the construction process from start to finish.
She may not be the person drawing plans or moving earth, but she is an integral part of every DCR construction project.
As capital outlay analyst in the department’s Design and Construction Section, she’s responsible for tracking budgets and progress on construction at state parks and natural area preserves.
That includes the building of new facilities such as cabins, campgrounds and picnic shelters, and the renovation and upkeep of existing facilities.
“I like to see the transformation of a project from beginning to end,” she said. “From the planning and budget side, it takes a lot to get these jobs off the ground.”
The Richmond native is nearing her 20th year with DCR. She started in 1998 as a temporary file clerk. She was brought on permanently as support staff and later promoted to fiscal technician. In 2015, she was hired as capital outlay analyst, a role that requires expert knowledge of state procurement and construction rules as well as accounting savvy.
“I started with filing and now I manage the money,” she said. “I’ve always liked math and I’ve always liked construction, so this is the perfect job for me.”
Martin oversees a staggering 50 cost codes and tracks dozens of projects at any given time. As a certified Virginia construction contracting officer, she is able to solicit and procure contractors on behalf of the state. She is also a member of the DCR building committee that manages contracts for professional services.
When it comes to reporting, timeliness and accuracy are crucial in her line of work. She credits her low-key personality and desire to be a team player with helping get the job done.
Her goal on every single project?
“Completion,” she said confidently.
