Education & Certificates

Certified Ecologist, Ecological Society of America (October 2024)

M.S. in Geography (Ecology), Pennsylvania State University (August 2014)

B.A., with Honors, in Geography (Biogeography), University of Texas at Austin (May 2012)

Career Experience

Environmental Scientist II

Affiliation: Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), LLC

Dates: August 2024 - Present, Hours Per Week: 40+

Description: Serving as a consulting advisory field ecologist for both wetlands and wildlife on mitigation, development, and monitoring projects in the central Florida area. Tasks include performing wetland delineation and function assessments, wildlife surveys and habitat evaluations, and the collection of other environmental data. Also responsible for report writing and deliverable creation (datasets, maps, graphics, etc.).

Fish and Wildlife Technician

Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dates: April 2024 - August 2024; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Surveyed for threatened Black Rails using call point surveys and by deploying passive remote monitoring units (ARUs) throughout the upper St. Johns River basin. Conducted over fifty call-back survey (discrete routes) for this elusive species in a variety of emergent marsh habitats. Assisted with the deployment of ARUs at forty-eight locations throughout a single study location, in addition to deploying ten additional ARUs across the study region. Evaluated black rail habitat variables and preferences based on available detections. 

This was a seasonal/term position, which ended in August of 2024.

Visitor Use Monitoring Lead Technician

Affiliation: Rocky Mountain National Park, National Park Service

Dates: April 2023 - October 2023; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Served as the field lead for the Continental Divide Research Learning Center’s Visitor Use Monitoring Program at Rocky Mountain National Park. Responsible for monitoring and analyzing traffic volumes and patterns, assessing the frequency of trail use, mapping human use groundcover impacts, documenting viewpoint and trail capacity levels, and evaluating wilderness character compliance. Supervised 2 program interns and 12 regular volunteers. 

This was a seasonal/term position, which ended in October of 2023.

Biological Science Technician

Affiliation: Bureau of Land Management

Dates: April 2022 - November 2022; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Responsible for conducting auditory and visual surveys for nesting Northern Spotted Owls, throughout south-central Oregon, using a variety of methods (e.g., night road-side surveys, passive auditory monitoring, nest site walking surveys), assessing and mapping timber stands slotted for commercial logging, and ensuring Endangered Species Act compliance for this threatened species. 

This was a seasonal/term position, which ended in October of 2022.

Biological Scientist II

Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dates: Feb. 2021 - March 2022; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Working to collect, compile, and process statewide wading bird nesting colony data from a multitude of data sources to be catalogued in a new statewide Wading Bird Colony Database, currently still in development. This database is intended to be used as a data source/repository for avian researchers and is being designed to provide guidance for land managers seeking to conserve Florida's nesting wading bird species. Various duties include, but are not limited to: inspecting/quality checking datasets in Excel, performing spatial analysis in ArcPro (e.g. spatial joins, relates, aggregations, etc.), assisting with database design in Access, compiling/transforming data in R, and constructing web mapping/analysis and data viewer applications in ArcGIS Online. Other duties include contacting conservation and research partners for data calls, occasional ground-truthing of questionable datasets, and attending regular database design team meetings.

This position is set to ended in March of 2022, but I returned in a part-time capacity during the winter of 2023.

Term Refuge Biologist

Affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Dates: April 2019 - December 2019; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Was responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing the biological program for the Lower Keys National Wildlife Refuges (National Key Deer Refuge, Great White Heron, NWR, Key West NWR) all located in the Lower Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida. General duties included grant management and contract oversight, participation in hydrologic, ecological, and vegetative restoration programs, conducting wildlife surveys (target species include Key deer, Lower Keys marsh rabbit, Reddish egret, White-crowned pigeon, Miami Blue Butterfly, and many others), assisting with the development and implementation of budgets, annual operational plans, and species management plans, assisting with the development and promotion of public use and interpretative programs, supervising interns and biological volunteers, and assisting with setting other management and restoration objectives consistent with refuge CCPs, as well as agency and region directives, and assessing the completion of said objectives through environmental impact monitoring.

Fish and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dates: Aug. 2017 - Mar. 2019; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Was responsible for the day to day operations on the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Areas in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties for the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation of FWC. Specific duties included contract oversight and participation in hydrologic and vegetative restoration programs, conducting wildlife surveys, assisting with the development and implementation of budgets and annual operational plans, assisting with the development and promotion of both hunting and non-hunting public use programs, and assistance with setting management and restoration objectives consistent with agency and division directives. Field sites were accessed through the proficient operation of specialized equipment including ATVs, amphibious tracked vehicles, and airboats through wetland marshes. Fieldwork was conducted in a harsh tropical environment and is frequently physically strenuous and mentally demanding.

Fish and Wildlife Technician

Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Dates: Mar. 2017 - Aug. 2017; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Conducted ecological research on breeding Oystercatchers on the west coast of Florida between Crystal River and Cedar key. Field responsibilities included setting up and maintaining camera traps, locating and identifying shorebird nests, capturing and banding both chick and adult Oystercatchers, re-sighting banded birds, and habitat assessment surveys. This work included long hours in hot, humid, and buggy conditions and is physically demanding at times. Field sites were located on small islands and were accessed by operating and navigating aquatic vessels. Non-field work duties included data entry/database management, gear maintenance, and analysis of camera trap photos.

Biological Science Technician

Affiliation: US National Park Service (Gateway National Recreation Area, NY)

Dates: Jul. 2016 – Oct. 2016; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Monitored endangered piping plover nesting activity and engaging in invasive species protection and enforcement. Surveyed for native herpetofauna utilizing cover boards and visual encounter surveys. Monitoring and removing invasive species populations (including feral cat colonies and invasive plant species). Performed habitat restoration projects. Regularly encountered inclement weather and harsh climatic conditions.

Yellow-headed Parrot Nest Monitoring Volunteer

Affiliation: Programme for Belize and Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team (Belize)

Dates: May 2016 – Jun. 2016; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Searched for and monitoring yellow-headed parrot nests for fledgling success, utilizing tall ladders and climbing equipment. Assisted with poaching deterrent/enforcement. Navigated to nests via GPS and ATV.

Biological Scientist IV (Science Support for Peninsular Florida LCC)

Affiliation: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Tallahassee, FL)

Dates: Nov. 2014 – Mar. 2016; Hours Per Week: 25

Description: Served as GIScience support staff for the Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative (PFLCC). Designed and launched a GIS conservation planning atlas and data viewer webpage to help disseminate environmental datasets. Prepared and compiled these ecological and spatial data using ArcGIS for distribution to the LCC and its partners via this platform. Volunteered with regular herpetofauna monitoring by checking trap arrays (funnel/pit-fall traps) and handling reptiles, as well as conducting amphibian surveys using dip nets.

Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Intern

Affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service (Trinity River Refuge, TX)

Dates: Aug. 2014 – Oct. 2014; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Administered aquatic and terrestrial invasive species management through targeted pesticide application using automated and manual sprayers. Assisted with the capture, banding, and monitoring of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats. Monitored introduced feral hogs using trail cameras and native herpetofauna species using auditory and visual encounter surveys. Created, marked, and maintained hiking trails through refuge property. Regularly encountered harsh climatic conditions and used a 4x4, UTV, or canoe to perform duties.

Research/Teaching Assistant (M.S. Graduate Student)

Affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA)

Dates: Aug. 2012 – Aug. 2014; Hours Per Week: 20

Description: Conducted occupancy and behavioral analysis of mammalian mesopredators in response to landscape disturbance by monitoring mammals using camera traps paired with scent lures and trace evidence surveys. Assisted with other lab group research projects by conducting wetland delineation studies and ecological monitoring of wetland flora, fauna, soil, and hydrology. Designed and taught several introductory GIS courses.

Seasonal Field Research Assistant/Undergraduate Expedition Co-leader

Affiliation: The Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth, TX)/The Dallas Zoo (Dallas, TX)

Dates: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Assisted with conservation biology research of Cyclura pinguis in the British Virgin Islands including collection and analysis of data from camera traps, transects surveys, burrow surveys, live traps, and VHF radio telemetry. Handled the iguana individuals to assess their health and participated in a catch and release, “head start” program. Also, monitored introduced island species believed to impede the species reproduction. Co-lead multiple undergraduate research expeditions focusing on conservation ecology while on the remote island. Observed rhinoceros iguana and African elephant behavior in a zoo setting to assess health and use of enclosures.

Co-Director/Assistant Director

Affiliation: UT Campus Environmental Center (Austin, TX)

Dates: August 2010 - May 2012; Hours Per Week: 10

Description: In charge of coordinating the organization’s efforts to push for sustainable practices at the University of Texas at Austin and raise awareness and support for sustainability throughout the student body. Implemented sustainable projects, campaigns, and events and managed fellow student leaders in order to promote organization goals and initiatives. Created and followed a budget, monitored financial transactions, and helped raise funds for the organization. Eventually, directly responsible for my subordinates and the organization as a whole.

Teaching Experience

High School Biology Intern Teacher - 9th Grade

Affiliation: Los Angeles Unified School District (Maywood Center for Enriched Studies)

Dates: August 2020 - December 2020, Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Implemented pedagogical techniques and skills, designed course curriculum, created and enacted lesson plans, gave lectures and lessons, managed grades and student data, crafted labs, projects, and other evaluations, and employed classroom management techniques. Program designed to give prospective teachers an opportunity to explore secondary education as a profession prior to pursuing their teaching certification.

Part-time Volunteer Teacher

Affiliation: EnCorps/Los Angeles Unified School District (Canoga Park High School)

Dates: January 2020 - June 2020, Hours Per Week: 5

Description: Learned pedagogical techniques and skills, while assisted host biology teacher with tutoring, curriculum design, lesson plans, lectures, and classroom management.

Teaching Assistant

Affiliation: Pennsylvania State University

Dates: August 2012 - May 2014, Hours Per Week: 20

Description: Taught and designed curriculum for introductory geography/GIS undergraduate courses. Lead lab session lectures and graded and provided feedback on student assignments

Conservation Expedition Co-leader

Affiliation: Fort Worth Zoo

Dates: Summers of 2012, 2013, 2014; Hours Per Week: 40

Description: Helped lead expeditions in which undergraduate students would assist with endangered species conservation efforts in order to gain valuable education and field experience.

Overall Skills

Highly personable and professional demeanor, excellent oral and written communication skills, hard-working and detail oriented, biological and ecological subject matter expertise, qualitative and quantitative research experience, project design and execution skills, program creation and evaluation experience, knowledge of scientific outreach/education techniques, lesson plan and curriculum development experience, classroom management skills, proficient in Microsoft Office and other database/presentation programs.

Selected Ecological Skills

Field ecology, conservation biology, wildlife handling, live trapping, camera trapping, VHF telemetry, wildlife surveys, vegetation surveys, GIS, GPS, data collection and entry, spatial analysis, suitability modeling, movement analysis, wildlife handling, ecological study design, off road driving, wilderness hiking/first aid, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office.

Standardized Test Scores

CSET subtests 215 & 217 – Passed, 02/07/2020

GRE – 317 (V:161, Q:156), 11/2011

ACT – 30 (E: 28, M: 29, R: 31, S: 33), 12/2007

Honors and Awards

Geography Graduate Research Fellowship - 2014

Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Honorable Mention - 2012

Holz-English Undergraduate Honors Thesis Fellowship - 2011

Eagle Scout Rank (Boy Scouts of America) - 2007

Certifications

Professional Ecologist Certification - 2024, Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent - 2024, Motorboat Operation Certified - 2019, Aerial Burn Ignition Certification - 2019, Prescribed Burning Certification - 2018, Python Capture Certification - 2017, Airboat Operation Certified - 2017, Boating Safety Certified in Florida - 2017, First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified – 2014, ATV/UTV Safety Certification – 2014, NPS Crew Leader Certified - 2016, Mixology School Certification (Columbia Bartending Agency) - 2016

References

Available upon request.

Resume PDF | LinkedIn Profile