I transferred into a permanent position within the Chesapeake and Coastal Service, doing project management and communication to get more projects enacted within Maryland to protect the Chesapeake Bay. I’ve started reviewing grant applications, developing relationships with various partners, and attending workgroup meetings to facilitate dialogue between different groups about Chesapeake Bay water quality improvements.
Natural Resources Planner
MD Department of Natural Resources
December 2023 - Present
Natural Resources Planner
MD Department of Natural Resources
March 2023 - December 2023
I transferred to the Chesapeake and Coastal Service unit within Maryland DNR as the lead crew member of our Watershed Restoration Crew, leading the maintenance and monitoring of our restoration projects, and assisting with others. Most of the work was in the field working on water quality and tree survival monitoring, invasive removal, replanting, and education events. I also worked on ArcGIS maps, training, educational events, lab work, and data entry.
Natural Resources Technician
MD Department of Natural Resources
July 2022- March 2023
I worked for the permitting group within the Wildlife and Heritage Service providing customer service and paperwork processing. Most of the work focused on hunting and wildlife permit projects, but I also created ArcGIS maps, wrote articles, and managed data for other assorted wildlife projects.
Aquatic Biologist 1
PA Department of Environmental Protection
September 2021- July 2022
I started as a term Aquatic Biologist in the central Harrisburg office, then transferred to a permanent position in the Clean Water group of the Southeast regional office in Norristown, PA. Most of the work involved collecting water quality samples, using field meters and sondes, or collecting fish and invertebrates. I also wrote reports, used ArcGIS, and entered data.
Science Writer
Labroots, Inc.
July 2021- March 2022
I wrote short science articles in the “Earth and Environment” category twice a week for Labroots.com, a science news website. Article work also included copyright-free imagery search, web formatting, and social media posting.
Plant Protection Technician
United States Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Protection Service
October 2018 - May 2021
I managed the invasive Spotted Lanternfly pest, contacted landowners and obtained permission to treat their properties for the pest. Much of this work consisted of walking through large unmanaged wooded properties, searching for host trees and insects in all weather. Some of the job included outreach or data management. I left when management strategies changed and the position required me to apply broad-spectrum broadcast pesticides.
Hourly Monitoring Technician
NJ Department of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Freshwater & Biological Monitoring
May 2017 - October 2018
I drove a state vehicle to field sites and collected water chemistry data, flow data, and samples according to the project plan. This involved a lot of wading into streams and using both chemical tests and probes to collect data. I delivered samples and paperwork to the appropriate laboratories, cleaned and maintained equipment, and scheduled sampling. I also helped out with biological monitoring and sampling when needed.
Community Restoration Crew Leader
Student Conservation Association
Spring 2017 & 2018 and Fall 2016 & 2017
I co-led a team of nine high school students in urban gardening and other community conservation projects throughout Philadelphia. I fostered a safe team environment focused on environmental conservation. I ensured paperwork is filed as necessary. I also communicated with community leaders about projects and public engagement. This was a seasonal position that I also held in the fall.
Visitor Services Associate
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
December 2016-October 2018
I worked at the front desk, selling tickets and memberships with a POS system and answering visitor questions. Sometimes I worked at our special exhibit entrance and checked wristbands. I also used statistical programs to analyze visitor data and identify sales trends.
Tutor
Inspirica
July 2016-February 2017
I provided one-on-one tutoring to high school students in ACT and SAT preparation. Most of this work was done in the students' homes or in the Inspirica offices, but some tutoring was online.
Community Crew Leader
Student Conservation Association
Summer 2016
I led, drove, and managed a team of six high school students in urban gardening projects throughout Philadelphia. This was a full-time, six week summer program. I taught environmental education during conservation projects, and organized environmental education field trips most Fridays. I ensured paperwork and evaluations were filed as necessary. I communicated with community leaders about projects and public engagement. At the end of the program, I organized and led the crew on a three-day camping trip.
Graduate Research Associate
Louisiana State University
2014-2015
I spent two years at LSU, working on my own graduate research and participating in State Wildlife Grant stream sampling for fish, crayfish, and insects. I led field crews of undergraduate students for up to five days at a time for my thesis research. I used many different fisheries sampling techniques including backpack electroshocking, sienes, traps, water quality testing, and tagging. My thesis was titled "Population Abundance and Transience of Selected Coastal Plain Crayfishes". I also assisted with hydrology sampling in the Atchafalaya Basin on small work boats.
I spent a season living at a YMCA camp north of Milwaukee, leading kids in environmental education and team-building lessons. I led groups of all ages in leadership, communication, and teamwork activities. I belayed challenge courses and taught environmental education classes. Some of the classes I taught were Skulls and Furs, Starlab, Aquatic Ecology, Bugs, Archery, and Orienteering. I also developed educational materials for future education use. Additional duties included splitting and stocking firewood, office work, and general maintenance of camp.
Environmental Educator
YMCA Camp Minikani
Fall 2013
Fisheries Survey Crew
Student Conservation Association
Spring 2013
This was my first experience with the SCA. We constructed and maintained fish traps on Prince of Wales Island, one of the southernmost islands in Alaska. We camped in a remote field setting for up to six days at a time. I identified salmonid fish species of the Pacific Northwest. We used MS 222, fin clips, tag readers, and VIE to obtain fish data. I also entered our data into spreadsheets for analysis.
My Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) was my first experience with aquatic ecology research. I spent the summer in Milwaukee, working with Dr. John Janssen at the Great Lakes Water Institute. I helped analyze and count gut contents of fish, deployed and retrieved gill nets, and measured various fish data. I designed and ran my own handling time experiments with macroinvertebrates and fish. Then, I created and presented a paper & poster for the program symposium.