Results-driven Environmental Program Manager with extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing complex environmental compliance programs. Skilled in managing CEQA/NEPA processes, environmental permitting, and regulatory documentation to support large-scale infrastructure and restoration projects. Adept at formulating policies, coordinating with interested parties, and delivering innovative solutions for environmental challenges. Proven ability to lead teams, foster collaboration, and implement strategic initiatives that align with organizational goals. Committed to sustainability, regulatory excellence, and fostering inclusive workplace environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Program Manager I
California Department of Water Resources
06.2022 - Current
Manage the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) Cultural and Historic Resource Program, Hazardous Materials and Assessment Program, and environmental compliance staff for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) that provide environmental compliance services to the Department
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead on the Long-Term Operation (LTO) of the State Water Project (SWP)
Collaborating with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on the LTO SWP administrative record
Tribal consultation lead for LTO SWP: serve as point of contact, coordinate and attend consultation meetings, share updates with tribes, ensure the consultation process progresses, and liaise with the CEQA team
Responsible for writing the Tribal Cultural Resources chapter for the Environmental Impact Report and coordinating with the Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA), OGC, and project management
Lead CEQA addendum efforts for the Yolo Bypass Big Notch Project (BNP), North Delta Flow Study (NDFS), and SWP water rights
Environmental Services Branch budget lead for the past three years; proficient with PPM/RM systems; Oversee project planning and budgeting
Provided CEQA expertise for the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) Pulse Flows project
Collaborated with OGC and other divisions on CEQA federal preemption guidelines and training
Fostered a relationship with OTA to enhance tribal consultation processes, templates, Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance, and active projects
Focused on expanding the cultural resources team by improving processes, streamlining workflows, providing training, and advocating for additional positions
Supported the Hazardous Materials & Environmental Evaluations (HAZMATEE) unit by advancing hazardous materials expertise within the department
Contributed to the growth of the department's CEQA expertise by hiring two Senior Environmental Scientist (ES) Specialists and one Senior ES Supervisor
Led the development of the Employee Environmental Responsibility course; Currently developing the Environmental Laws and Regulations course
Gained extensive experience in cultural resources, particularly related to NAGPRA, with DISE aiding in NAGPRA compliance through technical expertise and historical record management
Encroachment Permit (EP) manager and approver; review and approve over 50 per year and collaborate with Real Estate and OGC regarding compliance issues
Provided staff input and technical guidance for the update of the California Natural Resource Agency's Tribal consultation policy and well as DWR policies related to cultural resources and tribal consultation processes
Oversee over $700,000 in contracts for cultural resources information services, hazardous materials records and cleanup, and UC Davis training classes
Over seven years of staff supervision and management including, assigning and distributing work, monitoring and evaluating performance, preparing annual A&D reports and probation reports, determining staff and program training needs, reviewing employees leave requests, and interviewing and hiring qualified staff
Appointed the Division of Integrated Science and Engineering (DISE) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)
California Department of Water Resources
05.2017 - 05.2022
Manages CEQA/NEPA, environmental compliance and permitting for habitat restoration and mitigation activities in the Yolo Bypass required for State Water Project operation, including the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage (Big Notch) Project
CEQA/NEPA lead for the Yolo Bypass Big Notch EIS/EIR, including guiding the document to completion, preparing and certifying the administrative record, and working with the State Attorney General’s Office on multiple CEQA lawsuits
Cultural and tribal resources compliance lead including developing and managing the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement for the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project
Planning, organizing, and directing biological surveys and monitoring efforts for restoration projects in the Yolo Bypass
Environmental lead for biological monitors and tribal monitors during construction of the Fremont Weir Adult Fish Passage Project and Yolo Bypass Big Notch Project (and associated investigations)
Contract Manager for a $5.5 million dollar environmental and engineering support contract for the Riverine Habitat Restoration Program
Real estate lead coordinating a large acquisition effort for the Yolo Bypass Big Notch Project (over 50 landowners and 200 individual parcels)
Organize and coordinate meetings with interested parties and landowners with interest in the Yolo Bypass projects
Supervision of three employees including assigning work and monitoring performance
Prepared budget information for projects and staff time, including entering information into PPM/RM
Environmental Scientist
California Department of Water Resources
09.2011 - 05.2017
Conducted several Phase I Environmental Site Assessments on potential DWR easements, including doing record searches, site visits, and report preparation
Conducted complex and difficult Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for contaminated properties
Reviewed Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for completeness and compliance with standards
40-hour HAZWOPER certification, annual HAZWOPER refresher training, and completion of several hazardous materials training classes
Project Manager with extensive experience working on CEQA and other permits (LSAA 1600, 401 WQC, ACOE 404, etc.) for Delta Field Division and other DWR projects
Completed environmental review and issuance of encroachment permits
USFWS & CDFW approved biological monitor for California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Swainson's Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Western pond turtle, and giant garter snake
Geotechnical, construction, and water quality monitor for several DWR projects in the Delta
Experience fish tagging and curating for the Georgiana Slough Non-Physical Barrier and Georgiana Slough Floating Fish Guidance System studies
Conducted soil and water sampling for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and Sutter Bypass Weir No. 2 Fish Ladder Project
Environmental Scientist
California Emergency Management Agency
06.2010 - 09.2011
Evaluated Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) to ensure compliance with state hazardous materials laws and regulations
Created positive relationships with several local, state, and federal agencies that deal with hazardous materials and emergency management, including statewide CUPAs and state agencies such as Cal EPA, DTSC, SWRCB, and OSFM
Certified in over 90 FEMA emergency management and hazardous materials courses, including 40-hour HAZWOPER certified
Completed an extensive 'Rulemaking' training course which provided hands on experience in the rulemaking and law-making process
Created a monthly 'Hazardous Materials Section Report' which is reviewed at various statewide meetings by the Hazardous Materials section staff and by upper management within the agency
Tracked legislation relating to hazardous materials and performing bill analysis on legislation that directly affects the programs
Designed the '2010 Hazardous Materials Information CD' for distribution to local, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-government organizations and private business in California
Updated and edited several important documents on the California Emergency Management Agency website, including guidance documents on hazardous materials programs
Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid
California Department of Water Resources
12.2009 - 06.2010
Responsible for the live sorting and data collection of Corbula and Corbicula clams collected in monthly benthic monitoring surveys in the bay/delta
Re-sorted hundreds of historical benthic samples to separate out Corbicula fluminea and Corbula amurensis as well as separating worms, snails, Corophium, Gammarus, Hyallela, and other miscellaneous organisms
Identified and measured benthic organisms using image analysis software to estimate biomass
Conducted data analysis on a grant-funded project measuring clam biomass throughout the Bay/Delta, and presented results to supervisors
Wrote and prepared the Benthic Section of DWR's 2009 Annual Report
Played a key role in assisting the DWR Aquatic Ecology Section with the analysis of predators of larval delta smelt project, by preparing equipment, recording data, and seining for fish
Identified and measured various juvenile and adult fish species for the Yolo Bypass Monitoring Project
Well versed in several water quality sampling techniques including: YSI meters, secchi discs, chlorophyll filtration, light attenuation, and various titrations
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
California State University
Sacramento, CA
05.2008
Skills
Team Leadership: Planning, leading, organizing, and directing activities of a multi-disciplinary environmental team
Staff Development: Developing and maintaining a skilled professional workforce, including training, performance evaluation, and progressive discipline
Program Oversight: Managing highly sensitive and complex environmental compliance programs
Regulatory Compliance: Expertise in CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) processes and compliance; as well as other environmental laws and regulations
Environmental Assessments: Oversight of environmental assessments and permitting for projects and infrastructure maintenance
Specialized Services: Managing activities including the cultural and historic resources program and hazardous materials assessments
Interested Parties Engagement: Providing advice and assistance to executive management, policy makers, and external entities, including tribal consultation activities
Project Management: Overseeing project planning and execution, including budget planning
Timeline
Environmental Program Manager I
California Department of Water Resources
06.2022 - Current
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory)
California Department of Water Resources
05.2017 - 05.2022
Environmental Scientist
California Department of Water Resources
09.2011 - 05.2017
Environmental Scientist
California Emergency Management Agency
06.2010 - 09.2011
Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid
California Department of Water Resources
12.2009 - 06.2010
Bachelor of Science - Biological Sciences
California State University
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