Andrea Cortes
Concord,CA
Summary
Focused Wildlife Biologist with field experience in various locations. Committed to implementing conservation practices and adhering to regulations to protect endangered areas. Skilled in research and reporting and considered valuable team asset. Well-organized and enthusiastic with good communication and problem-solving skills.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Biologist / Wildlife Biologist
Sapere Environmental LLC.
04.2021 - Current
- Conduct preconstruction species surveys and other focused species surveys on multiple construction projects in Northern California, Southern California, and the Central valley
- Conduct Biological monitoring for threatened and endangered species within California
- Provide environmental awareness training for construction crews on several projects
- Ensure environmental compliance on construction sites following ESA, NEPA, and other federal and state regulations
- Provide environmental compliance reports and daily monitoring reports to clients when required
- Complete daily clearance surveys for wildlife before start of construction activities
- Work closely with California regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and prevent 'take' on construction sites.
Wildlife Biologist / Natural Resources Support Cooperator
Colorado State University (CEMML)
07.2019 - 04.2021
- Completed project analyses and provide support for biological and natural resources on a military installation
- Prepared consultation documents and evaluate impacts of projects on threatened and endangered species and their habitats
- Executed site inspections on active construction sites and provide spot inspection reports to Natural Resources management
- Created maps for project analysis reports, Air Force permits, and base wide biological reports using ArcGIS
- Conducted environmental and natural resources awareness training to contractors and military personnel on site
- Completed 28 hours of California Tiger Salamander training and have handled and relocated 83 CTS individuals under the supervision of permitted Biologists
- Trained under permitted biologist on CTS fence maintenance, Grazing pasture surveys, and Vernal Pool identification on Travis AFB, and surrounding areas
- Conducted species surveys to gain continuing experience with Northern California flora and fauna
- Responsible for dig/work permit review process on Travis AFB
- Gained experience and knowledge of grazing fence repair and installation
Client Onboarding Specialist
Orion Advisor Tech
02.2019 - 06.2019
- Worked as primary point of contact between client, Orion Account Managers and Analysts, programming, sales, and tech support
- Managed transitional processes from onboarding and subject matter expert teams to internal premier service teams for over 15 financial advisor firms
- Researched all aspects of advisor’s practice to be used in the conversion process
- Used knowledge and understanding of project management concepts and discipline to ensure project timelines were being met in a timely manner
- Oversaw timeline of conversion project with the historical analyst team and proved accuracy of the historical conversion
- Led weekly status phone calls with clients to ensure all target dates were being met, all assigned weekly training was completed and answering any outstanding questions the client had
- Determined and implemented database settings for performance evaluations
- Collaborated with SME teams to ensure Advisors were trained on Orion Connect prior to the completion of initial onboarding
- Completed Orion Series 65 certification within 60 days of employment.
Environmental Management Intern
Union Pacific Railroad
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Organized and implemented eight, environmentally centered events to increase stewardship engagement for 45,000+ employees, which resulted in a 10% increase in employee engagement
- Managed the Stewardship Suggestion Database that is available companywide to submit suggestions on how to make Union Pacific a more sustainable company, resulting in increased suggestions from 40% to 46%
- Directed suggestions from the Stewardship Suggestion Database to the appropriate person within the company to ensure these suggestions were implemented
- Provided the company with the idea to switch from plastic straws to a more sustainable straw in the company cafeteria, which was accepted and began in November 2018
- Provided the idea to the Union Pacific Store headquarters and online store to begin selling UP branded reusable metal straws, which was accepted and began in September 2018
- Collaborated with a team to organize an event for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at Union Pacific, which raised over $10,000 in donations
- Served as the Welcome Chair for Interns for Interns, showing new interns around, answered questions, and helped conduct intern lunches once a month with other employee engagement groups
- Developed and implemented a composting pilot program to decrease waste sent to the landfill by 20% and save $400 a month in waste management costs
- Managed database to expand stewardship through employee innovation with more than 45% of ideas leading to change
- Developed the Environmental Management quarterly newsletter
- Sent out monthly environmental communications that reached over 4,600 engaged stewards at Union Pacific.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences
University of Nebraska-Omaha
12.2018
Skills
- Research background
- Wetland delineation
- Natural Resource Management
- Restoration Ecology
- Technical reporting
- Environmental Compliance
- Project Coordination
- Wildlife monitoring
- Writing reports
- Specimen Collection
Additional Information
Other Relevant Training
Bird Banding Intern
Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (T.R.E.E.S) – May 2017 – June 2017
· Completed 125+ hours of ornithology field research
· Extracted over 250 birds to gain substantial data including plumage, molt patterns, measurements (wing, tail, bill, tarsus, and mass), sexing, and aging information on Central American birds to build a guide that can be used for banders in Central American countries.
· Monitored and target banded White-collared manakin birds to provide data for a Canadian research grant focused on the importance of the Belizean bush and jungle areas are for the White-collared manakin’s habitat, survival and reproduction
· Performed data entry of daily banded birds, bird transects, and manakin behavior and lekking sites
· Engaged in community outreach to familiarize and built relationships with the local Belizean community
· Provided education at Cacao Fest in Punta Gorda, Belize to promote T.R.E.E.S and the work they do for Central American species conservation
Research Student
Ecology Project International (Galapagos Islands) – May 2014
· Completed 60+ hours of research on tortoise migration patterns and population numbers in the Galapagos Islands with EPI scientists
· Collected data on salinity, O2, soil moisture, and pH levels on nine Islands
· Tracked, weighed, and pit tagged giant tortoises in Galapagos National Park
· Spent 12 hours eradicating the invasive mora plant that poses a threat to the Scalesia trees on the islands
· Received EPI completion of program certification
Timeline
Project Biologist / Wildlife Biologist
Sapere Environmental LLC.
04.2021 - Current
Wildlife Biologist / Natural Resources Support Cooperator
Colorado State University (CEMML)
07.2019 - 04.2021
Client Onboarding Specialist
Orion Advisor Tech
02.2019 - 06.2019
Environmental Management Intern
Union Pacific Railroad
11.2017 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences
University of Nebraska-Omaha