Ayla Benavides Quesada
Martinez
Summary
Adept environmental professional, experienced with higher education and research environments. Analytical thinker with technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to thrive in data-driven environments. Tackles challenges with positivity and drive to overcome. Works great alone or with others and consistently exceeds expectations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Drills, Training, & Exercise Team Lead
Berkeley Lab
Berkeley
07.2024 - Current
- Design, plan, and deliver emergency management training to visitors, workers, emergency response organization (ERO), and first responders
- Conduct drills and exercises in accordance with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and Department of Energy (DOE) Orders
- Write and manage program plans and procedures (Multi-Year Training & Exercise Plan, etc)
- Facilitate planning cycle by conducting Integrated Preparedness Planning Workshops
- Planning Section Chief on Lab's 24/7 on-call Incident Management Team
- Co-Chair Veterans Employee Resource Group
Marine Safety Specialist - Response, Chief Warrant Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
San Francisco Bay Area
12.2017 - Current
- Primary technical expert for all pollution response and preparedness activities
- Supervise and conduct pollution investigations and response operations
- Support contingency planning, incident management, and preparedness activities
- Maintain fluency in the National Incident Management System/Incident Command System
- Advise commissioned officers on enlisted workforce
- Mentor/train Chief Petty Officers on leadership topics and junior petty officers on technical career topics
- Reserve Training Officer for Sector San Francisco
- Competencies: Emergency Management Specialist, Incident Commander (ICT4), Safety Officer (SOFR3), Planning Section Chief (PSC3), Operations Section Chief (OSC3), Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSCR), ICS General Staff, Human Resources - Surge Staffing (HR-SS), Fundamentals of Human Resources (HRMINTRO), Facility Inspector, Container Inspector, Pollution Responder, Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner (CFVE)
Continuity Team Lead
Berkeley Lab
Berkeley
09.2020 - 06.2024
- Lead the preparedness office within the emergency management team
- Primary Continuity Coordinator responsible for implementing DOE Order 150.1B Continuity Programs and Lab Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program Plan
- Business Continuity Coordinator responsible for implementing a business continuity program in compliance with NFPA1660
- Planning Section Chief on Lab's 24/7 on-call Incident Management Team
- Co-chairs EM/BC program committee
- Conduct training, drills, and exercises
- Division Safety Coordinator responsible for creating/implementing safety program for Security & Emergency Services (SES) division (4+ years)
- Co-Chairs Veterans Employee Resource Group
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Consultant
Astra
Alameda
09.2020 - 12.2021
- Provided continuity of Environmental, Health, and Safety support to assist Astra
Environmental, Health, and Safety Engineer
Astra
Alameda
10.2018 - 09.2020
- Developed and managed a comprehensive, initial environmental, health, and safety program for aerospace startup
- Assisted company in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and returning to work as an essential business
- Performed monthly and quarterly air monitoring IAW with Vapor Mitigation System (VMS) Monitoring Plan on a Superfund Site
- Performed all regulatory-required inspections, audits, and reports (including HMBP report in CERS, and HMMP to City)
- Programs developed include: Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP), Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Fire Prevention Plan (FPP), Hazard Communication Program, including chemical inventory system, Hazardous Waste Program (IAW RCRA and T22) and Hazardous Materials Transportation Program (IAW DOT/IATA/IMDG), Forklift, Aerial Work Platform (AWP), and Work at Heights (WAH, to include Fall Protection) Programs, Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan and Spill Response Procedure, Training Plan (also OSHA Forklift, AWP, and Fall Protection trainer)
Environmental Specialist
Chevron
Richmond
05.2015 - 09.2018
- As an Environmental Specialist at Chevron's Technology Center, I was responsible for implementing and managing environmental policies and procedures at Chevron's research facilities, and serving as subject matter expert for various Health, Environmental, and Safety (HES) subjects
- Manage and implement site plans and safe work procedures/SWP (Hazardous Materials Business Plan/HMBP, Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures/SPCC plan, Incidental Spill Response SWP, Process Safety Information SWP), permits (Air Quality Management District Permit to Operate (PTO), CCHS Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act), and registrations (CARB Large Spark Ignition, Off Road Diesel, Refrigerant management)
- Contribute environmental guidance to various site procedures (SWPs): asbestos, lead, compressed gas, mobile equipment, management of change (MOC)
- Develop and deliver site environmental training
- Conduct environmental reviews of new or changed processes
- Interface with governmental, internal (operational excellence), and third-party agencies during facility compliance audits and inspections
- Conduct internal compliance audits to validate and verify compliance and process safeguards in the field, and develop plans to close non-conformance gaps
- Submit timely and accurate reports to governmental agencies (EPA Tier II, EPA Toxic Release Inventory, BAAQMD PTO Data Update) and internal stakeholders (GHG, Total Waste)
- Pay environmental fees and taxes
- Serve as Operational Excellence Process Advisor for Environmental Stewardship (ES)
- Track and report key performance metrics
- Manage Environmental Aspect Register and identify improvement opportunities
- Volunteer on Refinery oil spill response team
Marine Science Technician, Chief Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
San Francisco
09.2015 - 11.2017
- Oversee Sector San Francisco Reserve Incident Management Division
- Provide career guidance and technical instruction to a team of pollution responders
- Perform supervisory administrative tasks: pay, performance review, recordkeeping, and reporting
- Track key metrics such as health and safety of workforce
- Advise officers on enlisted workforce
Marine Science Technician, Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
Various
12.2004 - 08.2015
- Conduct safety and security exams for waterfront facilities
- Inspect shipments for compliance with structural requirements and PHMSA/IMDG regulations
- Conduct pollution response activities and investigations
- Conduct routine harbor patrols to identify problems and areas of improvement, build relationships with regulated community and public
- Work with regulated industry to communicate regulatory requirements, determine solutions
- Mentor/train junior personnel on job tasks
- On-call emergency responder
- Special Projects: Responded to major emergencies, including Hurricane Rita in 2005 (salvage operations), Cosco Busan oil spill in 2007 (shoreline characterization and assessment team), and Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 (vessel of opportunity skimming system operator/trainer, deputy task force leader)
Compliance Specialist
Chevron
Richmond
01.2008 - 04.2015
- At Chevron's Richmond Technology Center, I supported the Hazardous Materials Team and facility research by ensuring that hazardous materials regulations were understood and requirements were met (or exceeded)
- I gained proficiency in hazardous materials transportation (DOT) and both federal and state hazardous waste management (RCRA)
- Key Responsibilities: Biennial reporting, Developing/conducting regulatory training for the hazardous materials team and waste generators, Writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and conducting Job Safety Analyses (JSA)
Hazardous Waste Technician
Chevron
Richmond
02.2006 - 01.2008
- As a Hazardous Waste Technician at Chevron's Richmond Technology Center, I was responsible for collecting, processing, and packaging hazardous waste in a safe and compliant manner
- I gained proficiency in labpacking chemicals, drum handling, forklift operation, as well as operating and managing internal floating roof (IFR) tanks
- Key Responsibilities: Hazardous waste pick-up, classification, sorting, segregation, profiling, Labpacking hazardous waste, Preparing hazardous materials for transportation: packaging, labeling, marking, placarding, Completing hazardous waste manifests and land disposal restriction notification, Conducting hazardous waste weekly inspections
Ammunition Specialist
U.S. Army
Fort Bragg
07.2001 - 07.2004
- As an Ammunition Specialist assigned to HHC 3/229th Aviation Regiment, I was responsible for the procurement, transportation, storage, issuance, and disposal of Class 1 (explosive) hazardous materials
- My team supported qualification ranges, field exercises, and combat deployments for both personnel and aircraft
- We operated safely in all manners of adverse conditions with no loss to mission effectiveness
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Environmental Science
University of California, Berkeley, College of Natural Resources
Berkeley, CA06-2015
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Effective communication
- Public speaking
- Training development
- Environmental, Health, and Safety
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Emergency management
- Risk assessment
- Project management
- Continuity planning
Websites
Certification
- Associate Safety Professional (ASP)
- Emergency Management Specialist
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Awards
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal
Personal Information
Title: CHMM, CSP, CEM, ABCP
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Drills, Training, & Exercise Team Lead
Berkeley Lab
07.2024 - Current
Continuity Team Lead
Berkeley Lab
09.2020 - 06.2024
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Consultant
Astra
09.2020 - 12.2021
Environmental, Health, and Safety Engineer
Astra
10.2018 - 09.2020
Marine Safety Specialist - Response, Chief Warrant Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
12.2017 - Current
Marine Science Technician, Chief Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
09.2015 - 11.2017
Environmental Specialist
Chevron
05.2015 - 09.2018
Compliance Specialist
Chevron
01.2008 - 04.2015
Hazardous Waste Technician
Chevron
02.2006 - 01.2008
Marine Science Technician, Petty Officer
U.S. Coast Guard
12.2004 - 08.2015
Ammunition Specialist
U.S. Army
07.2001 - 07.2004
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Environmental Science
University of California, Berkeley, College of Natural Resources
Similar Profiles
Benjamin Walker-EdwardsBenjamin Walker-Edwards
Research Lab Assistant at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Northen LabResearch Lab Assistant at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Northen Lab
FB CV FB CV null
Student administrator at Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research LabStudent administrator at Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab
Yichi ZhangYichi Zhang
Research Assistant Intern at UC Berkeley Professor Shaofan Li's LabResearch Assistant Intern at UC Berkeley Professor Shaofan Li's Lab
Trenton JenkinsTrenton Jenkins
System Security Administrator at V2XSystem Security Administrator at V2X
Brenda NolinBrenda Nolin
Classroom Teacher at Lakeside Middle SchoolClassroom Teacher at Lakeside Middle School