Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Communication
Leadership
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Christopher Hobson

Aiken,SC

Summary

Experienced professional in Natural Resource Management, Air Quality Monitoring, Environmental Research, Environmental Safety, and Public Safety. Skilled in managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude, demonstrating strong organizational skills and dependability. Proven track record of assuming additional responsibilities to support team success.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Fire Ecologist

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
02.2020 - 04.2025
  • GS-0401-11
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address ecological challenges through innovative solutions.
  • Analyzed ecological data using GIS tools to inform strategic decision-making for conservation efforts.
  • Initiated partnerships with local agencies to facilitate community engagement in ecological projects and initiatives.
  • Designed ecological monitoring programs to track changes in ecosystem health over time.
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop sustainable land management strategies.
  • Restored native habitats through invasive species removal and native plant reestablishment efforts.

Forest Fire Management Officer

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
05.2008 - 02.2020
  • GS-301-11
  • Evaluated employee performance regularly, providing constructive feedback and coaching for continuous improvement efforts.
  • Managed budgets effectively, allocating resources wisely to support business objectives and maintain fiscal responsibility.
  • Coordinated operations with other emergency service groups.
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
  • Managed resource allocation effectively, optimizing team performance while adhering to budget constraints and timelines.
  • Mentored junior staff members, fostering a positive work environment that encouraged professional growth and collaboration.

Asst. Fire Management Officer

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
04.2005 - 05.2008
  • GS-0462-09
  • Facilitated training programs for staff, enhancing skill sets and overall team performance.
  • Coordinated project timelines and deliverables, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
  • Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Natural Resource Management, Minor in Biology

University of Nebraska Lincoln
08.1993

Skills

  • Wildland & Prescribed Fire Operations
  • Fire risk assessment
  • Fire dynamics analysis
  • Inter/Intra Agency Coordination
  • Geographic information systems
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

  • Environmental monitoring
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Geospatial analysis
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Air quality management

Accomplishments

  • Awarded USDA Forest Service, Southern Regional Forester Award for my role in the Home Ignition Resistance Project. It was a collaborative effort among USDA Forest Service, Department of Energy and private insurance industry.
  • Developed a format using Word and Adobe to streamline the process our Line Officer utilizes to review Job Hazard Analysis for local projects.
  • I was the first to Implement Terrestrial Lidar Vegetation Survey's to determine hazardous wildland fuel loadings on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site.

Communication

Communication if the field of Wildland Fire Management is critical to achieving objectives, but most importantly the safety of the firefighters involved.  I have delivered countless daily briefings on fire weather, current situation, and upcoming projects.

I have written numerous Prescribed Fire Plans outlining resource objectives, organizational control, and safety protocols.  

While on interdisciplinary teams I have worked to determine and promote the best approaches to managing project areas.

Leadership

I feel throughout my career I have been able to direct and motivate people not because of my job title but by how I led up. I have never asked an employee to do something that I am not willing to do or something that I have not already done. If I have not done it, I will work alongside employees to demonstrate my philosophy.

Certification

Wildland Incident Qualification Card: Prescribed Fire Burn Boss (RXB2).

Timeline

Fire Ecologist

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
02.2020 - 04.2025

Forest Fire Management Officer

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
05.2008 - 02.2020

Asst. Fire Management Officer

U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
04.2005 - 05.2008

Bachelor of Science - Natural Resource Management, Minor in Biology

University of Nebraska Lincoln