Open To Work
David Forster
University Place
Summary
Results-driven Environmental Program Manager with extensive experience in federal environments, including the Department of Defense. Proven ability to lead and develop teams of technical and professional staff to ensure comprehensive compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations. Expert in translating complex EPA and DoD mandates into actionable hazard control programs that support mission continuity and fleet readiness. A decisive leader, skilled in incident command, crisis resolution, and stakeholder negotiation, dedicated to creating a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) & Tanks Program Manager
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & IMF
Bremerton
08.2024 - Current
- Lead a zero-failure enterprise SPCC program, ensuring full compliance with EPA, WDOE, and DoD regulations to guarantee mission continuity and fleet readiness for critical naval assets.
- Innovate and apply specialized safety measures and procedures to resolve highly hazardous conditions, prescribing practices to minimize risk to personnel and property.
- Serve as a certified Incident Commander, resolving crisis situations by leading spill response operations to mitigate environmental impact and protect the organization's license to operate.
- Function as the primary liaison for the program, partnering with state and federal environmental agencies, stewarding all documentation, and negotiating through complex audits.
Team Lead, Deployed Environmental Professionals
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos
02.2024 - 08.2024
- Supervised a team of 17 environmental professionals, including engineers and specialists, responsible for comprehensive environmental and safety compliance in a high-security federal facility.
- Developed others by fostering a culture of excellence and providing mentorship that improved team productivity by 20% and reduced personnel turnover by 30%.
- Assigned and coordinated the work of subordinates to align with overall Division objectives, directing changes in program emphasis and implementing new methods to enhance compliance posture.
- Influenced and negotiated with federal, state, and local regulators to resolve critical compliance issues, advising senior management on the operational and budgetary impacts of new legislation.
Environmental Professional II/III
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos
01.2022 - 02.2024
- Served as a subject matter expert, interpreting and applying environmental laws and regulations from the NMED, DOE, and EPA to ensure site-wide compliance.
- Led key compliance programs, including Reportable Releases (Spills), Quarterly Discharge Reporting, and Pesticide Management, directly contributing to the Safety and Health of the laboratory.
- Planned and implemented actions and procedures to control hazardous operational conditions, providing technical guidance and training to internal programs and stakeholders.
Oil and Hazardous Substance Program Manager / Auditor
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & IMF
Bremerton
11.2019 - 12.2021
- Demonstrated "zero-failure" operational command as a 24/7 on-call Incident Commander, leading teams through high-stakes mishap/accident scenarios involving hazardous substances.
- Developed and extended significant hazard control techniques by translating complex regulations into clear, executable guidance and training materials for the Oil and Hazardous Substance Program.
- Conducted rigorous program audits, surveillances, and root cause analyses (mishap investigation) to identify and correct systemic deficiencies, strengthening institutional resilience against environmental risks.
Project Manager / Engineering Associate
Smith Engineering Company
Albuquerque
10.2015 - 11.2019
- Managed diverse civil engineering projects from conception to completion, including scope evaluation, budget estimation, proposal writing, and scheduling.
- Directed and coordinated contractor activities, ensuring projects were delivered on time and within budget through effective management of RFIs, Change Orders, and Submittals.
Education
Master of Science - Civil Engineering in Water Resources
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NMBachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NMSkills
- Leadership
- Compliance Standards
- ISO 14001
- Environmental Management Systems
- AutoCAD Civil 3D
- ArcGIS
- HEC-RAS
- Microsoft Office Suite
Technical Skills And Training
9-month Leadership and Business Development Program (Cross Group, Inc.), ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Audits, AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, Microsoft Office Suite
Awards And Performance Appraisals
(As instructed in the job announcement, list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards here.)
Core Competencies
Direct comprehensive safety and health programs, innovating and applying advanced safety measures to control or eliminate hazardous operational conditions in compliance with all federal and state regulations., Supervise, mentor, and develop diverse teams of up to 17 environmental professionals. Assign and coordinate work to meet branch objectives, improving team productivity by 20% and reducing turnover by 30%., Expert in interpreting and translating dense federal (EPA, DoD) and state regulations into clear, executable guidance, training materials, and actionable onsite strategies to ensure institutional compliance., Proven Incident Commander for high-stakes spill response operations. Lead rigorous root cause analyses, program audits, and surveillances to identify and correct systemic deficiencies, strengthening institutional resilience., Serve as the primary liaison with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies (EPA, WDOE, NMED). Adept at navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, advising senior management, and resolving critical compliance issues through effective partnership and negotiation.
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeSalary Range
$151000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) & Tanks Program Manager
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & IMF
08.2024 - Current
Team Lead, Deployed Environmental Professionals
Los Alamos National Laboratory
02.2024 - 08.2024
Environmental Professional II/III
Los Alamos National Laboratory
01.2022 - 02.2024
Oil and Hazardous Substance Program Manager / Auditor
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & IMF
11.2019 - 12.2021
Project Manager / Engineering Associate
Smith Engineering Company
10.2015 - 11.2019
Master of Science - Civil Engineering in Water Resources
University of New Mexico
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering
University of New Mexico