Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Exceptional capabilities in written/verbal communication, teamwork, networking, organization, and problem solving. Experience in a wide range of environmental projects from management to hands-on field work. Agile in rapidly changing situations; excels in critical thinking, and adapts easily to changing technology. A diverse employment portfolio makes me uniquely prepared for a wide variety of positions.
Hi, I’m
DEBRA FERRIS
Freelance Writer / Consultant & Natural Resource Management professional
TX
Summary
Overview
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Live Wire Writing ServicesVarious, TX
Freelance Content Writer/Self-Employed
07.2012 - Current
Job overview
- Create customized content strategies tailored to clients’ specific needs
- Conducted simple keyword research and used SEO guidelines to increase web traffic, increasing web traffic by approximately 20%.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to meet and exceed timing and budget goals
- Consulted with clients about their website design and created mock-up design suggestions
- Collaborated with UK grant writing company tasked with generating dental proposals for dental practitioners seeking partnerships with England's National Health Service (NHS), following strict specifications
- Conducted extensive internet research to provide facts and statistics for articles and blogs
- Achieved 100% client retention and excellent reviews from all clients
- Played critical role in reporting live events for Conscious Connection online magazine, transcribing articles “on the fly” during live events
Trinity Basin Conservation FoundationAthens, TX
Interim Director
07.2013 - 11.2013
Job overview
- Supervised projects/grant obligations, in accordance to project frameworks and timelines, as Interim Director, replacing outgoing Director after personal emergency departure
- Maintained communications with partner organizations during critical transition period (Sand County Foundation, Texas Parks, Department, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas A&M University) ensuring ongoing, positive relationships
- Liaised between project cooperators and Sand County Foundation overseeing implementation of contracted projects performed at Mill Creek pilot project sites (Ellis and Navarro counties, TX)
- Facilitated important transition communications with community-based partnership networks and organizations, addressing their questions and easing concerns
- Oversaw ongoing office management; played crucial role in reconciliation of cooperator files, accounts and funds, and timely delivery of communications to bookkeeper/treasurer
- Successfully obtained grant funding from several grantors; achieved funding goals with awards of in excess of $20,000
- Performed field inventories for cattle stocking rates, fencing requirements & basic design schematics, conducted plant diversity inventories, and recommended appropriate conservation practices for each cooperator enrolled in study
Trinity WatersAthens, TX
Administrative Coordinator
10.2012 - 06.2013
Job overview
- Authored Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) area-wide conservation plan for the middle Trinity Basin watershed
- Assisted Director with day-to-day office operations
- Identified private foundation grant prospects in conjunction with resource development research project; authored grant requests, procuring $20,000+ in grant money
- Worked closely with IT team to create core content, framework for improved 'Trinity Waters' website
- Volunteer, Texas Wildlife Association's 'LANDS' Program, conducting radio telemetry demonstrations for 5th graders from Dallas, TX school systems
- Prepared detailed documents and reports, as assigned and in a timely manner
Lesser Prairie Chicken, Wildlife PlusMilnesand, NM
Biological Technician, Intern
02.2011 - 03.2011
Job overview
- Weaver Ranch Property
- Actively participated in the drop net capture, leg banding, measuring, and radio collar placement on lesser prairie chickens in eastern New Mexico for a private environmental consulting firm's study
- Maintained detailed records for each bird in study group utilizing Microsoft Word and Excel
- Conducted daily radio telemetry signal location duties and recorded location data
- Safely operated and performed maintenance duties on 4x4 pick-up trucks and ATV’s
- Assisted with duties related to ‘Milnesand Prairie Chicken Festival’ as guide and assistant
US Census BureauSpur, TX
Census Enumerator
01.2010 - 08.2010
Job overview
- Independently gathered demographic information, from residents in four counties, in support of 2010 US Census
- Completed forms for demographic data gathered from area residents utilizing in-person interviews following specific instructions
- Obtained updated contact information from all subjects, verifying data for accuracy
- Clarified census process to skeptical interviewees; reassured cautious residents of government's need for census data in redistricting, taxation, population count
- Maintained strict confidentiality guidelines when broaching sensitive questions with tact and diplomacy
- Managed recruiting and screening processes for several hundred potential participants
Bureau Of Land ManagementGrand Junction, CO
Field Tech, Amphibian & Herpetofauna Survey
05.2009 - 08.2009
Job overview
- Collaborated with Bureau of Land Management staff supporting amphibian & herpetofauna population survey of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA), nearby mesas, canyons, and sub-alpine forest ecoregions surrounding Grand Junction and Delta, CO
- Gathered and compiled demographic data for adult frog/toad species, tadpoles, salamanders, and herp species
- Transcribed data to study database in support of furthering studies of overall health of area ecosystems, using amphibian populations as a biological “marker” for determining the impact of areawide increase in agricultural activities on amphibian populations and reproduction success
- Utilized GPS technology to mark locations; performed data entry utilizing GIS mapping system of BLM study areas
- Provided recommendations, in report form, for species management during breeding season - a time of increased human activities in the public lands in, and surrounding, the NCA
- Utilized Microsoft Word and Excel for documentation and mapping assignments
- Primary achievement - inclusion of management recommendations in BLM area-wide species and habitat management plan
Urban Desert Mule Deer, Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX
Field Research Assistant
06.2007 - 12.2008
Job overview
- Performed duties supporting Graduate Student Research Project, "Demographics and Spatial Characteristics of an Urban Mule Deer Population in Alpine, TX." by Daniel A Ferris
- Supervised radio telemetry project for graduate student team members; trained new undergrads in radio telemetry techniques and equipment use
- Conducted radio telemetry triangulation, obtaining locations of study mule deer, and maintained signal location log, study database
- Utilized Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present various types of geographical/spatial data related to mule deer movements
- Actively assisted in drop net capture, radio collar placement, and ear tagging of adult mule deer does
USAF, Carswell AFB, Davis-Monthan, TX, AZ
Services Specialist
05.1990 - 09.1994
Job overview
- Participated in medical duties on Med-Surgical Units and Emergency Department during United States deployment
- Participated in Military Readiness activities in support of unit missions
- Excelled in Emergency Department operations during rapidly evolving emergent situations
- Exhibited high energy and professionalism when dealing with clients and staff.
- Organized and updated charts with clinic notes, retrieved scans, obtained medical records and verbally confirmed appointments via telephone.
- Received "Good Conduct", "Homeland Defense", and "Outstanding Unit" citations
Education
Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX
Bachelor of Science from Natural Resources Management
University Overview
- Awarded 'Who's Who Among Students at Colleges and Universities
- Dean's List - 2006-200
- GPA -3.58
- Relevant Coursework: ARC-GIS, Wildlife & Plant Management, Soils, Technical Writing, Planning
- Delta Tau Alpha Agricultural Honor Society Member
- Range & Wildlife Club Member
- Elected to Role of Secretary for SRSU Young Republicans
Skills
- Landscape Level Conservation Planning /Project Management
- Population Surveys
- Microsoft Office Suite, Google G-Suite, Basic Accounting Software
- Excellent Analytical Skills
- Skilled Field Researcher
- Originality and Creativity
- Active Listening
- Project Requirements
- Quality Deliverables
- Content Curation
- Project Proposals
- Production Oversight
- Reading Comprehension
- Web Page Creation and Editing
- Work Copywriting
- Customer Outreach
- Brand Messaging
- Stream Restoration
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Park Rules and Regulations
- Adaptable to Changing Conditions
- Detailed Documentation
- Clerical Oversight
- Remote Conferencing and Communication
- Data Profiling
- Client Interactions
- Logical and Methodical
- Educational Outreach
- Environmental Improvements
- Environmental Site Assessment
- Erosion Control
- Land Planning
- Environmental Consulting
- Environmental Protection
- New Project Development
- Environmental Management Systems
- Database Design
- Field Data Collection
- Environmental Education
- Safety Measures
- Field Report Preparation
- Laboratory Data Collection
- Environmental Monitoring
- Customer Needs Assessments
- Data Reporting
- Project Deadlines
- Equipment Replacement
- Operating Heavy Machinery
- Project Monitoring
- Customer Retention
- Data Entry
- Creative Solutions
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Timeline
Interim Director
Trinity Basin Conservation Foundation
07.2013 - 11.2013
Administrative Coordinator
Trinity Waters
10.2012 - 06.2013
Freelance Content Writer/Self-Employed
Live Wire Writing Services
07.2012 - Current
Biological Technician, Intern
Lesser Prairie Chicken, Wildlife Plus
02.2011 - 03.2011
Census Enumerator
US Census Bureau
01.2010 - 08.2010
Field Tech, Amphibian & Herpetofauna Survey
Bureau Of Land Management
05.2009 - 08.2009
Field Research Assistant
Urban Desert Mule Deer, Sul Ross State University
06.2007 - 12.2008
Services Specialist
USAF, Carswell AFB, Davis-Monthan
05.1990 - 09.1994
Sul Ross State University
Bachelor of Science from Natural Resources Management
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