Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

Elizabeth Smith

Knoxville,TN

Summary

Dedicated NEPA Specialist with 15 years of experience in environmental policy and compliance, currently working at the Tennessee Valley Authority managing the development of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements and leading TVA's NEPA efforts for solar projects and pumped storage. Also supporting projects across the Tennessee Valley including navigation, natural resources, economic development, major projects, and renewables. Committed to managing teams and facilitating sustainable development while preserving natural resources.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

NEPA Specialist

Tennessee Valley Authority
01.2019 - Current
  • Lead, manage, and coordinate all aspects of NEPA compliance for a variety of projects, including environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.
  • Conduct environmental assessments and prepare NEPA documentation for a diverse range of projects, including navigation, natural resources, economic development, major projects, and renewables.
  • Conduct thorough environmental reviews to identify potential impacts and propose mitigation measures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including SBU/BU leadership, to integrate environmental considerations into project planning and decision-making processes.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders and project teams regarding NEPA compliance matters.
  • Provide expert guidance and recommendations to clients on NEPA compliance strategies and mitigation measures.
  • Coordinate public involvement activities, including public meetings and stakeholder engagement initiatives, to gather feedback and address community concerns.
  • Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of environmental assessments.
  • Monitor contractor performance, including quality, timeliness, and compliance with contract requirements, through regular inspections, progress reports, and performance evaluations.
  • Better Together Team member tasked with building effective collaboration and ensure alignment between NEPA, Cultural Compliance, and Biological Compliance.

Abandoned Mine Land Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
05.2008 - 12.2018
  • .Managed Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Program for USDOI OSMRE, Knoxville Field Office
  • Managed digital AML inventory for use in permitting and determining eligibility.
  • Digitized and Georeferenced historic coal mining maps for use in permitting processes using ArcGIS and AutoCAD.
  • Prepared a 508-compliant annual report for the Abandoned Mine Land Program.
  • Conducted environmental assessments and prepared NEPA documentation.
  • Conducted field surveys and collected environmental data to support NEPA compliance efforts.
  • Analyzed data and prepared technical reports for various projects.
  • Assisted in the development of environmental management plans and permit applications to regulatory agencies.
  • Conducted environmental compliance audits and inspections to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
  • Conducted environmental assessments and site investigations for abandoned mine sites to evaluate potential risks and develop remediation strategies.
  • Collaborated with engineering teams to design and implement remediation measures, such as soil stabilization and water quality management.
  • Provided technical support and expertise to regulatory agencies on environmental regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Coordinated public involvement activities, including public meetings and stakeholder engagement initiatives, to gather feedback and address community concerns.

Contracting Officer Representative

U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
05.2008 - 12.2018
  • Served as the primary liaison between the contracting officer and contractors, ensuring that all parties adhere to contract terms, specifications, and regulations.
  • Monitored contractor performance, including quality, timeliness, and compliance with contract requirements, through regular inspections, progress reports, and performance evaluations.
  • Conducted contract negotiations and modifications as necessary to address changes in scope, budget, or schedule, while maintaining alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Reviewed and approved contractor invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contractual terms and budgetary constraints.
  • Provided technical guidance and support to contractors and project teams to facilitate successful contract execution and achieve desired outcomes.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies

University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
01.2008

Skills

  • Comprehensive understanding of NEPA regulations
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate interdisciplinary teams and manage project budgets and schedules
  • Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and public outreach
  • Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Team-oriented with strong, effective leadership skills
  • Excellent at identifying process inefficiencies
  • Facilitates development of new team members
  • Task-oriented and efficient
  • Excellent at team building and conflict resolution strategies
  • Embraces diverse perspectives and receptive to new ideas
  • Understands and can clearly articulate regulations
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Excels at stakeholder engagement
  • Proficient with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Certification

  • NEPA Certificate Program
  • Bell Leadership Achievers Program
  • Abandoned Mine Land Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, 05/2008, 12/2018
  • Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
  • ArcGIS Certificate
  • Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives (FAC-COR)

Affiliations

  • National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP)
  • Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI)

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

NEPA Specialist

Tennessee Valley Authority
01.2019 - Current

Abandoned Mine Land Program Specialist

U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
05.2008 - 12.2018

Contracting Officer Representative

U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
05.2008 - 12.2018

Bachelor of Arts - Environmental Studies

University of Tennessee

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