Jessica Bochart Leusch
White City,USA
Summary
Dynamic Geo-Environmental Manager with extensive experience at the Oregon Department of Transportation, excelling in project management and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in NEPA compliance and budget management, while mentoring teams to achieve strategic goals. Adept at fostering collaborative relationships and ensuring environmental compliance across complex transportation projects.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Region 3 Geo-Environmental Manager
Oregon Department of Transportation
White City, Oregon
11.2022 - Current
- Manage the workload, budget, and resourcing for two crews comprised of wetland scientists, biologists, NEPA compliance experts, geologists, geotechnical engineers, environmental geologists, and an archaeologist
- Participate on multidisciplinary teams and lead the Geo-Environmental Unit in developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other ODOT program units, regulatory agencies, cities, counties, and Tribal governments
- Review and provide feedback on anticipated project schedules to ensure that environmental and geotechnical engineering project needs are accounted for and that the scope, schedule, and budget are realistic and achievable.
- Engage with ODOT business lines and external stakeholders when necessary to address issues and concerns that could affect project timelines
- Mentor and coach staff as needed so that they have a clear understanding of expectations
- Assist staff with internal and external conflict resolution and build team cohesion to achieve shared goals
Board Member-Tribal Board of Directors
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Roseburg, Oregon
01.2011 - Current
- Promote tribal sovereignty and oversee the long term financial and cultural goals of the Tribe
- Ensure that the tribal government and businesses are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
- Set policies and review and approve budgets for the government and all tribal businesses
- Establish short and long-term goals, expectations, and priorities for executive level staff
- Represent the Tribe as the chief governing body for all tribal citizens
Regional Environmental Coordinator
Oregon Department of Transportation
White City, Oregon
03.2021 - 11.2022
- Ensure the successful delivery of ODOT projects and that deliverables are of high professional standards that meet state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and agreements for transportation projects and improvements
- Represent the Environmental Team on multidisciplinary project delivery teams during all phases of project development (scoping; project delivery; construction) and serve as a management and project team liaison
- Assist the project team with the development of the scope, schedule, and budget and accurately relay all project components, changes, and timelines to the environmental specialists
- Review consultant scopes of work, manage project schedules, and support the Salem Geo-Environmental Section as necessary
- NEPA compliance work on Categorical Exclusions, EIS re-evaluations, Planning Studies, PEL, and LWCF 6f conversion experience
Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison
Oregon Department of Transportation
White City, Oregon
01.2009 - 03.2021
- Ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, ORS 97.740, and ORS 390.235
- Routinely negotiated No Adverse Effects to historic properties using reasonable and agreed upon construction methodologies to avoid Adverse Effects.
- Negotiated and executed multiple MOAs with numerous signatories for ODOT and Local Agency projects that resulted in Adverse Effects to historic properties.
- Coordinated and led tribal consultation for ODOT Region 3 and maintained positive Government-to-Government relationships with various tribal nations, leadership, and staff
- Assisted the Salem Geo-Environmental Section with the development of guidance documents, pilot programs, templates, trainings, conferences, and project delivery
- Worked as part of a diverse project team to deliver complex transportation infrastructure projects
Archaeologist and Archivist
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Roseburg, Oregon
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Reviewed all federal and state actions to occur within the Usual and Accustomed Lands of the Cow Creek Tribe and consulted on actions with the potential to impact tribally important gathering areas or areas of spiritual and cultural significance
- Coordinated archaeological field studies, tribal cultural resource monitors, and participated on the tribal cultural committee to address sensitive cultural issues, such as the reinternment of ancestral remains
- Curated tribal collections using PastPerfect Museum Software
- Provided training, education, and outreach regarding tribal cultural resources in numerous state, federal, tribal, and educational forums
Education
Master of Arts - Anthropology/Archaeology
University of Montana
Missoula, MT12-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology/Archaeology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR06-2002
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- ArcGIS
- Excel
- Access
- PowerPoint
- ProjectWise
- Environmental compliance
- NEPA documentation
- Project management
- Regulatory analysis
- Budget management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Mentoring staff
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Natural resource management
- Cultural competency
- Environmental reporting
- Environmental risk assessment
- Contractor management
- Environmental monitoring
- Time management
- Laboratory techniques
- Developing compliance programs
- Environmental planning
- Field sampling
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Region 3 Geo-Environmental Manager
Oregon Department of Transportation
11.2022 - Current
Regional Environmental Coordinator
Oregon Department of Transportation
03.2021 - 11.2022
Board Member-Tribal Board of Directors
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
01.2011 - Current
Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison
Oregon Department of Transportation
01.2009 - 03.2021
Archaeologist and Archivist
Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
01.2007 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - Anthropology/Archaeology
University of Montana
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology/Archaeology
Oregon State University
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