Kathryn Dotchin
Environmental Scientist III
Henderson,NV
Summary
Experienced Environmental Scientist with over 25 years of experience in government, non-profit, and outreach education. Excellent reputation for resolving problems and creating and fostering capacity building among government, private, and non-profit stakeholders. Enthusiastic Environmental Scientist eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent networking skills. Motivated to learn, grow and excel in water education.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Stormwater Compliance and Enforcement Inspector
Nevada Division Of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
Las Vegas, NV
04.2017 - Current
- Implement compliance, monitoring, and enforcement of Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations including Construction Stormwater (CSW) General Permit and Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for the Bureau of Water Pollution Control (BWPC).
- Provide input to develop permit conditions as requested and provide draft permits for public comment and review.
- Follow procedures and protocols outlined in the inspection manual and analyze technical information.
- Conduct regulation review prior to any inspection or investigation; utilize guidance documents, technical reports, and other sources of information pertaining to the operations of the facility.
- Conduct file/data base searches and document review including reading and understanding engineering information from CSW permit and MSGP plans; drawings, specifications, correspondence, reports.
- Work cooperatively, courteously, and establish rapport with fellow staff and the public.
- Provide information and explain policies and procedures.
- Respond to requests for information in a timely manner, both verbally and in written form, from the public, government, and private sectors.
- Prepare presentations for State, and local agencies, department personnel, and the public.
- Prepare and present Construction Stormwater and Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) information to local agencies (e.g., Clark County Regional Flood Control District, City of Las Vegas, Clark County Department of Air Quality, City of Henderson, City of North Las Vegas, and Clark County Unincorporated) and building contractors.
- Make constructive suggestions to supervisor regarding improvements to well established regulations and management policies or procedures.
- Adapt to changing conditions and problem situations, withstand pressure, and remain calm when crisis or confrontational situations occur.
- Use personal protective equipment including respirators when required; recognize an emergency situation and take appropriate action.
- Adhere to prescribed safety policies and procedures found in federal and state regulations, and Department, Division, and Bureau Safety and Health Plans.
- Served on the BWPC's Summer and Winter 2018 Retreat Planning Committees.
- Participate in professional development opportunities and learn of new or upcoming regulations.
- Current member of the Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA).
- Currently, serve as Duty Officer for the NDEP Spill Hotline assisting the public with information regarding the mitigation and remediation of after-hours releases of hazardous substances to the environment and disseminating spill reports to the appropriate Bureaus or agency for oversight and is an alternate committee member of the Clark County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
Hazardous Waste Compliance/Enforcement Inspector
Nevada Division Of Environmental Protection, Bureau Of Sustainable Materials Management
Las Vegas, NV
05.2011 - 04.2017
- Conducted file/data base searches, document reviews, and regulation reviews prior to any inspection or investigation; conducted inspections and/or investigations and completed enforcement actions in accordance with procedures and protocols outlined in the program policy; maintained current, accurate and accessible Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement (CM&E) files, records, reports and enforcement actions; input required CM&E data into the RCRAInfo database; QA/QC own data entry into RCRAInfo; query RCRAInfo using RCRAInfo Report Module.
- Worked under NDEP Professional Engineers (PEs).
- Implemented compliance, monitoring, and enforcement of RCRA hazardous waste regulations (including Subparts AA, BB, CC for air emission standards) including RCRA permits.
- Reviewed permit applications, proposals, and plans for activities and operations subject to State and federal regulations governing wastewater treatment, air pollution control, hazardous waste, and site remediation.
- Provided input to develop permit conditions as requested and provide draft permits for public comment and review.
- Determined if facilities utilize sound engineering practices (e.g.US Ecology- review engineering reports on the structural integrity of the Treatment Pans e.g., verifid the annular space for Treatment Pans were not impeded for leak detection and cathodic protection systems are provided for the Treatment Pans; landfill trenches require goetechincal investigations); and corrective actions taken (various hazardous waste remediation sites and facilities inspected must meet Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations and requires knowledge of legal and scientific documents such as interlocal agreements; situations [e.g.
- Utilize knowledge of chemistry to determine the compatibility of wastes; leachate samples taken quarterly (mitigate hazardous constituents from groundwater and surface water)]; utilized practices and procedures to identify relevant concerns (ensure adequate containment systems are structurally sound to protect groundwater and soil); and formulate logical and objective conclusions.
- Followed procedures and protocols outlined in the inspection manual and analyze technical information.
- Conducted regulation review prior to any inspection or investigation; utilized guidance documents, technical reports, and other sources of information pertaining to the operations of the facility.
- Conducted file/data base searches and document review including: reading and understanding engineering information from RCRA permit plans; drawings, specifications, correspondence, reports (e.g.
- Review and evaluate quarterly samples of Monitored Leachate Constituents from the landfill trenches.) Oversaw and performed field investigations and inspections of wastewater treatment facilities, solid and hazardous waste management facilities; and remediation sites [e.g.
- Ensure Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) units are operating correctly]; collected samples, analyzed data, graphs (monitor lysimeter data); prepared reports for agency and public review; and verified groundwater and soil sampling were being conducted using the sampling methods in the EPA Manual SW-846.
- Recommended enforcement action for permit and law violations following an inspection.
- Prepared factual and legally defensible reports, letters including Finding of Alleged Violations (FOAVs), and penalties.
- Responded to requests for information, both verbally and in written form, from the public, government agencies and the regulated community.
- Queried RCRAInfo using the RCRAInfo Report Module for internal requests.
- Maintained hazardous waste recordkeeping system to ensure compliance with federal, State, and local hazardous waste requirements in EPA's RCRA Info database.
- Served as subcommittee member of the Association of States and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) Hazardous Waste Recycling Task Force from 2010-2012.
- Served as the Safety Coordinator for the NDEP Las Vegas Office Safety Committee from June 2014-July 2017.
- Currently serves as a Duty Officer for the NDEP Spill Report Hotline and is an alternate committee member of the Clark County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
Southern Nevada Recycling Coordinator
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Las Vegas, NV
05.2006 - 09.2011
- Prepared summary briefings and Biennial Reports for Recycling for the Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) and the State Environmental Commission (SEC).
- Developed the presentation for Single Stream Recycling Program for the Southern Nevada Recycling Advisory Committee to present to the Clark County Commissioners.
- Planned, organized, and conducted recycling and resource conservation education and outreach activities to all members of the community.
- Maintained active relationships with local officials (City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, City of Henderson, and Clark County Unincorporated, Nye County, etc.), educators, members of civic and service organizations, and the local recycling community to facilitate the dispersion of resources available to encourage recycling from NDEP and USEPA and increased the opportunities to present those resources and information.
- Distributed recycling/reuse information to the public through presentations and in the form of news releases, PSA’s, newspapers articles, radio & television interviews; distribution of brochures, pamphlets, and other printed material.
- Assisted the Northern Nevada Recycling Coordinator in Carson City with recycling report data collection and the collection and analysis of other data relevant to calculating a state recycling rate.
- Responsible for organizing and managing the recycling program in the Las Vegas office of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
Middle School Science Teacher
Leland Middle School
Leland, NC
01.2002 - 04.2003
- Planned, organized, and supervised classroom activities and labs.
- Prepared and supported students with science fair projects.
- Facilitated computer activities and staff workshops incorporating the Internet, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher.
- Served as grade-level chairperson for 7th grade, co-chair for science department, secretary for the school leadership committee, assistant coach for the LMS dance team, senior project judge for North Brunswick High school, coordinator for school recycling, and Science Olympiad coach.
Program Director
Utah Society for Environmental Education, USEE
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2000 - 01.2002
- Coordinated and led environmental education activities with schools and organizations.
- Managed and orchestrated the Great Basin Earth Institute.
- Coordinated community discussion groups.
- Organized and hosted community events such as Earth Day.
- Presented environmental education public outreach programs and curriculum such as Designing Sustainable Communities.
- Managed office finances.
- Assisted in grant writing.
- Chair for USEE’s Annual Conference.
- Assistant project manager for the Guidelines for EE Providers in Utah.
- Attended the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference in October 2000, Earth and Faith Leadership conference in May 2001 and national leadership training at the Northwest Earth Institute in July 2001.
Sea Kayak and Mountain Bike Guide
Southeast Exposure
Ketchikan, AK
05.1999 - 10.1999
- To ensure the safety of clients and educate them about the natural history, flora, fauna, and local issues of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
- Performed rescue techniques and navigational skills.
- Spoke French with international guests.
- CPR certification.
Research assistant, Co-coordinator of Lead Poisoning Prevention Outreach Program
Environmental Quality Institute, EQI
Asheville, NC
11.1997 - 12.1998
- Duties: Tests were performed for lead in drinking water, food, homes, soil and vinyl products; arsenic in pressure-treated lumber, soil, and water; mercury in fish and hair; pesticides; and VOC's to determine if they exceeded drinking water standards Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- Conducted water quality tests for pH and turbidity for the leading national center for data on lead contamination and performed water quality testing for local governments (Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District), nonprofits, and other organizations.
- Input data gathered from water samples and experiments.
- Program Co-coordinator-organized and educated children and parents about lead poisoning and prevention methods.
Intern
Tongass Conservation Society
Ketchikan, AK
05.1998 - 08.1998
- Reviewed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application under the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) to provide comments on behalf of the Tongass Conservation Society.
- Conducted water samples in Ward Cove, AK and reviewed results to determine Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for sediment toxicity (PCBs, dioxins, and heavy metals) and dissolved oxygen to ensure compliance with CWA, Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and state water quality regulations.
- Reviewed Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Tongass Land Management Plan (TLMP) and wrote recommendations for issues concerning water quality, soil degradation, subsistence issues for local tribes, and habitat loss on behalf of the Tongass Conservation Society during the public review period. Attended Technical Discussion Groups and meetings with the EPA Region X that discussed clean-up efforts in Ward Cove, AK home to juvenile and adult salmon, cutthroat and steelhead trout, and Dolly Varden.
- Attended Collaborative Stewardship meetings with the USFS and the community to address the Cleveland Peninsula timber sale.
- Continued research with current environmental issues (e.g.
- Degradation to salmon stocks due to clear-cutting practices; advocating for high-value old-growth logging products such as homes and furniture versus turning the old growth into low-valued resources like pulp for particle board and paper products) within the Southeast Alaskan community.
- Project: Created a youth environmental organization in Ketchikan, Alaska that focused on increasing recycling awareness and local environmental issues.
- A camping trip and nature walk were organized to increase their knowledge of their surrounding ecosystems.
Education
NC Licensure-Middle Grades Science - undefined
Graduate of NC TEACH - Middle Grades Science
University of North Carolina
B.S - Environmental Studies-Natural Resource Management
University of North Carolina
Skills
Excelundefined
Affiliations
Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA)
Member since 2017
Awards
2007 Environmental Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement EPA Region IX
March 2009 Women in History Award for Conservation Efforts City of Las Vegas
Timeline
Stormwater Compliance and Enforcement Inspector
Nevada Division Of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
04.2017 - Current
Hazardous Waste Compliance/Enforcement Inspector
Nevada Division Of Environmental Protection, Bureau Of Sustainable Materials Management
05.2011 - 04.2017
Southern Nevada Recycling Coordinator
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
05.2006 - 09.2011
Middle School Science Teacher
Leland Middle School
01.2002 - 04.2003
Program Director
Utah Society for Environmental Education, USEE
09.2000 - 01.2002
Sea Kayak and Mountain Bike Guide
Southeast Exposure
05.1999 - 10.1999
Intern
Tongass Conservation Society
05.1998 - 08.1998
Research assistant, Co-coordinator of Lead Poisoning Prevention Outreach Program
Environmental Quality Institute, EQI
11.1997 - 12.1998
NC Licensure-Middle Grades Science - undefined
Graduate of NC TEACH - Middle Grades Science
University of North Carolina
B.S - Environmental Studies-Natural Resource Management
University of North Carolina
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