Kristen Laccetti
Watershed Management Specialist
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Accomplished Watershed Management Specialist with a proven track record at the US Environmental Protection Agency, adept in relationship building and data analysis. Spearheaded initiatives improving Long Island Sound's conservation, leveraging programs such as Microsoft Excel for data interpretation, and enhancing stakeholder collaboration.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Watershed Management Specialist
US Environmental Protection Agency
06.2022 - Current
- Co-lead the Indicators Review Team, analyzing and interpreting data to help determine progress towards our environmental goals and evaluate the effectiveness of our restoration and management efforts while ensuring data is accurate and appropriately reported.
- Used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to produce detailed maps to aid in decision making as well as filter data sets to include relevant spatial data.
- Provide technical guidance and assistance for the revision of the Long Island Sound Study Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) to conserve and manage the Long Island Sound while strategically prioritizing, conserving and restoring its species and habitats while ensuring they will be resilient to climate change.
- Collaborate with the Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professionals to educate and engage decision makers on innovative solutions for environmental challenges, such as erosion and flooding. Additionally, help develop and improve a grant program focused on helping communities conduct climate risk and vulnerability assessments, feasibility studies and conceptual designs for projects that will help mitigate these challenges and increase their resilience to future challenges in a sustainable manner.
- Analyze potential risks for habitats and communities within the Long Island Sound watershed associated with climate change; providing recommendations for adaptation strategies to ensure long-term resilience throughout the watershed.
- Effectively communicate with EPA headquarters, regional management and representatives of federal, state and local agencies on policy and technical guidance pertaining to program goals and objectives.
- Serve as Project Officer on 8 grants, totaling over $30 million, working to ensure reporting requirements are met and grants are implemented properly, reviewing progress reports and providing guidance when needed to help reach project goals.
Enforcement Officer
US Environmental Protection Agency
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Analyzed data for trends, patterns and indicators of potential noncompliance to target facilities for upcoming inspections.
- Ensure compliance among facilities reporting to EPA in accordance with acts such as the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act etc.
- Input compliance monitoring activity data into ICIS (Integrated Compliance Information System) in order to keep the database updated and available for use to analyze enforcement data. Support data compilation, retrieval and storage.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of South Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Reviewed technical and professional publications and journals to stay current on recent literature and make more strategic research decisions.
- Planned, identified and designed a research project based on the problems facing coastal habitats, such as stormwater detention ponds, due to stormwater influx.
- Conducted field work and experiments in coastal South Carolina, using equipment such as a YSI sonde and plankton pumps.
- Recorded data, following good documentation practices, for water quality measurements, plankton community structure and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- Analyzed, evaluated, interpreted and synthesized data, using tools such as R and MATLAB, documenting results and conclusions in a thesis.
- Presented research findings at a conference, fostering professional growth and collaboration within the academic community.
Instructional Assistant
University of South Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance in a laboratory setting.
- Delivered curriculum in group learning environments related to environmental and marine science.
- Monitored student progress to identify areas requiring extra support and implement action plans to meet needs.
- Provided performance feedback to help students understand strengths and areas for improvement.
- Supported the integration of technology into the classroom, increasing student engagement and facilitating individualized learning experiences.
- Coordinated with other instructional assistants to ensure consistent implementation of classroom procedures and expectations across all subjects.
- Maintained laboratory safety by demonstrating equipment and techniques.
Staffing Supervisor
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc
11.2018 - 07.2019
- Collaborated with department managers to identify staffing needs and develop appropriate recruiting strategies.
- Developed comprehensive training programs for new employees, ensuring they were well-prepared for their roles upon starting work.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices in order to continuously improve the overall staffing process.
- Facilitated conflict resolution between employees when necessary, fostering a positive work environment conducive to productivity and growth.
- Advocated for staff members to upper management, helping to identify and resolve conflicts.
Intern
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
06.2018 - 08.2018
- Worked to determine the changes in export efficiency of organic carbon to abyssal depths using the 30 year time series off the coast of California.
- Developed skills in R to review and filter large data sets in order to analyze and interpret them.
- Collected, managed & analyzed data to examine historical trends in carbon transport.
- Participated in at-sea fieldwork related to oceanographic sampling and surveys from small boats and large research vessels.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
State University of New York at Cortland
09.2016 - 05.2018
- Supported faculty researchers, assisting with experiment design and implementation based around interspecies interactions in dolphin populations.
- Planned, modified and executed research techniques and procedures.
- Presented research findings at conferences.
- Enhanced research outcomes by conducting thorough literature reviews and data analysis.
- Prepare manuscript for publication in a scientific journal, Animal Behavior.
Education
Master of Science - Marine Science
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 08.2019 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Biology
State University of New York At Cortland
Cortland, NY 08.2014 - 05.2018
Skills
MS Office
Strategic planning
Analytical thinking
Program evaluation
Quantitative skills
Project management
Accomplishments
- Co-authored a paper titled "Interspecies pectoral fin contact between bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins off Bimini, The Bahamas." in 2019
- Presented research on zooplankton community structure in coastal South Carolina at the Virtual Joint AERS SEERS Conference in November 2020 and received an award for Best Graduate Student Presentation.
Timeline
Watershed Management Specialist
US Environmental Protection Agency
06.2022 - Current
Enforcement Officer
US Environmental Protection Agency
09.2021 - 05.2022
Graduate Research Assistant
University of South Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2021
Instructional Assistant
University of South Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2021
Master of Science - Marine Science
University of South Carolina
08.2019 - 05.2021
Staffing Supervisor
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc
11.2018 - 07.2019
Intern
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
06.2018 - 08.2018
Undergraduate Research Assistant
State University of New York at Cortland
09.2016 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biology
State University of New York At Cortland
08.2014 - 05.2018
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