Matt Bolerjack
Centennial
Summary
Skilled Biological Scientist focused on aquatic ecology. Exceptional research skills with demonstrated success in study design and execution. Well-organized and enthusiastic with good communication and problem-solving skills looking to find a permanent position working towards benefiting the recourses I am passionate about.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Aquatic Research Data Analyst Intern
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aquatic Research
06.2023 - Current
- Learned to navigate through different databases for data in ADAMS and Trans6
- Utilizing applications like Tableau, SQL, ARC GIS, and R to pull, group, and interpret data
- Created a species list dashboard for each distinct jurisdiction and drainage for area biologists to help teach new technicians
- Created a dashboard for all water diseases tested with positive and negative results
- Assisted with kids fishing clinics and annual fish sampling
- Use of Excel and ADAMS to upload new survey data and SciCol data.
Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory Technician
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aquatic Research
08.2016 - 02.2023
- Formulated and implemented toxicological experiments looking at reductions in predator evasion following a sub-acute (24-hour) sub-lethal exposure to diesel fuel with wild, captured, and hatchery fish
- Publication in preparation
- Able to tag multiple cold-water and warm-water species of fish with a visible implant elastomer (VIE) tag
- Use of multiple chemical compounds for things such as fish anesthesia and euthanasia
- Experienced following protocols for fish culture of multiple warmwater and coldwater fish species typically found in Colorado and to use the fish in toxicity tests with various metals and organic compounds
- Highly experienced in the collection of water samples and water quality data using standard protocols (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, and hardness)
- Prepared water samples for both external laboratory analysis and internal analysis of trace metals using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, mass spectrometry, and nutrients using a flow injection analyzer
- Assisted with onsite water chemistry analysis for stream and lake reclamations using a high-performance liquid chromatograph to determine rotenone concentration
- Planned and coordinated interviews for work study new hires and determining laboratory priorities and trainings in accordance with high-quality laboratory practices
- Primary researcher in developing culture and testing methodologies for Paratanytarsini, a non-biting midge that was identified by CPW and USEPA as a promising test organism, and developed tools to evaluate the effects of toxicants on the population dynamics of this species
- Publication in preparation
- Able to use pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry and a Bentho Torch to measure photosynthetic concentrations of algae
- Conducted critical thermal maxima, critical dissolved oxygen, and startle response tests on Brown Trout and White Suckers.
Fisheries Technician
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northeast Fisheries
06.2020 - 11.2022
- Experience conducting annual lake and stream surveys
- Highly experienced in using gill nets, trap nets, and backpack, bank, barge, and boat electrofishing equipment in multiple field settings
- Assisted in teaching a fish identification class hosted by Colorado State University by identifying, weighing, and measuring 20 sport and non-sport fish taxa
- Proficiency in calculating bathymetry in high alpine lakes using belly boats, a floating transducer, and a tablet
- Collected routine water chemistry data, including pH, water conductivity, and dissolved oxygen
- Attended the CPW pesticide application training and was certified for CPW reclamation projects
- Knowledgeable in planning, executing, and conducting restoration projects with the use of Rotenone, including measuring stream flow and time of travel to estimate appropriate timing for detoxification of the pesticide
- Able to collect and document biological and physical habitat, including water temperature, air temperature, precipitation, and turbidity
- Collected water samples for environmental DNA analysis for the presence of salmonids
- Experience with annual boreal toad surveys and the collection of physical data on the toads (weight, length, sex identification) in addition to swabbing the toads to test for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis-causing chytrid fungus
- Assisted with Brown Trout, Greenback Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Arctic Grayling, and Walleye spawning
- Collaborated with the U.S
- Forest Service to monitor a threatened butterfly species, the Pawnee Montane Skipper, and boreal toads
- Experienced in boat motor, trailer wiring, electrical, and wheel bearing maintenance
- Experience with data entry.
Aquaculture and Pond Specialist
Waters Edge Pond Services Specialists
04.2011 - 12.2021
- Performed regular maintenance on ponds and water features
- Assisted with pond construction and reconstruction.
Natural Resources Technician
South Platte Parks, South Suburban
06.2017 - 09.2017
- Experience identifying and spraying invasive weeds with appropriate chemicals and concentrations
- Maintained trails by trimming trailside vegetation
- Maintained park facilities.
Department Manager
Sports Authority
08.2013 - 07.2016
- Scheduled department employees
- Reset product merchandise and store displays seasonally
- Maintenance of bikes, skis, and snowboards.
Sharp Merchandise Representative
Market Source
07.2009 - 12.2010
- Promoted the new Sharp technologies and products available at Best Buy and Circuit City stores.
Sears Major Appliance Manager
Super K-Mart
08.2005 - 06.2009
- Scheduled department employees
- Facilitated product orders and sales for department merchandise resets.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO12.2019
Conservation Program
Ashworth College
01.2009
Skills
- Management of small teams (2–6) with skills not limited to task delegation, education of employees, conflict resolution, and time scheduling
- Excellent self-motivator who works well independently
- Experience with fish and aquatic invertebrate culture, design, care, and upkeep
- Experienced in conducting aquatic habitat and fish inventories
- Experience with sampling techniques including seines, gill nets, trap nets, hook and line, backpack shocking, bank shocking, raft/boat shocking, dip/kick nets, and emergence capture samplers
- Experience with the setup, training, and management of electrofishing and netting crews
- Experience trailering and driving electrofishing boats and net sampling boats
- Experience setting up learning experiences and activities for children involving nature, fish, reptiles, and amphibians
- Experience examining fish stomach contents via dissections and gastric lavage
- Experience taking fin clips for genetic analysis
- Experience with the collection of algal community data with a Benthotorch
- Proficient in analytical laboratory techniques including liquid phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), pH testing, conductivity testing, dissolved oxygen testing, hardness testing, and alkalinity titration
- Experience in the setup and execution of fish reclamation projects, including drip, spray, and caddy duties, in addition to onsite rotenone analysis with a mobile HPLC laboratory
- Setup and execution of acute and chronic toxicity tests for fish, aquatic invertebrates, and algae
- Experience with the use of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Experience with fish population estimates and aging techniques, including the preparation and reading of scales, otoliths, and other hard structures
- Experience spawning both warmwater and coldwater fish species
- Experienced operating 4x4 trucks, multiple trailer types, ATV-offered equipment, and boats
- Experience camping, hiking, backpacking, and fishing
- Experience with the use of tools and repair techniques on small and large gasoline motors
Organizations
- Rocky Mountain Regional Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicity and Chemistry, Contributing member and annual meeting participant/poster presenter
- Colorado/Wyoming chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), Contributing member and annual meeting participant
Certification
- Qualified to disinfect and prepare disinfectant for sampling and fishing gear to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS)
- Pesticide certification through CPW
- Qualified for gill lice inspection and documentation
Mentoring
- Colorado State University, Led and trained multiple work studies in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory
- Elementary school, Presented current job, education, and career aspirations to elementary school children
- Fifth graders, Designed and directed a rainbow trout dissection for fifth graders
- Kids fishing clinics, Assisted with fishing clinics for kids, teaching them how to fish and explaining the ethics and stewardship associated with fish and other natural resources
References
- Andy Treble, 970-472-4372, andrew.trebel@state.co.us
- Pete Cadmus, 970-420-8467, pete.cadmus@state.co.us
- Paul Winkle, 303-916-1043, paul.winkle@state.co.us
- Megan McConville, 303-291-7323, megan.mcconville@state.co.us
- Matt Kondratieff, 970-631-4854, matt.kondratieff@state.co.us
Timeline
Aquatic Research Data Analyst Intern
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aquatic Research
06.2023 - Current
Fisheries Technician
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northeast Fisheries
06.2020 - 11.2022
Natural Resources Technician
South Platte Parks, South Suburban
06.2017 - 09.2017
Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory Technician
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Aquatic Research
08.2016 - 02.2023
Department Manager
Sports Authority
08.2013 - 07.2016
Aquaculture and Pond Specialist
Waters Edge Pond Services Specialists
04.2011 - 12.2021
Sharp Merchandise Representative
Market Source
07.2009 - 12.2010
Sears Major Appliance Manager
Super K-Mart
08.2005 - 06.2009
Bachelor of Science - Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
Colorado State University
Conservation Program
Ashworth College
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