Nicole Gemmell
Nevada City,CA
Summary
Results-driven NEPA Project Manager and Environmental Scientist with a track record of successfully leading interdisciplinary teams and overseeing complex environmental projects. Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, technical writing, and engaging stakeholders. Proficient in navigating regulatory frameworks, problem-solving, and delivering projects on time while prioritizing environmental regulations and stakeholder objectives.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Coordinator and NEPA Planner
United States Forest Service
05.2024 - 02.2025
- Managed an interdisciplinary team of hydrologists, wildlife biologists, soil scientists, archaeologists, botanists, and foresters to evaluate and review environmental impacts of projects on National Forest Service lands.
- Reviewed permits, spatial designs, environmental data, contracts, and work plans to ensure compliance with NEPA decisions and effective mitigation of adverse impacts.
- Managed team communications, ensuring clarity on roles and project timelines.
- Collaborated with stakeholders and partners to define project requirements and expectations.
- Engaged with the public and responded to comments regarding forest resource concerns or potential environmental violations.
- Researched scientific findings to identify opportunities for reducing operational environmental impacts and improving project implementation.
- Facilitated project meetings for district teams, forest teams, stakeholders, and partners.
- Advised Forest personnel on compliance with NEPA, CEQ, NFMA, and Forest Service policy.
- Advised Forest Line Officers on impacts, risks, and liabilities as a subject matter expert.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Science International, LLC.
08.2022 - 03.2024
- Planned, managed, and executed environmental investigations in compliance with local and federal regulations.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by drafting statements of work, meeting with clients, and discussing proposed projects.
- Oversaw and assisted with fieldwork, including groundwater, air, soil, and soil vapor sampling; compliance assessments; monitoring well installations; underground storage tank closures; construction oversight; and petroleum, oil, and lubricant release assessments.
- Managed DOT-Airports projects assessing PFAS and PFOA forever chemicals.
- Prepared planning documents using CERCLA and Risk-Based Corrective Action guidelines for release response investigations.
- Collected and analyzed professional and environmental data to evaluate the impact of potential contamination sources on resources such as drinking water, groundwater, sensitive ecosystems, construction, and economic and social factors.
- Interpreted possible contamination sources based on identified compounds and developed strategic work plans for regulatory compliance.
- Provided recommendations to clients, program managers, and staff to ensure compliance with NEPA, the Department of Defense, U.S. Navy, DOH, ESA, and FOIA.
- Authored technical reports, including Environmental Hazard Evaluations and Management Plans, Phase I ESA, Release Response Assessments, and Closure Assessments.
- Offered recommendations, guidance, and support to clients and key personnel as the environmental subject matter expert.
GIS/CAD Technician
NV5
03.2022 - 08.2022
- Conducted geospatial analyses including feature extraction and classifications of LiDAR, aerial and satellite imagery.
- Performed Quality Control on ARC Map to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Manipulated and analyzed geospatial data by developing workflows that involved multiple software tools in series (e.g., ArcMap, Global Mapper, Python, Google Earth, Microsoft Access, and Microstation).
- Coordinated interdisciplinary collaboration with peers (researchers, geospatial analysts, etc.) on problem solving, progress and production.
- Created and finalized deliverables using CAD to model geographic features from LiDAR data.
Field Technician
Oahu Army Natural Resources Program
11.2020 - 03.2022
- Ensured that military operations were realized to the fullest extent possible with Federal, State, Army environmental quality policies.
- Implemented natural resource management to keep the Army in compliance with biological opinions.
- Designed, implemented, and monitored restoration projects related to native and non-native vegetation inventory and monitoring in various stages of growth.
- Conducted phenology monitoring to expedite native species germination to restore native canopy cover within the island of Oahu, ultimately increasing the productivity of field days by 50%.
- Worked with helicopters, off-road vehicles, in areas with unexploded ordinance, on steep cliffs with limited visibility in sometimes extreme weather.
- Determined risk factors posed by different invasive and non-native species on the island of Oahu, particularly those introduced by the Army.
- Integrated, processed and analyzed field data into a larger U.S.Army network for tracking change overtime, developing tactical strategy, and year-end reports for compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
- Reviewed monitoring results, initiated and coordinated actions resulting from decisions to adjust and amend tactics for Army compliance.
- Created field maps and reports using GIS for field efforts-resulting in higher team efficiency and increased time management.
Wildland Firefighter/EMT
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
05.2016 - 09.2018
- Performed fire suppression and fuels management through specialized assignments such as backfire and burnout operations, initial attack, and tree falling to actively manage wildland fire.
- Performed all aspects of wild land fire operations including preparation, ignition, monitoring, holding and mop-up.
- Collected information on weather data, topography, fuel types, and fire behavior when making decisions in response to wildland fire incidents.
- Assessed condition of injured victims and delivered skilled emergency medicine.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington06-2018
Skills
- Technical Writing
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Meeting Facilitation Expertise
- Project Planning and Development
- Public Speaking and Engagement
- Leadership of Interdisciplinary Teams
- Scientific Research
Timeline
Environmental Coordinator and NEPA Planner
United States Forest Service
05.2024 - 02.2025
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Science International, LLC.
08.2022 - 03.2024
GIS/CAD Technician
NV5
03.2022 - 08.2022
Field Technician
Oahu Army Natural Resources Program
11.2020 - 03.2022
Wildland Firefighter/EMT
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
05.2016 - 09.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Geography
Western Washington University
Similar Profiles
Drew WalkerDrew Walker
Forestry Technician (Silviculture) at United States Forest ServiceForestry Technician (Silviculture) at United States Forest Service
Liana McClintockLiana McClintock
Wildland Firefighter at United States Forest ServiceWildland Firefighter at United States Forest Service
Chase KnightChase Knight
Lead Contract Specialist at United States Forest ServiceLead Contract Specialist at United States Forest Service