Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Nicole Higgins

Hamilton,Montana

Summary

I am seeking a position that enables me to apply my biological and environmental permitting experience in a position that provides opportunity for growth.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Biologist/Botanist

MCGINELY AND ASSOCIATES, INCORPORATED
11.2021 - Current
  • Prepared key project documents in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations including an Exploration Plan of Operations, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Notice-level of Activity modifications, a state exploration permit and associated reclamation plan for an exploration drilling project in Oregon, and a wildlife mitigation plan.
  • Prepared environmental assessments in accordance with NEPA and applicable agency guidelines (i.e. FEMA, HUD, BLM, USDA), reviewed supporting documents for completeness, and maintained the project and administrative records, and recorded meetings with agencies.
  • Conducted field surveys to collect baseline information on sensitive wildlife and plants and prepared scientific reports to summarize findings.

Environmental Scientist

LEMHI ENVIRONEMTAL CONSTULTANTS
09.2021 - 01.2023
  • Reviewed project reclamation plans and documented specific reclamation metrics. Prepared tables to summarize plant and seed quantities, costs, and sources.
  • Conducted a field review for a proposed exploration project for mineral interests in Idaho including wetland delineations and wetland functional assessments and documenting surface water within the study area.
  • Prepared maps using ArcGIS to summarize findings during field review.
  • Conducted rare plant surveys. Prepared a technical memorandum and corresponding maps to document findings.
  • Evaluated potential ecological risks associated with development projects, recommending mitigation measures where necessary.

Environmental Technician

IDAHO COBALT OPERATIONS
05.2018 - 05.2021
  • Coordinated with project managers and contractors to schedule and complete essential project elements including the installation of approximately two miles of a permanent stormwater conveyance system and monthly water quality monitoring
  • Ensured permit and regulatory compliance for water, waste control, air quality, revegetation, stormwater and erosion control, and road use in accordance with the Record of Decision (ROD), Plan of Operations, NPDES Construction General Permit and associated Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, IPDES Discharge permit, and U.S. Forest Service Road Use Permit.
  • Managed key environmental permitting records which included revegetation efforts, noxious weed treatment, and NPDES Construction General Permit inspections.
  • Managed the IPDES discharge permit reporting program which included establishing a water quality sampling schedule under the direction of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), oversite of a water quality sampling contract, and communication with the laboratory, and submitting monthly NetDMR (Discharge Monitoring Reports) for the outfall to IDEQ and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  • Coordinated and recorded meetings with the Region IV USFS and bond specialists in support of the surface bond and long-term water treatment bond negotiations and updates.
  • Managed the revegetation and noxious weed monitoring program and hand-broadcast seeded disturbed areas and managed contracts for hydroseeding.
  • Collaborated with the Idaho Conservation League to form the Upper Salmon River Basin Conservation Action Program
  • Collaborated with the ICL to create a Memorandum of Agreement, Request for Proposal, application guidelines, and scoring criteria, and reviewed project proposals and provided recommendations on which projects should be selected.
  • Coordinated meetings, site visits, and inspections with regulatory agencies and the interagency task force.

Wildlife Technician

IDAHO DEPARMENT OF FISH AND GAME
12.2016 - 05.2018
  • Monitored mule deer, elk, and rocky mountain bighorn sheep VHF and GPS collars and retrieved collars on mortality using telemetry or GPS.
  • Performed necropsies on the carcasses to determine the morality cause and completed detailed reports to support the decision.
  • Participated in the capture and collaring activities of mule deer, elk, and big horn sheep, and sage grouse
  • Performed sage grouse lek monitoring and aerial helicopter surveys for mule deer, elk, big horn sheep, and mountain goat counts.

Fisheries Technician Crew Lead

QUANTITATIVE CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED
07.2014 - 11.2016
  • Supervised and trained a crew of four technicians to capture and administer PIT tags to fish
  • Operated backpack and boat electro-shocking equipment, rotary screw trap, seines, and dip nets to catch fish
  • Ensured sampling protocols were followed and reviewed field data for quality assurance and control.

Wildlife Technician

IDHAO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
04.2014 - 07.2014
  • Planted shrubs and trees in shelter belts and riparian areas, planted crops with use of a tractor, installed and moved hand-line irrigation pipe, and chemically treated noxious weeds with use of ATV and backpack sprayers.

Wildlife Intern

MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
05.2012 - 08.2012
  • Observed common loons in the Thompson Chain of Lakes area west of Kalispell, Montana and documented common loon activities during the breeding season
  • Placed signs around vulnerable common loon nesting locations with use of canoe or motorboat
  • Educated boaters and fisherman about loon sensitivity to disturbance, presented information about loons at homeowner association meetings, and hosted an educational fieldtrip and lecture for the public to observe and learn about loons
  • Participated in the capture and banding activities of adult common loons and chicks
  • Set and monitored foot snares for a grizzly bear population monitoring program and participated in the collaring process when a female grizzly bear was captured
  • Set culvert traps for black bears and administered immobilization drugs to captured bears under supervision of the Bear and Lion Specialist.

Non-Game Wildlife Intern

USFS TALLY LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
05.2011 - 08.2011
  • Observed common loons in the Tally Lake Ranger District, north of Kalispell, Montana and documented common loon activities during the breeding season
  • Placed signs around vulnerable common loon nesting locations with use of canoe or motorboat
  • Educated boaters and fisherman about loon sensitivity to disturbance and proper food storage to prevent attracting bears to recreation areas
  • Created an informational brochure to encourage the use of non-lead fishing tackle to prevent lead poisoning in species such as common loons
  • Performed lynx habitat and old-growth surveys.

Biological Technician Aid (STEP INTERNSHIP)

US FISH WILDLIFE SERVICE BENTON LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
05.2010 - 08.2010
  • Inventoried and replaced refuge signs, and installed and removed fences
  • Performed vegetation surveys and duck counts
  • Greeted visitors and answered questions in the refuge visitor center.

Education

Master of Science - Parks, Tourism, And Recreation Management

University of Montana
Missoula, MT
12.2013

Skills

  • Biological Sciences
  • Restoration Sciences
  • National Environmental Policy Act
  • Technical Writing
  • ArcMap Geographic Information System (GIS)
  • Environmental Permitting
  • First Aid/CPR

Certification

  • ArcGIS 1: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, ESRI
  • How to Supervise People, Pryor
  • Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
  • Outdoor Emergency Care, National Ski Patrol
  • Basic Life Support CPR, American Heart Association
  • Avalanche I and II course, National Ski Patrol
  • Idaho River Guide License
  • Animal Immobilization Course, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

Timeline

Biologist/Botanist

MCGINELY AND ASSOCIATES, INCORPORATED
11.2021 - Current

Environmental Scientist

LEMHI ENVIRONEMTAL CONSTULTANTS
09.2021 - 01.2023

Environmental Technician

IDAHO COBALT OPERATIONS
05.2018 - 05.2021

Wildlife Technician

IDAHO DEPARMENT OF FISH AND GAME
12.2016 - 05.2018

Fisheries Technician Crew Lead

QUANTITATIVE CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED
07.2014 - 11.2016

Wildlife Technician

IDHAO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
04.2014 - 07.2014

Wildlife Intern

MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
05.2012 - 08.2012

Non-Game Wildlife Intern

USFS TALLY LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
05.2011 - 08.2011

Biological Technician Aid (STEP INTERNSHIP)

US FISH WILDLIFE SERVICE BENTON LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
05.2010 - 08.2010

Master of Science - Parks, Tourism, And Recreation Management

University of Montana

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