Rebecca Derr
Gig Harbor,United States
Summary
Professional policy advisor with strong expertise in regulatory analysis, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to drive impactful solutions through effective collaboration and strategic planning. Reliable team contributor with exceptional problem-solving skills and adaptability to evolving challenges. Skilled in legislative processes, risk assessment, and policy evaluation.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Policy Advisor
Environmental Protection Agency
10.2022 - Current
- Solely Manages $265 million dollars in 24 grants (Tribal governments, States, and municipalities) for the Climate Pollution Reduction and with Diesel Emission Reduction Act program
- Lead the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program from the planning grants now into the implementation grants within the Region
- Participated in National workgroups: developed Notice of funding opportunities, technical tools, advised on Tribal governments, the intricacies and challenges of Alaska, influenced policy and requirements of the grants
- Conducted thorough risk assessments to identify potential obstacles or challenges in implementing policies.
- Influenced HQ to include regional personnel on select and non-select CPRG Implementation memos, along with notifying before the public announcement to ensure regional relationships were not harmed
- Presented at a National Comprehensive Climate Action Plan workshop in Minneapolis, September 2024 with over 300 in attendance
- Tribal Co-lead on the Tribe and Territory Technical Assistance Forum for the CPRG program
- Co-lead, with Region 9, for overall policy and program direction, grant project management accountability, and team efficacy for the West Coast Collaborative (WCC)
- Facilitate bi-weekly meeting with both Regions; develop agendas; strategize on communication with HQ to increase involvement on grant Notices of Funding Opportunities for National, State and Tribal DERA, Clean Ports, Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Clean School Bus programs
- Build relationships with internal and external partners
- Brief senior management on challenges with national policy and new grant programs while offering potential solutions
- Led the Climate Pollution Reductions Grant and National FY22-23 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA), grant review process for Region 10 consisted of approximately 30 reviewers from different programs and locations throughout the Region
- Established, implemented, analyzed, executed communication strategy, review process, results review, presented options to senior management and in the process 8 DERA grants
- Established a section financial process for 75 grants in the section covering multiple programs to diminish de-obligated funds
- Established and implemented a standard operating procedure for concurrent approvals during the Funding Recommendation (FR) process within the section
- Mentors new and established employees through a challenging process of de-obligated funds, grant process, and grant review
- Leading a team through the growing pains of rapid growth in size, funding opportunities, and new programs by establishing a check in with new employees, building relationships with HQ and other regions, asking questions, leading by example, offering shadowing of the grant process, and open communication with team members, expertly acknowledging the challenges of new growth while maintaining the historic knowledgebase of the programs
- Innovatively developed a Tribal CPRG planning office hour weekly for approximately 16 months, produced a weekly/monthly CPRG planning email for all grantees to keep open communication, provided resources, and connection points
- Managed grant funding proposals that ensured adequate financial support necessary program operations.
- Identified emerging trends and opportunities in the field by maintaining a strong professional network within the industry.
Yoga Teacher and Fitness Coach
Tuladhara, Shanti Yoga Center, and Vibe Wellness Center
03.2020 - 04.2024
- Responsible for developing and teaching yoga sequences and small group fitness classes for all fitness levels both in person and virtually
- Continually build relationships with members to increase class participation while focusing on safety and alignment
- Established a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of all skill levels, fostering community growth.
- During COVID was adaptable with on-line classes when gym and fitness centers were closed
Substitute Teacher
St. Francis Xavier and St. Katharine Drexel Schools
09.2014 - 06.2019
- Responsible for implementing lesson plans in classrooms grades K-6
- Maintain classroom decorum and learning environment
- Communicate with principal, classroom teachers, specialties, and parents
- Built relationships at the school to ensure the success of the students
- Ensured student safety by knowing all processes and drills
- Adaptable to changing environments dependent on age of students, subject taught, and needs of the school
- Repeatedly requested as substitute teacher by teachers based on excellent past referrals and trusted performance.
Reading Corps Tutor
Americorps
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Implemented proven interventions with students in kindergarten through third grade
- Tutored 17 students to a 1:1 ratio twenty minutes a day three days a week
- Followed grant requirements including record keeping, measures, and minutes spent with each student
- Increased reading ability with integrity and fidelity of the selected interventions that were based on the child's ability and need
- Documented any concerns for the classroom teacher and internal coach for future resources for the student
- 95% of students saw an increase in reading scores
- Tutored diverse groups of students to strengthen subject comprehension, boost confidence, and build important learning skills.
Volunteer Coordinator
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
10.2015 - 01.2017
- Responsible for developing, implementing streamlined universal policies and procedures, orientation standards, and tracking for the volunteer program and presented at quarterly leadership meetings
- Successfully developed and led a workgroup consisting of 15 people covering 10 divisions to implement a Volunteer Designation-Service Enterprise
- Increased volunteer usage in programs across the organization through communication and analysis of program needs
- Managed and tracked approximately 3300 volunteer hours and locations
- Coordinated large-scale events involving multiple teams of volunteers, resulting in successful fundraisers and community outreach initiatives.
- Secured and executed contracts and bids for events following business guidelines
Programmatic Team Leader (lead)
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2008 - 06.2009
- Led a diverse team of eight individuals, managed three Senior Environmental Employees
- Developed and implemented a new federal rule (Renovation, Repair and Painting) in the Pacific Northwest and the state of Alaska
- Worked alongside HQ to develop the communication strategy for the new rule with many internal (Regional Offices) and external (States and Tribes) work groups and stakeholders
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Developed, managed, and monitored program goals and outcomes for national measures
- Created and implemented a teamwork plan
- Communicated with middle and senior management concerning performance, future goals, and potential problems with the rollout of a new federal rule
Programmatic Lead Regional Coordinator
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2006 - 09.2008
- Provided effective and timely communication and coordination with customers, including political appointees, senior leadership, and other partners across headquarters and regional offices
- Identified actual or potential problem areas, trends, or issues relating to program objectives and policies, work operations and processes, resource needs, and utilization and communicated between HQ and the Regions
- Analyzed and evaluated issues; developed and recommended changes in program objectives, operations, resource utilization of national scope and impact; and developed ideas for improving pollution prevention, pesticides, and toxic substances programs
- Lead work group efforts including the budget workgroup following the federal budget cycle, dealing with FTE and budget cuts
- Briefed leadership
- Coordinated and analyzed regional responses for many measures, budget concerns, policy, etc
- Ensured compliance and understanding with all measurement processes and led the Regional workgroup, composed mostly of mid to upper management
- Organized, planned, coordinated and facilitated national meetings and conference planning including contract bids
- Developed an outcome-based agenda with the input from regional and HQ management
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2000 - 09.2006
- Issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits in accordance with the Clean Water Act, which included; maintaining the Administrative Record for each permit, reviewing technical facility information, following all Public Notice Requirements
- Endangered Species Act (ESA) coordinator and developed standards ESA consultation procedures
- Reviewed Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for NPDES permits
- Prepared detailed scientific reports or presentations based on findings.
- Planned work assignments needed from the Office of Environmental Assessment for the NPDES Permit Unit
- Served as the whole effluent toxicity (WET) coordinator, decimated information, reviewed state's implementation guidance in accordance with national protocol for the state of Alaska, and review permit requirements in Alaska and on tribal lands
- Developed new pesticide rule promulgation with HQ and regional offices
- Led the development of a 3 year unit plan: coordinated a team, organized an off-site unit retreat, listened to staff input, analyzed and balanced staff workloads
- Served as a liaison with EPA Superfund staff and HQ regarding records management and database development
- Ensured site files and Administrative Records were established and maintained in accordance with guidance and regulations, and that policies and procedures for maintaining records were in place and followed in a consistent manner
- Established an inter-agency agreement to develop tools for the Superfund Data Management System
- Evaluated and determined potential responsible parties for a large Region 10 Superfund site through contract help, file searches, interviews and other means
- Inventoried the Removal Program's recent and past removal sites and encouraged site redevelopment of them
- Initiated regular communication with team members to ensure completion of goals and tasks, and communication with the public about regulations and policies
- Marketed the National 2003 Brownfields Conference in Portland, Oregon; sought presenters, sponsors, and endorsements for the conference through written and oral communication; developed a community brochure about Brownfields that was distributed at the conference
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permitting Coordinator for the state of Michigan ensuring the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was maintained and followed; approved and evaluated Michigan's RCRA Permitting and Post closure work plans; conducted file audits; reviewed and wrote RCRA permit applications for Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) final determinations; maintained Administrative Records for RCRA facilities; performed work involving planning and coordinating the oversight of RCRA legislation through review and completion of major permit modifications; reviewed and implemented facility-specific technical data and documents; participated in inspections; prepared technical reports in support of the RCRA permit and facility assessment program; oversaw state authorized permits and closure related activities to ensure compliance with RCRA regulations
- Provided technical expertise and guidance in ecological risk evaluation and air modeling the for the Permitting and Corrective Action Program; evaluated ecological risk for combustion facilities and corrective action sites; performed written re-evaluation of a human health risk assessment for the Title VI task force subsequently used for legal decision making; maintained and coordinated the Environmental Justice (EJ) analysis program within RCRA
- Developed a 'How to incorporate EJ in RCRA permitting' training course with HQ
- Coordinated and spoke at public hearings concerning technical issues with the RCRA portion of the permit
- Designed and maintained Divisional Innovative Database
- Worked within a variety of diverse workgroups; participated in the student outreach program and taught elementary students about the environment; and regularly communicate with citizen organizations, facilities, state agencies and other Federal agencies
Education
Master of Public Health - Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL05.2001
Bachelor's degree - BS-Biology
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO08.1999
Skills
- Policy analysis
- Legislative affairs
- Policy advocacy
- Research and evaluation
- Improvement strategies
- Program management
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Decision-making
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
Timeline
Senior Policy Advisor
Environmental Protection Agency
10.2022 - Current
Yoga Teacher and Fitness Coach
Tuladhara, Shanti Yoga Center, and Vibe Wellness Center
03.2020 - 04.2024
Reading Corps Tutor
Americorps
01.2018 - 06.2018
Volunteer Coordinator
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
10.2015 - 01.2017
Substitute Teacher
St. Francis Xavier and St. Katharine Drexel Schools
09.2014 - 06.2019
Programmatic Team Leader (lead)
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2008 - 06.2009
Programmatic Lead Regional Coordinator
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2006 - 09.2008
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Protection Agency
09.2000 - 09.2006
Bachelor's degree - BS-Biology
Truman State University
Master of Public Health - Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
University of Illinois At Chicago
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