Sarah Simonton, MS
White Sulphur Springs,WV
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Scientist
Greenbrier Environmental Group, Inc.
01.2025 - 12.2025
- Authored over 40 technical and environmental site assessment reports, which were used as primary documentation for regulatory approval to ensure funding opportunity implementation for 25+ clients.
- Managed and developed environmental assessments under NEPA with a focus on rural communities and historic structure revitalization, including a $4.5 million project using WVDEP AMLER Program funds on a 136 year old church and 78 year old school in Bramwell, WV .
- Performed asbestos inspections, mapping, and reporting, primarily for Brownfields sites, totaling 400+ samples independently obtained.
- Acted as a primary geospatial mapping specialist, creating over 50 maps for various project types.
- Created public-facing communication materials highlighting projects connecting economic development and outdoor recreation in rural communities.
Staff Scientist
Triad Engineering, Inc.
12.2022 - 01.2025
- Executed environmental sampling efforts for over 50 projects, including a primary sampling role in the largest soil sampling event undertaken by the company (totaling over 400 soil samples individually obtained).
- Managed and developed environmental assessments under NEPA for state and federal funding sources totaling over $20 million, including the USDA, HUD, and the City of Princeton, WV.
- Engaged in community events as a science communicator, including giving a presentation on contamination plumes at an annual Putnam County STEM event.
- Presented a companywide safety presentation highlighting federal OSHA policies and standards, environmental field hazards, and data analyzing company success and failure rates.
Assistant Manager
TerraVida Holistic Centers
02.2022 - 08.2022
- Led and developed companywide educational events for employees and the general public reaching an audience totaling over 300 participants in the course of four months.
- Provided research materials and scientific background information for business development and marketing use, including up-to-date policy information and biological analysis summaries for use in public handouts, website content, and training manuals.
- Trained new hires on all state, federal, and company regulations and policies, in addition to overseeing each aspect of hiring potential employees.
Biological Field Technician
Environmental Solutions and Innovations
05.2016 - 08.2021
- Performed and led radio telemetry efforts and successfully deployed acoustic biomonitoring detectors for 20+ projects.
- Conducted presence/absence surveys for federally listed avian, plant, aquatic, and bat species across eight states on behalf of the ESA for electric transmission, gas, oil, renewable, transportation, and mining projects.
- Utilized scientific diving to survey, collect, and relocate aquatic species.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Marshall University Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Curated and executed lesson plans for a collegiate level Living Systems Laboratory
- Edited and assisted in designing the laboratory manual for continued curriculum
- Mentored new and incoming teaching assistants
- Collaborated with Professors to develop an online hybrid version of the program for use during COVID
- Advised and mentored students on navigating academic and professional goals
- Lead grading and student proficiency reviews
Education
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Marshall University
12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
Marshall University
05.2019
Skills
- Environmental Assessment: Media Sampling, Data Interpretation, Work Plans, Site Assessment Reports, Water Quality Testing
- Program and Regulatory Compliance: NEPA, RCRA, CERCLA, UECA, VRP, Brownfields, Superfund, ESA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act
- Data Analysis and Modeling: GIS Mapping (ArcGIS Pro), Remote Sensing, Data Visualization, Excel, Satellite Imagery Analysis
- Biological Monitoring: Vegetation Mapping, Species Identification, Scuba Diving, Benthic Macroinvertebrates Collection
Certification
- OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER
- Asbestos Building Inspector
- Asbestos Management Planner
- Certified Open Water Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
Affiliations
- Greenbrier River Watershed Association, Board Member
- Meadow River Valley Association, Board Member
- West Virginians for Public Lands
- Women of Asphalt, West Virginia Chapter
- Women in Transportation, West Virginia Chapter
- West Virginia Highlands Conservancy
- Greenbrier Grotto
Additional Experience
- ASTM Phase I and Phase II Site Assessment Course, March 2025
- Steering Committee member for the Meadow River Valley Association, 2025
- LightBox PRISM Developing Leaders Mentorship Program, Class of 2023-2024
- Interview a Scientist Guest Panelist Webinar, May 2021
- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Living Systems Laboratory, January 2020-December 2021
- Marine Biology/Tropical Diving Research Assistant, Bonaire 2014
Timeline
Senior Scientist
Greenbrier Environmental Group, Inc.
01.2025 - 12.2025
Staff Scientist
Triad Engineering, Inc.
12.2022 - 01.2025
Assistant Manager
TerraVida Holistic Centers
02.2022 - 08.2022
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Marshall University Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment
01.2020 - 12.2021
Biological Field Technician
Environmental Solutions and Innovations
05.2016 - 08.2021
Master of Science - Environmental Science
Marshall University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science
Marshall University