Tamara Burke
Denver,CO
Summary
Dedicated and experienced NEPA specialist and environmental project manager with 4+ years of experience working within the realm of environmental permitting and NEPA documentation. Strong organizational and leadership abilities with proven successes in managing multiple NEPA projects simultaneously. A highly competent communicator, strong leader, and mentor who works well under pressure, and exudes positivity.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Protection Specialist - Full Time
FHWA - Central Federal Lands
10.2022 - Current
- Manage the environmental compliance process for numerous projects across 14 different states, ensuring that federal regulatory and state regulatory compliance is met.
- Provide environmental guidance to internal CFL staff, including project managers and designers during the development and delivery of a project.
- Understand the scope and procedure for nearly 15 different environmental resource areas including Waters of the U.S, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, recreation and 4(f) as well as their associated regulatory compliance process including Section 7, Section 106 and Section 404.
- Frequently collaborate and coordinate with various stake holders and partner agencies including federal land managers, federal regulatory agencies, federally recognized tribes, state and county staff to ensure that environmental compliance is accurate.
- Create and manage the scope of work and budget for consultant supported projects.
- Manage the environmental compliance schedule and budget for each project, ensuring that projects are moving forward and changes are incorporated in a timely manner, as needed.
- Stay informed of changes in current regulatory laws including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act by attending trainings and webinars and applying those changes to projects as needed.
- Review environmental compliance documentation for accuracy and quality including Wetland Delineation Reports, Biological Resource Reports, Cultural Resource Reports, and Biological Assessments, Categorical Exclusion Memos and Environmental Assessments.
- Review roadway and bridge plans to ensure that design is aligning with environmental constraints.
Affiliate Faculty Member - Part Time
Regis University
08.2020 - Current
- Facilitate a 16-week graduate-level NEPA class titled Environmental Regulation and Impact assessment by developing course requirements, creating a syllabus, providing instruction and insightful NEPA knowledge, monitoring student progress, and facilitating discussions to ensure student understanding and success
- Collaborate with local municipalities to identify real-world project opportunities for students by building relationships with planners and park staff statewide
- Mentor students as they work toward academic and professional goals by providing industry insight and helping expand their professional network
NEPA & Mitigation Specialist - Full Time
Colorado Department of Transportation
05.2019 - 10.2022
- Performed as the environmental and NEPA team lead for the I-70 Mountain Corridor by effectively collaborating with design engineers, project managers, consultants, and resource specialists to successfully deliver projects through NEPA to construction
- Collaborated with stakeholders including the USFS, Clear Creek County, and Idaho Springs by championing CDOT's Context Sensitive Solutions Process, a directive born out of the I-70 Mountain Corridor EIS
- Managed the environmental requirements for CDOT's 1041 permits within the Corridor by completing biannual reports that include air quality data, noise data, project mitigation tracking, and water quality data
- Tracked I-70 Mountain Corridor NEPA mitigation commitments to ensure they are implemented during all phases of construction by working closely with engineers and construction staff and documenting the progress for FHWA review
- Reviewed proposals, SOW, WHE, and invoices to ensure quality and accuracy
Water Quality Specialist - Full Time
Colorado Department of Transportation
03.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided regulatory and technical support to all seven MS4 program areas within CDOT’s Water Quality Division
- Managed CDOT’s TECS program by collaborating with class trainers to create and update course content and material in line with current permit requirements and water quality specifications, schedule and help facilitate 26+ classes per year statewide, track student records, and be the point of contact for all information
- Administered and supported data tracking in CDOT’s proprietary software ESCAN for regulatory and compliance purposes by exporting and organizing data to be used in the EPA annual report
- Co-managed the development of CDOT’s proprietary software titled H20, an application created to automate class schedules and student registration as well as track TECS certifications across the state
- Created an online re-certification pathway for students by collaborating with water quality staff to develop an online exam that was accessible through the H20 portal, helping hundreds of students maintain their TECS certification and improving the quality of erosion control inspections and compliance on project sites statewide
Water Quality Technician - Part Time
Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
10.2016 - 03.2018
- Conducted detailed surface water quality site inspections to ensure compliance with water quality regulations
- Independently and as a team, performed surface water quality sampling procedures using proper EPA standards and quality assurance guidelines
- Collected water quality parameters using YSI and Horiba probe equipment and precisely inputted data for analysis
- Assisted in the investigation of illicit discharges to support MS4 regulatory compliance
- Administered data input into the Colorado Data Sharing Network as well as EQUUS, Excel, and Access for storage and analysis
- Promptly responded to water quality and mosquito complaints while assisting and answering public questions and concerns
Education
Masters of Science - Environmental Biology
Regis University
05.2018
Bachelors of Science - Environmental Science
Metropolitan State University of Denver
12.2015
Skills
- Environmental Permitting
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Effective Time Management
- Excellent Ability to Multitask
- Effective Team Leader
- Building Strong Relationships
Timeline
Environmental Protection Specialist - Full Time
FHWA - Central Federal Lands
10.2022 - Current
Affiliate Faculty Member - Part Time
Regis University
08.2020 - Current
NEPA & Mitigation Specialist - Full Time
Colorado Department of Transportation
05.2019 - 10.2022
Water Quality Specialist - Full Time
Colorado Department of Transportation
03.2018 - 05.2019
Water Quality Technician - Part Time
Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
10.2016 - 03.2018
Masters of Science - Environmental Biology
Regis University
Bachelors of Science - Environmental Science
Metropolitan State University of Denver
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