Experience

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

• United States
• Law Enforcement
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Wildlife Assistance Biologist

  • Dec 2018 - Present

  Ocala, Florida I am currently serving as Wildlife Assistance Biologist for FWC's Northeast Region. The goal of this position is to provide technical assistance to the public to try to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. The majority of these conflicts involve Florida black bears and coyotes, but also concern other native mammals, birds, and reptiles. In this position I: -Provide technical assistance over the phone, by email, by mail, and in person -Report and monitor incidents in the FWC… Show more I am currently serving as Wildlife Assistance Biologist for FWC's Northeast Region. The goal of this position is to provide technical assistance to the public to try to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. The majority of these conflicts involve Florida black bears and coyotes, but also concern other native mammals, birds, and reptiles. In this position I: -Provide technical assistance over the phone, by email, by mail, and in person -Report and monitor incidents in the FWC database -Coordinate with FWC staff, law enforcement, and members of the public -Research and communicate the biology, behavior, and legal status of Florida wildlife -Give outreach presentations on wildlife and advise on avoiding conflicts Show less



State College of Florida

• Adjunct Instructor

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  Bradenton, FL I have been an adjunct instructor for State College of Florida, teaching classes of EVR 1001 Introduction to Environmental Studies. As it sounds, the course provides background in many environmental issues and uses principles rooted in biology, ecology, economics, sociology, and other related disciplines. Assignments also are linked with local current events. In this position I: -Present lectures discussing subjects within environmental science -Create quizzes, exams, grading rubrics;… Show more I have been an adjunct instructor for State College of Florida, teaching classes of EVR 1001 Introduction to Environmental Studies. As it sounds, the course provides background in many environmental issues and uses principles rooted in biology, ecology, economics, sociology, and other related disciplines. Assignments also are linked with local current events. In this position I: -Present lectures discussing subjects within environmental science -Create quizzes, exams, grading rubrics; modify syllabi -Grade quizzes, homework assignments, exams, and group presentations Show less



Boise State University

• Bird Point Count Technician

  • May 2017 - Jul 2017

  Provo, Utah Area I worked for Boise State University and the Intermountain Bird Observatory as a point count technician on the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) project. During the summer field season I was tasked with surveying for bird species across participating public and private lands throughout southwestern and central Utah. In this position I: -Conducted avian point counts, recorded species presence by sight and sound -Collected detailed habitat data on point count… Show more I worked for Boise State University and the Intermountain Bird Observatory as a point count technician on the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) project. During the summer field season I was tasked with surveying for bird species across participating public and private lands throughout southwestern and central Utah. In this position I: -Conducted avian point counts, recorded species presence by sight and sound -Collected detailed habitat data on point count sites (plant ID, % cover, etc.) -Entered bird and habitat data into online databases and Microsoft Excel -Hiked into and camped in remote, mountainous terrain to complete surveys -Navigated rough back roads with heavy 4WD use, across mud, rock, and sand terrain -Scouted routes into new survey sites with Google Earth and ground-truthing -Determined work schedule to balance weather demands, travel time, and fatigue Show less



University of California, Berkeley

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Lab Assistant: Birds

  • May 2016 - Jul 2016

  Nevada, USA For summer seasonal work I was a research technician surveying birds of the Great Basin, focusing on sites within Nevada. The project is associated with PhD student Kelly Iknayan, who is studying changes in Nevada bird diversity and climate through the Grinnell Resurvey Project. As a birding technician I: -Conducted point counts to observe and record bird species by sight and sound -Recorded, entered, and proofed species observations and weather data -Worked in wilderness areas… Show more For summer seasonal work I was a research technician surveying birds of the Great Basin, focusing on sites within Nevada. The project is associated with PhD student Kelly Iknayan, who is studying changes in Nevada bird diversity and climate through the Grinnell Resurvey Project. As a birding technician I: -Conducted point counts to observe and record bird species by sight and sound -Recorded, entered, and proofed species observations and weather data -Worked in wilderness areas solo, surveying in a range of NV habitats and climates -Set up at designated and dispersed campsites on state park, national forest, and BLM lands -Navigated to field sites using GPS, road maps -Maintained contact with team leader using DeLorme inReach satellite text messenger -Trained with emergency protocols, including use of ACR ResQ-Link personal locator beacons -Used personal 4x4 vehicle to traverse challenging roads to remote field sites -Adapted to 10 days on/ 4 days off work schedule Show less



Texas A&M University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Bird and Small Mammal Field Technician

  • Jan 2015 - Jul 2015

  Hebbronville, TX I was a field technician employed by Texas A&M University, where I worked on a project for the East Wildlife Foundation. The goal of the project was to develop optimal monitoring efforts for small mammals, birds, and herpetofauna across ranchlands, and to ultimately better understand the relationships between wildlife and ranch practices. In this position I: -Developed identification skills for south Texas flora and fauna -Utilized Sherman live traps to capture and identify small… Show more I was a field technician employed by Texas A&M University, where I worked on a project for the East Wildlife Foundation. The goal of the project was to develop optimal monitoring efforts for small mammals, birds, and herpetofauna across ranchlands, and to ultimately better understand the relationships between wildlife and ranch practices. In this position I: -Developed identification skills for south Texas flora and fauna -Utilized Sherman live traps to capture and identify small mammals -Participated in avian point counts to identify present species by sight and sound -Initiated call-back surveys for raptors, owls, and nightjar species -Assisted with nest searching and checking for a grassland birds research project -Set up and maintained bat detectors -Engaged in extensive data entry and proofing -Attained training, drive experience, maintained XUVs Show less



Florida International University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Teaching Assistant

  • Aug 2014 - Dec 2014

  Miami, Florida I taught the lab course Ecology of South Florida, which familiarizes students with the major plants, animals, and ecosystems of southern Florida. Among my duties I: -Designed the syllabus, quizzes, exams -Modified and presented weekly lectures on Florida ecosystems -Led class field trips to Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Bill Baggs State Park, John Pennekamp State Park -Graded field reports, quizzes, group presentations… Show more I taught the lab course Ecology of South Florida, which familiarizes students with the major plants, animals, and ecosystems of southern Florida. Among my duties I: -Designed the syllabus, quizzes, exams -Modified and presented weekly lectures on Florida ecosystems -Led class field trips to Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Bill Baggs State Park, John Pennekamp State Park -Graded field reports, quizzes, group presentations, exams -Attained Heartsaver certification for CPR/AED (August 2014-August 2016)

• Graduate Research Assistant

  • Aug 2012 - Aug 2014

  Miami, Florida I conducted research for Dr. Jennifer Rehage and Dr. Michael Ross on the habitat use of the endangered Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and its relationship to forest structure as part of my master's thesis project. This project was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the process, I also have aided in other research projects in the Rehage lab, revolving around the subject of fish movement, predation, and relationships to non-native species. As part of my duties I… Show more I conducted research for Dr. Jennifer Rehage and Dr. Michael Ross on the habitat use of the endangered Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and its relationship to forest structure as part of my master's thesis project. This project was funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the process, I also have aided in other research projects in the Rehage lab, revolving around the subject of fish movement, predation, and relationships to non-native species. As part of my duties I have: -Conducted variable-width line transect surveys to locate woodrat nests -Utilized remote cameras to assess woodrat nest occupancy -Completed vegetation surveys of tropical hardwood hammocks (species ID, DBH, canopy cover) -Used GPS unit and compass to navigate and locate sites in dense forest -Mapped and analyzed nest distribution using ArcGIS software -Collected, entered, and analyzed data using Microsoft Excel, SAS -Written research permit applications for state, federal, and university agencies -Conducted literature searches, designed the sampling methods, executed field research -Created and delivered oral and poster presentations for student, academic, and wildlife professionals -Assisted as netter for electrofishing efforts on Shark River and the Rocky Glades -Volunteered as a guest presenter and science fair judge at Treasure Village Montessori School (Islamorada, FL)



MacArthur Agro-Ecology Research Center (Archbold Biological Station)

• Volunteer Research Intern

  • May 2011 - Aug 2011

  Lake Placid, FL I participated in water and soil sampling, laboratory analysis, and data entry for ongoing wetlands and ecosystem services projects at MAERC. I also helped with a prescribed burn, wetland surveys of plants and invertebrates, data entry and proofing, and prepared educational materials and demonstrations for summer campers.