Tessa Lenz
Environmental Scientist – Regulatory Affairs at United Water Conservation District- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Wildreness First Aid Certification
SOLO Wilderness Medical SchoolApr, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
American Red Cross Los Angeles RegionMar, 2015- Nov, 2024
Experience
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United Water Conservation District
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United States
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Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
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1 - 100 Employee
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Environmental Scientist – Regulatory Affairs
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Dec 2022 - Present
Manage environmental regulatory compliance with the District’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License for the Santa Felicia Project. Maintain project regulatory compliance through implementation and reporting on active permits, developing and applying for state and federal environmental regualtory permits, and conducting biological assessments. Develop and manage environmental compliance documentation and strategy for the District’s Capital Improvement Projects including the Santa Felicia Dam Safety Improvement Project and Extraction Barrier and Brackish Water Treatment Project. Conduct environmental analysis and develop California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation. Show less
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Environmental Scientist
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Oct 2019 - Feb 2023
Manage environmental regulatory compliance with the District’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) License for the Santa Felicia Project. Maintain project regulatory compliance through implementation and reporting on active permits, developing and applying for state and federal environmental regualtory permits, and conducting biological assessments. Develop and manage environmental compliance documentation for the District’s Capital Improvement Projects. Conduct environmental analysis and develop California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation. Support District resource conservation efforts including biological field surveys and monitoring, critical riffle surveys, and operation of the Freeman Diversion fish ladder facility. Manage the District’s Quagga Mussel Monitoring and Control Program, developing annual reports, and managing annual agency consultations. Show less
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State Water Resources Control Board
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United States
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Environmental Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Environmental Scientist
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Feb 2018 - Oct 2019
Environmental Review Unit Division of Financial Assistance State Water Resources Control Board Environmental Review Unit Division of Financial Assistance State Water Resources Control Board
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Board Of Advisors
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Jun 2016 - Sep 2018
Secretary of the board and member of the finance committee. Supporting college students across California to address the urgency of the climate crisis by giving developmental and fiscal support, and providing long-term continuity and stability. Secretary of the board and member of the finance committee. Supporting college students across California to address the urgency of the climate crisis by giving developmental and fiscal support, and providing long-term continuity and stability.
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Janelle Nolan & Assoc. Environmental Consulting
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Sacramento, California Area
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Staff Scientist
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Jul 2016 - Feb 2018
Conducted botanical and wildlife monitoring, literature reviews, protocol level field surveys, and analysis necessary for development of environmental documents to support hydroelectric relicensing, CEQA/NEPA compliance, ESA/CESA compliance, and wetland permitting. Lead and conducted terrestrial field surveys throughout northern and southern California including willow flycatcher, California spotted owl, northern goshawk, Yosemite toad, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, and great gray owl. Assisted in the development of Biological Assessments/Biological Evaluations to support Endangered Species Act consultation with the USFWS. Applied to the following agency permits and approvals: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit; Regional Water Quality Control Board or State Water Quality Control Board; Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification; CDFW Lake/Streambed Alteration Agreement; USDA-FS Special Use Permit; and USDA-FS Road Use Permit. Show less
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California Conservation Corps Foundation
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United States
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Philanthropic Fundraising Services
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200 - 300 Employee
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Fisheries Staff
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Dec 2015 - Aug 2016
Planned and developed habitat restoration projects for the endangered southern California steelhead. Sought funding from state and federal grant programs for projects and wrote grant applications. Assisted California Fish and Wildlife environmental scientists with snorkel, spawning and electrofishing surveys. Implementation of restoration projects such as native riparian planting, instream barrier removal, and invasive species control through chemical and mechanical methods. Made presentations and lead ecological field trips for elementary students in the Ojai school district. Lead corpsmember conservation crews in water monitoring program in partnership with the City of Camarillo and the City of Thousand Oaks and managed data collection and organization for sponsors. Show less
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San Fernando Valley Audubon
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Santa Susana Field Laboratory
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Bird Banding Associate
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Oct 2014 - Aug 2016
Banded birds at Santa Susana Field Laboratory through mist netting. Setting up mist nets; aging and sexing birds through plumage, molt, and fat patches. Banded birds at Santa Susana Field Laboratory through mist netting. Setting up mist nets; aging and sexing birds through plumage, molt, and fat patches.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Field Assistant
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Sep 2015 - Oct 2015
Seasonal internship with US Fish and Wildlife. Vegetation surveys using point intercept method, biomass and species richness surveys, and residual dry mass sampling. Small mammal trapping to determine age, sex, and health of populations. Surveys are being done to collect data on the effects of grazing on the Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge. Seasonal internship with US Fish and Wildlife. Vegetation surveys using point intercept method, biomass and species richness surveys, and residual dry mass sampling. Small mammal trapping to determine age, sex, and health of populations. Surveys are being done to collect data on the effects of grazing on the Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge.
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The Great Basin Institute
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United States
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Environmental Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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California Condor Research Associate
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Apr 2015 - Oct 2015
Interning with the California Condor Recovery Project under the US Department of Fish and Wildlife. Monitoring the Southern California population of CA Condors through radio telemetry, nest observations, visuals, feedings and trappings. Have performed tricolored blackbird surveys and botanical surveys with Fish and Wildlife. Interning with the California Condor Recovery Project under the US Department of Fish and Wildlife. Monitoring the Southern California population of CA Condors through radio telemetry, nest observations, visuals, feedings and trappings. Have performed tricolored blackbird surveys and botanical surveys with Fish and Wildlife.
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Greenstone Environmental Services
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Environmental Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Environmental Administrator
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Sep 2014 - Apr 2015
Tracking and documenting all nesting birds on the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (segment 7 &8) in the environmental database. Keeping environmental database up-to-date. Creating vegetation removal plans to follow mitigation measures. Keeping track of SWPPs and BMPs on-site. Facilitating safety and project related trainings. Tracking and documenting all nesting birds on the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (segment 7 &8) in the environmental database. Keeping environmental database up-to-date. Creating vegetation removal plans to follow mitigation measures. Keeping track of SWPPs and BMPs on-site. Facilitating safety and project related trainings.
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Santa Barbara Audubon
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Santa Barbara, California Area
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Bird Monitor
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Apr 2014 - Jun 2014
Monitored Tree Swallow reproduction. Recorded data from bird nests on nest stages, clutch sizes, nestling development, and success of nests. Monitored Tree Swallow reproduction. Recorded data from bird nests on nest stages, clutch sizes, nestling development, and success of nests.
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Plastic Pollution Coordinator
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UCSB Sustainability
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Internship
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Jun 2013 - Jun 2014
Headed an educational project to increase signage and usage of the 40 hydration stations on campus. Advised by the UCSB Sustainability Coordinator for Academics and Research. Headed an educational project to increase signage and usage of the 40 hydration stations on campus. Advised by the UCSB Sustainability Coordinator for Academics and Research.
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Plastic Pollution Coalition
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Director of Plastic Solutions at UCSB
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Feb 2013 - Jun 2014
Worked on an EPA grant with four national non-profits to reduce plastic waste on UC Santa Barbara’s campus. Developed best practices and tool kit which can be used by other campuses around the country. Worked on an EPA grant with four national non-profits to reduce plastic waste on UC Santa Barbara’s campus. Developed best practices and tool kit which can be used by other campuses around the country.
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Co-Chair
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Jun 2012 - Jul 2013
Managed a core team of twenty officers. Facilitated group meetings from twenty to one hundred people. Created a weekly informative powerpoint. Ran weekly meetings with sixty to eighty members. Managed a core team of twenty officers. Facilitated group meetings from twenty to one hundred people. Created a weekly informative powerpoint. Ran weekly meetings with sixty to eighty members.
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Goleta Valley Beautiful
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Goleta, CA
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Greenhouse Intern
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Apr 2012 - Dec 2012
Supervised by certified arborist, cared for trees through their life cycle. Planted seeds, pruning, weeding, re-potting, and planting mature trees. Supervised by certified arborist, cared for trees through their life cycle. Planted seeds, pruning, weeding, re-potting, and planting mature trees.
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Supervisor
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Jun 2006 - Sep 2012
Supervised and instructed swim lessons for children ages 4-16. Supervised and instructed swim lessons for children ages 4-16.
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Education
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2010 - 2014
University of California, Santa Barbara
BS, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology -
2011 - 2011
University of California, Education Abroad Program
Italian Language and Literature -
2006 - 2010
Aptos High School
Community
