Brian Croft Email & Phone Number

Redlands, Ca, Us

Palm Springs, California, United States

Palm Springs, California, United States

Supervised a team of 5 biologists focused on administration of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the California portion of the Mojave Desert. Work included supervising the development of habitat conservation plans and biological opinions under section 10(a)(1)(B) and section 7(a)(2) of the ESA for a variety of federal and non-federal projects affecting listed species. Also supervised or carried out numerous proactive conservation projects for listed species in partnership with agency, NGO, and private entities.

Reno, Nevada, United States

Served as the Acting Field Supervisor of the Reno Fish and Wildlife Office on a temporary detail for 4 months. Oversaw all aspects of the office's role in administration of the Endangered Species Act across northern Nevada and the Owen's Valley of California with a focus on section 7(a)(2) consultations with BLM and DoD. Oversaw office budget discussions, hiring actions, and finalized an office reorganization.

Barstow, California, United States

Served as the field office’s authorizing officer, responsible for overall program direction, implementation, and approval of a wide array of multiple use activities and authorizations within a 3-million-acre field office area. Provided technical and administrative supervision and management of 38 staff working across a diverse array of programs to include natural and cultural resources, minerals, renewable energy, wilderness management, range management, realty, recreation, operations, administrative support, land use planning, and law enforcement. Responsible for implementing and evaluating a broad array of complex resource management programs requiring intensive multiple-use management, protection of a variety of resources, and land use plan conformance. Coordinated land and resource planning and management with representatives of other agencies, Tribal, Federal, State, and local governments, the general public, and with private landholders. Interpreted and implemented Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management policy and directives as they affected field office planning and programs. Managed administrative activities in support of operational programs to ensure effective and efficient utilization of personnel, equipment, material, and field office budget. Identified field office hiring priorities, coordinated hiring strategies and processes, and worked withDistrict Office, State Office, and employee relations staff on implementation of an office reorganization. Provided oversight and reporting on field office expenditures, budget, and progress towardmanagement targets. Represented the field office at District and State-level leadership team meetings, Desert Advisory Council meetings, and other internal and external meetings to provide updates on field office activities and answer questions.

Palm Springs, California, United States

Served a 4-month detail as the office supervisor for the Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office. Served as the primary technical and policy expert for the office on endangered species activities. Represented the office at meetings with Federal, State, and local agencies and private groups to explain policy and negotiate positions related to section 7 consultation, habitat conservation planning, and recovery activities. Planned, organized, and supervised activities for the office, including oversight of 3 Division Supervisors and 18 other staff. Developed and reviewed reimbursable and cooperative agreements and acquisition requests for consistency with program goals and objectives, policies, and available budget. Supervised and evaluated performance and conducted performance appraisals of Division Supervisors and other office staff. Provided input on preparation of position descriptions and participated in hiring activities and personnel selections. Provided guidance for office staff on career advancement, recommended training opportunities, and approved individual development plans. Served as primary signatory for most office administrative actions and endangered species program documents. Attended and represented the Palms Springs Fish and Wildlife Office at management team meetings, staff meetings, and briefings with the regional office. Provided briefings on endangered species issues to supervisors, stakeholder groups, other Federal and State agencies, and Congressional interests through a variety of methods. Worked with Division Supervisors and staff to coordinate workload, develop consistent office positions, and resolve problems. Reviewed biological opinions, permitting documents, and other work products related to the endangered species program to ensure they were technically accurate, clearly written, consistent with Federal laws and regulations, and supported by the projects decisional record.

Palm Springs, California, United States

Reviewed draft section 7 consultation documents, habitat conservation plans, and environmental impactstatements assigned to staff and provided guidance to help them in analyzing effects and mitigation strategies. Worked with staff members to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities and develop staff for career advancement. Trained new staff in the Mojave Division on various aspects of the Endangered Species Act required for their positions. Organized and prioritized workload to efficiently complete projects and accomplish program goals, objectives, and strategic priorities. Briefed agency management at the field office, regional office, and Washington Office level on a variety of projects and conservation issues relevant to the Mojave Desert. Represented the Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office to external partners and stakeholders in numerous settings. Developed and maintained partnerships with numerous governmental and non-governmental entities. Developed section 7(a)(2) biological opinions and section 10(a)(1)(B) habitat conservation plans and implemented numerous recovery implementation projects to benefit federally listed species.

Palm Springs, California, United States

Served a 4-month detail as the Division Supervisor for the Mojave Desert Division, a postition I was later hired into permanently. All experience and duties related to this position are the same as those identified for the permanent position listed above.

Ventura, California, United States

Supervised the work of two staff biologists in a suboffice of the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office for 3 years. Work included implementation of the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in the Mojave Desert of California. Reviewed draft section 7 consultation documents, habitat conservation plans, and environmental impact statements assigned to staff and provided guidance to help them in analyzing effects and mitigation strategies. Worked with staff members to improve knowledge, skills, and abilities and develop staff for career advancement. Trained new staff in the Mojave Division on various aspects of the Endangered Species Act required for their positions. Organized and prioritized workload to efficiently complete projects and accomplish program goals, objectives, and strategic priorities. Briefed agency management at the field office, regional office, and Washington Office level on a variety of projects and conservation issues relevant to the Mojave Desert. Represented the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office to external partners and stakeholders in numerous settings. Developed and maintained partnerships with numerous governmental and non-governmental entities. Developed section 7(a)(2) biological opinions and section 10(a)(1)(B) habitat conservation plans and implemented numerous recovery implementation projects to benefit federally listed species.

Ventura, California, United States

Served as lead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff biologist in development of the recovery plan for theSierra Nevada bighorn sheep. Performed section 7(a)(2) consultation under the Endangered Species Act with various federal agencies. Worked with private landowners in the development of section 10(a)(1)(B) habitat conservation plans. Implemented numerous recovery implementation projects to benefit federally listed species. Completed 5-year status reviews to determine appropriate classification of species under the Endangered Species Act and to determine if a recommendation for down listing or delisting of species was warranted.

Barstow, California, United States

Performed section 7(a)(2) consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Bureau of Land Management projects in the Barstow, California Field Office, including preparing biological assessments. Provided biological input on Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. Designed and implemented habitat restoration projects. Developed the draft management plan for the Amargosa River Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Fort Irwin, California, United States

Managed the Land Condition Trend Analysis Monitoring program at Fort Irwin, California. Supervised a field crew of four biological technicians in the collection of monitoring data. Analyzed collected monitoring data and synthesized results to convey information regarding the effects of military training on vegetation communities and wildlife species. Develop recommendations regarding restoration priorities.