Erin Bender Email and Phone Number
Senior Environmental Scientist | Climate & Sustainability Advisor | Educator at
@
State Water Resources Control Board
Erin Bender's Location
Hermosa Beach, California, United States, United States
About Erin Bender
As an environmental scientist and sustainability manager with over a decade of experience, I have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful sustainability strategies that enhance stakeholder relationships, drive engagement, and mitigate costs and risks. My technical expertise in water quality analysis, climate adaptation planning, and compliance monitoring and reporting, is complemented by my solid foundation in environmental science as evidenced by a Master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University. Accomplishments: - Tackling complex CA water availability issues in high-priority watersheds through emergency regulations, data collection and analysis, stakeholder collaboration, voluntary agreements, and alternative compliance pathways. - Influenced conservation efforts in some of California's most sensitive ecosystems by managing environmental compliance and sustainability efforts critical to the success of over $5 million in construction and maintenance. - Increased the volunteer network by 30% and expanded program scope and funding for a non-profit organization by creating sustainability programming that inspired, educated, and promoted activism. - Negotiated programmatic agreements with key regulators, and managed partnerships with NGOs and private industry to reduce project costs and streamline communications. - Served as an in-house Environmental Sustainability Consultant for client, providing employee training, facility audits, and delivering annual sustainability reports. - Performed detailed field surveys to determine biological impacts on threatened and endangered species, wildlife migration corridors, anadromous fish runs, migratory birds, and wetlands.My goal is to help organizations meet their climate and sustainability goals by providing a well-informed strategic perspective and an actionable plan. I am passionate about making the greatest possible impact and using science-based sustainability targets to implement meaningful steps toward climate alignment. When I'm not working with clients, you'll find me playing outdoors - skiing and fly fishing the Sierras, and surfing local beaches. Feel free to reach out and let's connect via LinkedIn.
Erin Bender's Current Company Details
State Water Resources Control Board
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Senior Environmental Scientist | Climate & Sustainability Advisor | Educator
Erin Bender Work Experience Details
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Senior Environmental Scientist, Specialist | Division Of Water RightsState Water Resources Control Board Aug 2023 - PresentSacramento, California, UsThe Division of Water Rights plays a critical role in managing California's precious water resources, balancing competing interests, and ensuring sustainable water use for current and future generations. Responsible for managing the State's water rights system, the Division's primary duties are to allocate, enforce, and adjudicate water rights, maintain water rights records, and regulate water transfers.In my role as a senior technical lead, I provide leadership to interdisciplinary teams focused on analyzing water availability and assessing water use impacts within critical watersheds. A key aspect of my role involves the development of regulations pertaining to water rights management, curtailments, and instream flow requirements. Central to these efforts is a commitment to safeguarding public trust assets, such as native fish and wildlife and healthy water quality. My responsibilities extend to briefing both the State Water Board and Division management on critical state water projects, delivering concise presentations of scientific findings alongside actionable recommendations. Extensive outreach through public workshops, site visits, and regularly scheduled stakeholder meetings has led to the creation of Alternative Compliance and Voluntary Agreements that support regional needs while still meeting regulatory requirements. Interagency collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies, as well as tribal groups, is fostering increased data sharing and cultivating innovative solutions to complex water availability challenges. This multifaceted approach seeks to balance science-based methodologies with local community solutions to drive sustainable change.
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Middle School Science TeacherEl Segundo Unified School District Feb 2019 - Apr 2022El Segundo Middle School is a public middle school located in El Segundo, California. The school serves students in grades 6-8 and has an enrollment of approximately 900 students. As an International Baccalaureate focused program, the school strong reputation for academic excellence.Course taught: Integrated Science 6th & 7th grade; EngineeringAs a seasoned educator, I designed and implemented a project-based curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and International Baccalaureate (IB) expectations. The curriculum focused on real-life scenarios, providing students with practical applications of their learning. To support the diverse learning styles of my students, I provided scaffolded and differentiated instruction, emphasizing lifelong work habits and essential academic skills, including experimental design process, data collection and analysis, evidence-based conclusions, organization, prioritization, and advocacy. As a member of the leadership team, I also played a critical role in identifying and resolving campus-wide issues, promoting community engagement, and fostering the adoption of best practices and strategies for growth. -
Regional DirectorGrades Of Green, Hermosa Beach Sep 2014 - Jun 2019Grades of Green is a non-profit environmental organization based in Southern California that inspires and empowers students and communities to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact. The organization provides a wide range of resources and educational programs for K-12 schools, including sustainability-based lessons and activities, support and guidance in implementing eco-friendly initiatives. Through its programs, Grades of Green aims to foster a culture of environmental stewardship and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.As the Regional Program Director, I led the creation of inspiring programming aimed at promoting sustainability across campuses. I collaborated with local filmmakers to produce web-based videos that resulted in a 30% increase in the volunteer network. Additionally, I worked with cross-functional teams within city government to implement organic waste reduction and air quality initiatives as part of local sustainability plans. Through my efforts in securing grants and awards, program funding grew by 200%, enabling an expansion in the program scope to additional sites.
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Process EngineerUltura Jun 2013 - May 2014Ultura was a company that provided advanced water treatment solutions for industrial and municipal clients. They specialized in the design, manufacture, and installation of water treatment systems that improved the quality and efficiency of water usage. As a reverse osmosis treatment system designer, I have experience designing custom solutions for complex industrial wastewater treatment problems. In addition, I am adept at preparing detailed technical and economic proposals for new business opportunities in emerging industrial sectors. I worked closely with customers to troubleshoot system upsets, responded to evolving treatment conditions, and provided ongoing support. This work included long-term process analysis to evaluate system performance and provide recommendations for improving treatment quality and efficiency.
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Applications EngineerRochem Membrane Systems Aug 2011 - Mar 2012Rochem Membrane Systems is a global leader in providing innovative solutions for membrane filtration and separation processes in various industries such as water treatment, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and more. The company offers a wide range of membrane products, including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis membranes, as well as complete membrane filtration systems. At Rochem, I designed sophisticated reverse osmosis systems for large-scale industrial water treatment. In this capacity, I managed key relationships with clients, testing labs, and regulatory agencies to support successful field installation and maintenance of systems. In addition, I designed field protocols to test experimental treatment techniques, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the industry and technology trends.
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Ecologist (Graduate Intern)California Coastal Commission Sep 2010 - Jul 2011The California Coastal Commission is a government agency responsible for managing and protecting the state's 1,100-mile coastline. It was established in 1972 by the California Coastal Act and is composed of 12 voting members appointed by the governor, the state assembly, and the senate. The commission's primary role is to regulate development along the coast to ensure that it is consistent with the state's coastal protection laws and policies, and to balance environmental protection with public access and economic development.During my internship with CCC, I provided support on a variety of projects including preparing a biological memorandum that outlined potential environmental impacts of a highly politicized proposed housing development in the Santa Monica Mountains. The memorandum served as evidence in supporting the Board of Commissioners' final ruling on the project. Additionally, I collaborated with the CSUN Center for Geographical Studies, NOAA Sea Grant, and the Commission to develop a web-based visualization tool that helped coastal managers and researchers plan for sea level rise and coastal flooding brought about by climate change. As a result of this project, I wrote a grant proposal titled "Visualizing Sea Level Rise and the Potential Impacts to Coastal Wetlands of California" to secure funding for the continuation of the tool's development and implementation.
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High School Science TeacherRedwood High School 2006 - 2008Redwood High School is a public high school located in Larkspur, California, serving students from grades 9-12. The school is known for its strong academic programs, competitive athletic teams, and beautiful campus nestled in the scenic hills of Marin County.Courses taught: Physiology & Integrated Science (10th - 12th grades)During my time as a Science Teacher at Redwood High School, I had the opportunity to make a significant impact on the education and development of my students. I conducted weekly 90-minute labs in Physiology, focusing on dissections or microscope work, as well as in Integrated Science, which included DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, fuel content, and solar energy assessments. I also guided students through the scientific process of developing, testing, and writing individualized Science Fair experiments, placing emphasis on how evidence supports or refutes hypotheses. Additionally, I participated in a district-wide revision of the curriculum, ensuring that the programs reflected current science concepts and practices used in the "real world," such as genetic engineering and evolution units. Through my dedication to providing high-quality science education, I was able to positively impact the learning experience and foster a lifelong love of science in my students.
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High School Science TeacherTorrance High School 2005 - 2006Torrance High School is a public high school located in Torrance, California, with a student body of approximately 2,000. The school has a strong academic program, with a variety of advanced placement courses, as well as extracurricular activities such as athletics, music, and theater.Courses taught: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Science & Sheltered Science for English Language Learners (9th - 12th grades)As a Science Teacher, I utilized a range of teaching techniques, such as SDAIE and differentiated instruction, to ensure that all learners in my sheltered science class for English Language Learners could access and comprehend the content. I also developed and implemented a novel district-wide Earth Science curriculum for first-year students. My contribution as a member of the district Science Leadership Team involved working collaboratively to enhance the Earth Science, Biology, and Chemistry programs, and to enhance our college preparatory framework.
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Environmental Project ManagerKinder Morgan 2001 - 2004Houston, Texas, UsKinder Morgan Inc. is an energy infrastructure company headquartered in Houston, Texas, that operates pipelines and terminals transporting natural gas, crude oil, refined petroleum products, and carbon dioxide. With over 83,000 miles of pipelines and 144 terminals, it is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. As an environmental project manager, I successfully established partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies throughout the west coast, including the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, California State Fire Marshal, and city governments. My expertise in permitting efforts was critical to the success of pipeline construction and maintenance projects totaling over $5 million. These efforts included securing permits such as ACOE 404, RWQCB 401 & SWPPPs, USFWS Biological Opinions, CDFG Streambed Alteration Agreements, and mitigation plans. I also negotiated Programmatic Agreements with regional agencies and established mitigation banking with conservation groups to streamline permitting efforts for regular O&M activities that could impact sensitive or protected resources. In addition, I worked closely with lobbyists to draft key environmental regulations necessary to support the safe and timely repair of pipeline systems nationwide. To promote environmental compliance, I created an Environmental Compliance Education program for corporate managers that detailed company environmental legal requirements for project construction and operation. -
Scientist & PlannerCh2M Hill 2000 - 2001Englewood, Colorado, UsCH2M was a global engineering and consulting firm that provided services in various industries, including infrastructure, water, transportation, environment, energy, and industrial facilities. The company had a rich history of working on high-profile projects and was known for its leadership in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. CH2M was acquired by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. in 2017.At CH2M Hill, I served as an onsite Environmental Compliance Officer for an aerospace company, where I was responsible for ensuring compliance with RCRA regulations. This included conducting facility audits, leading mandatory RCRA training for employees, and preparing the annual water quality report that identified lead contamination issues.I also prepared a FHWA NEPA Environmental Assessment for federal highway upgrades and realignment, which involved multiple bridge replacements, property relocations, and the preservation of historic landmarks and significant biological and cultural resources. Additionally, I conducted field assessments and prepared CEQA/NEPA documentation for a proposed power plant that included a 40+ acre facility footprint, extensive transmission lines, and natural gas and water pipelines.Throughout these projects, I performed detailed field surveys to determine the environmental impact on various species, including threatened and endangered species, wildlife migration corridors, anadromous fish runs, migratory birds, and wetlands. My work was fundamental in ensuring compliance with relevant environmental laws and regulations while minimizing the environmental impact of these projects. -
ScientistUrs Corporation 1999 - 2000San Francisco, Ca, UsURS Corporation is a global engineering, construction, and technical services firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company provides a wide range of services to clients in the infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and government sectors, including consulting, engineering, construction, and project management. URS Corporation has been involved in many high-profile projects around the world.During my tenure, I had the opportunity to perform a variety of critical environmental assessments and analyses for the US Department of Defense. One of my primary responsibilities was to conduct air emissions and hazardous material inventories at several DoD facilities. Additionally, I contributed to a comprehensive Air Quality Manual for a naval base in California, which provided essential source-specific information for daily and annual recordkeeping and reporting. To reduce hazardous material usage and waste, several case studies were developed based on life cycle analysis, which helped create a base-wide pollution prevention plan and a progressive plan for testing weapons systems. Finally, I performed in-depth risk assessments for a propane system and water treatment plant at a DoD facility, including worst-case scenario hazard analysis and dispersion modeling. Overall, my experience working in the environmental sector has given me the expertise to provide valuable insights and strategies to address complex environmental challenges.
Erin Bender Education Details
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Loyola Marymount UniversityEnvironmental Science -
California State University, Long BeachBiology & Earth Science Single Subject Credentials
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University Of OregonEnvironmental Science
Frequently Asked Questions about Erin Bender
What company does Erin Bender work for?
Erin Bender works for State Water Resources Control Board
What is Erin Bender's role at the current company?
Erin Bender's current role is Senior Environmental Scientist | Climate & Sustainability Advisor | Educator.
What schools did Erin Bender attend?
Erin Bender attended Loyola Marymount University, California State University, Long Beach, University Of Oregon.
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