Michelle Foss, Ms Email & Phone Number

Bellevue, Nebraska, United States

• Oversee the land and facilities operations while managing and developing three direct reports, their employees, and thirty-five regular volunteers. • Perform long-term and short-term planning of facilities operations and partner with other departments to build infrastructure needs; serve as the organization’s media relations representative. • Manage multiple deferred maintenance initiatives projects with various funding sources.• Collaborate with the Donor and Visitors Services… Show more • Oversee the land and facilities operations while managing and developing three direct reports, their employees, and thirty-five regular volunteers. • Perform long-term and short-term planning of facilities operations and partner with other departments to build infrastructure needs; serve as the organization’s media relations representative. • Manage multiple deferred maintenance initiatives projects with various funding sources.• Collaborate with the Donor and Visitors Services department to identify funding and grow relationships. • Partner with the Executive Director in steering deferred maintenance and upgrades to complete projects totaling $1.5M in three years. • Join forces with senior leaders to develop and implement a three-year strategic organizational plan.• Meet with funding organizations and donors regarding gift stewardship.• Develop and implement safety and emergency training and protocols for the entire organization. • Create safety and security protocols per OSHA guidelines and institute risk management best practices. Show less

Bellevue, Nebraska, United States

• Facilitated staff and departmental growth to engender organizational sustainability. • Built relationships with conservation funders and donors with executive leadership transitions.• Steered community representatives in creating a community forest plan through the Metro Area Planning Agency – Heartland 2050 program.• Elevated partnerships with local fire departments and neighbors in expanding the prescribed fire program. • Transitioned the habitat restoration program from a… Show more • Facilitated staff and departmental growth to engender organizational sustainability. • Built relationships with conservation funders and donors with executive leadership transitions.• Steered community representatives in creating a community forest plan through the Metro Area Planning Agency – Heartland 2050 program.• Elevated partnerships with local fire departments and neighbors in expanding the prescribed fire program. • Transitioned the habitat restoration program from a grant-based to a broader funding model.• Stimulated team engagement through professional development, relationship building, and accountability.• Facilitated a land stewardship department for staff, volunteers, researchers, donors, and visitors. • Promoted problem-solving and learning opportunities to provide a more significant programmatic impact.• Partnered with other conservation organizations to gain fire experience and learn methods employed. Show less

Bellevue, Nebraska, United States

• Served as the Interim Director of Stewardship and Research for the first four months in this position.• Spearheaded daily operations and oversaw staff, contracted workers, interns, volunteers, and community partners performing land management functions, including ecological habitat maintenance and restoration, scientific research program management, plan development, and implementation. • Developed a pandemic response plan and policies for employees and volunteers. • Applied… Show more • Served as the Interim Director of Stewardship and Research for the first four months in this position.• Spearheaded daily operations and oversaw staff, contracted workers, interns, volunteers, and community partners performing land management functions, including ecological habitat maintenance and restoration, scientific research program management, plan development, and implementation. • Developed a pandemic response plan and policies for employees and volunteers. • Applied project management expertise for all projects to ensure project deliveries adhered to regulations.• Steered resource management and flood recovery projects, including four with FEMA.• Reviewed land management techniques with staff, managed emergency property responses, and oversaw prescribed fire program; identified and assessed potential property acquisitions.• Communicated with internal and external stakeholders on land stewardship practices.• Presented reports to regulatory agencies, funders, and board members.• Established partnerships to further habitat restoration outside the organization.• Administered annual and multi-year budgets and initiated a procurement process for large purchases. • Enhanced fundraising opportunities, increasing strategic partnerships by 10% from 2019–2020. Show less

Bellevue, Nebraska, United States

• Created land management plans, policies, and safety protocols according to state and federal regulations. • Developed and managed a $300K budget and administered contracts with state and government agencies.• Evaluated land management techniques’ effectiveness for invasive plant control and native plant regeneration, and assessed for potential impacts on wildlife.• Executed invasive species control, thinning, mowing with tractors and skid-steers, and prescribed fire.• Analyzed… Show more • Created land management plans, policies, and safety protocols according to state and federal regulations. • Developed and managed a $300K budget and administered contracts with state and government agencies.• Evaluated land management techniques’ effectiveness for invasive plant control and native plant regeneration, and assessed for potential impacts on wildlife.• Executed invasive species control, thinning, mowing with tractors and skid-steers, and prescribed fire.• Analyzed topographic and survey maps to develop and execute prescribed fire plans and invasive plant control management plans; treated invasive plants using various herbicides and application techniques.• Presented public programs and meetings regarding controversial land management practices.• Supervised, trained, and evaluated volunteers and interns. Show less

• Educated and managed volunteers and facilitated training on the care of live raptors and other animals. • Compiled and maintained facilities’ manuals and created programs for school-aged children.• Conducted cost/benefit analysis and overhauled the animal care department.

Master'S Degree, Project Management

Activities and Societies: Golden Key International Honour Society

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Environmental Science

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Liberal Arts And Sciences/Liberal Studies