I work within the Virginia Erosion & Sediment Program, Stormwater Management Program, and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Program to maintain a healthy balance between land use and retention of a vital resource, our environment. As a Senior Environmental Planner, I act as Staff liaison to our Locality’s Chesapeake Bay Board for some of our land use plans that affect the health of the Resource Protection Area (RPA) found within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. I manage RPA violations that seldomly occur and require mitigation to restore a healthy RPA habitat. I also act as an advisor for the County’s residents to discuss the complex nature of RPA impacts and what is allowable under current ordinances. Some land use within RPA is handled on a case-by-case scenario, so I advise residents on steps needed to take to present a stronger case to the Board for approval or denial without letting bias set in. Protecting the RPA is the goal, but maintaining a healthy relationship with our surrounding environment is key to a thriving community.

I work primarily in the implementation of the Virginia Erosion & Sediment Control Program and Stormwater Management Program as they relate to land use development. I investigate surface stormwater drainage issues to determine resolutions that can be taken to mitigate property damage for the homeowner and neighboring properties. I investigate land use violations and enforce regulatory measures to bring them into compliance. Using GIS and field study measures I review Erosion & Sediment Control Plans for residential properties.

Involved in the DCR Agricultural Incentives program, collecting field data for agricultural crop cover and tillage residue cover throughout Virginia. A series of two separate surveys where one was implemented during the non-growing season and the other, during the start of the growing season. Field apps were used such as Esri QuickCapture and Navigator to create routes in different regions and to collect data along those routes in defined intervals. This data helps in the acquisition of spatial data pertaining to nutrient runoff prevention throughout Virginia.

Provided educational support for students and staff of the Center for Environmental studies in relation to Geographic Information Systems. ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro were the primary software used during the teaching assistant position.

I played a teaching assistant role in the Spring 2022 Stream Survey Methods course taught through by the Center for Environmental Studies. Course was primarily lab and field based where students learned of the various methods of Stream Surveying techniques in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic Region. With the guidance of the Professor, I lead stream surveys with the students in the differing eco-regions of Virginia to collect aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish species to determine the overall health quality of freshwater streams. Emphasis was placed on learning the Virginia Stream Condition Index (VSCI) bioassessment technique and collected fish assemblage data to compare stream health from one eco-region to the next and how it relates to mountainous headwater streams vs coastal plain streams.

Through the Virginia Commonwealth University Environmental Studies Master's Program, I served as an Environmental GIS Consultant to the Economic Development Department through means of an Independent Study Project mentored under the VCU Environmental Studies GIS Department. Environmental Geospatial consultation consisted of changes in Nutrient Reduction within waterways as they relate to Land Use Change since the implementation of the Chesapeake Bay Act in 1989.

Provided Customer Service to shoppers, operated a Point-of-Sale system to receive and sell merchandise. Kept up to date on most outdoor product available in the fields of backpacking, camping, and paddlesports.

I had the managerial duties of operating a retail store during this short-term position. Placing fill-orders, creating schedules, and onboarding staff were some of the more major duties I had during the absence of having a full-time store manager.

Aquatic Staff Shift supervisor. Maintained professional CPR, First-Aid, and other life-saving skill certifications. Helped to train and evaluate staff on a monthly basis. Onboarded new employees for the aquatic center.