As part of the Intergovernmental Internship Cooperative with Southern Utah University, I am developing a spatial data management plan for park facilities and assets at Nicodemus National Historic Site in Kansas. This includes designing a geodatabase in accordance with National Geospatial Program data standards as well as integrating legacy data at the regional and park level to conduct a gap analysis. Additional GPS data based on identified needs will be collected onsite using ArcGIS Field Maps. A web map of ground assets, property boundaries, roads, utilities, and management plans will be produced for use by park staff.

Key Accomplishments: Administered participation in the FEMA Community Rating System program through the 2019 cycle verification, which served as an audit of all floodplain management activities in the community. This resulted in an improvement of the City’s overall score, which increased flood premium discounts from 20% to 25% for all FEMA-backed insurance policies within the Special Flood Hazard Area and translated to a projected combined savings increase of $50,000 annually.I also served as Flood Captain to follow operational guidelines during flood events, which included coordination with partner agencies and mobilizing flood investigation teams for data collection. I evaluated development proposals and provided comments for potential impacts to watershed health to ensure environmentally responsible land uses. I also engaged with members of the community on flood safety through outreach materials as well as responded to public concerns around watershed maintenance issues. I collaborated with other scientists and stakeholders on the Johnson Creek Inter-jurisdictional Committee to stay updated on projects in the watershed, track spills and other water quality issues, and discuss future strategies for management and restoration.

Key Accomplishments: Developed a standard protocol using ArcGIS to track residents in the floodplain in order to send annual public outreach materials for the FEMA Community Rating System program.I also conducted field work to track watershed health after restoration projects on Johnson Creek, including stream habitat assessments, macroinvertebrate sampling, and cross-sectional surveys. I helped to administer the FEMA Community Rating System recertification to encourage community floodplain management activities. I also generated presentation quality maps and figure in ArcGIS as well as assisted with public outreach efforts at community events.

Key Accomplishments: Synthesized summary information of all organizations engaged in environmental water transactions in the western U.S.I also analyzed hydrologic, land use, and economic data for innovative water resources and water rights projects across the western U.S. This included researching white and grey literature related to water markets, basin studies, and environmental conditions. I also developed geodatabases of spatial information and prepared presentation quality maps and figures using ArcGIS.

Key Accomplishments: Provided scientific expertise for civil engineering firm on 25 stormwater management, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water quality, and erosion control projects for over 15 clients across Texas. Oversaw 10 projects as Project Coordinator.My duties included generating hydrologic (HEC-HMS) and hydraulic (HEC-RAS) models of watersheds and stream channels associated with FEMA floodplain mapping, streambank restoration, and flood control projects. I conducted the quarterly sampling of 30 groundwater monitoring wells for laboratory analysis. I utilized extensive experience with ArcGIS and AutoCAD, which included floodplain mapping, water quality modeling, delineating drainage areas, suitability analyses, digitizing, and georeferencing, as well as producing high quality maps and figures. I analyzed water resource data such as pollutant loading calculations of different stormwater best management practices, developed elevation-capacity tables to interpolate lake volumes, as well as created and use lookup tables for hydrologic calculations. I developed engineering reports, hydrologic reports, project proposals, environmental assessments, and stormwater permits or both internal use and for submittal to clients. I also cultivated working relationships with other firms and compiled proposal information in order to be awarded new projects.

Key Accomplishments: All four groups of students completed their research projects, presented their results, and passed the course. One group was voted by the professor and other teaching assistants to be among the best presentations in the class.I advised four groups of students engaged in laboratory and field-based research projects through the Freshman Research Initiative. This involved helping students develop research topics, helping them design experiments that follow the scientific method, and assessing their progress. I also demonstrated standard laboratory techniques, maintained laboratory equipment, and ensured safety protocols were followed at all times by all students.

Key Accomplishments: Helped lead a training presentation for plant operators in the procedures on the proper storage, transporting techniques, and classification criteria of listed hazardous wastes.I also helped to categorize waste streams at City of Austin water and wastewater treatment plants to determine if disposal regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act were being met. I attended training courses with water and wastewater operators in order to gain further understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes.

Key Accomplishments: Developed two training presentations on alternative ways to commute to work in order to help improve local air quality. Also assisted with creating articles, posters, and radio scripts to further interact with and inform the public.I also researched and evaluated best practice techniques of other municipalities via phone calls and internet research to determine feasibility of implementation in the City of Austin’s air quality program. I represented the air quality program at public meetings and events and disseminated information to increase public efforts on reducing ozone levels.