Michael Robotham Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Coordinate and facilitate NRCS support for international activities through the provision of knowledge, information, and expertise in collaboration with USDA, US Government, and International partners.Represent the United States on Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN-GCR) Scientific Planning Group (SPG) and chair the APN-GCR-SPG Pacific Sub-Regional Committee.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Provided technical direction and coordination for overall scientific activities within the Soil Science and Resource Assessment Deputy Area of NRCS including climate change related activities. Led periodic review and update of agency policy and provide recommendations to leadership based on interpretation of existing and proposed Presidential directives and Congressional mandates. Led the development of strategic plans and annual operational plans for deputy area support of climate smart agriculture and other agency, departmental, and government-wide initiatives and priorities, including climate change, urban agriculture, and equity and diversity. Oversaw and facilitated continuous evaluation and improvement of relevant agency-sponsored technical tools, technical references, and policy documents including conservation practice standards, technical documents, and training materials. Collaborated with agency and partner technical experts to assess, update, redesign, and potentially develop integrated carbon and other climate change related inventory, monitoring, assessment and modeling protocols and processes at multiple scales. Collaborated with other technical experts from within NRCS and the USDA to respond to internal and external requests for information and assistance and to prepare formal and informal oral and written reports and recommendations for senior leadership. Coordinated and facilitated NRCS interactions with and support for the ten (10) USDA Domestic Climate Hubs and the USDA International Climate Hub as agency National Climate Hub Lead. Represented NRCS on standing multi-agency technical and administrative task forces, teams, and working groups. Provided formal and informal analysis and recommendations to the Deputy Chief on a wide range of scientific, technical, policy, and operational issues as assigned.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided overall direction for the technical soil services, world soil resources and interpretations program areas as a member of the Soil and Plant Sciences Division leadership team. Coordinated the identification of information needs and provision of soil information and assistance, including soil interpretations, to internal and external customers. Coordinated the provision of soils data and interpretive information products as well as soils-related technical assistance to support NRCS conservation planning activities and landowner financial assistance programs (e.g. EQIP, CSP, CIG, RCPP, CRP) and overall agency priorities. Served as the primary technical liaison between the soil science division and other NRCS national divisions (soil health, ecological sciences, resource inventory and assessment, engineering, operations, conservation programs), regional technology centers, and state soils programs. Managed the national Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) program. Coordinate the provision of detailed soils-related information, technical assistance and training to international partners through cooperation with NRCS International Programs Division (IPD) and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Coordinate USDA-NRCS-SSD participation in international consortia and scientific fora including the Global Soil Partnership, Global Soil Map, IUSS and others. Represented the soil and plant sciences division, NRCS and USDA on internal agency, USDA, multi-agency, and international technical teams and at meetings and conferences. Developed and managed cooperative agreements, interagency agreements and other related administrative mechanisms to support agency initiatives and priorities as well as international activities. Supervised a staff of six senior technical specialists. Position was a consolidation of former National Leader for Technical Soil Services, National Leader for World Soil Resources and National Leader for Interpretations positions.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided overall direction and oversight for the division including the conservation planning, area-wide planning and watershed programs branches. Oversaw and coordinated the development, dissemination, and implementation of relevant national policy including conservation planning procedures and conservation planner certification, agency conservation landscape initiatives, and the Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) and Watershed Rehabilitation Programs including the development and implementation of appropriate internal controls. Oversaw the management of the Conservation Operations budget allocation (~$700 million annually) and multiple watershed program related allocations (total of ~$800 million annually). Oversaw the development of official agency planning support tools and systems including Conservation Desktop (CD) and the Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART). Coordinated the development and dissemination of national training for agency employees and partners in coordination with agency technical and operations leadership. Represented the agency in interactions with partner organizations formally through the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP), through cooperative agreements, and through informal arrangements. Represented CPTAD as a member of the Programs deputy area management team and on internal NRCS teams and working groups. Represented the division, NRCS and USDA on multi-agency teams and working groups. Prepared and delivered written summaries and oral briefings to senior leadership and external partners. Directly supervised three Branch Chiefs and oversaw 24 division employees.

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Provided overall direction for the World Soil Resources program as a member of the Soil Science Division leadership team. Coordinated the identification of information needs and provision of soil information and brief technical assistance to international cooperators under NRCS authorities. Oversaw the provision of detailed soils-related information, technical assistance, and training to international partners through cooperation with the NRCS International Programs Division and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Provided multiple technical presentations to groups of international visitors. Developed and managed interagency agreements and other related administrative mechanisms to support these international activities. Coordinated USDA-NRCS-SPSD participation in soil-focused international consortia and scientific fora including the Global Soil Partnership, Global Soil Map, International Union of Soil Science (IUSS) and others. Represented the NRCS and the USDA at national and international level conferences and symposia.

Usda-Nrcs National Headquarters, Washington Dc

Coordinated support from the Soil Science Division to internal and external users of soils data and information. Served as lead division point of contact for State Soil Scientists and Resource Soil Scientists. Served as primary liaison between the Soil Science Division and other agency divisions, programs and offices including Ecological Sciences, Soil Health, Conservation Engineering, Conservation Support Programs and Conservation Operations. Coordinated with external customers including other federal agencies, universities, state and local government, NGOs and the private sector to identify soils data and information needs and how the division can address those needs. Served as National Program Manager for the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA).

National Soil Survey Center - Lincoln, Ne

Provided overall leadership to the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC). Coordinated development of budget plan for first half of FY2016 (continuing resolution). Worked with Soil Science Division leadership and local leadership to prioritize travel and other expenditures in constrained budget environment. Coordinated NSSC response to national requests for information and assistance. Provided administrative oversight to four senior leadership staff and the NSSC overall (70 employees).

National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Ne

Provided overall direction for the soil research program and the Kellogg Soil Survey Laboratory (KSSL) as a member of the Soil Science Division leadership team. Coordinated the research program for the soil science division. Provided overall direction and guidance to staff of eight doctoral-level research soil scientists. Solicited and prioritized field and laboratory assistance requests from NRCS state and local staff. Served as technical administrator for soil science division cooperative research program (approximately 15 projects). Provided overall direction and administrative oversight to the KSSL including identifying and prioritizing workload and managing laboratory budget. Directly supervised three senior staff and served as second-level supervisor for approximately 30 laboratory technicians

National Soil Survey Center - Lincoln, Ne

Provide overall direction for the interpretation and technical soil services programs as a member of the Soil Science Division leadership team. Work with NRCS staff, National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) partners and other individuals and groups to identify and address needs for soil survey technical information and interpretive products in a wide range of areas. Provide technical and administrative direction, evaluation and oversight to a multidisciplinary staff of six employees.

National Soil Survey Center - Lincoln, Ne

Provided overall leadership to the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC). Coordinated development of budget plan for first half of FY2013 (continuing resolution). Worked with Soil Science Division leadership and local leadership to prioritize travel and other expenditures in constrained budget environment. Coordinated NSSC response to national requests for information and assistance. Provided administrative oversight to four senior leadership staff and the NSSC overall (80 employees).

Pacific Islands Area - Honolulu, Hi

Managed the soil science and natural resource assessments program for the Pacific Islands Area including soil survey, technical soil services, natural resources inventory (NRI) and geospatial support. Provided technical and administrative direction, evaluation and oversight. Supervised six employees on multiple islands.

Pacific Islands Area - Honolulu, Hi

Developed and disseminated appropriate conservation technologies for the American tropics focused on Hawaii and the American Pacific. Provided technical support and training for field and technical staff.

Oregon City, Oregon

Provided field, phone and email consultations, group training and written and web-based educational materials to small-acreage landowners in three peri-urban counties (Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington). Assistant Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University,

Honolulu, Hi

Coordinated the Hawaii’s Pollution Prevention Information (HAPPI) project. Developed series of 27 brief (2-8 page) educational publications for agricultural and general audiences on non-point source pollution risks and prevention.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Soil Science And Agronomy, General

Activities and Societies: Fulbright-Hays--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship recipient, East-West Center Degree Participant

Master Of Science (Ms), Resource Development

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Integrated Science Program / Geological Sciences

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi