TECHNICIAN/ASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT

Wildlife, fisheries, and ecological research
Environmental and natural resource management

Areas of interest
  • Endangered and threatened species.  
  • Riparian restoration, ecology, and management. 
  • Environmental sciences: Water and air quality.  Ecological, environmental, and biological toxicology.  Environmental chemistry and microbiology.  Agricultural chemistry and microbiology. 
  • Urban environmental quality.

Summary of Qualifications

Education
Strong educational background includes Bachelor of Science in Biology and 2 years of postbaccalaureate (undergraduate) studies in Wildlife Science.  E-courses.

Computer skills and experience
Use databases, on-line systems, Internet, and mobile devices.  Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.  Software training courses.

Technical experience
Nearly 2 years of technician-level experience with federal government, including over 1 year as GS-05 level biological technician.  QA/QC in production environment.

Key attributes and other qualifications
Awards and commendations for quality, productivity, and attendance.  Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills demonstrated in university coursework and positions held.  Detail-oriented, organized, and dependable.  Make sound decisions working independently.

Education

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, Corvallis, Oregon
Oregon State University’s undergraduate programs in the biological and agricultural sciences, including biology and fisheries and wildlife science, are highly ranked nationally.  In the National Science Foundation rankings of undergraduate programs, Oregon State University is ranked 8th nationally in biology / agriculture.  These rankings are based on the percentage of graduates who go on to earn a Ph.D.

Postbaccalaureate studies (undergraduate) in Wildlife Science, 9/1992-6/1993, 9/1993-6/1994
Bachelor of Science in Biology, 6/1988


Key academic achievements:
  • Graduated with High Scholarship.
  • Very good to outstanding performance in nearly all major and all physical science courses.
  • 27 quarter hours in wildlife and fisheries science, 15 in ecology, 77 in biological sciences, 41 in physical sciences, 14 in statistics, 12 in calculus, and 11 in natural resource and environmental economics and policy.   
  • Excellent performance in statistics, algebra, calculus, accounting, and economics courses.
  • Very good to outstanding scores on all research proposals, term papers, reports, and essays.

OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, Portland, Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Dentistry is ranked #2 nationally.

Predoctoral studies, Doctor of Dental Medicine program, 8/1988-6/1989

Skills

  • Collect, enter, analyze, and summarize chemical, biological, statistical, and physical data
  • Interpret data, documentation, manuals, and verbal and written instructions
  • Report trends and provide input into development/improvement of procedures, projects, and plans
  • Use databases, on-line systems, Internet, and mobile devices
  • Quickly learn technologies and technical and laboratory skills
  • Scientific/research communication
  • Compose original content
  • Create presentations, proposals, reports, and other communications using data and information compiled and synthesized
  • Verbal communication and presentation
  • Written communication
  • Interpersonal and cross-cultural communication
  • Negotiation
  • Business/sales communication
  • Accurate and complete data collection, entry, and processing
  • Review records and documents for accuracy and completeness
  • Plan and organize tasks and work activities
  • Develop knowledge of and follow procedures and policies
  • Research issues and diagnose and resolve problems
Computer skills
Skill name | Skill level, 1-10
  • Microsoft Word 2007/2003 | Advanced, 7
  • Microsoft Excel 2007/2003 | Intermediate, 5
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 | Advanced, 7
  • Microsoft OneNote 2007 | Intermediate, 5
  • Microsoft Outlook 2003 | Intermediate, 5
  • Microsoft Windows Vista/XP Home Edition/XP Professional | Intermediate, 5
  • Internet: e-mail, Google Chrome 45, Windows Internet Explorer 8, and Web navigation | Advanced, 7
  • Mobile: Android 4.4.2, 2.3.7, and 2.2, voice, voicemail, SMS, MMS, touchscreen, settings, Web, Polaris Office 4.0, camera, Bluetooth, calendar, app management, sync, Wi-Fi, file transfer, file and contact management, and Swype | Advanced, 8
  • Google applications: Play, Search, Drive, Blogger, Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites, Maps, Navigation, Plus, Voice Search, Voice Actions, and Cloud Print | Advanced, 8
  • Adobe Reader, image viewing and editing, e-reader and audiobook apps, media sharing, printing, including Web and wireless, scanning, and copying | Advanced, 8

Additional Courses and Training

Series or site
Course or textbook title, Date completed
Other information

Barron's
Advanced Placement Statistics, In progress
Supplemented course with use of Microsoft Excel 2007 for descriptive statistics, normal and binomial probability, regression analysis, confidence intervals, and tests of significance

Udacity
Intro to Statistics, 1/2015
College Algebra, 1/2015
Introductory Algebra Review, 8/2013

Microsoft Press Inside Out
Microsoft Office Excel 2007, 12/2014
Highlights: Building, formatting, and editing worksheets, charting, graphics, creating formulas, using functions and arrays, financial, statistical, and what-if analysis, managing databases and tables, PivotTables, working with external data, and integrating Excel with other applications

Microsoft Press Step by Step
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, 4/2013, 9/2012
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote

Summary of U.S. Forest Service and BLM Experience

Nearly 2 years of experience, including 14 months at the GS-05 level and 6 months at the GS-04 level

Habitat and biological data compilation

Ecological and environmental monitoring and assessment

Biological and environmental sample collection and analysis

Data entry into computer databases

Skills and knowledge:
  • Surveys: stream, riparian, northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, northern goshawk, and cover and forage.
  • Technology and instruments used:

Biological Experience

U.S. FOREST SERVICE, Chiloquin Ranger District, Chiloquin, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 7/1999-11/1999
  • Member of 4 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Collected cover and forage data for deer model analyses.  Estimated % cover.  Identified cover and forage species.  Assigned code to each survey area based on % cover and dominant cover species.  
  • Conducted bitterbrush surveys and collected and analyzed bitterbrush samples for deer forage and plant health analyses.  
  • Bitterbrush sample analysis: Enumerated and determined biomass of new shoots for each station.  Determined dry biomass of new shoots for each station.  For bitterbrush root samples, measured diameter and enumerated growth rings with microscope to determine age.  
  • Verified location of northern goshawk nests and nesting pairs.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.
  • Entered data into Oracle databases.  
  • Collected data with GPS to document location of survey sites.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE, Bear Valley Ranger District, John Day, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 9/1995-11/1995
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Using established agency protocol called Hankin and Reeves Level II Stream Survey Methodology, collected biotic habitat, geomorphic, and physical data, including vegetation and hydrologic data, for timber/range project planning.  Identified riparian and upland plant species.  Determined % shrub cover, % grass/forb cover, canopy density, number and size of deciduous and coniferous trees, and predominant landform in riparian zones.  Collected substrate data, e.g. presence/absence and % sand, % gravel, % cobble, % boulder.  Determined % undercut bank.  Enumerated large boulders.  Enumerated and measured depth of deep pools.  Identified erosion, deposition, and channel morphology.  Measured stream width and depth and active channel width and height.  Enumerated large woody debris and determined % stream shaded.  Determined stream flow type.  Documented historical timber harvest activities, including prescription and estimate of how long ago stand harvested.  Identified land use.  Measured water temperature.  Noted presence of fish and macroinvertebrates.     
  • Evaluated riparian condition in regard to timber harvest activities and grazing.  Assessed grazing activity based on % streambank disturbance.  
  • Classified streams.  Recorded stream location on GIS maps.  
  • Verified GIS inventory.  Verified location and classification of previously surveyed streams using GIS maps.  
  • Using Forest protocol, conducted riparian transect surveys for inventory database.  Determined % cover, enumerated large woody debris, and determined % stream shaded.  Used densiometer to determine canopy density.  Identified individual plants and community associations.  Assessed ungulate browse conditions within tall shrub and hardwood component.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.  
  • Entered stream survey data into Oracle-based stream inventory program SMART.  
  • Entered riparian survey data into Paradox database.
Accomplishments:
  • Received letter of reference from supervisor.
     
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, Baker City Field Office, Baker City, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 6/1995-9/1995
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual (estimator/numerator for stream surveys) and shared duties.
  • Conducted Hankin and Reeves stream surveys for inventory database.  Collected physical, geomorphic, and biotic habitat data, including hydrologic and vegetation data.  Identified stream habitat units, e.g. pool, riffle, glide, rapid, cascade.  Determined substrate composition, e.g. % sand, % gravel, % cobble, % boulder.  Estimated length of stream units (measured length every 10 units).  Measured stream width and depth.  Measured active channel, 50 year flood, and first terrace width and height.  Enumerated large woody debris and determined % stream shaded.  Identified riparian and upland plant species.  Determined % shrub cover, % grass/forb cover, canopy density, number and size of deciduous and coniferous trees, and predominant landform in riparian zones.  Determined % undercut bank.  Enumerated large boulders.  Enumerated and measured depth of deep pools.  Used clinometer to determine gradient of stream units and riparian zones.  Used clinometer to determine angle from center of stream upward to vegetation/topographical feature providing shade.  Used compass to determine direction of stream flow.  Identified erosion, deposition, and channel and valley morphology.  Determined stream flow type.  Determined valley width index.  Identified land use.  Measured water temperature.  Noted presence of fish and macroinvertebrates.  Identified fish species.  Documented wildlife sightings.  
  • Collected water samples from streams and performed water quality tests, including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, and velocity.  
  • Collected, identified, enumerated, and measured specimens of electrofish samples.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, Salem District Office, Salem, Oregon
Biological Technician, GS-0404-05, 4/1990-8/1990
  • Member of 2 person survey crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Conducted northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet surveys for proposed timber sales.  Determined presence/absence.  Documented meteorological conditions, including temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation.  
  • Selected and flagged location of survey stations.
  • Recorded data in survey forms.  
  • Entered survey data into dBase IV database.  
  • Wrote report that included field season summary and results and criteria used for selection of location of survey stations.

Forestry Experience

U.S. FOREST SERVICE, Burns Ranger District, Hines, Oregon
Forestry Technician, GS-0462-04, 4/1996-10/1996

  • Member of 8 person crew; individual and shared duties.
  • Selected and marked trees for harvest and wildlife use using well-defined marking guidelines, silviculture prescriptions, and specific instructions. 
  • Flagged timber sale boundaries. 
  • Assisted with wildland fire suppression, which included trip to Wasatch Range in Utah. 
  • For 1 week, assisted with inspections, which included determining and documenting tree species and conditions.

Field Skills

Hiking, backpacking, compass, clinometer, densiometer, map reading (road, GIS, aerial, and topographic), and camping.

Additional Training

  • Completed Microsoft Press courses Excel 97 Step by Step and Excel 97 Step by Step, Advanced Topics in 2001 and 2004.
  • Completed Statistical Process Control and 3 week wafer processing training courses, 3/1996.
  • Completed Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stream survey training, 7/1995.

Additional Information

See Pages for other government and laboratory/QA/QC/production experience and additional employment.