PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Scientific Positions
April 2022 - Present
NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 2 / BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE ASSISTANT
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE - NEWPORT, OR
Assisted project leader with the design and coordination of the shellfish and estuary habitat assessment project. Led field teams in conducting intertidal and subtidal surveys of shellfish populations and eelgrass habitats in coastal estuaries with Shellfish and Estuarine Assessment of Coastal Oregon (SEACOR). Required regular communication with Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP), commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, and members of the public. Frequently participated in educational and community outreach events. Was responsible for possession and use of a SPOTS Card for work-related purchases and the accuracy of SPOTS logs. Presented results of studies orally to staff, academic classes, school groups, professional colleagues, and other stakeholders. Assisted in the development of data management plans for the project datasets and work schedules. Assisted with the NW CASC Science Agenda 2024-2029 as a part of the stakeholder advisory committee working group.
October 2021 - January 2022
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN II
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE - ELMA, WA
Operated and maintained adult migrant weir trap at Bingham Creek (Satsop River) to monitor Coho spawner abundance and marine survival in coastal Washington streams. Stationed at remote trailer, lived on site. Trapped, handled, and enumerated live adult salmonids. Collected relevant environmental & biological information on species composition, sex, age, size, mark status, pelvic girth, dorsal height, tag presence, and condition. Collected CWT snout samples, DNA samples, scale samples, otoliths and applied secondary marks (opercal punch) for later detection in trap recaptures. Assisted in electrofishing and spot shocking of juveniles along stream. Recorded and verified field data for accuracy. Input and queried data in Excel spreadsheets. Assisted hatchery in collection of snouts and broodstock. Maintained and repaired trapping equipment, associated field gear and equipment, and prepare sites for trap installation and removal. Tools included: hydraulic pumps, pressure hoses, wheel barrels, outboard motors, generators, pumps, scissors, knives, saws, shovels, rakes, picks, scalpels, global positioning units, and coded-wire tag v-detector.
June 2021 - September 2021
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN III
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE - EDMONDS, WA
Conducted test fishing and angling effort surveys in multiple marine areas of Puget Sound (areas 8-2, 10). Piloted, docked and maintained 18-foot outboard research fishing vessel. Performed various fishing methods to emulate recreational fishing fleet. Operated GPS, VHF, depth finder and electronic data collection devices. Collected DNA, scales, length, health and mark-status of sampled catches from test fishing and angler efforts. Interviewed angler efforts of recreational vessels at sea and returning to docks. Correctly identified and counted all marine species observed. Obtained Coho and Chinook salmon snouts containing coded-wire tags (CWT). Followed all procedures conducive to safety involving working with the public, agency vehicles, trailering and at sea vessel operations. Work in all weather conditions during all times of day.
April 2021 - June 2021
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN II
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE - STEVENSON, WA
Monitored fish populations on the Wind River and surrounding streams. Constructed and maintained multiple floating screw traps in fast flowing water supported by heavy rigging (cables, winches, clamps). Additional daily tools included: ropes, kayaks, chest waders, hand/electric powered tools, electro scanners, anesthetizing agents. Regularly operated the Shipherd Falls adult ladder trap. Deployed internal (PIT) and external (Floy) tags on adult and juvenile steelhead. Collected biological and morphological data from fish species. Entered QA/QC data from screw traps on field forms and into tablets (MS Access). Performed work tasks during all types of weather, usually in cold, swift streams and on moving rigging systems (suspension bridges, screw traps). Safely drove work vehicles for daily travel to and from sampling sites.
January 2021 - March 2021
GIS ANALYST
PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE - PORTLAND, OR
Analyze aerial drone photography of riparian shade habitat in North Clackamas watersheds. Developed geographic maps, models and reports for the North Clackamas Watershed Council. Produced maps and models through Agisoft Metashape and ArcGIS Pro. Reports and maps used to prioritize locations for shade restoration and additional guidance for future project considerations. Position was a limited duration internship of 120 hours.
October 2020 - December 2020
FISHERIES TECHNICIAN I
PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION - SALKUM, WA
Maintained ladder traps on Cowlitz River and below Mayfield Dam sorting and identifying Salmonidae species. Salmon counts were input into MS Access, Excel, paper forms, and WDFW iPad programs. Assisted when necessary in the field, testing water quality for dissolved oxygen at designated locations. Electronically monitored fish for coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponder tags (PIT). Aided in PIT-tagging of parr. Performed redd and carcass surveys by hiking and wading up river. Collected biological data of carcasses and smolt counts (snouts, scales, sex, fork length, etc.). Operated fish ladder crowder, work vehicles, and other machines when necessary.
April 2019 - June 2019
BIOLOGICAL FIELD TECHNICIAN
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY - LAKEVIEW, OR
Collected biological data on greater sage-grouse populations in Southeastern Oregon. Employment was temporary anticipating the busy nesting and brooding season. Additionally, assisted other graduate students with tracking and banding grouse populations in Northern Nevada and California. Netting and light shine techniques were used at night to capture, band and release birds. Electronically-tagged hens were located across large, isolated rangelands by using GPS coordinates. Tracking involved all-terrain vehicles and telemetry equipment. Bird or nest fate was observed from a distance and recorded. Fences were constructed around weather measurement sensors to protect from cattle and pronghorn interactions. Temperature, vegetation and environmental data was collected on sites known for nesting & brooding. Work was usually independent for long hours each day over uneven terrain covered in sagebrush. Study areas were open, high-elevation deserts.
January 2018 - April 2019
FISHERIES BIOLOGIST/MONITOR
ALASKAN OBSERVERS , INC. - SEATTLE, WA / DUTCH HARBOR, AK
Collected North Pacific groundfish data for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on commercial fishing vessels in the Bering Sea. Checked safety protocols and if appropriate fishing methods were being adhered to on each assigned vessel. Developed strong communication skills for interacting with incredibly diverse vessel crews. Calculated individual sample designs (simple, random, systematic, etc.) for vessel to estimate population data for each haul. Observed and identified all birds, mammals, and fish in sample. Collect biological data of salmonids, fish, and other species of interest (sex, lengths, otoliths, scales, snouts, full specimen, etc.). Recorded all haul, take and necessary information on data sheets as well as into work journal. Bird and mammal observations took place during sampling, gear haulbacks, and leisure time on vessels. Stationed primarily as the sole biologist, occasionally with a partner during vessel assignments. Data collected all times of day, year-around, in all weather and ocean conditions. Trips on vessels ranged from a couple days to over a month, with daily 12-hour shifts common. Debriefed deployment data with NMFS personnel at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offices in Seattle.
June 2015 - September 2015
BIOLOGICAL FIELD INTERN
HUXLEY COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT - BELLINGHAM, WA
Tracked and observed mountain goat populations in the North Cascade mountain range for translocation study. Reaching sample areas required week-long backpacking trips (4-5 days), usually with one other intern. Observations were taken from a distance after scanning mountain slopes with binoculars. Mountain goat biological data was recorded on paper and GPS formats. Recorded their locations, population numbers, sex, age, and collected scat. Sampled random vegetation plots frequently after reaching destination area. Vegetation samples required taxonomic identification of plant species and their area percentages. Additional plant specimens were collected based on destination. All recorded information was returned to the lab at week’s end for analysis and transcription.
ADDITIONAL WORK HISTORY
GEORGE'S CORNER TAVERN - PORTLAND, OR
BAR/KITCHEN MANAGER
August 2019 - March 2020; October 2017 – January 2018
THE BEACH CLUB - LINCOLN CITY, OR
LINE COOK
October 2022 - March 2023
MARLIN'S CAFE - BELLINGHAM, WA
HEAD CHEF
September 2016 - April 2017
LA GALLERIA: ITALIAN FINE DINING - EDMONDS, WA
HEAD CHEF/SOUS CHEF
March 2011 - August 2013
JOHN'S MARKETPLACE: MULTNOMAH - PORTLAND, OR
LINE COOK
January 2022 - April 2022
SOUTHPARK SEAFOODS - PORTLAND, OR
PANTRY CHEF
October 2017 - January 2018
COMPUTER CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL - MUKILTEO, WA
IT CONSULTANT
January 2009 - February 2011
BOUNDARY BAY BREWERY & BISTRO - BELLINGHAM, WA
LEAD COOK
October 2013 - April 2017
IFFLAND LANDSCAPING - LYNNWOOD, WA
LANSCAPER
March 2007 - March 2009
PAPA MURPHY'S PIZZA - MUKILTEO, WA
LINEWORK
April 2008 - March 2011