Society for Conservation Biology

Bulletin Board

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Subject: Experienced Ecological/Wetland Consultant Seeking Employment

ELIZABETH C. DECELLES
31 Woodsia Trail •  South Kingstown, RI   02879   •   bethdecelles@gmail.com   •  (401) 323-0509 

An energetic, enthusiastic professional with a superior work ethic and a background in Wetland and Wildlife Ecology. A former Peace Corps Volunteer with a comprehensive understanding of concepts and strategies of environmental science from ecological, economic, and sociopolitical perspectives.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Ecological Research/Analysis
• State and Federal Environmental Permitting
• Wildlife Ecology
• Wetland Delineation • Wetland Functional Analyses
• Biological Monitoring
• Construction Compliance
• Technical Report Writing
• Strategic Client Relations • ArcGIS
• M.S. Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Adobe Illustrator
• Trimble GPS/Pathfinder Office
• Water Quality Testing
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Outstanding organizational and analytical skills, exceptional technical writing capabilities.
• Recent examples include analytical reports, proposals, mitigation and monitoring plans, wetland functional analyses, adaptive management plans, habitat assessments, and other permitting materials/correspondence.
• Experienced leading other scientists and landscape architects in the preparation of technical deliverables.
• Managed many aspects of wetland remediation and restoration projects from a wide variety of clients including large energy companies, private developers, attorneys, stakeholders, and others.
• Practiced in wetland delineation and State and Federal permitting.
• Qualified in advanced ArcGIS cartography/data analysis.
• Skilled in managing project administration including budget scoping, resource allocation, scheduling, contract and budget management.
• Experienced developing and implementing a wide variety of ecological research projects including avian, fish, and small mammal studies.
• Trained in reviewing development site plans in relation to wetland and other State and Federal regulations.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (WETLAND & WILDLIFE ECOLOGY)     2010
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Kingston, RI
BACHELOR OF ARTS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE                                           2001    
CONNECTICUT COLLEGE New London, CT
TRAINING, CERTIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AWARDS
• Licensed aquatic herbicide applicator in the state of New ###### and HAZWOPER 40-hr. certified (2012).
• PADI SCUBA Certified Open Water Diver (2011).
• Recipient of Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Graduate Research Fellowship (2008-2009).
• Designated Teaching Assistant for Frank Golet’s Wetland Ecology course at URI (September, 2008)
• DOI Boating Safety Certified (2006), Astoria, OR. 
• Attended and volunteered: Restore America's Estuaries (October, 2008) and Estuarine Research Federation, (October, 2007).
• Member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, Northeast Coordinated Bird Monitoring Workshop-Grassland Birds Focus Group,  The Wildlife Society (URI).
• Served as Chair of Environmental Studies Advisory Board, Connecticut College (2001).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ASSOCIATE  ECOLOGIST /  GIS MANAGER                        June 2010- December 2012
GREAT ECOLOGY New York, NY

• Produced comprehensive analytical reports including wetland functional analyses, avian studies, mitigation plans, adaptive management plans, habitat assessments, among others.
• Performed  freshwater wetland delineations and associated State and Federal permitting.
• Led the development, execution, and statistical analysis of complex biological monitoring plans. 
• Collaborated with scientists, landscape architects, construction companies, remedial engineers, and other subcontractors to manage large-scale wetland restoration projects.
• Compiled and evaluated field and laboratory data, documentation of field activities, and interpretations in project submittals.
• Provided technical support on investigation and remediation projects, including report writing, feasibility studies, ecological risk assessments, and remediation design tasks in relation to freshwater wetlands.
• Developed and performed professional raster GIS analyses and graphics for many projects, including post Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration planning and NY-NJ LiDAR sea level rise analysis.
• Supervised the construction of wetland mitigation projects for freshwater wetland permit compliance.
• Composed project proposals and work orders including budgets and timelines in response to client needs.
• Managed staff and hourly time allocation to produce high-quality deliverables within project timelines.
• Created several posters and PowerPoint presentations for marketing strategy and scientific conferences.
• Acted as an interface between clients and regulators to meet both financial needs and legal project requirements.

CONTRACTOR/VOLUNTEER, DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE October 2007 to October 2008
RI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (DEM) South Kingston, RI
• Assisted in the collection and dissection of white-tailed deer brain tissue samples for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing.
• Collaborated efforts with external vendors at hunting check stations to gather deer heads and data.  Aged deer by tooth condition, and dissected brain stems and obix for CWD laboratory analysis.
• Performed small-mammal trapping and Avian Influenza (AI) testing to aid lead wildlife biologists in effectively conducting current research.
• Yielded findings with DEM projects proving dangerous diseases are not present in the wildlife populations of the State.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT, MARINE FISHERIES DIVISION  April 2007 To October 2007
RI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (DEM) Jamestown, RI
• Provided meticulous assistance to two lead marine biologists performing monthly young-of-the-year (juvenile fish) surveys in Narragansett Bay resulting in utilization in official annual reports. 
• Assured accuracy in conducting data entry of results and maximum support in marine maintenance. 
• Devised a comprehensive database for the largest known winter flounder tagging study in the US. 
• Offered extensive participation in monthly trawl, plankton, and eel surveys, as well as contributing to shellfish transplanting activities. 
• Monitored marine habitat and underwater explosion fish fatalities in Narragansett Bay.  
• Acted as a leader and key role model of behavior and performance for six other seasonal employees.

Elizabeth DeCelles <bethdecelles@gmail.com>
Tuesday, January 22, 2013