Yyyyyy x. yyyyyy                                            Kelly O  Neill

Social Security Number:              Number

Position:                                            Environmental Protection Specialist

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSAs)

 

 

FACTOR 2:  Ability to develop resolutions to problems and make decisions in an open, collaborative manner through shared ideas and goals to achieve the goals of a customer or client.  Skill in working with a diverse group of people in both formal and informal team settings.

 

 

A key part of my jobs has been to continually build and establish key external, internal and customer relationships and collaborate directly with them in order to determine, develop, recommend, and implement resolutions to problems.

 

In my prior position as Landscape Architect/Recreation Planner at Arapaho Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee Grasslands, I communicated effectively with diverse agencies and groups.  Supporting the Evergreen Fuels Reduction Planning project, I successfully applied effective and tactful communication skills to reach a higher level of understanding and consensus among the groups.  Numerous homeowners opposed the large-scale project, expressing concerns, disagreement and diverse opinions because the Proposal included management activities that could potentially affect the area s landscape, thus sparking controversy.  In order to lead opposing views towards a consensus, I designed and implemented a targeted public relations campaign including meetings, field trips and 3D modeling to address all concerns.  In the process, I listened to their concerns about wildfire and their wanting to maintain their current landscape.  By initiating public relations strategies and offering 3D modeling, I was able to assure them that the management activities would be conducted subordinately to the character of the landscape.

 

Also in a leadership capacity, I initiated and led the Opportunity and Constraint Mapping public relations method to achieve project buy-in early in the planning process.  I persuaded team members, including fish and wildlife biologists, botanists, public affairs specialist and land management to incorporate this necessary strategy into our planning process to help gain public support.  Through advanced communication methods and illustrating the purpose behind the proposals, it reduced disagreement/controversy amongst stakeholders.  Subsequently, opportunity and constraint mapping was used for three large-scale fuel reduction planning projects and one recreation project with which I was involved.

As Team Leader for the St. Vrain Fuel Reduction project at ARP, I built relationships and initiated new ideas and approaches to resolve problems.  I coordinated and organized several in-house and field meetings with the public to communicate technical information specific to hazardous fuel reduction and the scenic and recreation resource.  I discussed general scenery issues, along with specific affects the Proposal would have on the area  s landscape in order to explain the ecological and aesthetic purposes for certain project activities.  Directly resulting from my efforts to solicit input from forest users and my commitment to inform and educate the public, I gained consensus from several diverse groups on important issues and identified design features to enhance scenic or recreation values.  This interaction also enabled me to offer in-depth analysis on stakeholder positions in our team proposal and alternatives.



Applying my dynamic communication and presentation skills, I forged key partnerships and secured funds and services for several projects.  To support the TJ Howell Memorial Drive project, a part of the Canyon Integrated Resource Project, I performed public tours, enlisted forest service specialists including botanist, ecologist and other district personnel, provided the public with schematics and preliminary cost estimates, and interviewed with the local newspaper.  As a result of my efforts I was able to establish partnerships with the Illinois Valley Garden Club and the BLM, among others. The BLM funded the development of the first stop. The Regional Foresters Challenge Cost Share Program agreed to fund the development of the brochure.

 

 

Yyyyyy x. yyyyyy                                            Kelly O  Neill

Social Security Number:              Number

Position:                                            Environmental Protection Specialist

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSAs)

 

 

FACTOR 4:   Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations, particularly NEPA and ESA (or equivalent state law); and the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, or their state equivalents; and the ability to manage their application.

 

I have demonstrated my knowledge of the National Forest Management Act; the Council of Environmental Quality and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1973, as they apply to Federal lands and environmental planning projects.

For example, while employed with the Forest Service, as a landscape architect and visual resource expert, I coordinated and participated in the preparation of five fuel reduction project Environmental Assessments and two Categorical Exclusions.  These projects involved timber removal, administrative site development, road management, fish and wildlife projects and fuels reduction.  I coordinated and applied an interdisciplinary planning approach, which included scoping and public involvement issues, field reconnaissance, and analysis and documentation of the affected environment and environmental effects of the proposed project area to scenery and the recreation resource.

I successfully contributed my knowledge of the Clean Air Act, and USDA Forest Service policies and guidelines on smoke emissions, as they apply to smoke emissions during prescribed fire operations.  I also have practical knowledge of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972, as it applies to wetlands located on private, county and Federal lands.  For example, as a self-employed landscape architect, I advised my clients on designs and/or mitigations for small developments proposed near to wetlands and other watercourses, thus meeting the requirements of their wetlands permit.  I also assisted homeowners prepare and submit wetlands permit applications and forms.

Throughout my career, I acquired valuable experience and knowledge of the Watershed Conservation Practices (FSH 2509.25 Region 2, Amendment 2509.25-2001-1) as applied to forest management activities, such as road construction, skid trails, and log landings, and specific design criteria or mitigations applied to minimize forest site damage and soil erosion.

 

 

 

 

Also, I have practical knowledge of Section 106 of the Federal Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the State Historic Preservation Plan as they apply to recreation planning and design projects on Federal lands.  As a Landscape Architect employed with the Siskiyou National Forest, I consulted with the State Historic Preservation Office (Oregon SHPO staff) on the proposed design for an office addition on the (State historic) Gold Beach District Compound, Siskiyou National Forest.

I gained extensive knowledge of Colorado State Registers of Historic Properties, as it applies to environmental planning projects on Federal lands.  While employed with the ARP as a team leader on the North St. Vrain Landscape Assessment (2004), I performed an inventory of listed historic properties found within the Assessments area boundaries.  This information helped IDT members to determine the planning project boundary for the Environmental Assessment planned for in the following year.

In addition, I have practical experience and knowledge of the Environmental Species Act of 1973, as it applies to certain listed species and critical habitat.  While self-employed and working on the master plan for Morgan County Park, I consulted with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) on salmon and steelhead fish habitat in Hough Creek, and the potential effect that the proposed campground could have on the creek.  A Level 2-stream survey indicated that salmon and steelhead were not present in the creek, but were present at its mouth because of the cooler waters during the summer.  As a result, the ODFW requested a buffer along both sides of the creek that would prevent any future development close to the riparian area and the creek, thus maintaining the large tree component along the creek.

As project lead, I applied an interdisciplinary approach and contributed my solid understanding of each natural resource, including heritage, fish and wildlife and botany and their laws.  Demonstrating advanced communication skills, I answered questions and recommended the Proposal to the decision makers.  I prepared and presented project proposals and alternative development, synthesis, and acceptance.  Also, on numerous occasions, I worked firsthand with scientists including fish and wildlife biologists, the hydrologists, botanist and archeologist.  During in-house and field meetings, we discussed each resource and its laws and/or policies that guide the recommendations from that resource expert, leading to a comprehensive understanding of laws Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBA), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

 

While employed on the ARP, I studied and maintained up-to-date on the goals and objectives of the National Fire Plan (2000) and Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 as they apply to fuel reduction planning projects.  Generally, HFRA is in place to reduce wildfire hazard to communities, municipal water supplies and other at-risk Federal land.  The Act provides opportunities for identifying and mitigating hazards and for improving or enhancing the forest and rangeland health.