Deborah K. Blackburn
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Education
University of Texas at Austin, B.S., Biology – Ecology,
Evolution & Conservation, Minor: Mathematics, 2000
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Professional Experience
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Natural Resource Specialist, 40 hrs/wk
- Analyze water resources planning, construction, and operations
and maintenance activities for environmental compliance within
the Oklahoma-Texas Area using knowledge of state and Federal laws
and regulations including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water
Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act. Prepare various levels of
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for Area
activities. Coordinate with appropriate agencies when mitigation
measures are required. Provide Area Manager with objective environmental
assessment of activity impacts to allow for informed policy decisions.
- Direct water quality issues at Area reservoir projects. Coordinate
sampling activities with state and Federal entities such as the
Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Reclamation Water Quality
Lab in Bismarck, ND. Review water quality reports and prepare
water quality monitoring sampling plans. Integrate existing water
quality data into the office GIS system. Compile and analyze water
quality data on project reservoirs to aid management in the prioritization
of program activities.
- Assist with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and wetland development
activities.
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January 2002 - Present
Supervisor: Mike Martin, (512) 916-5641
Contact Supervisor: Yes
Grade:
- GS-07: 01/2003-Present
- GS-05: 01/2002-01/2003
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Hydrologic Technician, 40hrs/wk
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Primarily responsible for the installation, maintenance, and
troubleshooting of real-time satellite telemetry on selected
ground water sites for state drought network. Verified integrity
of incoming data. Consulted with vendors to ascertain appropriate
equipment for the project. Determined maintenance and repair
schedule for equipment. Trained other personnel in the use and
installation of satellite telemetry equipment.
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Installed and maintained electronic datalogging equipment for
the collection of consistent, high quality ground water data.
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Wrote technical procedures for the Georgia Ground Water Quality
Assurance Plan.
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Searched district database to fulfill information requests
from the public.
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Collected and processed water level information from a statewide
network of ground water sites.
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Represented the Ground Water Information Unit as a member of
the Georgia District Safety Committee. Committee provides District
Chief with recommendations for solving various safety issues.
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Designed and maintained equipment inventory tracking database.
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Co-author of the Ground-Water Conditions in Georgia, 2000 Report
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June 2000-Present
Supervisor: Chris Leeth, (770) 903-9100
Grade:
- GS-05: 10/2000-1/2002
- GS-04: 06/2000-10/2000
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Intern, 6-8hrs/wk
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Assisted in the development of the Strategic Plan of the North
American Bat Conservation Partnership. Requested, compiled,
and reviewed the Land Management Plans from National Forests,
BLM districts and USFWS Wildlife Refuges for management practices
pertaining to bat habitat. Formally presented the results of
my review to USFS, BLM, & USFWS partners.
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Researched books and articles for information relevant to BCI
projects. Archived bibliographic information for over 2000 articles
into a web-based database.
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Entered structural data from Bat House Researchers into a database
used to determine optimal bat house designs for different species
and areas. Built and installed bat houses according to these
designs.
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Compiled and organized geographic and structural information
of over 3000 bridges across the United States in preparation
of the National Bats and Bridges Final Report.
- Guest lecturer for the University of Texas Women in Science
organization
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August 1997-February 2000
Supervisor: Steve Walker
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Paul Parsons, Attorney at Law
Austin, Texas
Administrative Assistant, 40hrs/wk
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Collaborated with clients to prepare, file and follow up on
immigrant applications.
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Assisted in determining clients' best course of action and
obtained expert opinions to support casework.
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Corresponded with Department of Labor and INS officials concerning
cases
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Generated official government documents to be filed with state
and federal agencies.
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Trained six person staff on software updates and troubleshooting
methods.
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June 1995 - August 1997
Supervisor: Paul Parsons
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Field Experience
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Colorado Bend State Park Cave Survey: Led teams in exploring,
surveying, and mapping caves within the park. Skilled rock climber
and caver. Extensive experience using survey tapes, compass,
inclinometer, and rope. Set survey stations and read survey
instruments. Provided the park with written reports of the team's
work.
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Bat Conservation and Management Workshop: Learned habitat assessment
and management, threats to survival, protection, guidelines
and procedures, artificial habitat and capture and study techniques.
Trained in the use of mist-nets, harp traps, bat detectors,
and basic radio transmitter tracking methods. Learned to identify
5 eastern species of bats, and practiced marking techniques
for capture-recapture studies.
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Collected data on endangered fish (Gambusia nobilis and Cyprinodon
elegans) in several different springs in West Texas. Baited
and set fish traps, recorded fish counts, and used a HydroLab
chemical analysis machine.
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Training
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Grants and Cooperative Agreements Writing Workshop, USBR, January
2003
Interagency Consultation for Endangered Species, USFWS NCTC, November
2002
Preparing and Documenting Environmental Impact Analyses, Duke University,
June 2002
Integrated Pest Management Workshop, USBR Denver, April 2002
Groundwater Field Techniques, USGS South Carolina District, October
2001
Basic Electronics and Troubleshooting, USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation
Facility, March 2001
Operation of Borehole Geophysical Instrumentation, USGS North Carolina
District, November 2000
Installation & Operation of Satellite Data Collection Platforms,
USGS National Training Center, October 2000
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Publications
Cressler, A.M., Blackburn, D.K., and McSwain, K.B., 2001, Ground-water
conditions in Georgia, 2000: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
01-220, 182 p.
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Skills and Certifications
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Extensive experience with Windows 2000/NT/98/95,
UNIX, and Macintosh operating systems. Proficient with Word,
WordPerfect, Excel, Access, Lotus Notes, and various specialized
databases. Knowledge of ArcView 8.2, GPS Pathfinder, Adobe Photoshop,
and other supplemental programs.
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Current Texas Driver’s License
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PADI certified scuba diver
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Firefighting Academy graduate.
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Collegiate All-American in Archery
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References available on request
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