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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