Laura Barrett

Experience

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  Florida Department of Environmental Protection

  Aug 1992 - Jun 2000

  Responsible for the management of 65 sites in various phases of cleanup. Reviewed proposed work scopes for technical appropriateness, overall cost effectiveness, and adherence to preapproval program rates prior to work order preparation. Reviewed and provided comment/approval of Contamination Assessment Reports, Remedial Action Plans, and Operation and Maintenance and Monitoring Reports. Invoice review, approval and processing. Data entry into Department and personal tracking databases.Responsible for oversight and management of $8 million remedial contract for the cleanup of twenty state-funded hazardous waste and drycleaning sites. Reviewed proposed work scopes for technical appropriateness and cost effectiveness prior to task assignment preparation. Reviewed and provided comment/approval of Site Assessment Reports, Remedial Action Plans, and Operation and Maintenance and Monitoring Reports. Invoice review, approval and processing. Partnered with multiple governmental agencies, worked on select project committees, and served as State liaison at national, high profile Superfund sites. Also responsible for tracking of contract funds and annual contract renegotiations. Show less

  • Environmental Specialist

    Feb 1995 - Jun 2000

  • Chemist

    Aug 1992 - Feb 1995
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  WRS Infrastructure & Environment

  Jun 2000 - Nov 2007

  Project & Contract Manager

  Managed up to 21 administrative and professional staff providing regulatory oversight of consultants performing assessment and remediation at petroleum contaminated sites on behalf of FDEP. Led coordination and communication with client, consultants, property owner/tenants, and general public. Directed personnel management including professional development, recruitment, and mentoring. Administered contract cost and schedule tracking/control, contract reporting and contract re-negotiations. Ensured appropriate technical oversight and adherence to program and regulatory requirements. Directed improvements to database and oversaw management and administration. Participated in and/or led development of technical and/or policy guidance documents for program. Motivated staff to improve work efficiency, attitudes, products, and reduce turn-around times.As Project Scientist:Managed more than 50 petroleum contaminated sites through various phases of assessment and remediation. Led coordination and communication with client, consultants, property owner/tenants, and general public. Oversaw project cost and schedule tracking/control ensuring compliance with program policies. Assessed adherence to technical, program and rule requirements.• Negotiated scope of work and cost estimates to ensure appropriate level of effort and best value to state• Reviewed and provided comment and/or approval of deliverables and invoices• Assisted with technical/program guidance preparation and delivery• Trained new hires and mentored junior staff to foster high performance and knowledge transfer Show less

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  WRScompass

  Nov 2007 - Oct 2010

  Contract Manager

  Supervised contamination assessment and remedial action implementation at fifteen chlorinated solvent and mixed-waste sites within State of Florida and RCRA regulatory environments. Managed up to 12 administrative and professional staff performing field activities/documentation, administrative paperwork, and work scope/estimate and technical document production. Coordinated with and communicated project status updates to client, property owner(s), tenants, local governments, stakeholders, and general public. Directed personnel management including professional development, recruitment, and mentoring. Administered contract cost and schedule tracking/control, contract reporting and contract re-negotiations. Motivated staff to improve work efficiency, attitudes, and products. Directed subcontractor management, deliverable preparation, and completion of applicable regulatory documentation.Project Scientist for FDEP Deepwater Horizon Emergency Response Contract:Provided consulting services for various Florida counties, regarding preparation and response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Supported and assisted Emergency Support Function (ESF) Ten (ESF-10) Hazmat Function. Assisted in containment boom planning and deployment for natural resource protection. Implemented cost tracking sheet critical for agency decision making. Investigated and compiled potential boom manufacturers, suppliers, and installers. Produced cost estimates and executed change orders for continued contract work. Show less

• 

  None

  Oct 2010 - Aug 2011

  Project/Contract Manager Seeking New Work

  Seeking to work part-time or full-time in environmental services or other arena utilizing my 18+ years of experience as a scientist, team leader, and project/contract manager.

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  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  Aug 2011 - Oct 2015

  Imperiled Species Management Plan Coordinator

  Administered the development and implementation of conservation and management plans for sixty of Florida's state-listed species. Led a team of over one hundred cross-division staff and senior leadership in the development of these plans. Facilitated senior leadership in policy level decisions regarding planning and implementation. Developed processes and guidance documents for the plan development and implementation. Budget and schedule development, administration, and updates. Directed collaboration and teaming with staff and partners on conservation initiatives/programs and technical assistance. Facilitated outreach to and collaboration with partners, potential partners, and stakeholders. Updated and maintained internal and external program websites. Contributed to social media updates, press releases, PSAs, presentations, and exhibits. Guided rule and permitting guidelines development. Show less

• 

  Florida Department of Environmental Protection

  Oct 2015 - Sept 2022

  Oversee the Federal Programs Section in the Waste Cleanup Program. Serves as the Department's coordinator for all DOD, NASA, and Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) activities and programs designed to assess and remediate contamination at federal facilities in Florida. Actively participates in partnering meetings to promote cooperation with federal officials to achieve respective goals as efficiently as possible. Provide statute and rule interpretation and develop policy and guidance to ensure adherence to requirements. Develop and deliver presentations, brochures, and other messaging to target audiences to improve awareness and knowledge. Manages section budgeting and expenditures, as well as state and federal funding, and ensures adherence to requirements. Targeting key business areas for improvement and to reduce risk, providing guidance, clarifying expectations and verifying performance. Show less Oversee the Department of Defense (DOD), Brownfields Redevelopment and CERCLA Site Screening Section in the Waste Cleanup Program. Serves as the Department's coordinator for all DOD, NASA, and Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) activities and programs designed to assess and remediate contamination at federal facilities in Florida. Actively participates in partnering meetings to promote cooperation with federal officials to achieve respective goals as efficiently as possible. Provide statute and rule interpretation and develop policy and guidance to ensure adherence to requirements. Develop and deliver presentations, brochures, and other messaging to target audiences to improve awareness and knowledge. Ensures cooperative engagement and administration for Florida's Brownfields Redevelopment Program and CERCLA Site Screening Program. Manages section budgeting and expenditures, as well as three federal grants, and ensures adherence to requirements. Targeting key business areas for improvement and to reduce risk, providing guidance, clarifying expectations and verifying performance. Show less Oversaw grants administration across the agency, collaborating with programs to focus taxpayer resources on projects that provide a direct benefit to the environment and local communities. Provided recommendations for improving grant administration to senior leadership with a focus on timely delivery, consistency across the agency and risk management. Partnered with communities and businesses through well-defined and transparent agency grants to protect natural resources and promote economic growth. Proactively communicated a clear and consistent message both internally and externally regarding effective grant development and management with a focus towards continuous improvement. Developed and delivered training and essential knowledge to empower staff to solve grant-related problems through innovation and efficiency. Established and consistently used clear metrics to evaluate and strengthen the agency’s grant development and management programs, activities and services. Show less

  • Environmental Administrator, Federal Programs Section

    Jul 2019 - Sept 2022

  • Environmental Administrator, DOD, Brownfields and CERCLA Site Screening Section

    Nov 2016 - Jul 2019

  • Grants Administrator

    Oct 2015 - Nov 2016
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  Tetra Tech

  Sept 2022 - now

  Operations Manager and Senior Project Manager