ZiZi Searles, PG

Experience

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  AmeriCorps

  Mar 2002 - May 2003

  Americorps and California Conservation Corps

  Responded to California state emergencies such as avian Exotic Newcastle disease outbreak, San Diego County Pines Fire, Los Angeles County Curve Fire. Assisted the CCC and Yosemite National Park with maintenance and preservation of State and Federal lands.

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  UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

  May 2007 - Aug 2007

  UCAR SOARS Intern - C02 Emissions Modelling

  Conducted CO2 emissions modeling looking at United Nations Intergovernemental Panel on Climate Change scenarios and quantity of emissions reduction that would need to take place to stabilize climate on a 500, and 1,000 year timescale.

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  UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

  May 2008 - Aug 2008

  UCAR SOARS Intern - Paleocene Climate Modeling

  As part of B.S. senior thesis, evaluated impacts of changes to sea surface temperatures(SSTs) on the Pliocene climate. Research included running climate models to learn feedback and results from a Pliocene SSTs dataset that was informed by diatom analysis revealing elevated SSTs during the Pliocene epoch.

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  USEPA

  Jan 2011 - now

  Contaminants: Radium226, UraniumMedia: Sediments, potentially water(Over 30 mines under management)Responsible for enforcement procedures against four companies with liability for abandoned uranium mines in Western Navajo.Key activities include directing scientific investigation on the nature, extent, volume of uranium waste, impacts to water bodies, and ecosystems.Western Navajo is an economically underserved area due to historic circumstances. Part of my job includes planning investigative, clean-up, and community outreach activities in a way that is sensitive to the community’s aspiration for rapid development in an around the footprint of abandoned uranium mines. Show less Contaminants: Perchloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, hexavalent chromium, 1,4-Dioxane Media: Groundwater, vadose zone Conducted a 30 well aquifer-pump test to delineate cone of depression for a 9,000 gpm water treatment facility; updated the Basinwide MODFLOW Groundwater Model; migrated Access database to EQuIS; developed a suite of visual data products to help measure remedial progress, conducted multiple groundwater monitoring field events to collect chemical and physical groundwater information.Worked with attorneys, local governments and responsible parties to oversee the long term operations and maintenance of the groundwater extraction and drinking water treatment facilities in Burbank and Glendale. Show less Contaminants: Arsenic, LeadMedia: Unsecured mine tailings, sediments, residential yards, surface waterWorked closely with the University of Arizona to coordinate and communicate several research projects, including Gardenroots, which evaluated metals uptake in home gardens; the Metals Exposure Study in Homes (MESH), which quantified human exposure to mine related metals; and phytostabilization of mine waste. Operated X-Ray Fluorescence and GPS instruments and tested 500+ soil samples in the mine, smelter, and, residential areas. Show less

  • Remedial Project Manager - Navajo Nation Eastern Agency

    Dec 2017 - now

  • Chief of Section ( 120 day Detail - Acting )

    Aug 2017 - now

  • RPM - Western Navajo Abandoned Uranium Mines Removal actions

    Jan 2014 - now

  • RPM - Motorola 52nd St. Superfund Site

    Jun 2013 - Mar 2015

  • RPM - San Fernado Valley Superfund Sites

    Aug 2011 - Mar 2015

  • RPM - Iron King Mine-Humboldt Smelter

    Nov 2012 - Nov 2013

  • RPM - Newmark Groundwater Site

    Jan 2011 - Nov 2013