Keith VanGorden

Experience

• 

  Wal Mart

  May 2005 - Jan 2012

  Electronics associate

  Assist customers in choosing the best electronic devices for their needs

• 

  University of Maine at Machias

  Aug 2008 - May 2011

  Resident assitant

  Acted as a role model and mediator between students and used my strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to resolve conflicts.Developed and implemented group programs for residents on the assigned floors.Enforced university rules and regulations for residence halls and resolved violations by eliciting compliance.Conducted patrols of assigned residence hall for security and safety compliance following established procedures.

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  US Forest Service

  May 2010 - Aug 2010

  Wildlife Botany Intern

  As a SCA/Americore intern, I used my strong interpersonal and multi-tasking skills to safely accomplish diverse duties:Conducted mist netting and banding of song birds. Identified birds and measured and recorded species data.Conducted spotted owl and Northern goshawk surveys. Gathered, compiled, and reported results.Conducted small mammal trapping with partner agencies using live trapping and data recording techniques.Conducted rare plant surveys for CA state-listed species. Located suitable habitat and identified plants.Conducted surveying and mapping of non-native invasive plants. Reported results to the Botanist.Led a Noxious Weed Control Crew in identifying and removing non-native plant species using manual techniques.Conducted whitewater kayaking river patrols and cleanups. Relayed water safety messages to boaters. Show less

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  US Forest Service

  Jan 2012 - Sept 2013

  As a Bio Tech shared on two districts, I expanded my leadership and communication skills while performing the following duties:Conducted breeding bird point count surveys targeting Regional Forester Sensitive Species Bicknell’s thrush.Hiked rough terrain, overnight camped, and Id birds by sight and song, recorded data. Conducted grouse drumming surveys.Conducted bat driving surveys via AnaBat detectors mounted on vehicle and recorded bat calls via SongMeters in project areas.Prepared the workplan and led a YCC Crew on building, installing, and maintaining wood duck boxes across one of the district.I programmed, installed, and activated remote cameras in several proposed timber harvest areas to document wildlife use.Identified suitable habitat and conducted radio telemetry survey for NH state-listed endangered Blanding’s turtle.Assisted in felling trees into streams to improve and create habitat for native Eastern brook trout on one of the districts.Assisted our Forest Hydrologist in stream mapping and water quality monitoring in active and proposed timber harvest areas.Assisted our Forest Botanist with application of herbicide via backpack sprayer to control non-native invasive plants.Conducted GSA market research and completed requisition for equipment purchase within our fixed district budget.Deployed as a Wildland Fire Fighter Type 2 on two Wildfire Complexes. Show less As an apprentice, I was the primary assistant to the Biologist. I expanded my knowledge of wildlife management techniques.I developed and implemented golden eagle remote camera monitoring. I gathered, compiled, and reported results to Biologist.Conducted bald eagle nest monitoring using spotting scope. Gathered and compiled data and submitted results to Biologist.Developed a “Virtual Badge Program” for the Communications Department using my strong computer programming skills.Created and published “Habitat Use Maps” that showed where wildlife concentrated which helped managers.Created “Contractor Use Maps” that helped contractors navigate to work sites within the National Recreation Area.Implemented the “Field Renumbering by Watershed Project” which helped managers organize and retrieve data.Conducted contractor compliance inspections. Completed inspection reports and submitted to Contracting Officer for review.Conducted prescribed burns for habitat improvement and fuel reduction in the Recreation Area. Took and recorded weather.Assisted in darting and moving a captive elk herd in the Recreation Area for biannual inoculations.Assisted in moving two captive bison herds in the Recreation Area for annual inoculations and auction.Established and maintained relations with universities, contractors, state agencies, and the public on Recreation Area matters.Represented the Forest Service at SEAFWA Conference and KY and TN Chapters of The Wildlife Society’s Annual Meetings.Represented the Forest Service as an educator at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention for 2 years. Show less

  • Biological Technician

    May 2013 - Sept 2013

  • Wildlife Aprentice

    Jan 2012 - May 2013
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  US Fish and Wildlife Service

  Oct 2013 - Dec 2013

  Habitat Inventory Intern

  I conducted 1,000 acres of inventory using a specific wildlife habitat survey protocol on forested stands proposed for harvest.Conducted 300 acres of timber cruising and marking on forested stands proposed for harvest using standard forestry equipment.I assisted the Refuge Forester in harvest planning and design recommending wildlife habitat objectives and opportunities.Operated a deer check station during Refuge hunting events. I aged deer and recorded deer and hunter information.

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  US Forest Service

  May 2014 - Oct 2014

  Biological Science Technician

  As the primary assistant to the District Biologist, I supervised another GS5 Bio Tech on a daily basis on the following duties:Project Leader: I used my strong organizational and leadership skills while implementing the Northern long-eared bat monitoring project under the District Biologist’s oversight:I created refined ArcGIS maps of 60 plus monitoring sites located in several district project areas.I developed an Excel spreadsheet and tracked the bat survey equipment. I scheduled deployment and retrieval of 12 Pettersson Bat Detectors in the project areas per USFWS acoustic survey protocol.We located the NLE bat survey sites using GIS and topo maps and GPS units in off-trail situations over rough terrain.I ensured data forms were complete and filed in the notebook and I downloaded data into a Forestwide database.I briefed the District and the Forest Biologist on project status and provided feedback on equipment and survey procedures.Crew Leader: I oversaw work of the GS5 Bio Tech, a YCC crew, and a youth diversity crew on other district wildlife projects:Created GIS maps and uploaded points into GPS Garmin for breeding bird surveys located in remote terrain on the district.Led GS5 Bio Tech in breeding bird point count surveys using maps, radio, and SPOT device. Identified birds by sight and song.Led other district personnel in nuisance bear management activities (hazing patrols & monitoring a bear trap set in a campground).Led a crew in search for a goshawk nest using my past experience, a calling tape, and knowledge of biology and habitat needs.Led crews in installing and maintaining duck, bat, and bee boxes.Assisted our Forest Hydrologist with stream mapping in Forestwide project areas. Assisted our Forest Botanist on a directed search for the Federally-listed threatened small whorled pogonia in a project area.Acted as aWildland Firefighter Type 2.Compiled data and wrote reports for District Biologist’s review in support of NEPA documents. Show less

• 

  U.S. Forest Service

  May 2015 - Oct 2015

  Biological Science Technician

  As the primary assistant to the District Biologist, I supervised another GS5 Bio Tech on a daily basis on the following duties:Project Leader: I used my strong organizational and leadership skills while implementing the Northern long-eared bat monitoring project under the District Biologist’s oversight:I created refined ArcGIS maps of 60 plus monitoring sites located in several district project areas.I developed an Excel spreadsheet and tracked the bat survey equipment. I scheduled deployment and retrieval of 12 Pettersson Bat Detectors in the project areas per USFWS acoustic survey protocol.We located the NLE bat survey sites using GIS and topo maps and GPS units in off-trail situations over rough terrain.I ensured data forms were complete and filed in the notebook and I downloaded data into a Forestwide database.I briefed the District and the Forest Biologist on project status and provided feedback on equipment and survey procedures.Crew Leader: I oversaw work of the GS5 Bio Tech, a YCC crew, and a youth diversity crew on other district wildlife projects:Created GIS maps and uploaded points into GPS Garmin for breeding bird surveys located in remote terrain on the district.Led GS5 Bio Tech in breeding bird point count surveys using maps, radio, and SPOT device. Identified birds by sight and song.Led other district personnel in nuisance bear management activities (hazing patrols & monitoring a bear trap set in a campground).Led a crew in search for a goshawk nest using my past experience, a calling tape, and knowledge of biology and habitat needs.Led crews in installing and maintaining duck, bat, and bee boxes.Assisted our Forest Hydrologist with stream mapping in Forestwide project areas. Assisted our Forest Botanist on a directed search for the Federally-listed threatened small whorled pogonia in a project area.Acted as a Wildland Firefighter Type 2.Compiled data and wrote reports for District Biologist’s review in support of NEPA documents. Show less

• 

  U.S. Forest Service

  May 2016 - Oct 2016

  Biological Science Technician

  As the primary assistant to the District Biologist, I supervised another GS5 Bio Tech on a daily basis on the following duties:Project Leader: I used my strong organizational and leadership skills while implementing the Northern long-eared bat monitoring project under the District Biologist’s oversight:I created refined ArcGIS maps of 60 plus monitoring sites located in several district project areas.I developed an Excel spreadsheet and tracked the bat survey equipment. I scheduled deployment and retrieval of 12 Pettersson Bat Detectors in the project areas per USFWS acoustic survey protocol.We located the NLE bat survey sites using GIS and topo maps and GPS units in off-trail situations over rough terrain.I ensured data forms were complete and filed in the notebook and I downloaded data into a Forestwide database.I briefed the District and the Forest Biologist on project status and provided feedback on equipment and survey procedures.Crew Leader: I oversaw work of the GS5 Bio Tech, a YCC crew, and a youth diversity crew on other district wildlife projects:Created GIS maps and uploaded points into GPS Garmin for breeding bird surveys located in remote terrain on the district.Led GS5 Bio Tech in breeding bird point count surveys using maps, radio, and SPOT device. Identified birds by sight and song.Led other district personnel in nuisance bear management activities (hazing patrols & monitoring a bear trap set in a campground).Led a crew in search for a goshawk nest using my past experience, a calling tape, and knowledge of biology and habitat needs.Led crews in installing and maintaining duck, bat, and bee boxes.Assisted our Forest Hydrologist with stream mapping in Forestwide project areas. Assisted our Forest Botanist on a directed search for the Federally-listed threatened small whorled pogonia in a project area.Acted as a Wildland Firefighter Type 2.Compiled data and wrote reports for District Biologist’s review in support of NEPA documents. Show less

• 

  U.S. Forest Service

  May 2017 - now

  Project Leader: Acted as lead and public contact for wildlife projects.• Wrote BA/BE and other NEPA documentation for small projects across district boundaries.• Proposed and oversaw implementation of small projects to improve wildlife habitat.• Managed project level bat surveys and NA Bat surveys across the forest.• Coordinated with multiple partners on projects across the forest.• Oversaw wildlife opening and orchard management on the district.• Filled in on IDT for large projects and DLT while district biologist was on detail. Crew Leader: Provided oversight for personnel participating in annual blitz surveys.• Wildland Firefighter Type 1 (T) on Rx fires and worked with new wildland freighters to safely complete assignments.• Participated in the planning for seasonal orientation. • Developed and implemented a volunteer and intern program in wildlife for the district. Show less Project Leader: Used strong leadership skills and knowledge to implement Northern Long-eared Bat surveys:• Organized, planned, and scheduled large bat surveys overseeing multiple cross-discipline survey teams. • Trained first time surveyors in acoustic survey protocols.• Wrote NEPA documents under supervision on District Biologist.Crew Leader: Provided oversight for district wildlife crew, interns and VCC on multiple district projects.• Conducted multiday breeding bird surveys over difficult terrain.• Led crew in habitat improvement projects.• Trained and safely led cross discipline seasonal employees and volunteers in historic orchard maintenance. • Wildland Firefighter Type 1 (T) and Sawyer B (sawyer 2) on multiple wildland fire incidents. Show less

  • Wildlife Biologist

    Dec 2017 - now

  • Biological Science Technician (Pathways)

    May 2017 - Dec 2017