Derek Betts

Experience

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  University of Miami

  Sept 2005 - Dec 2005

  Teacher's Assistant

  Assisted professors with test preparation and administration, held review sessions and weekly office hours to aid students, and graded exams for Introduction to Archaeology course.

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  Peace Corps

  Jul 2007 - Jan 2009

  Natural Resource Management Extension Agent

  The goal of my work as a Peace Corps volunteer was to help mitigate the threats facing Mali’s Gourma elephants as a result of increased grazing and agriculture. To achieve this, I worked with a local elephant conservation organization to get a better understanding of local elephant behavior and ecology, specifically migratory patterns. Using this information, I assisted in habitat restoration projects and contributed to a new ecotourism initiative designed to increase tourist presence while maintaining the integrity of frequently used elephant habitats. In addition, I led educational projects to help teach local community members about the importance of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices. In this regard I was required to identify training materials relevant to the climate of the region and subsistence methods of local communities, as well as design a training schedule and agenda. During my 18 months in West Africa, I lived and worked in an unpredictable environment, and learned how to adapt quickly and efficiently to rapidly changing circumstances in order to solve unexpected problems. Show less

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  American Museum of Natural History

  Jan 2010 - May 2011

  Butterfly Experience Volunteer

  Educated the inquiring public about butterfly ecology and biology.

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  Wildlife Conservation Society

  Jun 2010 - Jan 2011

  As a supplement to my graduate studies, I spent three months during the summer of 2010 working for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Gabon. There, I led a two-part project that consisted of community capacity building and the collection of key information about local elephant populations. An important component of my work was to organize theoretical and practical training sessions with local eco-guides in order to develop and standardize ecotourism practices in the region. It was my responsibility to assess the initial ecotourism situation, develop a framework for basic improvements, and then design and implement a training program aimed at disseminating best practices in the region. I was also charged with formalizing the training materials, as well as developing and administering participant evaluations. This project taught me the immense importance of clear communication, organization, and efficiency. While in Gabon, I also assisted the WCS research team with the observation and identification of elephants in the region. This required me to spend long hours in the field, often days at a time. Once elephants were located, I collected data on individuals’ physical and behavioral characteristics. While some of this data contributed to a long-term project on elephants in the region, I also used the GPS points I collected to create a map of potential ecotourism routes and areas frequented by elephants. Show less

  • World of Birds Exhibit Volunteer

    Oct 2010 - Jan 2011

  • Field Assistant

    Jun 2010 - Sept 2010
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  UNEP

  May 2011 - Aug 2011

  Consultant - United Nations Environment Programme

  The main objective of my work as a consultant with the United Nations Environment Program was to assist with the implementation of a project entitled, ‘Mainstreaming the Environment into Humanitarian Action.’ This required that I map available French language resources that related to the inclusion of environmental considerations in humanitarian policies, tools, and guidance, in particular those developed by individual humanitarian clusters. I was also tasked with helping to create and launch an online French Resource Centre, for which purpose I was required to identify different best practices used in predominantly French speaking regions, as well as case studies and materials for training and the development of study modules. Show less

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  Town of Hempstead Government

  Mar 2012 - Aug 2012

  Piping Plover Steward and Wildlfie Manager

  As a wildlife manager and plover steward on Long Island, a core responsibility of my work was to observe and record the behavior of nesting piping plovers, as well as other nesting shorebirds. This included identifying nests, constructing nest exclosures designed to minimize predation, recording predation attempts, and tracking the development and survival of eggs and hatchlings. Moreover, I participated in mist netting operations with the USDA in order to capture birds and test them for Avian Influenza. I also helped DEC staff band geese, falcons and owls in order to track population growth and dispersal. Along with the immediate thrill of hands-on work with local New York wildlife, this position gave me the opportunity to strengthen my GIS skills and gain experience operating vehicles in tough terrain and on water. Show less

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  Princeton University

  Sept 2012 - Apr 2013

  Project Manager

  In my role as project manager, I observed and identified Grevy's zebra within the Laikipia region of central Kenya. The aim of this work was to better understand Grevy's population numbers and demographics, as well as pinpoint some of the factors contributing to global population decline. My work required that I maintain and analyze a national Grevy's zebra database, as well supply observational reports and data analyses to a suite of partners throughout Kenya. In addition to this, I completed fecal analyses of individuals in order to determine parasite loads among zebra populations as part of a larger effort to better understand the clinical and subclinical effects that parasites have on zebra health and survival. Other components of my work included vegetation transects, GIS work, and office administration. Show less

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  The Aspinall Foundation

  May 2013 - Jan 2015

  The overall goal of PPG is to work with local partners for the conservation of indigenous endangered species in general, and of gorillas in particular, with gorilla reintroduction being one of several activities carried out by PPG in Congo and Gabon to achieve this goal. The principal aim of the reintroduction programme is to re-establish viable, self-sustaining populations of the western gorilla in the wild, within the former range of the species. As field coordinator, I was responsible for managing the project on a daily basis. This included delegating responsibilities to a team of host country national colleagues, monitoring gorilla populations throughout Bateke Plateau National Park, maintaining a suite of camera traps, and providing observational and administrative reports to offices both in Gabon and the UK. Show less

  • Field Coordinator

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2015

  • Assistant Field Coordinator

    May 2013 - Dec 2013
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  The Born Free Foundation

  Jan 2015 - Mar 2015

  Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager

  The aim of Born Free Ethiopia is to return rescued, captive wild animals to the wild where feasible under carefully managed programs, or if not possible then provide care for life. As the wildlife rehabilitation manager, it was my responsibility to manage the sanctuary aspect of the project. This included ensuring the care and rehabilitation of rescued, captive wild animals of multiple species, including carnivores, primates, ungulates, reptiles, and birds, arranging logistics for the rescue/collection of confiscated animals, and researching and undertaking rehabilitation and release programs, including post release monitoring. I was also tasked with managing a team of host country national animal carers, as well as providing regular reports to relevant partners throughout Ethiopia, as well as the main offices back in the UK. Show less

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  PANTHERA

  Mar 2015 - Jun 2016

  Conservation Field Technologist

  Panthera is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s 37 wild cat species. As Conservation Field Technologist for Panthera's Tiger Team, it was my responsibility to identify and implement the use of emerging technologies that have a potential conservation application. To that end, I managed a suite of projects throughout tiger habitats in Asia that aim to integrate state of the art camera trap and wireless network technology into tiger conservation strategy, helping to facilitate the detection, identification, and persecution of poachers. This is part of a larger conservation effort focused on curbing population decline as a result of illegal trafficking, habitat loss, and human wildlife conflict. Show less

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  African Parks Network

  Jun 2016 - Jun 2017

  Foundation and Government Grants Manager

  The African Parks Network is a non-profit organization that takes on the direct, long-term management of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments to save wildlife, restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities. In my role as Foundation and Government Grants Manager, I helped to support a team of executives through a large range of responsibilities. These included creating digital and printed materials for presentations and media events, grant administration and research including drafting proposals, applications, and drafts, and regular communication with African-based project staff to secure program updates for reporting and cultivation purposes. The position afforded me the opportunity to contribute to a commitment to the field of conservation, including wildlife and habitat protection, and related fields of health, education, and economic development across Africa. Show less

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  Wildlife Conservation Society

  Jul 2017 - May 2021

  Program Manager

  As Program Manager, I was responsible for facilitating the development of large, complex government proposals to support WCS's Global Conservation Program (GCP). The position sat within a Global Program Development (PD) Department that strives to increase and diversify bi-lateral and multi-lateral government funding for the GCP, and enhance grant-related resources and systems. The main responsibilities of the position were to coordinate proposal development and reporting, provide strategic guidance on funding opportunities and donor relationships, and support systems and resources related to Program Development objectives. Show less

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  Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District

  Jun 2021 - now

  District Manager

  As District Manager, I work under the direction of the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD) Board of Directors and am responsible for managing all NCSWCD programs and staff members. It is my responsibility to coordinate all District activities with all entities involved, take charge of the day-to-day operations of the District, and carry out policies and operate within the guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors to ensure NCSWCD policy is carried out and that the wise use of our natural resources is promoted as effectively and efficiently as possible. Show less