Rachel Goodpaster

Experience

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  Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

  Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

  Bat Research Technician

  Full time Seasonal Position:Conducted vegetation studies throughout designated areas in Zaleski and Richland Furnace State Forests utilizing clinometer, densiometer, and DBH tape. Constructed mist nets in order to capture bats, assisted in sexing, identifying, and banding captured bats, and recorded detailed information for each bat captured. Operated and maintained AnaBat II detectors

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  U.S.F.S. Wayne National Forest

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Biological Science Technician

  Full time Seasonal Position:Identified plants within a wetland on the Forest and categorized them according to the National wetland indicator status as well as completed wildlife forest opening surveys identifying and recording native tree, shrub, and vine species as well as invasive plant species. Wrote prescriptions to be followed for maintenance of forest openings. Assisted in the release and monitoring of American Burying Beetle and assisted in Aquatic Organism Passage survey for darters utilizing survey rod and laser plane level, GPS unit, and topographic maps. Conducted electroshocking surveys and sinuosity surveys in streamsUtilized topographic maps, GPS unit, and aerial photos daily, operated and conducted monthly maintenance checks on four-wheel drive Forest Service vehicle. Show less

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  Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

  Apr 2008 - Jul 2008

  Conservation Worker

  Full time Seasonal Position:Conducted fishing surveys through interviews of anglers on Piedmont and Seneca Lakes and recorded angler data using creel survey forms. Hauled, operated, and maintained state-owned motor boat safely in order to conduct boat angler interviews. Identified various Ohio sport fish species and measured length of fish to the nearest millimeter. Kept detailed vehicle and activity reports.

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  U.S.F.S. Wayne National Forest

  May 2008 - Sept 2008

  Biological Science Technician

  Full time Seasonal Position:Completed wildlife forest opening surveys identifying and recording native tree, shrub, and vine species as well as invasive plant species and wrote prescriptions to be followed for maintenance of forest openings. Assisted in the release and monitoring of American Burying Beetle, conducted habitat evaluation surveys for the endangered Grizzled Skipper on a pipeline corridor, and conducted field surveys for wildlife special features (rock outcrops, wetlands, active nests or dens) throughout designated areas for upcoming timber stand improvement project. Assisted in the monitoring of vegetation plots on a remnant prairie on the Forest. Assisted in the construction of a nature interpretation trail following American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards utilizing hand tools, assisted in the clearing of backpacking trails using a chainsaw and assisted in the safe application of herbicides such as Poast and Roundup on nonnative invasive plant species. Utilized topographic maps, GPS unit, and aerial photos daily, designed PowerPoint slide shows and interpretive signs on environmental subjects to be viewed by visitors of the Forest. Operated and conducted monthly maintenance checks on four-wheel drive Forest Service vehicle Show less

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  Ohio Department of Agriculture

  Mar 2009 - Dec 2009

  Emerald Ash Borer Field Technician

  Full time Grant Funded Position:Utilized GPS unit to mark locations of traps throughout designated counties and utilized county maps to navigate throughout EAB survey areas in order to construct and maintain EAB traps throughout trapping season. Organized paperwork during EAB trap placement, inspection, and removal. Distinguished between ash and non-ash trees in order to properly place traps and conducted visual and destructive surveys on ash trees along various roads. Traveled to various state park and recreation areas to distribute educational materials and answer visitor questions concerning EAB, engaged in regulatory work traveling throughout designated counties issuing compliance agreements to new and previous regulatory contacts, and assisted in “firewood blitz” to monitor for firewood transportation violations. · Show less

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  Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

  Apr 2010 - Sept 2010

  Conservation Worker

  Full time Seasonal Position:Conducted fishing surveys through interviews of anglers on AEP ReCreation Lands and recorded angler data using creel survey forms. Hauled, operated, and maintained kayak safely in order to conduct boat angler interviews. Identified various Ohio sport fish species and measured length of fish to the nearest millimeter. Operated and maintained a four-wheel drive state-owned vehicle, kept detailed vehicle and activity reports, and entered data into Ohio Fisheries Information System (OFIS) Access database for further review. Show less

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  Virginia Tech, USDA USFS Southern Research Station

  Mar 2012 - Oct 2012

  Crew Leader

  Full time Seasonal Position:Determined daily field duties for a crew of four persons using supervisory, time management and organizational skills. Maintained written and verbal contact on project details with project supervisors at the Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer, Daniel Boone N.F, and Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute. Set up and maintained Aquatic Organism Passage antennae sites, utilized and maintained backpack electrofishing gear, identified, measured, and weighed stream fish species utilizing measuring board and digital scale. Additionally, I utilized MS 222 and insert PIT tags on creek chubs and completed fin clippings on various stream fish species for genetic observation. Completed stream habitat analysis examining wetted and riparian width, substrate type, dead wood size, and depth of flow and utilized various stream measurements to calculate “Rosgen”. Collected macroinvertebrates using D-frame nets and seines, completed mussel surveys utilizing viewing buckets along designated transects, and conducted three-pass electrofishing depletion surveys. Completed data entry for fish, macroinvertebrate, habitat, and pebble count surveys using Microsoft Excel and utilized PDA to enter data in the field. Show less

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  The Ohio State University; OARDC

  Mar 2013 - Oct 2013

  Hydrologic Technician

  Full time Grant Funded Position:Collected runoff and percolation water samples from lysimeters and small watersheds. Properly handled, stored, and organized collected water samples. Interpreted 12 hour, 24 hour, and 192 hour water level recorder charts for timing of rain events. Installed, maintained, and downloaded soil temperature and moisture readings from Decagon EM 50 devices. I operated a Giddings soil probe to collect soil samples at 60 cm depths.Collected, weighed (dry and wet), and organized soil and plant biomass samples from 7 watersheds.Collected NOAA weather data including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, evaporation, and precipitation by using thermometer, sling psychrometer, hook gauge in A pan, slide rule, rain gauge, and data logger. Entered NOAA weather data daily into online WX Coder database. Show less

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  Murray Energy Corporation

  Oct 2013 - Apr 2017

  Section 401/404 Permitting-Biologist

  Full time Permanent Position:Acquire Section 401 Water Quality Certifications, Section 404 Permits and Nationwide Permits for projects associated with the coal mining industry. Request bid packets, complete contract negotiations, award contracts, & maintain accounts payable of consultants. Assist in the preparation & review of Public Notice for permit applicant and formulate responses to inquiries. Apply knowledge of CWA, RHA, ESA, NEPA, and HPA regulations to permit applications. Examine and secure stream and wetland mitigation opportunities including ILF, Banking, and PRM through collaboration with in-house staff, private and state ILF program entities, and private mitigation banking personnel. Conduct work progress monitoring of mitigation projects & correct any mitigation project deficiencies in accordance with permit performance goals. Collaborate with ODNR-AML officials to develop mitigation plans for reclamation of abandoned mine sites. Secure conservation easements for mitigation projects.Conduct stream and wetland surveys identifying OHWM and examining soil, plant, & hydrology indicators using USACE Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region supplement as well as conduct bat habitat analysis, ORAM, and QHEI/HHEI surveys.Compose mitigation monitoring reports, Cumulative Impacts Analysis reports, and stream and wetland determination reports reports. Review and edit reports prepared by consultants. Attend JD field verifications & mitigation release site visits with state & federal agencies, attend conferences on upcoming rules and regulations related to T&E species, mitigation banking, and surface water protection, participate in Mitigation Task Force meetings, Coal Association meetings, Endangered Species and Stream Restoration workgroups. Create and maintain professional relationships with consultants, state and federal representatives, and local conservation organizations. Show less

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  Ohio Department of Transportation District 10

  Apr 2017 - now

  District Environmental Coordinator

  Apply NEPA protocol to transportation projects. Analyze transportation projects for impacts to waterways, floodplains, endangered species, Section 4(f) and 6(f) properties, and cultural resources. Coordinate impacts with appropriate personnel. Complete and submit appropriate documentation for coordination of potential impacts to cultural resources, waterways, and ecological resources. Utilize EnviroNet to properly upload project related documents. Provide signatory approval for NEPA CE level documents (C1, C2, and D1). Apply appropriate level of public involvement (property owner notification letters, detour letters, public meeting information) to satisfy NEPA protocol. Responsible for writing Purpose and Need statements for D1 level projects. Complete HHEI, HMFEI, ORAM, bat habitat analysis, and Group 1 mussel stream surveys. Gather appropriate environmental data to complete Level 1 Ecological Survey Reports. Utilize USGS StreamStats database to gather watershed data. Complete annual monitoring of ODOT mitigation projects. Utilize GeoMedia and AcGIS to analyze data and create maps for projects. Collaborate with County Transportation Managers in District to review and offer environmental clearance for state-funded projects. Assist local government agencies in identifying appropriate environmental surveys and documentation needed for transportation related projects. Ensure project managers have appropriate permit to provide contractor prior to construction. Conduct site assessments of construction projects to ensure permit compliance. Interpret and apply ODOT's Regional General Permit to transportation projects. Complete Section 404 permit applications and PCN if necessary. Interpret construction plans in order to determine construction limits and impacts to ecological resources. Respond to questions raised by general public. Act as supervisor to approve time card and time off requests. Show less