Alyssa Walker

Experience

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  University of Colorado Boulder

  May 2018 - Sept 2019

  Academic Tutor

  I tutored students at the University of Colorado Boulder. I worked for the university’s athletic scholar program and worked as an independent tutor. The main subjects I tutored are: Environmental Science 1 & 2, Principles of Climate (+Lab), Principles of Weather (+Lab), Intro to Oceanography, Principles of Microeconomics, Natural Resource Economics, General Biology 1 & 2, Conservation Biology, and Spanish 1,2,3, & 4.

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  Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences - University of Colorado Boulder

  Sept 2018 - Dec 2018

  Learning Assistant

  I cotaught two recitation classes for the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department. The class was titled the “Principles of Climate.” Under this position, it was my responsibility to understand and effectively communicate teaching lessons. I taught concepts like El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the biological pump to +30 undergraduate students.

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  Oceans and Climate Lab - University of Colorado Boulder

  May 2019 - May 2020

  Undergraduate Student Researcher

  I conducted two research projects. For the first project, I worked alongside atmospheric and oceanic science graduate students and professors during the summer of 2019. I obtained an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program grant. This project, titled as “The Correlation between Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and the Structure of North Pacific Subtropical Anticyclones," used an Atmospheric General Circulation Model (ECHAM4) as a means of analyzing the position and structure of the North Pacific Subtropical High under manipulated SST values. This project expanded my scientific toolbelt in that it taught me how to run an Atmospheric General Circulation Model, as well as learn valuable coding software such as MATLAB and Python. The second project was an independent honors thesis. This honors thesis, titled as the “Observed Trends of Coastal Upwelling in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems,” not only helped me achieve honors, but also taught me that scientific research projects are continually adapting to unforeseen circumstances and results. During this ten-month project, I retrieved observational data from satellites and anemometers as an effort to examine the strength and structure of Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS). I created observational time series which revealed trends in SST, sea level pressure, and surface winds over a time period of approximately 36 years. After obtaining these results, I was curious about the natural climate variability associated with anomalous spikes in the variable indexes; therefore, I created regression maps as a means of revealing the interannual variability associated with anomalous values in each current system. Show less

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  Outdoor Program at the University of Colorado Boulder

  Jun 2019 - May 2020

  Instructor and Guide

  I am currently an outdoor guide at the university’s Outdoor Program. I lead trips of 15–18 patrons, and I also work at the campus rock climbing wall. I lead classes that teach basic outdoor skills. Classes include backcountry navigation, intro to backpacking, intro to climbing/canyoneering, intro to mountain biking, intro to fly fishing, etc. I also lead overnight trips. On these trips, it is my responsibility to ensure patrons learn new outdoor principles, such as leave-no-trace, and stay safe during the entire trip. I coordinate meals, teaching lessons, and activities for these trips. Show less

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  Boulder Food Rescue

  Jan 2020 - Jun 2020

  Intern

  I work side by side with social science researchers on an ongoing project examining the origins of food insecurity in Boulder, Colorado. My job is to catalogue artifacts (videos, pictures, quotes) and code interviews. Furthermore, I pair artifacts and the coded interviews to relevant sections of the research paper. The paper is expected to be published by the end of the summer.

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  Walker Basin Conservancy

  Aug 2020 - Jun 2021

  Restoration Technician Member

  I assist with the implementation of restoration projects aimed to protect and secure the water rights of riparian corridors surrounding Walker Lake. I conduct vital fieldwork in the form of GIS monitoring, data collection and analysis, technical report writing, and project management.

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  Apex Systems

  Jun 2021 - Jan 2022

  Delivery Recruiter
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  GreenPlaces

  Jan 2022 - now

  As a Sustainability Manager at GreenPlaces, I am tasked with developing the structure and function of GreenPlaces' sustainability team. I manage and oversee all sustainability operations. To continue, I personally conduct greenhouse gas inventory assessments for GreenPlaces' clients and assist with the implementation and execution of carbon reduction projects. I conduct carbon footprint calculations and write greenhouse gas inventory reports for Green Places' clients. I also assist with the development of client specific sustainability strategies and research new areas of green investments for carbon credit purchasing.

  • Director of Carbon Accounting

    Dec 2023 - now

  • Sustainability Manager

    Mar 2022 - Dec 2023

  • Sustainability Analyst

    Jan 2022 - Mar 2022