Tom Barnett

Experience

• 

  The University of Texas at Austin

  Sept 2007 - May 2009

  Teaching Assistant

  While pursuing Master's degree, led sections for introductory courses in environmental science, physical geography, and cultural geography. Explained academic concepts and facilitated discussions. Graded essays and exams. Completed other administrative tasks as necessary for large classes.

• 

  Texas Water Development Board

  Jul 2009 - Aug 2018

  Prepared technical guidance and served as liaison to three regional water planning groups working towards long range, stakeholder-driven regional water plans. Provided presentations and consultation to planning groups and committees at public meetings, requiring in-depth knowledge of relevant statute, agency rules, and water planning concepts including municipal conservation practices. Managed state contracts and developed task-specific Scope of Work requirements to ensure planning objectives and deliverables were met. Reviewed draft regional planning studies for consistency with agency guidelines. Presented plan amendments for approval to agency board of directors. Assisted in developing Texas' 2017 State Water Plan, compiling supply and demand projections and proposing policy recommendations for a 50-year planning horizon. Utilized ArcGIS and MS Access database skills to assist in launching the agency's first online interactive planning tool. Interacted with city officials, engineering consultants, and the public concerning planning concepts and financial assistance opportunities. Show less Developed water use estimates and projections for the regional water planning process and State Water Plan. Reviewed financial assistance applications and technical documents for planning and infrastructure projects for consistency with state guidelines. Reviewed draft planning studies for adherence to Scope of Work requirements established in grant-funded state contracts. Utilized MS Excel, MS Access and ArcGIS to analyze and display water use and demographic information. Developed methodology to estimate livestock sector water use in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Prepared written summaries of the methodologies used in developing municipal and non-municipal water demand projections for use in the regional water planning process. Responded to questions from local officials, engineering consultants, and the public concerning water use data and planning concepts. Show less Managed contracts between the agency and local governments for grant-funded flood protection planning studies. Attended public meetings on behalf of the agency, monitored project progress, budget, and adherence to the Scope of Work. Provided technical assistance and presentations to local entities regarding flood-related data and grant opportunities. Utilized ArcGIS to create a layer of properties affected by flooding in order to identify areas to target Federal Emergency Management Area (FEMA) grant opportunities administered by the agency. Created system to internally monitor the financial status of active federal grants using Excel. Show less

  • Project Manager, Regional Water Planning

    Apr 2014 - Aug 2018

  • Planner

    Oct 2010 - Mar 2014

  • Mitigation Specialist

    Jul 2009 - Sept 2010
• 

  Texas Water Development Board

  Jul 2019 - now

  Leading an interdisciplinary team that provides financial assistance and project oversight for water, wastewater, and flood control projects covering the 47 county Brazos Region within TWDB's Office of Water Supply & Infrastructure Developed content for the 2022 State Water Plan; led division's prioritization of projects for the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program; supported other projects across the Water Use, Projections, & Planning division

  • Manager

    May 2020 - now

  • Program Assistant

    Jul 2019 - Apr 2020