Cami Charonko

Experience

• 

  S.M. Stoller Corporation

  May 2003 - Aug 2003

  Scientific Field Technician

  • Conducted wildlife and vegetation surveys and rangeland utilization measurements in a desert environment while observing site access and security requirements, as part of the Idaho National Laboratory Environmental Surveillance, Education and Research Program.• Collected field data for a variety of projects intended to understand and improve the environment, including vegetation recovery after a fire and with cattle grazing, monitoring vegetation on a Sewage Wastewater Land Application unit, vegetation as protective cap to prevent water from leaking into capped radioactive areas and wildlife surveys. Show less

• 

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Biological Systems Engineering Department

  Jun 2004 - Aug 2004

  National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Participant

  • Assisted on a research project to use Large-scale Particle Image Velocimetry to measure velocity and discharge in a flume and in streams as a possible remote alternative for stream flow monitoring by using a camera to take images of a stream seeded with particles on the water surface. • Conducted a literature search, collected data in the laboratory flume and in stream with a current meter and high-speed camera, and communicated the results in a research paper and oral presentation.

• 

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Biological Systems Engineering Department

  Jun 2005 - Aug 2005

  Research Assistant

  • Researched and compared different sensors to continuously monitor in-stream suspended sediment concentration. • Summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each sensor in a literature review, which was the foundation for a new research effort on sediment sensors. • Used literature databases to search for and find articles regarding the sensors, and used Endnote to organize and manage the articles.

• 

  University of Idaho: Idaho Water Resources Research Institute

  Sept 2005 - Aug 2006

  • Managed, scheduled, and conducted the fieldwork to sample domestic wells to evaluate a nitrate threat to groundwater from new septic systems near Driggs, ID undergoing rapid development. • Located driller's logs for potential wells, determined which wells to sample, and obtained permission from well owners to sample well water.• Collected and prepared water samples with quality control methods for analysis of major cations and anions, and measured water chemistry with a Hydrolab unit including temperature, conductivity, and pH. Show less

  • Field Technician

    Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

  • Research and Lab Assistant

    Sept 2005 - May 2006
• 

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Biological Systems Engineering Department

  Aug 2006 - May 2010

  • Evaluated the repeatability and similarity of a multiangle submerged jet test device to traditional laboratory flume studies for measuring stream bank critical shear stress and erodibility in the field. • Designed and conducted erosion tests on remolded cohesive soil samples with a jet test and a hydraulic laboratory flume, and results from the two devices compared to each other. • Collected data including differential pressure, velocity measurements with a miniature propeller, Venturi meter, and laboratory ADV, erosion rate, and soil properties.• Explored the application of LiDAR for erosion rate measurement.• Analyzed the data with Minitab statistical software and Microsoft Excel.• Communicated the study results to academic, public, and media audiences through a written report, conference papers, and oral and poster presentations.• Assisted with a stream restoration project: installed fiber rolls, erosion mats, and silt fence, and planted vegetation. Show less • Managed, scheduled, and conducted storm water monitoring fieldwork for measuring discharge and suspended sediment in a local stream and assisted in training participants how to collect measurements properly.• Measured discharge with field ADV, measured suspended sediment concentration with DH-48 sediment sampler, and recorded water levels from stage gauge. • Regularly maintained and measured erosion pins and scour chains installed in a local stream. • Assisted other graduate students with their field and laboratory research, including measuring wetland flow in a flume. Show less

  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow

    May 2007 - May 2010

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    Aug 2006 - May 2007
• 

  Gress Engineering, PC

  Nov 2010 - Jul 2013

  Project Engineer

  • Wrote and revised technical reports and narratives and participated in fieldwork to meet state and federal regulations for coal mine permitting in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. • Summarized water quality from downloaded data into reports for applications and regulators.• Assisted with completing stream and wetland Jurisdictional Determinations reports, state and federal NPDES permit applications, joint permit application, Storm Water Pollution Plan Prevention Plans (SWPPP), state and federal discharge permits, aquatic and water quality monitoring reports, and independent technical reports.• Regularly corresponded with State and Federal Regulators and clients. • Helped as part of a team with stream surveys and stream classification using established protocols and techniques for stream restoration and relocation projects• Read and edited maps in AutoCAD.• Independently learned HEC-RAS and used it to model flood flow for a stream relocation project. • Assisted with pond inspections and quarterly coal mine ditch certifications Show less

• 

  Self-employed

  Oct 2018 - now

  Brand Partner with PaperPie (formerly Usborne Books & More)

  As a literacy advocate and StoryMaker, I market and sell children's books through parties, fundraisers, and booths. I educate on the importance of reading aloud to children of any age, and providing them with opportunities to explore the world through books and away from screens.

• 

  The Family YMCA

  Jun 2022 - Jul 2022

  Summer Sports Camp Coach

  As the tennis coach of a summer sports camp for elementary-aged children, I planned daily skills lessons and activities to introduce them to the game of tennis in a fun, informative way. During each camp day, I coached the children through the different techniques and elements of tennis, including ball control, racquet control, different swings, serving, scoring, court awareness, and movement.

• 

  N3B Los Alamos

  May 2023 - now

  Water Monitoring Project Manager/Subcontractor Technical Representative