Heather L Berg

876 West Plaquemine St.

Church Point, LA, 70525

(337) 912-8557 / (337) 322-4055

bergheather@hotmail.com

SUMMARY

An environmental/biological scientist with ten plus years experience in environmental, permitting, regulatory and environmental remediation in the engineering and construction industries including overseas international experience.  Also specialize in contingency operations and rapid deployment preparation and planning for LOGCAP and FEMA.  Currently in Afghanistan as a civilian assisting the US Military in transitioning, maintaining and operating support services for Operation Enduring Freedom.  Working directly with military personnel to ensure compliance with DoD regulations and performing Environmental Baseline Surveys in accordance with CENTCOM Contingency EGD and USFOR-A EGD.  Worked in FEMA hurricane and flood disaster areas in Louisiana and Kansas including working and communicating directly with the client (FEMA).  Prepared Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments for FEMA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing 44 CFR 10.9.  Prepared  applications for storm water construction general permits, sanitary general wastewater discharge permits, light commercial general permits, and emissions of air pollutants permits for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LADEQ) and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).   Strong analytical and problem solving skills along with excellent multi-tasking abilities.  Comfortable dealing with a range of environmental issues including waste, POL, hydrocarbons, mold and asbestos.  Strong working knowledge of engineering designs and drawings as well as monitoring and inspecting construction sites.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

FLUOR GOVERNMENT GROUP, AFGHANISTAN                                           2009-present

LOGCAP IV – US Army Sustainment Command Logistics Civil Augmentation Program

Environmental Lead

Working with the United States Military to provide operational support for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  Performed, completed, written and reviewed Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS) in accordance with Military standards for issue to the client.  EBS’s include environmental inspection of potable and non-potable water distribution and testing, waste water and solid waste collection and disposal, fuel distribution, hazardous waste and materials and medical (biological) waste storage, transport and disposal, POL contamination, historical, cultural and natural resources, endangered species, and storm water.  Travel to various FOBs throughout Afghanistan performing environmental assessments to ensure compliance with DoD regulations for liability and surveillance of environmental issues.

FLUOR GOVERNMENT GROUP, SELMA, AL  & CUMBERLAND, MD     2008

FEMA Formaldehyde Testing of Unoccupied Housing Program

Testing, Reporting & Quality Manager

Working with FEMA Logistics and IA TAC to install and disconnect  temporary housing units to be tested for levels of formaldehyde.  Strict procedures and requirements were developed, followed and documented.  Reported to the client on the progression of daily activities.  Quality of  procedures, pre-test results, and an ongoing in depth QA/QC analysis of the database for project close-out of three test sites (Selma, AL, Cumberland, MD, and Hope, AR).  Coordinated with FEMA to implement changes to procedures for an increase in units tested.

FLUOR GOVERNMENT GROUP, COFFEYVILLE, KS                         2007

FEMA Individual Assistance Kansas Flooding Mission

Environmental Scientist

Coordinated planning efforts with FEMA, including the COTR and DHOPS, for temporary group housing and with the FEMA Regional Environmental Officer regarding the preparation of NEPA documents and environmental concerns.  Prepared Environmental Reviews, including Categorical Exclusions and Environmental Assessments, for FEMA temporary group housing sites in compliance with NEPA implementing 44 CFR 10.9 in a time efficient manner.  Performed field site assessments and reviewed environmental and other data from several local, state, and federal agencies in Kansas.  Designed in depth group site assessments with various diverse professionals for presentation to the client.  Coordinated with KDHE on numerous matters including performing water sampling for bacterial coliforms, organizing with the state laboratory, design of water distribution and sewer collection systems for temporary group sites and other environmental issues.  Participated in discussions with FEMA and local government in relation to the planning of temporary housing needs in the disaster area.

FLUOR HANFORD, RICHLAND, WA                                                                  2007

Department of Energy - Hanford

Environmental Scientist

Performed field walk downs of 425+ Underground Injection Control (UIC) Wells on the Department of Energy’s Hanford site to determine state regulatory compliance and prepared a detailed assessment report and database.  Reviewed Washington State regulations, history of Hanford, regulatory documents and consulted with various environmental protection subject matter experts.

FLUOR GOVERNMENT GROUP, GONZALES, LA                                           2005-2007

FEMA Individual Assistance Hurricane Katrina & Rita Project

Environmental Scientist

Managed the Lafayette District Environmental group and assisted in temporary housing efforts.  Provided support to engineering and construction departments in environmental, permitting and regulatory matters, covering the entire area of Louisiana ravaged by hurricanes. Developed design summary packages for water distribution and wastewater collection systems from civil and sanitary drawings and coordinated efforts with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) for the design approvals.  Developed the materials and served as instructor of storm water pollution prevention training programs to construction groups.

• Prepared documentation and applications for three sizes of storm water construction general permits, sanitary general wastewater discharge permits, light commercial general permits, and emissions of air pollutants permits to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
• Prepared Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and Notice of Intents and Terminations to discharge storm water to the DEQ.  Managed, evaluated and inspected storm water controls with construction management and contractors for compliance. 
• Conducted preliminary environmental site investigations to determine feasibility of potential building locations.
• Assisted contractors in the development and implementation of Spill Prevention and Control Plans in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

SHERRY LABORATORIES, LAFAYETTE, LA                                       2005 

Culture Room Manager

Managed and supervised four employees and production activities of Mysids, fathead minnows and Leptocheirus.  Executed bioassay testing of drilling fluids, muds and other oil/gas byproducts.

• Developed standard operating procedures and formulated research methods which improved stock by 150%.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, HOMESTEAD, FL                                                2004-2005

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Tropical Research and Education Center Senior Biologist

Supervised, directed and managed three junior biologists. Developed research programs, including management of budgets and grants, purchasing and inventory of laboratory equipment and field supplies, and execution of research projects.

• Coordinated efforts with federal, state and local regulating agencies to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
• Recovered, isolated, propagated and purified bacterial and fungal organisms for identification, liquid nitrogen storage, and use in research programs.
• Researched and microcloned various plants (orchids, bromeliads, avocado), inoculated plants and soils with various pathogens, grafted and maintained grafted avocado trees, prepared media and chemicals including dilutions, and performed plant identification and tissue culture.

THE PROVINCIAL LABORATORY OF PUBLIC HEALTH                              1999-2004

MICROBOLOGY, CALGARY, CANADA

Medical Laboratory Assistant

Prepared and planted tuberculosis specimens.  Processed enteric stools for parasites, C&S, C. diff and other pathogens.  Planted bacterial specimens for GC, Legionella, Pertussis, and processed foods and stools for food poisoning organisms (Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio).  Operated and maintained Abbott Axsym (HIV & Hepatitis testing) and Vitros.  Handled biohazard materials, infectious substances and diseases.   

• Developed and implemented standard operating procedures in accordance with ISO-9000.
• Executed the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Programs in the enterics, parasitology, microbiology, and virology departments.

EDUCATION

University of Calgary, Canada, Bachelor of Science Botany/Biological Sciences, 1997

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, University Transfer Program, 1993

            Dean’s Honor Roll

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, Canada, Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) Certification, 2002

TECHNICAL SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS

• HAZWOPER 40 Hour Certification
• FEMA Professional Development Series Certification
• American Red Cross Mass Care and Sheltering Certification

• Basic CPR and First Aid
• WHMIS Certification
• Rad Worker II Training