MICHELLE (SHELLI) TALLACKSEN

Senior Project Manager

Academic Background

Master of Science, Biology (Marine Ecology), Old Dominion University, Norfolk Virginia,

2003

Associate of Applied Science (Medical Technology), Thomas Nelson Community

College, Hampton, Virginia, 1997

Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology), University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, 1992

Specialized Professional Competence

Ms. Tallacksen is an accomplished and knowledgeable researcher and project manager with extensive

experience in Florida coastal habitats. She is particularly skilled in designing and implementing ecological

data collection programs, including mapping of resources using sub-meter-accuracy GPS, analyzing and

presenting resulting data using state-of-the-art GIS software, and communicating results effectively to

agencies and the public. Her in-water experience, including scientific diving and boating certifications,

prepare her for both supervising and participating in all aspects of coastal environmental data collection. In

addition, she has direct field and laboratory experience with water quality monitoring, benthic habitat

assessment, and microbiological identification. Ms. Tallacksen previously served as Lower Keys manager of

the FKNMS Damage Assessment, Restoration, and Resource Protection Program (DARRP) team, during

which time she both conducted and supervised numerous seagrass and coral resource assessment,

monitoring, and restoration projects. Previously, she participated in marine research projects throughout

south Florida and the Caribbean with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Ms.

Tallacksen is currently serving as adjunct faculty at Florida Keys Community College, teaching a marine data

collection course.

Representative Professional Experience

Senior Project Manager, SWC, August 2009-present

Monroe, Dade, Broward and Lee County offices, FL

Serve as manager of various ecological, land use and public involvement services for public- and private-

sector clients, with responsibilities including data collection and analysis, report writing, and oversight of

compliance timetables and budgets.

SR 710/Beeline Expressway PD&E Study, FDOT District Four, 2011-present

Conductedf GIS analysis of future existing land use categories in five governmental jurisdictions through

which project runs, develop common future and existing land use categories for entire project corridor,

prepare corridor maps for planning and secondary impacts reports.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport Runway Expansion, Broward County

Conducted site visit, data collection, preparation and submittal of US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

forms to acquire federal jurisdictional determinations for wetlands affected by south runway expansion in

relation to Rapanos guidelines.

Wetland Mapping for Central Wastewater Project, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Monroe

County, FL

Data collection to assist design engineer in wetland avoidance and minimization for new central

wastewater system in Lower Florida Keys.

Tarpon Pier Replacement Project, City of Key West

In charge of environmental data collection, and development and implementation of impact assessment

and mitigation plan, for replacement of existing City pier in Garrison Bight.

Key West Mooring Field Pilot Project, Monroe County

Was in charge of data collection, analysis and report preparation for moored vessels around Key West

Mooring Field as part of County and State mooring field pilot project.

Walker s Island Maintenance Dredge Environmental Resource Permit, Monroe County

Project manager for acquisition of environmental resource permits for maintenance dredging of entrance

channel and boat basin, including design of comprehensive mitigation plan resulting in regional

environmental enhancement, coordination with Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Coast Guard, and processing of application with permitting

OFFICES IN MONROE, DADE, BROWARD AND LEE COUNTIES

MAIN TEL: 305-***-****, FAX: 305-***-****, DIRECT EMAIL: abp2eb@r.postjobfree.com, WEBSITE: WWW.SWCINC.NET

Michelle Tallacksen

RESUME PAGE 2

agencies. Prepared extensive graphics to illustrate project boundaries and other details, designed public

information program regarding seagrass restoration that is part of proposed mitigation.

FDOT District 6 Communications Contract for Projects in Construction Phase, Monroe County

Providing assistant public information specialist and graphic design services for projects throughout

Lower and Middle Florida Keys.

FDOT District 6 Public Information Contract for Projects in Design Phase, Monroe County

Provided graphics services for preparing newsletters for public information mailers including figures that

show specific locations of projects, participate in meetings and prepare meeting summaries.

Improvements to Atlantic Boulevard and Access to Glynn Archer and Gerald Adams Schools, City

of Key West

Provided graphics services to prepare newsletters including figures that show specific locations of

projects, assisted with field verification of wetland species being affected by one corridor.

Environmental Site Assessments, Monroe County

Conducted site visits, interviews, and historic research for Phase I ESAs to identify potential or existing

environmental contamination liabilities per US EPA standards. Site surveys include definition of chemical

residues within structures; identification of possible asbestos containing building materials; inventory of

hazardous substances stored or used on site; and assessment of mold and mildew or other indoor air

quality parameters. Preparation of complete reports, utilizing Oculus for online research of Florida

Storage Tank and Petroleum Contamination Monitoring databases. Production of site maps,

contamination and storage tank maps, and historic aerial graphics for ESA reports.

Adjunct Instructor, Florida Keys Community College, 2009-present

Teaching course in marine data collection.

Manager of Lower Keys Damage Assessment, Restoration and Resource Protection (DARRP) Team,

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) through Florida Department of Environmental Protection,

August 2006-September 2009, Key West, FL

Supervised and managed four employees to respond to vessel groundings and natural resource damage

events, conducted biological assessments and prepared restoration plans and DARRP case management

documents. Reviewed planning documents and permit applications and prepared recommendations on

consistency of activities conducted within FKNMS Lower Region with FKNMS Management Plan and State

environmental protection policies. Insured that damage assessment, restoration and monitoring plans were

coordinated and consistent with federal, state and local regulations and management plans. Coordinated and

provided technical and logistical field support for research, monitoring, and restoration projects within FKNMS.

Assisted Sanctuary management with evaluating and resolving Sanctuary resource management issues and

provided reports of monitoring findings to management and scientific community. Served as liaison with other

State, local, and federal agencies regarding development and implementation of interagency agreements,

response protocols, and civil penalty schedules for vessel groundings and oil spills within FKNMS. Prepared

and administered State of FL portion of DARRP budget in accordance with FKNMS Annual Operating Plan.

Supervisor Kent Edwards, 305-***-****.

Marine Research Associate & Florida Keys Tidal Restoration Project Manager, Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, January 2005-July 2006, Marathon, FL

Coordinated and managed all recreational mail surveys and monitoring, wrote public summary statements,

and developed harvest estimates for recreational sector. Participated in team-based fishery and ecosystem

research focusing on spiny lobster within and adjacent to the FKNMS, as well as Biscayne National Park and

Buck Island Reef National Monument in St. Croix, USVI. Assisted in design and implementation of projects to

study distribution, abundance, size structure, growth, fecundity, and other life history attributes of spiny

lobsters using both above- and under-water scientific sampling methods. Analyzed data using advanced

statistical techniques to determine trends and statistical significance and maintained archival databases using

QA/QC methods. Prepared presentations, reports, and peer-reviewed manuscripts of study results for

journals, FWC and other management commissions, and scientific meetings. Led and participated as

member of research teams in field sampling, and prepared and helped coordinate logistics of field sampling

activities. Participated in maintenance and operation of field equipment and vessels. Managed FTE and OPS

employees and coordinated with inter-agency scientists to complete water quality monitoring, hardbottom

habitat assessment, seagrass assessment, benthic sediment and invertebrate sampling for FKTR project.

OFFICES IN MONROE, DADE, BROWARD AND LEE COUNTIES

MAIN TEL: 305-***-****, FAX: 305-***-****, DIRECT EMAIL: abp2eb@r.postjobfree.com, WEBSITE: WWW.SWCINC.NET

Michelle Tallacksen

RESUME PAGE 3

Conducted field instrument calibration, operation and maintenance for FKTR. Designed and maintained

relational data entry databases using Microsoft Access and performed data analyses using statistical

methods. Organized and maintained project records including QA/QC, instrument maintenance, data, and

reports. Generated monthly data submissions, semiannual baseline data reports, and final data reports using

Microsoft products, ArcView, and EcoWatch. Supervisor John Hunt, 305-***-****.

Marine Research Assistant, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research

Institute, January 2003-December 2004, Marathon, FL

Assisted original project primary investigator (PI) in designing and implementing a multifaceted monitoring

project (FKTR), including creation of a monitoring plan and quality manual in accordance with EPA standards.

Performed data entry for various field projects and recreational lobster fisher mail survey returns. Participated

in database maintenance, field research and sampling, laboratory sample analysis, and maintenance,

operation, and trailering of FWRI vessels. Supervisor John Hunt, 305-***-****.

Certifications, Training and Memberships

HAZWOPER 8-hour Emergency Response training, 2012

Qualified FDEP Stormwater Management Inspector since 2012

CPR/AED/First Aid, Emergency First Response, 2012

Certified SSI Open Water SCUBA diver (@600 total dives, 500 total scientific dives) since 2000

Certified NAUI Divemaster since 2010

Certified SSI Nitrox diver since 2004

FDEP Scientific Diver 2008-2009

NOAA Scientific Diver 2006-2008

Certified AAUS Diver 2003-2006

Certified YMCA SCUBA Lifesaving and Accident Management (SLAM)

Certified Motorboat Operator (MOCC), US Dept. of Interior

OFFICES IN MONROE, DADE, BROWARD AND LEE COUNTIES

MAIN TEL: 305-***-****, FAX: 305-***-****, DIRECT EMAIL: abp2eb@r.postjobfree.com, WEBSITE: WWW.SWCINC.NET

Contact this candidate