Environmental Career Center – Helping people work for a better environment since 1980

Successful NAEP Environmental Career Seminar hosted by ECC

Orlando, Florida

The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) Annual Conference came to a successful conclusion in Orlando on April 25. The conference was cosponsored with the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP). The conference – Environmental Leadership: Science, Education, Alliances – was filled with workshops, seminars, exhibits, and tours addressing an impressive range of environmental topics and issues.

The Environmental Career Center conducted the NAEP Environmental Careers Seminar on April 24th. John Esson, NAEP Career Development Committee chair and ECC Director, moderated the session comprised of five environmental professionals. Presenters were from a diverse group of environmental employers from consulting firms, the entertainment industry and government agencies.  Their purpose was to help college graduates and new professionals prepare for an environmental career.

The primary benefit of these career seminars is your opportunity to ask questions of the panelists. They either work in the environmental career field or are recruiting environmental professionals. They have the expertise to inform aspiring environmental professionals on key qualifications and experience employers are looking for. They will also be able to discuss current career opportunities and the future outlook for environmental career fields. Attending the NAEP/ECC environmental career seminars provides the new professionals with networking opportunities and inside tips, gaining an edge in the job competition.

We’ll report on the 2007 NAEP Environmental Careers Seminar in the next issue of the Green Careers Journal.

The 2007 NAEP Environmental Career Seminar panelists were:

M. Rebecca Bolt – Wildlife Ecologist, Dynamac Corporation – Kennedy Space Center

Rebecca Bolt has a Masters degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Central Florida, and over 25 years of experience working with a wide variety of wildlife on the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). As a wildlife ecologist, she conducts monitoring and research to determine and minimize the effects of space operations on KSC’s habitats and animals. She is technical lead for Dynamac’s Environmental Support Office and is the primary contact for NEPA documentation and issues. Becky is also actively involved in Dynamac’s education efforts.  

Charmae Hillman, Senior Human Resources Professional, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, Florida

Ms. Hillman recruits environmental scientists, engineers, information technologists, managers, executives and support staff for the South Florida Water Management District, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. She also represents the District in employment law compliance, contingent workforce, immigration issues, community outreach, and university relations. Prior to joining the District in 1986, Ms. Hillman served in the U.S. Army for eight years, working in Human Resources in the U.S. and abroad, and earned the Meritorious Service Medal. Ms. Hillman’s 1984 B.S. degree in Human Resources Management and graduate studies are from Florida Atlantic University. She is certified by the National Society for Human Resources Management as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Robert “Bob” Moody, REM, PMP – With nearly 30 years of industry experience, Bob brings great perspective from his Registered Environmental Manager and project management background to WRS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc. Throughout his career he has focused on environmental construction, with a most recent emphasis on infrastructure development activities supporting Florida’s rapid growth.  Bob has a diversified background in providing environmental services to the public and private sector, including managing emergency and rapid response services to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and similar services to state agencies. Bob currently manages an environmental services contract providing contamination assessment and remediation services to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Jim Yawn, Certified Environmental Professional, is a Senior Project Manager for Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando. His primary responsibilities include environmental support for master planning, infrastructure development, and operation of Disney properties in Central Florida including the Walt Disney World Resort and Celebration, approximately 30,000 acres of residential communities, theme parks, resorts, and other commercial properties. Jim manages environmental mitigation projects, including innovative partnerships with regulatory, academic, and conservation organizations.  He manages a long-term, environmental master plan for the Walt Disney World Resort, that has resulted in restoration  of on-site and off-site habitats, and the creation of The Disney Wilderness Preserve. 

Jim was born and raised in Waycross, Georgia.  He is a 1980 graduate of Georgia Southern University with a BS degree in Biology. Jim has been working as an ecologist and project manager in the Florida real estate development industry for more than 22  years. 

Join us at the next NAEP Annual Conference in San Diego, California in Spring 2008! See you there!

Additional information about NAEP and future conferences and environmental career seminars can be found at NAEP’s home page.