 What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am the NOAA coordinator for a jointly administered (NOAA and EPA) program called the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program (CNP), which was conceived as part of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990. In this role I lead a team of NOAA coastal program specialists who help states and territories develop and implement their CNPs. Through regular communications with state partners, EPA regions and EPA HQ, we perform analyses of new or proposed state policies, legislation, programs, and education and outreach methods, provide technical and financial assistance to state and local stakeholders on management measures required by the CNP, and ensure state and territory program consistency with EPA/NOAA program requirements and grant making authorities. Other job responsibilities include the development and delivery of presentations, reports, budget testimony and related analyses on the CNP and other NOAA partnerships that foster balanced coastal community development.
What was the key factor in your career decision?
I wanted to align my career with a personal desire to see critical natural resources protected.
What do like most about your career?
The passion and commitment of my colleagues within and outside the government who continue to press for more sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems, often in the face of fierce resistance.
What do you like least about your career?
The slowness with which decisions are made and actions taken at the federal level and the lack of interest in fixing basic process and procedural issues.
What do you do to relax?
I love to fish and to play sports like basketball, tennis and volleyball. I cherish time with my two sons as well, but playing with toddlers is seldom "relaxing."
Who are your heroes/heroines?
My Dad, because he always made time to take us fishing and to help with whatever issues we brought home. I marvel at my parents' work ethic and ability to raise four strong-willed boys! Other: Alexander von Humboldt for an unbelievable array of discoveries.
What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?
Besides the obvious matter of mastering the basics of science, math and reading/writing, the environmental policy arena needs leaders and teachers like every other field. We need leaders who can influence and motivate change, who can think across disciplines in an integrative fashion, and who have an ability to work through and learn from failures.
Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?
Tough question. The underlying issues that created the need for environmental management are undoubtedly growing in scope and complexity, but career opportunities in government may not be keeping pace with the issues. However, as environmental issues pervade all aspects of life, many professionals trained in other disciplines such as engineering, architecture and education will likely benefit from developing an understanding of issues related to sustainability, clean water and air, and public health. So, although it may be a pessimistic outlook, I think that our inability to prevent and mitigate environmental degradation will lead to greater future demand for environmental policy analysts.
What will you be doing 10 years from today?
I suspect I'll be teaching, perhaps as part of a university extension program or maybe in a more traditional public school setting.
Salary:$80,000 - $100,000
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