Vishaka Smith,
Ph.D., P.E.
Experience
3/4/09--Present
10/08- Present
- Work as the sustainability co-chair of the Sustainability
Committee of Wedgwood PTA to install a rain garden at the school’s
playground.
Took the leadership role in starting & implementing the
composting program at Wedgwood Elementary where 7.9 tons of waste is
eliminated going into landfills each year.
Evaluated the Carbon Footprint of the school to identify areas to
reduce CO2 emissions. Helped the school win the Terry Husseman
Sustainable School award by writing/preparing the application.
Worked with the Seattle Climate Partnership on their partner
certification program.
- Working with the Seattle Climate Partnership on their
partner certification program.
09/01/2007--08/08/2008
- Reviewed, provided recommendations, and approved plan
sets
and Technical Information Reports related to residential and commercial
subdivisions to meet the jurisdictional requirements.
- Ran KCRTS to size detention/retention facilities.
- Collaborated with internal staff (consists of supervisor,
planners,
design engineers, surveyors, and administrative assistance) and resolve
issues and conflicts in the way of completing projects on time on
budget.
- Field verified information related to the projects
designed by the
company.
12/2005 - 4/2006
Created the Katrina Long-Term Community Recovery Plan for
the
State of Mississippi Worked with the Coastal Transit Authority, the
Gulf Regional Planning Commission, elected and public officials, and
the public in the five coastal counties to identify transportation
needs, priority projects, and funding sources. Provided input to the
Mississippi Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal on transportation
issues and possible solutions.
11/04-8/2005
- Planned, scheduled, strategized, and delivered permitting
aspects of Washington State Ferries and Washington State Department of
Transportation projects.
- Analyzed and evaluated projects to identify required
permits to meet local, state, and national regulatory requirements such
as Shoreline, SEPA, CWA, ESA, & NEPA.
- Coordinated with internal/external groups in
preparation/submittal of permit applications.
- Educated internal and external parties on the feasibility
of upcoming projects by preparing reports.
- Ensured projects complied with permit requirements by
providing Compliance Checklists and alerting inspectors and project
managers about the specific conditions.
- Reviewed & provided recommendations for
PS&E and other documents.
- work product
Natural
Resources Investigation Summary for the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal
Expansion
11/04-8/2005
- Involved in application of funding, project development,
and environmental permitting.
- Communicated and partnered with various internal and
external entities.
- Completed Port Townsend wingwall replacement project from
project inception to bid award
- Directed and instructed support staff.
2003, for six months
- Provided professional civil engineering expertise to the
Washington State Department of Transportation.
- Assisted in the administration of FEMA grants
- Ensured projects met the scope of work approved by FEMA
federal funding requirements.
- Conducted site inspections of projects and identified
potential problems during construction.
- Reviewed and approved plans, specifications, estimates,
bid-tabs, and change orders.
- Prepared final inspection and cost adjustment reports for
FEMA.
2002 for three months
- Handled multiple contract projects with competing
interests
in a fast-paced work environment for the City of Seattle.
- Performed planning, environmental, and project management
for more than forty master use permit applications and single family
zoning applications.
- Responded to questions, comments, and complaints from the
public regarding master use applications via written correspondence,
phone calls, and face-to-face meetings.
- Wrote decisions and corrective action guidelines
regarding
the permit applications.
2001 for six months
- Worked as the TMDL Lead and coordinated water cleanup
plan
preparation efforts in Green-Duwamish and Cedar-Sammamish Watersheds.
- Worked in complex ecosystems with representatives from
multi-jurisdictions (King County, cities, and tribes) and public.
- Submitted proposals, conducted presentations, and
attended
intra-and inter-agency meetings.
- Represented Ecology at King County’s Citizen Advisory
Committee for Habitat Conservation Plan for Brightwater treatment plant
and WRIA 8 steering committee meetings.
1998-2001
- Coached over 40 individuals for Living our
Dreams,
Seattle, on how to plan, manage and prioritize projects to meet goals
and objectives on subjects ranging from environmental protection to
business development.
- Helped track the project status and accomplishment of
desired results in a timely manner.
1997-1998
- Recruited, trained and supervised sales teams.
- Marketed products and services of the company.
- Received a wide variety of training in marketing,
management of sales teams and leadership
1991-1997
- Analyzed 30 years of water quality data for the
University
of New Orleans. Identified and evaluated the causes and trends of
pollution in Lake Pontchartrain to protect the Lake's critical habitat
and wetlands
- Developed a methodology to evaluate and control urban
nonpoint source pollutions at the planning stage in order to reduce the
costs of noncompliance and to encourage sustainability.
- Authored and co-authored reports and papers.
- Delivered presentations on research findings.
1993-Present
1991-2007
- Vishaka has over four years of formal teaching experience
with students from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
- Taught students ranging from pre-schoolers to
undergraduate
engineering students.
- Tutored mathematics for students at Dartmoor College and
Sylvan Learning Center in 2001.
- Taught science and math for third through ninth grade
students as the Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder Day School in spring of
2007.