Joshua K.
Dera
856.304.6918 • [email protected] • joshuadera.weebly.com
EDUCATION
University of Rhode Island (URI), Kingston, RI
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management May 2019
Minor: Soil-Environmental Science, Leadership Studies
Major GPA: 3.38/4.00
Honors: Cum Laude
MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS
• Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England September 2019
AWARDS
• 2018 Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England Undergraduate Student Scholarship Award November 2018
• 2018 Northeast Regional Collegiate Soil Judging Competition First Place Individual Award October 2018
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Class IV Soil Evaluators License December 2019
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Certified January 2019
• URI Diversity and Inclusion Safe Zone (LGTBQ+) Certified October 2016
RELEVANT COURSE WORK
Soil Genesis and Classification; Soil-Water Chemistry; Soil Morphology and Mapping; Soil Conservation and Land Use; Soil
Morphology Practicum; Watershed Hydrology; Wetland Ecology; Wetland Wildlife Management; Concepts in Geographical
Information Systems and Remote Sensing; Historical, Multi-Ethnic, and Alternative Approaches to Leadership; Student Or-
ganization Leadership Consultants
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Environmental Scientist Intern, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. January 2019 – Present
• Perform wetland delineations, soil evaluations, access and construction planning, and rare species surveys
• Prepare federal, state, and local environmental permit applications
• Coordinate with local building, inspection, and zoning officials for planning and permitting of National Grid natural gas
construction
• Preparation of environmental impact statements and assessments, and planning and zoning studies.
• Conduct environmental compliance monitoring and preparation of inspection reports at National Grid substation sites
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Coastal Fellow, URI May 2018 – December 2018
• Develop an understanding of coastal geomorphology and how it influences shallow groundwater discharge in marine
environments
• Collect, manage, and analyze geospatial data to create ArcGIS projects
• Learn laboratory analysis techniques for describing and classifying subaqueous soils
Laboratory of Pedology and Soil-Environmental Science, URI February 2017 – May 2019
Undergraduate Research Assistant
• Soil laboratory characterization (soil organic matter analysis, incubation pH, sulfide determination, particle size analysis,
etc.)
• Field and laboratory interpretation using a soils approach to identify shallow groundwater discharge locations in coastal
lagoons (salt ponds) through soil morphology and mapping techniques
• Laboratory interpretation of soil samples collected from Niantic Bay, CT for the subaqueous soil survey project
Laboratory of Restoration Ecology, URI February 2016 – December 2016
Laboratory Assistant
• Assist in research and analysis of the plant species Phragmites australis
• Obtain soil samples, test for Nitrogen, Carbon and secondary compounds, and perform electrophoresis
• Place quantified, technical data obtained into a database for research analysis
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SMILE (Science & Math Investigative Learning Experience) Program, URI
Elementary Outdoor Science Adventure (EOSA) Student Coordinator January 2018 – April 2018
• Run weekly classes for a 400 level college course geared towards knowledge, experience in teaching children, as well as
developing leadership and personal values of the students
Elementary Outdoor Science Adventure (EOSA) Mentor January 2017 – April 2017
• Help solidify the importance of education to underrepresented students in the hopes of achieving a STEM college degree
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, URI January 2018 – December 2018
• Responsibilities of giving students additional attention and instruction in an introduction to humans' use and management
of natural resources class
• Along with grading classwork, responsible for maintaining relationships with students during office hours to assist in their
understanding of coursework
URI 101 Mentor, URI September 2016 – November 2016
• Aid in first year students transitioning into their major as well as college life
• Understand scholarships and culture of major
• Defined and developed skills for academic and personal success
LEADERSHIP
North Woods Challenge Course, URI February 2018 – May 2019
Facilitator
• Facilitate adventure-based activities for student and community groups
• Responsible for risk-management and safety of participants through challenge course activities
• Coordinate goal setting for small groups during individual elements and full-day programs
Student Organization Leadership Consultant, URI September 2017 – May 2019
Facilitator
• Facilitate and debrief retreat activities for student organizations
• Create an inclusive and welcoming environment to accomplish organization goals of the retreat
• Receiving and give constructive feedback on aspects of facilitation (e.g., interpersonal communication, inclusive lan-
guage)
SKILLS
URI Soils Team, URI September 2017 – April 2019
• Participant in past regional Rhode Island & Ohio and national Tennessee & California competitions
• Practical experience in describing soil profiles under challenging field conditions to observe, describe, interpret
morphological properties and make land use decisions based on the soil’s characteristics
Proficiency with:
• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• ArcGIS 10.6.1
