Thomas Zatalava
North East
Summary
As someone with a strong background in sports, this has led me to being a strong and competent leader as well as being able to work well in a team focused environment. Professional scientist with experience in environmental research and impact assessment. Adept at data analysis, fieldwork, and regulatory compliance. Strong focus on team collaboration and adaptable to changing project needs. Known for reliability and achieving measurable results in multidisciplinary environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Field Environmental Scientist
Renova Environmental Company
06.2023 - Current
- Led field work for multiple contracts on Aberdeen Proving Grounds, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and project standards.
- Conduct surface water, ground water, and sediment sampling of waste landfills that border wetlands and the shorelines of the Chesapeake Bay
- Supervised operations at multiple groundwater bioremediation sites, overseeing design, setup, and dismantling of water pumps, tanks, and related equipment to enhance site remediation efforts.
- Supervised ground water sampling events throughout the year for analytes such as PFAs, VOCs, DOCs, TSS, Heavy Metals, Nerve Agent, and asbestos.
- Conducted monthly and quarterly sampling of four distinct groundwater treatment facilities.
- Construct and design methane monitoring wells in municipal waste landfills and offshore ground water monitoring wells in the Chesapeake bay.
- Executed shoreline sweeps and inspections for unexploded ordnances using watercraft of land that borders the Chesapeake Bay.
- Maintain, monitor, and sample multiple soil vapor extraction systems which are located under building foot prints .
- Developed and maintained comprehensive quarterly and yearly reports to support organizational decision-making using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Level Logger, and ArcGIS.
- Coordinate with active range officials to gain access to certain locations in order to conduct field work.
- Other field work tasks include: Inspections of landfills/Building sites, Monthly and quarterly gauging of ground water sites, Landscaping of contractual sites, Maintenance of contractual sites.
Arborist Climber
Bartlett Tree Experts
05.2020 - 08.2022
- Demonstrates high safety standards, sound tree risk assessment skills, equipment inspection skills, proper application of approved knots, proper climbing techniques and procedures, proper pruning and small removal skills, and proper rigging skills.
- Executed ground, climbing, and aerial lift duties in support of specific job assignments.
- Assessed client needs and delivered tailored solutions for landscaping and tree management.
- Oversaw operation of heavy machinery such as skid steers, ditch witches, wood chippers, stump grinders, cranes, and bucket trucks to enhance project efficiency.
- Serviced machinery according to consistent mechanical knowledge both in-shop and in office.
- Conducted precise spray work utilizing fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to ensure effective pest and weed management.
Education
Bachelor Degree - Environmental Science, Biology
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, Maryland05-2023
Skills
- Groundwater sampling
- Groundwater testing
- Water quality analysis
- Environmental monitoring
- Field inspections
- Site assessment
- Impact analysis
- Data analysis
- Report preparation
Certification
- OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER, 06/01/23
- Maryland Department of the Environment Drinking Water Sampler Certification, 04/01/24
- State of Maryland Erosion and Sediment Control, 03/01/24
- OSHA Hazwoper Supervisor for Construction, 08/01/23
- HeartSaver First Aid CPR AED and Bloodborne Pathogen Training, 09/01/24
- 3 R's Explosives Safety Education Program, 08/04/25
- OHSA 30 Hour Construction, 02/26/26
Volunteer work
ShoreRivers
- Started volunteering here May 2023
- As a SAV watcher my tasks include
-Monitoring a given location of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay
- Measure parameters such as temperature, turbidity, water clarity, type of submerged aquatic vegetation, bottom sediment type, and location of sampling (latitude/longitude).
- Manage the shorelines of the Sassafras River located in Southern Cecil County, MD.
Timeline
Lead Field Environmental Scientist
Renova Environmental Company
06.2023 - Current
Arborist Climber
Bartlett Tree Experts
05.2020 - 08.2022
Bachelor Degree - Environmental Science, Biology
Stevenson University