Leif M. Burhans

Environmental Project Manager & Lead Protected Species Observer
Saint Augustine, USA.

About

Highly accomplished and results-driven environmental professional with extensive experience in marine operations, project management, and regulatory compliance. Proven leader in managing complex field deployments, ensuring protected species observation, and interpreting federal regulations to mitigate environmental impacts across diverse marine environments. Adept at leveraging technical expertise and team leadership to drive operational efficiency and achieve critical conservation outcomes.

Work

Confidential
|

Deployment Specialist

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Summary

Oversees the deployment, recovery, and maintenance of scientific monitoring buoys and devices from marine vessels, ensuring data integrity and operational efficiency.

Highlights

Managed the end-to-end process of scientific monitoring buoy and device deployment, recovery, and rigging from sea vessels, utilizing A-frame cranes, winches, and precise communications.

Executed daily maintenance, data extraction, monitoring, and analysis for various devices including PAM, SFV, and CTD monitors, ensuring continuous operational readiness.

Coordinated rigging and seamless transfer of equipment and provisions between shore and vessels, optimizing logistical flow for marine operations.

Confidential
|

Environmental Project Manager

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Summary

Manages multiple concurrent environmental field projects in the marine sector, overseeing personnel, client relations, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive project lifecycle.

Highlights

Directed up to 4 concurrent marine environmental projects, encompassing HR personnel management, client interactions, procurement, and federal regulation interpretation.

Spearheaded data management and QAQC processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance for environmental reports and project documentation.

Managed all project logistics and equipment, optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency across diverse marine field operations.

Confidential
|

Passive Acoustic Monitor

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Summary

Monitors protected marine mammals using passive acoustic monitoring systems on seismic ships, ensuring compliance with BOEM and BSEE guidelines for impact reduction.

Highlights

Conducted continuous monitoring of protected marine mammals using towed and static hydrophone arrays and specialized computer software on seismic ships.

Ensured strict adherence to BOEM and BSEE guidelines for reducing impacts on marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and North Atlantic.

Performed daily computer maintenance, employee management, logistics, and client interactions to support seamless passive acoustic monitoring operations.

Contributed to federal report writing and provided wildlife identification and education, enhancing team capabilities and regulatory compliance.

Confidential
|

Lead Protected Species Observer

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Summary

Leads teams in monitoring protected marine mammals and sea turtles on geotechnical and geophysical ships, ensuring strict adherence to BOEM/BSEE regulations across various international waters.

Highlights

Led and managed crews of up to six individuals, conducting critical monitoring for protected marine mammals and sea turtles on seismic ships in the Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, Persian Gulf, and Caribbean.

Ensured 100% compliance with BOEM/BSEE regulations for reducing impacts on protected species, including marine mammals, birds, fish, and sea turtles.

Authored federal compliance reports, provided wildlife identification training, and delivered educational presentations to clients and crews, enhancing regulatory understanding and operational adherence.

Managed all logistical aspects, employee scheduling, and client interactions to facilitate smooth and compliant protected species observation operations.

Confidential
|

Protected Species Observer

Saint Augustine, FL, USA

Summary

Monitors protected marine mammals and sea turtles on seismic ships and around dredges to ensure compliance with BOEM/BSEE regulations and minimize environmental impact.

Highlights

Monitored protected marine mammals and sea turtles on seismic ships in the Gulf of Mexico, North Atlantic, Persian Gulf, and Caribbean, ensuring compliance with BOEM/BSEE regulations.

Observed and documented protected species around dredges in high manatee concentration areas like Jacksonville, FL, mitigating potential environmental impacts.

Prepared detailed federal reports, managed logistics, and conducted wildlife identification and education, contributing to environmental protection efforts.

Engaged in client interactions and used MS Excel and MS Word for data management and reporting, ensuring clear communication and accurate documentation.

Mobius Marine
|

Office Assistant & Dock Hand

Marineland, FL, USA

Summary

Served as an office assistant and dock hand, managing marina operations, customer service, and maintenance for vessels up to 120ft.

Highlights

Managed office administration, including processing payments and reservations, contributing to efficient marina operations.

Docked vessels up to 120ft on both floating and fixed docks, ensuring safe and organized berthing for marina clients.

Provided excellent customer service and maintained marina facilities, enhancing client satisfaction and operational standards.

Education

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL, USA

Bachelor of Science

Wildlife Ecology

St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Associate of Arts Degree

Arts

Palm Harbor University High School
Palm Harbor, FL, USA

High School Diploma

Languages

English

Certificates

GWO-Working at Heights, Manual Handling, Sea Survival, and Slinger Signaler

Issued By

GWO

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service Approved Lead PSO (protected species observer) for geotechnical and geophysical surveys

Issued By

NOAA

Endangered Species Observer for Work on Dredges, Dredge Material Disposal, Blasting, and Pile Driving

Issued By

NOAA

OPITO approved Further Offshore Emergency Training with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (FOET with CA-EBS)

Issued By

OPITO

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Issued By

TSA

Protected Species Observer Training (NMFS-approved and BSEE-approved PSO training course for BOEM NTL regulations of seismic surveys in the Gulf of American and US Atlantic for G&G survey mitigation on BOEM Renewable Energy Leases)

Issued By

NMFS/BSEE

Passive Acoustic Monitor Training by RPS for Static and Towed Systems

Issued By

RPS

SafeGulf

Issued By

SafeGulf

Offshore Protected Species Observer Training (Training for seismic mitigation under MMS NTL 2007-G02 and BOEM NTL 2016-G02)

Issued By

MMS/BOEM

Skills

Marine Operations

Scientific Monitoring Buoy Deployment, Device Recovery, Rigging, PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring), SFV (Sound Field Verification), CTD Monitors, A-frame Cranes, Winches, Pallet Jacks, Radio/Hand Communications, Equipment Maintenance, Data Extraction, Vessel Operations.

Project Management

Environmental Field Crew Management, Concurrent Project Management, HR Personnel Management, Client Interactions, Procurement, Logistics, Data Management, QAQC, Report Writing, Equipment Management.

Environmental Compliance & Observation

Protected Marine Mammal Monitoring, Sea Turtle Monitoring, BOEM/BSEE Regulations, Geotechnical/Geophysical Ships, Federal Regulation Interpretation, Wildlife Identification, Endangered Species Observation, Dredge Monitoring, Seismic Mitigation.

Leadership & Communication

Employee Management, Team Leadership, Client Interactions, Presentations, Education, Precise Communications.

Software & Data Analysis

MS Excel, MS Word, Computer Maintenance, Data Analysis, Computer Software (Hydrophones).

Marina Operations

Office Administration, Payment Processing, Reservations, Vessel Docking (up to 120ft), Customer Service, Marina Maintenance, Landscaping.