Michele Vachon
Environmental Studies graduate from University of Michigan, with MSc in Environmental Science from University of Idaho. Currently working as a Hazardous Materials Specialist at the University of Idaho.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | Employed Full-Time |
| Industries: | Education, Real Estate |
| Skills: | Business, Entrepreneurship, Writing |
| Location: | Idaho |
| Interested in: | Employment opportunities, Helping friends, Internships, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities |
| Tags: | brownfield, community economic development, corporate environmental responsibility, environmental consulting, environmental stewardship, grant writing, smart growth |
| Schools: | University of Idaho, Moscow, University of Michigan System - Dearborn |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | University of Idaho, Moscow, ID |
| Position: | Environmental Health Specialist – Hazardous Materials Department |
| Time period: | January 2006 - Present |
| Description: | Currently manage a comprehensive hazardous waste management service program for the University of Idaho, including all Research & Extension Centers throughout Idaho. Major accomplishments:
• Successful hazardous waste management at 1 large quantity generator and 13 small quantity generators of hazardous waste in an academic environment, totaling over 30 tons of annual waste generation, recycling and minimization activities • Supervise hazardous materials technician staff, ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to and that all hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are collected from satellite accumulation areas and maintained within the central waste storage building in accordance with applicable UI policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulations • Mentor and serve as guest speaker for ENV SCI 400, Environmental Science Senior Career Seminar, including resume review, mock-interviews, coordination of student internships, job training, and presenting on careers in environmental engineering • Lead grant writer for Mercury Waste Reduction Initiative EPA Grant Proposal • Provide technical support to UI Sustainability Coordinator’s Office – Waste Minimization Task Force • Serve on Staff Affairs – Benefits and Advisory Committee Representative and Professional Development Committee |
| Employer: | SH Vachon General Contracting, Moscow, ID |
| Position: | Green Building Consultant |
| Time period: | January 2006 - Present |
| Employer: | Troy Horizons, RAFCO7, LLC, Anderson Group, Troy Historical Society, Moscow, Troy, ID |
| Position: | Grant Writer |
| Time period: | December 2005 - Present |
| Description: | LEAD GRANT WRITER FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROJECTS
• Facilitate public meetings with community and economic development shareholders • Research grant funding opportunities • Implement a watershed protection kiosk program for K-12 Schools |
| Employer: | MPS Group, Inc., Detroit, MI |
| Position: | Environmental Resource Manager |
| Time period: | November 2003 - January 2006 |
| Description: | Contract administrator for a total waste management program at the General Motors Lansing Grand River assembly plant, reporting directly to the senior environmental engineering department. Major accomplishments:
• Lead auditor for the internal environmental management cross-functional team; resulting in 0 nonconformances for the Resource Management (RM) program. • Successful completion of the General Motors Audit Services and resource audits with 0 violations. • Supervised four, union environmental technicians, ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to and that all hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are collected from satellite accumulation areas and maintained within the central waste storage building in accordance with applicable GM policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulations. • Provide training to 5,000+ employees on sustainable recycling techniques • Assist in the LEED-Silver certification of automotive facility • Establish wildlife habitat council butterfly garden on company recreational trail • Mentored for the Lansing Area Mentorship Program, including coordination of student internships, job training for high school students, and presenting on careers in environmental engineering at local area high schools. |
| Employer: | Dynecol, Inc., Detroit, MI |
| Position: | Customer Service Representative |
| Time period: | June 2003 - November 2003 |
| Employer: | MPC Environmental, Detroit, MI |
| Position: | Project/Account Manager |
| Time period: | March 2002 - June 2003 |
| Description: | Completed a wide range of assignments, program accomplishments and increasing responsibilities in the Project Management and Sales and Marketing Divisions involving the following: customer liaison between purchasing and field operations units, underground storage tank removal projects, hazardous materials emergency response coordination, Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know programs, site investigation and compliance, review of emergency response plans, integrated contingency plans and spill prevention control and countermeasure plans. Key project assignments include the following:
• Acted as the cost documentation analyst for $5-million oil recovery project, under joint jurisdiction of the U.S. EPA and the United States Coast Guard; assisted with certificates of approval, community relations, waste management, and legislation compliance as well as participated in emergency response/ oil recovery activities. • Developed and maintained accounts with key buyers at Daimler-Chrysler, Pfizer, and Nissan, estimated revenue generated at $1.5 million. |
| Employer: | Mdanab, Ferndale, MI |
| Position: | Outside Consultant |
| Time period: | January 2002 - January 2006 |
| Employer: | Clayton Group Services, Novi, MI |
| Position: | Environmental Consultant |
| Time period: | December 2000 - January 2002 |
| Description: | Performed management and client liaison tasks including marketing, proposal preparation, cost estimating, budget management, and report preparation for heavy/light manufacturing and commercial operations throughout the United States. Key project accomplishments include the following:
• Completed 100+ Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, asbestos and mold surveys of commercial and heavy/light manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S (i.e. American Sunroof Corp. consolidation, Verizon Wireless, Comerica Bank, Questor Management, Stylecraft Plating). • Supported Environmental Compliance Department with ISO 14000 audits, safety inspections of industrial clients, asbestos and lead management, and Phase II Subsurface investigations. |
| Employer: | Ecology & Environment, Inc., Lancaster, NY |
| Position: | Project Manager |
| Time period: | October 1999 - November 2000 |
| Employer: | Testing Engineers & Consultants, Troy, MI |
| Position: | Environmental Scientist |
| Time period: | January 1997 - March 2002 |
| Employer: | Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Detroit, MI |
| Position: | Assistant Environmental Planner |
| Time period: | December 1995 - November 1996 |
| Description: | ROUGE RIVER WET WEATHER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
• Field Documentation and conduct community outreach efforts for recreational watershed program • Photo document the watershed improvement projects for publication • Implement a watershed protection kiosk program for K-12 Schools HTTP://WWW.ROUGERIVER.COM |
| Employer: | Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Livonia, MI |
| Position: | Brownfield Environmental Intern |
| Time period: | December 1994 - November 1995 |
| Description: | U.S. EPA GRANT FOR ROUNDTABLE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS
• Conduct research on contaminated properties for Director of Remediation • Design brownfield database to be used by real estate agents, developments and community planners for future redevelopment plans • Attend and take meeting minutes for environmental protection advocacy council meetings HTTP://MICHIGAN.GOV/DEQ |
EDUCATION
| University: | University of Idaho, Moscow |
| Degree: | Environmental Science, MSc |
| University: | University of Idaho, Moscow |
| Degree: | Bioregional Planning, MSc |
| University: | University of Michigan System - Dearborn |
| Degree: | Environmental Studies, Land Use Planning & Analysis, BA |
INFORMATION
| Memberships: | Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers
Institute of Hazardous Materials Management Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals Michigan’s Eastside Industrial Council Associate National Association of Environmental Professionals University of Michigan-Dearborn Natural Areas, Volunteer Secretary, UM Student Environmental Association Project GREEN River Sampling, Volunteer Lansing School District Earth Day, Volunteer UI Staff Affairs Benefits and Compensation Subcommittee UI Staff Affairs Professional Development Subcommittee Anderson Group, Brownfield Environmental Grant Writer UI Sustainability Center – Technical Advisor to Waste Minimization Subcommittee Honorary Member of Troy Historical Society US Green Building Council Member |
