B.A. Biology (concentration in evolution and ecology), University of California, Davis, 2006
GIS Certificate, San Jose State University, 2009
- Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting: Staff Ecologist and GIS Analyst, May 2011-present
- FRP Games: Database Administrator, 2009-2011
- Stepping Stone Tutors: Tutor, 2009-2011
- Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: Tutor, 2007-2009
- Franklin-McKinley School District: Substitute Teacher, 2006-2008
Mr. Smith’s educational background is in terrestrial and wetland ecology, and the use of spatial data to understand and present biological information. His educational background includes graduate coursework in ecological study design and geographic information science, with research experience using GIS to investigate the dispersal dynamics of plethodontid salamanders.
Mr. Smith was a science and math educator for four years, and he retains those communication skills for presenting technical data to both scientific and lay audiences. After completing his certificate in GIS, he moved on to spend two years as a database administrator, managing a 30,000+ record database. He now applies those database administration skills to the analysis of large biological datasets. He has been the data organization and processing lead on an analysis of the hydrology, botany, water quality, and invertebrate biology of over 450 created and natural vernal pools in California’s central valley. He is also the lead cartographer on an ongoing project to create ca. 7 acres of vernal pools in Madera County. His primary duties at VNLC are as a staff cartographer and GIS analyst, where he has analyzed survey data and produced maps for several projects set in the San Joaquin valley and the Coast Range.