ArcGIS
Sean Townsend
Natural Resources Management Practitioner| Marine Scientist
Kingston, Jamaica
Summary
Detail-oriented Natural Resources Manager offering 15 years of expertise in environmental management, sustainable development, risk management, policy development, stakeholder engagement and event planning. Advanced knowledge of regulatory compliance with a proven track record of partnering with multi-level stakeholders to identify vulnerabilities and create corrective actions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certificates
Work History
Natural Resources Management Manager
Urban Development Corporation
Kingston , Jamaica
10.2009 - Current
- Manages a team 6 and coordinates the activities of the Natural Resources Management and Environmental Planning Department as it relates to the assessment, conservation and development of the Corporation’s natural resources in its designated areas across Jamaica.
- Represent the Corporation on national committees and working groups regarding sustainable development and natural resources policies establishment. Nominated as the Deputy-Chair of the National Invasive Alien Species Working Group ; Sub-Committee Chair - National Marine Ambient Water Quality Standards Committee
- Integrated Environmental Risk Management, Gender and Climate Change considerations into the Corporation's projects
- Took active role in meetings with general public and local policyholders to discuss solutions for sustainable development and devise strategies for funding and implementing top options
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Reviewed performance data to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress and activity levels.
- Improved operational planning and business frameworks to enhance resource utilization and reduce waste.
Adjunct Lecturer
University of the West Indies
Kingston, Jamaica
01.2020 - Current
- Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussion of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- 95% student success rate
- Masters student supervisor
Invasive Alien SpeciesConsultant
National Environment and Planning Agency
Kingston, Jamaica
08.2008 - 05.2009
- Facilitated national assessment and project development activities according to the regional GEF funded and CABI administered project entitled “Mitigating the threat of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Insular Caribbean”.
- Conducted a critical situation analysis to identify national gaps to mitigate the impact of IAS in Jamaica.
- Formulated Jamaica's pilot ecosystem focused project (3)
- Develop the framework for a national strategy to prevent and manage the impact of IAS in the country which contributed to the development of a regional strategy.
- Authored Jamaica's first National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan
Senior Research Officer - Jamaica CHM
Institute of Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
09.2006 - 09.2008
- Focal Point – Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism
- Focal Point – Biosafety Clearing House
- Oversaw the expansion of the Jamaica Clearing-House Mechanism though extensive consultation with stakeholders and the establishment of the Ja-CHM Steering Committee.
- Acquired equipment to build the capacity of the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica, according to the Government of Jamaica procurement guidelines.
- Designed and executed several training workshops, both internally and externally, based on project goals.
- Prepared and submitted interim and final reports according to the guidelines of the relevant funding agencies.
- Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) Invasive Information Network (I3N) Established the national database on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) via consultations with experts to acquire information.
- Oversaw production of brochures and posters to increase public awareness of IAS.
- Lead for the I3N in Jamaica and the Caribbean and a member of the Alien Invasive Working Group and the I3N Technical Working Group.
- Executed training and public awareness workshops under the guidance of the Caribbean regional project coordinator.
- Represented Jamaica and the Caribbean in South Korea to share the lessons learnt from the successful execution of the project.
Education
Certified Scrum Master - Project Management
Scrum Fundamentals, Scrum Study VMEdu Inc.
Jamaica 06.2018 - 07.2018
Postgraduate Diploma - Environmental Management for Developing and Emerging Countries
Technische Universität Dresden
Federal Republic Of Germany 01.2017 - 07.2017
Ph.D. - Marine Science-Oceanography
Centre For Marine Sciences, UWI
Kingston , Jamaica 06.2001 - 01.2014
Certificate of Completion - Biological Oceanography
Bermuda Biological Station For Research
St. George’s GE 01, Bermuda 05.1999 - 06.1999
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
University of The West Indies
Kingston Jamaica 09.1995 - 05.1999
Skills
Schedule optimization
Project planning and development
Advanced problem solving
Budgeting
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Problems analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
Accomplishments
- Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professional (JIEP)- www.jiep.orgPresident: 2018-2020& 2020-2022 | Vice President: 2016-2018 | Treasurer: 2010-2016 | Secretary: 2008-2010UDC Sports ClubPresident: 2018-present | Vice President: 2016-2018
- National Invasive Alien Species Working Group Chair: 2018-2020 | Vice Chair: 2020 -present & 2016-2018
- National Ambient Water Quality Committee (Standards Establishment) -Chair – Marine Ambient Water Quality Sub-Committee
- CONFERENCES:“The Dispersal of Phytoplankton along Coastal Embayments, Hellshire Coastline, St. Catherine” Sixth Biannual Pure and Applied Sciences Faculty Conference, Kingston, March 18-20, 2003.
- Presenter“The Importance of Phytoplankton in Coastal Embayments in understanding Longshore Distribution and Dispersion Patterns.” IASI-IAS-RODAE/IOCARIBE-GOOS Coastal Modelling Workshop, Barbados, November 6-8, 2002.
- Poster Presentation“The Oceanography of the Hellshire Coastline.” Centre for Marine Sciences Seminar Series, UWI, April 2001.
Certification
Marine Risk Assessment
Affiliations
- Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals
Software
Microsoft Office
Timeline
Adjunct Lecturer
University of the West Indies
01.2020 - Current
Certified Scrum Master - Project Management
Scrum Fundamentals, Scrum Study VMEdu Inc.
06.2018 - 07.2018
Postgraduate Diploma - Environmental Management for Developing and Emerging Countries
Technische Universität Dresden
01.2017 - 07.2017
Natural Resources Management Manager
Urban Development Corporation
10.2009 - Current
Invasive Alien SpeciesConsultant
National Environment and Planning Agency
08.2008 - 05.2009
Senior Research Officer - Jamaica CHM
Institute of Jamaica
09.2006 - 09.2008
Ph.D. - Marine Science-Oceanography
Centre For Marine Sciences, UWI
06.2001 - 01.2014
Certificate of Completion - Biological Oceanography
Bermuda Biological Station For Research
05.1999 - 06.1999
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
University of The West Indies
09.1995 - 05.1999