Mariah Phillips

I have over five years of experience in ecological research and management, quality control, and mass multimedia communications. I'm skilled in field and data research, public speaking, AP style writing and editing, and Microsoft Office Suite. I will complete my Master of Environmental Management degree from Western Colorado University in December of 2022, and my research there has primarily focused on prescribed and wildland fire. I also speak conversational French.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO                                    June 2021 to present

Lead Forestry and Fuels Research Technician, under Dr. Jonathan Coop (40 hours/week)

• Established 38 long-term forest research sites in the Powderhorn Wilderness.
• Navigated to and from remote research sites using GPS and Avenza, involving 4WD of an official agency vehicle and extensive hiking.
• Responsible for generating data collection methods, data collection, data entry, managing other students in the field, and coordination with Dr. Jonathan Coop and Bureau of Land Management Fire Management Specialist Brian Stevens.
• Performing data analysis to generate highly local mathematical fire behavior models.  

Drone Amplified, remote from Gunnison, CO                       January 2022 to March 2022

Short-term Remote Researcher (20 hrs/wk)

• Completed short-term research needs and customer needs assessments related to funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
• Coordinated with two other remote researchers.

Niky’s Mini Donuts, Crested Butte, CO                            August 2020 to November 2021

Baker (15 hrs/wk)

• Provided fast-paced, friendly customer service at a candy and sweets shop.
• Performed store opening and closing procedures.
• Trained and managed other employees.

Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO                            June 2020 to March 2021

Forestry and Fuels Research Technician, under Dr. Jonathan Coop (40 hrs/wk)

• Established 47 long-term research sites in lodgepole pine forest at Taylor Park.
• Navigated to and from remote research sites using GPS and Avenza, involving 4WD and extensive hiking.
• Responsible for data collection, entry, managing other students in the field, and coordination with Dr. Jonathan Coop.

High Country News, Gunnison, CO                                      June 2020 to December 2020

Digital Intern (15 hrs/wk)

• Responsible for daily generation and posting of digital content across six social media platforms, ensuring consistent coverage of 12 western states and many indigenous communities.
• Developed and monitored photo contest entry platform.

BASF Corporation, Ames, IA                                         February  2018 to February 2019

Quality Control Laboratory Technician (40 hrs/wk)

• Analyzed and reset color testing standards for over 20 commercial colorant products.
• Daily testing of over 150 products including physical, biological and chemical characteristics. Developed corrections as necessary, communicated with production supervisors, and supported quality managers in daily operations.

Ledges State Park, Madrid, IA                                                   June 2017 to August 2017

Seasonal Interpreter and Park Aide (40 hrs/wk)

• Developed, scheduled and led programs to educate visitors on park history, ecology, and recreation, in addition to informal programs about hands-on identification of native wildlife and plant species.
• Assisted in trail creation and maintenance throughout the park, which required use of chainsaws, tractors, utility task vehicles, and assorted hand tools.
• Led volunteer groups in park improvement projects.

Iowa Outdoors Magazine, Des Moines, IA                          June 2015 to November 2016

Intern Writer (20 hrs/wk)

• Devised and authored eight features articles, 29 general articles, 42 blogs and took accompanying photographs for official Iowa Department of Natural Resources publications.
• Catalogued previous Iowa Outdoors articles by author, date published, topic and key words.
• Digitized and preserved archives of photograph slides.
• Supported Editor in Chief, Managing Editor and Social Media Director with daily operations.

The Nature Conservancy, Westfield, IA                                   June 2014 to August 2014

Anna Beal Intern (40 hrs/wk)

• Managed native prairies and wildlife as part of an eight-intern crew, requiring use of prescribed fire, herbicide, chainsaws, brush saws, weed whackers, all-terrain vehicles, and assorted hand tools.
• Took elective training to participate in prescribed fires.
• Supported Western and Eastern Iowa Land Stewards with daily operational functions.

Bruegger’s Bagels, Ames, IA                                                      August 2013 to May 2014

Baker (20 hrs/wk)

• Provided fast-paced, friendly customer service at a bagel shop.
• Baked bagels, prepared sandwiches and maintained food safety measures.
• Performed store opening and closing procedures.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Attended American Fisheries Society/ The Wildlife Society Conference, October 2019

Updated Iowa State University Ichthyology Collection, April 2017 - May 2017

Assisted in physically reorganizing, cleaning, and cataloguing hundreds of specimens in the largest ichthyology collection in the state of Iowa.

Prepared Taxidermy Specimens for the Iowa State Research Collection, May 2017

Regular Volunteer at Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, March 2014 - May 2017

In association with Sigma Lambda Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (academic women musicians’ fraternity) ushered and facilitated over 50 formal concerts and receptions. 

Administered Prescribed Fire in the Grand River Grasslands, March 2016

Participated in six prescribed fires in southern Iowa in association with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University.

Volunteer at Iowa State University Wildlife Care Clinic, September 2014 - May 2015

Participated in care, cleaning and rehabilitation of clinic patients, ranging from juvenile rabbits and squirrels to injured raptors, waterfowl, furbearers and reptiles.

I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and another Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in French from Iowa State University in 2017. I will complete my Master of Environmental Management at Western Colorado University in December of 2022.