Zeke Simmons - Environmental Scientist

Professional Summary

Zeke Simmons has 10 years of experience in field work, sampling, and data collection. His range of field experience includes mammal, bird, and fish identification; population sampling; population estimating; GPS navigation; and surgical implantation of radio-telemetry devices. He also is experienced in collecting and preparing samples for submission to analytical laboratories. Zeke is skilled at data entry and report writing, and is exceptionally accurate in recordkeeping during complex field sampling operations. Some of his sample collecting includes water and tissues such as scales, otoliths, and DNA from Endangered Species Act-listed fishes. Zeke also has contributed to the development of the EAS vessel operation policy.

Zeke's work includes fish, wildlife, water, and sediment sampling; boat operations; hoisting and rigging; and terrestrial and aquatic resource support for the Public Safety and Resource Protection (PSRP) program at the Hanford Site. The PSRP program at Hanford is being directed for the U.S. Department of Energy by the Mission Support Alliance. His other duties for PSRP include:

  • Conduct site sampling and environmental surveillance to assess contaminant levels in the Hanford environs and nearby communities. The monitoring program includes sampling of air, surface water, sediment, soil, natural vegetation, agricultural products, fish, and wildlife.
  • Evaluate potential impacts to the biota in vicinity of DOE activities.
  • Ensure early identification of, and support response to, potential adverse environmental impacts associated with DOE operations.

Zeke is a field team leader for EAS’s groundwater upwelling mapping and sampling projects currently underway along the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Zeke oversees daily equipment calibration checks, safety equipment inspections, and is the field point-of-contact for project management. He is certified to wear air-purifying respirators and is well experienced trapping small mammals.

Zeke is also a key field member of the team collecting, processing, and shipping soil and biota samples in support of the Comprehensive Monitoring Program for the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility, Umatilla, Oregon. He routinely performs sample collections, including handling small mammals, field logbook record keeping, copy and scanning records, performing data QA checks, and summary report preparations.

Areas of Specialization

  • Field sample collections
  • Field Logbook record keeping
  • Fish and wildlife surveys and monitoring
  • Data management
  • Hoisting and Rigging Specialist

Relevant Work Experience

Zeke served in many capacities as to establish an EAS presence in support of the MC252 Deepwater Horizon Gulf oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment in the Gulf of Mexico. For example, he participated in pre-assessment and assessment operations; he recommended corrections to improve Standard Operating Procedures and then trained new employees in the Standard Operations and Procedures and Health and Safety Policies. He also was involved in developing vessel-specific SOPs for research vessels operating in the Gulf. Also for this project, he participated in the sample collection and sample accessioning activities.

Other Relevant Work Experience

Jet Boat Captain, River Adventures, Haines, Alaska, April-June, 2008

Fisheries Biologist, Terrapin Environmental, Twisp, Washington, September 2007-April 2008

Captain, Columbia Research, Chelan, Washington, May 2002-April 2007

Scientific Technician, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wenatchee, Washington, March 2004-September 2005

Education/Training

  • B.S., Biology, Central Washington University, 2001
  • Licensed Merchant Marine Officer; Master 50-ton Inland, USCG, 2007
  • Commercial Assistance Towing Endorsement, USCG, 2007
  • STCW Basic Safety Training, Freemont Maritime Services, 2007
  • Hazardous Waste Worker Certification
  • Washington State Boater Education Card
  • First Aid/CPR