My Resume
Work Experience
Transportation Maintenance Specialist (Lead)
Aug 2018-Present
Oregon Department of Transportation — La Grande, OR
- Develop daily work plans, coordinate resources, train new employees, and outline expectations from management for a crew of 4-6 people on night shift for the previous 3 years.
- Respond to incidents on the state highway system, collaborating with outside agencies and internal resources to mitigate secondary incidents and provide a resolution.
- Effectively communicate and coordinate with nearby crews during winter storm events and large incidents to provide a unified response.
- Actively participated in a managerial mentoring program on a monthly basis.
- Actively engage in daily crew meetings and provide insight on a safe, efficient, and effective method for completing tasks.
- Designed a highway crossover project by determining resources and materials needed to bring it to fruition.
- Operate a variety of specialized equipment, including road grader, snow plows, dozer, and others to complete highway maintenance projects.
Executive Director
Feb 2017-Present
Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center — Island City, OR
- Use strategic planning to manage an annual budget of nearly $100,000, allocate funding for organizational projects, develop yearly revenue forecasts, and review organizational financial statements.
- Increased average unique website visitors by 116% YOY using paid digital marketing channels and organic SEO. Total unique lifetime users: ~13.2 million.
- Increased user engagement with an 8% CTR on Google Ads and a 3% CTR on Meta Platforms through effective campaigns.
- Developed complex GIS web applications and RESTful APIs using HTML, CSS, Javascript, MySQL, and PHP.
- Facilitated and managed an exclusive partnership with a large wildland fire gear & apparel company for three years.
- Successfully applied for, received, and facilitated a large grant to fulfill the organization’s mission.
- Successfully applied for and received IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption status.
Fire Lookout
Jun 2020-Sep 2022
U.S. Forest Service — Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, OR
- Observed national forest and Wilderness for new wildland fire starts.
- Communicated new wildland fires, smoke reports, daily weather, and other significant information to a U.S. Forest Service Interagency Dispatch Center.
- Used Osborne Fire Finder and electronic GIS tools to determine locations of wildland fire starts.
Communications Technician (911 Dispatcher)
May 2014-Jul 2018
La Grande Police Department — La Grande, OR
- Led the coordination and provided guidance of high-stress, large incidents to newer employees, ensuring a proper response, as a senior dispatcher.
- Regularly responded to inquiries from the public and gathered critical information from frustrated callers to provide a resolution.
- Worked independently, and in a team, to coordinate numerous interagency resources, local partners, and out-of-state agencies for law, fire, and EMS incidents under extreme stress.
- Served on a multi-person panel for hiring of new employees.
- Developed and led the implementation of online employee schedules, increased efficiency for monthly law enforcement reports, and modernized the department website using Drupal 7 CMS.
Chief Operations Officer
Dec 2011-Dec 2022
La Grande Ride, Inc. — Summerville, OR
- Developed and maintained complex, proprietary applications for the company's GIS data using HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, and Javascript.
- Used search engine optimization and social media channels to increase organic user acquisition to 75% and customer retention to near 50% during tenure.
- Recruited, supervised, provided feedback, and oversaw volunteer operations for remote meteorologists producing the company's weather services.
- Attended regular meetings with the President to update a comprehensive business plan, set annual goals, and review statements of financial position.
- Co-authored a peer-reviewed paper for the International Snow Science Workshop as a part of a collaboration between the company and a local non-profit.
Education
Bachelor of Science — Business Administration
June 2017
Eastern Oregon University — La Grande, OR
- Dean's List: Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2016, Spring 2017
- Awards: Sapphire Scholarship, Gilbert Scholarship, Nebeker Scholarship, Union County Economic Development Scholarship, Davis-Kirby Award, University Scholar Award
Volunteer Experience
Reserve Police Officer
Aug 2016-Aug 2018
La Grande Police Department — La Grande, OR
- Used de-escalation techniques and empathy to diffuse situations while engaging with the public during calls for service.
- Enforced state laws and ordinances while responding to calls for service; conducted investigations and made arrests.
- Actively participated in regular training of defensive tactics, firearms, domestic violence, traffic code, criminal code, emergency vehicle operations, etc.
Volunteer Firefighter
Jun 2012-Aug 2014
La Grande Rural Fire Protection District — Island City, OR
- Responded to emergency and non-emergency structure and wildland fires, medical calls, and vehicle accidents while working in synergy with a team.
- Attended regular and continuous training for fire and EMS topics.
- Assisted with fire prevention and safety education for elementary students.
Advisor
Feb 2014-Dec 2016
Wallowa Avalanche Center — Joseph, OR
- Provided technical assistance using Drupal 6-7, HTML, CSS, and PHP with the organization website.
- Advised Board of Directors on information technology needs.
- Conceived and contributed to the installation of a remote, high-elevation weather station at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort.
Volunteer
Jun 2005-Jun 2010
Eastern Oregon Livestock Show — Union, OR
- Volunteered in the “cook shack” serving food to customers, following health regulations.
- Provided exceptional service to customers.
- Assisted in counting and organizing or inventory.
- Acted as a cashier by taking money and making change.
Publications
Author
- Sather, B. A., & Hurd, T. D. (2016). Online systems for integrating the safety, strategy, and stoke of backcountry adventure. In Proceedings of the International Snow Science Workshop, Breckenridge, CO (pp. 789-796). Retrieved from https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/objects/ISSW16_P2.19.pdf.
- Hurd, T. (2016, December 30). Storms bring powder galore. The Baker County Press, 1. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/StormsBringPowderGalore.pdf.
- Hurd, T. (2015, December 15). Deteriorating police-public relationships amongst recent use of force incidents. Unpublished manuscript. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Eastern Oregon University. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Public-Police%20Relationship%20(WR320).pdf.
- Hurd, T., & Marro, A. (2014, June 20). Intense fire season could be ahead for northeast Oregon. The Baker County Press, 9.
- Hurd, T. (2014, January 17). Locals escape avalanche scare. La Grande Observer. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/LocalsEscapeAvalancheScare.pdf.
- La Grande Weather Service, Inc. (Producer), Hurd, T., & Sather, B. (Directors). (2014, April). Go home: Backcountry Skiing in NE Oregon [Motion Picture]. United States: La Grande. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/91195716.
- Hurd, T. (2013, February 20). Students work towards solution. La Grande Observer. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Students%20work%20towards%20solution.pdf.
Mentions
- Wittwer, A. (2022, January 18). Plowing through the night. East Oregonian. Retrieved from https://eastoregonian.com/news/local/plowing-through-the-night/article_c7ce65e9-35f3-51e8-a2e4-331a50f7fae7.html.
- Kaechele, C. (2018, April 16). Dispatchers recognized: Appreciation week draws attention to invaluable workers. La Grande Observer. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Dispatchers%20recognized.pdf.
- Benham, J. (2017, Feb 16). Lack of dispatchers creates dire situation. La Grande Observer. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Lack%20of%20dispatchers%20creates%20dire%20situation.pdf.
- Black, K. (2014). A day in the life: Weather service forecasts for the backcountry. La Grande Observer, 30. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Weather%20service%20forecasts%20for%20the%20backcountry.pdf.
- Stebbings, K. R., & Pridmore-Brown, J. (2013). Using amateur radio for backcountry safety. The Avalanche Review, 31(4), 8. Retrieved from https://rvb212.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TAR3104_All_LoRes.pdf.
- Mason, D. (2011, November 25). Student installs weather station at Anthony. La Grande Observer. Retrieved from https://tesmondhurd.com/docs/Student%20installs%20weather%20station%20at%20Anthony.pdf.
Certifications
All Certificates
- Level 1 Technician (Amateur Radio Operator): Federal Communications Commission (2012-Present)
- AIARE Level 1 Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain: American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (2014-Present)
- Class A Commercial Driver’s License (including tank and farm endorsement): State of Oregon (2018-Present)
- Telecommunicator: Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (2014-2019)
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher: Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (2014-2019)
- Incident Command System (ICS) 800: Federal Emergency Management Agency (2012-Present)
- Incident Command System (ICS) 700: Federal Emergency Management Agency (2012-Present)
- Incident Command System (ICS) 200: Federal Emergency Management Agency (2012-Present)
- Incident Command System (ICS) 100: Federal Emergency Management Agency (2012-Present)
- NFPA Wildland Firefighter Type 2: National Wildfire Coordinating Group (2012-2014)
Meteorological Certificates
- Avalanche Weather Forecasting, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2023)
- S-290 Unit 3: Fuels, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2023)
- S-290 Unit 9: Observing the Weather, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2023)
- Weather Radar Fundamentals, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2023)
- Assessing Fire Danger, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2022)
- Principles of Convection I: Buoyancy and CAPE, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2022)
- Principles of Convection II: Using Hodographs, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2022)
- Principles of Convection III: Shear and Convective Storms, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2022)
- Stability, Smoke Management, and Fire Weather Forecasting, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2022)
- Anticipating Hazardous Weather and Community Risk, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2017)
- Communicating Winter Weather Surface Impacts, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2017)
- Skew-T Mastery, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2014)
- S-290 Unit 2: Topographic Influences on Wildland Fire Behavior, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2013)
- The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2013)
- Fire Weather Forecasting: Clear Communications, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2010)
- S-290 Unit 11: Extreme Wildland Fire Behavior, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2010)
- Creating Meteorological Products from Satellite Data, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
- River Ice Processes, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
- S-290 Unit 1: The Fire Environment, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
- S-290 Unit 4: Basic Weather Processes, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
- Snowmelt Processes, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
- Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle, MetEd/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (2009)
Skills
- Web Development: HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, jQuery, JSON/GeoJSON, XML, PHP, MySQL, RESTful APIs, Kotlin; Drupal 6-7, Wordpress, Bootstrap; Google Maps SDK; Leaflet; Mapbox GL JS; Amazon S3, Cloudfront
- Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Teams, Earth, Visual Studio; Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Calendar, Play Store Developers; Monday.com; Slack; Zoom; Garmin Basecamp; ArcGIS Web; Android Studio
- Marketing/Performance: Google Ads, Analytics (UA & GA4), Search Console, Tag Manager; Mailchimp; Meta Ads, Sendgrid
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TweetDeck, Hootsuite, Bit.ly
Web Projects
- La Grande Police Department: LaGrandePoliceDept.org (2017-2021)
- JC Meteorological Services: JCMeteorologicalServices.com (2018-2022)
- James A. Schaeffer Attorney LLC: JASLawFirm.net (2017-Present)
- UCMugshots.com (2016-2021)
- A Decent Apparel Company, LLC: ADecentApparelCompany.com (2016)
- GridWish: Gridwish.com (2016)
- Central Oregon Avalanche Center: COAvalanche.org (2015-Present)
- Wallowa Avalanche Center: WallowaAvalancheCenter.org (2014-2017)
- Passdown: PassdownApp.com (2014)
- La Grande Rural Fire Protection District: LaGrandeRuralFire.com (2013-Present)
Contributions
- Volunteer, Brewfest, Terminal Gravity Brewing (Sept. 2023)
- Attendee, Pacific Northwest Snowfighters Conference, Pacific NW Snowfighters Association, Portland, OR (June 2023)
- Reviewer & Contributor, Google Maps, www.google.com/maps (2016-Present)
- Volunteer, Radio & Communications Operator, Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race, Joseph, OR (Jan 2015-Jan 2017)
- Developer, Online Snow Layer Displayer (OLSD), the first SaaS for creating a specialized graphs of snowpack conditions for avalanche professionals (2015)
- Volunteer contributor to backcountry snowpack observations & analysis, WallowaAvalancheCenter.org, Wallowa Avalanche Center (2014-2017)
- Contributor to race operations and performed trail work, Roundabout Spout XC Mountain Bike Race, Tollgate, Oregon (July 2014)
- Co-Contributor, La Grande Ride “RideCast” Podcast & Vodcast series, www.lagranderide.com/ridecast (2013-2018)
- Contributor to race operations, Oregon Trail Sprint Triathlon, North Powder, Oregon (May 2013)
- Volunteer contributor to backcountry snowpack observations & analysis, LaGrandeRide.com, La Grande Ride, Inc. (2012-2019)
- Contributor to race operations, XTERRA La Grande Offroad Triathlon, La Grande, Oregon (July 2012 & 2013)
- Editor-in-Chief, Tiger Hi-Lites (newspaper), La Grande High School, La Grande, Oregon (2013)