Robert Kent 41 connections

Water Resource Policy Advisor, Receptive Relations

Canberra, Australia

Professional Summary

• Autonomous and innovative supervisor with excellent communication, reporting and leadership skills.
• Strong personal integrity, relates to local communities and creates trust by working for their interests.
• Dependable and consistent in supporting and facilitating team efforts to produce genuine long-term livelihood gains.
• Highly confident and persuasive team-builder, able to motivate local stakeholders to undertake and invest in sustainable programs.
• Persistent and flexible approach to bridging cultures between local communities/staff and foreign agencies.
• Meticulous and diligent observer of project costs and work schedules.
• Reliable long-term project planning and organization, ensuring dependable cost-management.
• Creative and original approach when working to solve abstract and complicated problems.
• Honours degree in Civil Engineering.

Specialties:
•Three years of development field experience in water resource management, sanitary landfill design and creating sustainable community livelihood projects
•Currently have a Blog reader list of 1,000+ people who contribute to projects
•Organized and facilitated Solid Waste Management (SWM) conferences, bringing together community members, education facilities, NGOs and government agencies
•Knowledgeable in applying for grants and setting up transparent micro-credit programs at the local level

Contact Info

(work)

Phone

+1-631-458-1119 (work)

Website

www.robrasa.com/hisblog (work)

Work/Education

Work Experience

Receptive Relations / Water Resource Policy Advisor

2007 - Present

During our travels through East Asia, Central America and the Middle East, we have been seeking people and organizations that aim to improve the livelihood of their community. Using our contacts in Rotary International, US Peace Corps and the development community, we visit their projects work towards goals ranging from water and solid waste management to tourism and handicraft marketing. We believe projects that attempt to utilize their existing resources, such as culture, skills and environment, can achieve sustainable goals, and this is what we aim to promote.

Pure Water for the World / Project Manager and Water Resource Advisor

2006 - 2007

I am responsible for managing three grants to install household water filters and ensure sustainability by using Spanish to educate local staff. These grants include $56,400 that has installed 340 filters, a 2nd that is starting, and writing a 3rd. Completion of these involved collaboration among the US Peace Corps, Rotary International, and local government. I managed a consensus among these entities regarding the selection of staff, determination of costs and assumption of responsibility.

US Peace Corps- Philippines / Water/Sanitation Engineering Consultant

2004 - 2006

My duties were to enhance the Kabankalan communities’ understanding of environmental issues related to their management of water and solid waste. I accomplish this by introducing green charcoal, an economic alternative to sugarcane field burning; establishing 5 material recovery facilities that buy back recyclables at a neutral cost; creating an environmental impact statement template now used by 15 municipalities; and conducting education campaigns by distributing didactic information VCDs.

Thales GeoSolutions (Pacific), Inc. / Cable/Hydrographic Surveyor

2000 - 2004

As the onsite representative for international offshore projects, I travelled to more than 40 countries. I was responsible for confident decision making while under considerably stressful conditions. I was able to identify system problems and carry out corrective actions. I was also the liaison between international job sites and my home office. This representation kept Thales abreast of upcoming work, relevant developments and new contracts through my friendly relationships with clients.

Moffatt & Nichol Engineers / Staff Coastal Engineer

1998 - 2000

As a staff engineer, I assisted with projects related to the design, construction or repair of airfields, roads, bridges, piers, ports, river sedimentation, wetland restoration and beach erosion. As the coastal department’s IT resource expert, I was responsible for computer maintenance and repair, anticipation of modelling needs, development of IT standards and insuring the long-term security of archived data. I also laid out the primary ACAD design files according to the job specifications.

Control Management Systems / Automation System Technician

1994 - 1998

My primary responsibility was to install, program and repair facility HVAC automation and control systems. This involved assembling computer workstations and installing their operating systems. I also oversaw the planning and installation of communication and power lines to control units in high-rise office buildings such as TWO CALIFORNIA PLAZA. I directed the purchase of computer control systems that, through outsourcing, identification and analysis, led to significant cost savings.

Education

Australian National University

Master of, Environmental Management and Development, 2009

Cal Poly Pomona

BS, Civil Engineering, 2000

Etiwanda High School

1992

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Robert Kent Going to the Giebert's for the start of a football weekend and a little Borderlands! Jan 15, 2010 via Facebook

Robert Kent posted a blog entry Jan 14, 2010

Hello Marrakech, goodbye Africa

This is actually the second time we were in Marrakech, the first being after we came out of the mountains, but I felt it was the perfect post to end our extraordinary journey. Spending four days here it was nice to finally be back in a major city with all its cosmopolitan energy.... more »

Robert Kent Seafood in Safi and Essaouira http://ff.im/-e7DZ4 Jan 10, 2010 via Facebook

Robert Kent posted a blog entry Jan 10, 2010

Seafood in Safi and Essaouira

After passing through Marrakesh, and staying for three nights, we gorged on seafood along the coastal cities of Safi and Essaouira. Besides the seafood, these cities were worth visiting just to see their ancient buildings nestled behind fortress walls.... more »