NEISHA SMITH-LOPEZ
Arima
Summary
Lead on special waste management procedures. Master of Environment and Sustainability with expertise in hazardous waste management, recycling, and local & international waste mgmt. policies. Over 7 years of experience that includes leading high-impact projects and developed key guidance documents. Results-driven with exceptional presentation skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Officer - Waste
THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (SWMCOL)
P.O.S., Trinidad
01.2019 - Current
- Lead on Special Waste Mgmt
- And Procedures [Industrial/Commercial/Institutional (ICI)] at our nation’s landfills
- Authored SWMCOL’s Special Waste Management & Disposal Guidelines and redefined approval processes per the Basel Convention, National Waste Management Rules 2021, and local policies
- Reviewed ALL special waste disposal applications, advised industries on disposal methods, and implemented Best Environmental Practice (BEP) and Best Available Techniques (BAT) for disposal
- Develops training programmes/presentations internally (informing staff on modified policies) and externally (UWI, TT Bureau of Standards, Public Sector Government Agencies, Form 6 pre-university students etc.)
Public Education Assistant
THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (SWMCOL)
P.O.S., Trinidad
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Collated eco-data and consistently delivered presentations at various schools, communities, and corporate events
- Managed public education events and solely managed SWMCOL’s Instagram page
- Coordinated data collection for public education campaigns and information dissemination
Research and Project Assistant
THE POLLUTION PROBE FOUNDATION
Toronto, Canada
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Trained in Project Management and operating procedures by the Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Conducted research on pollution and energy for the city of North York and aided in sustainability reports
- Designed social media posts and infographics for public outreach for Pollution Probe’s Twitter page
- Assisted with planning of the prestige Pollution Probe's 2016 Annual Gala in Toronto and attended as an honorary guest
Research Assistant
GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION SERVICES LIMITED (GISL/TV4)
Morvant, Trinidad
06.2014 - 08.2015
- Produced reports for senior management and fulfilled internal/external client requests for local information
- Fulfilled internal and external client digital requests to be used for educational or entertainment purposes
- Developed departmental improvement system, resulting in a 20% increase in recycling and cost savings
- Promoted from student intern to full-time Research Assistant within 3 months
Youth Group Manager / Tutor
birdsong STEEL ACADEMY
Tunapuna, Trinidad
04.2012 - 08.2015
- Taught music literacy to 25 students in the ‘After-school’ and ‘Weekend’ programmes, achieving a 100% pass rate in the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Examinations for three consecutive years
- Promoted to Manager of the youth-led music group and we placed 3rd in Junior Panorama 2015 at our 1st attempt
The UWI, Faculty Computer Laboratory Manager
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES (The UWI)
St. Augustine, Trinidad
10.2012 - 05.2014
- Managed the Faculty of Science’s computer laboratory and supervised 15 workers
- Created a database for time sheets and payroll, improving administrative efficiency
- Impressed the Dean of the Faculty and was hired for four consecutive semesters until I graduated
Junior Planning Assistant / Technical Intern
THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT - Town & Country Planning Division
Tunapuna, Trinidad
06.2013 - 08.2013
- Utilized GPS, GIS, Arc Map and MultiSpec to analyze land use and provide reports internally
- Improved departmental draughting efficiency through effective data management
Education
Master of Environment And Sustainability - Environment and Sustainability
Western University
London, Canada10-2016
Bachelor of Science - Environmental & Natural Resource Management & Geography
The University of The West Indies
Saint Augustine, Trinidad And Tobago10-2014
Skills
- Project Management
- Environmental Professional Certification
- Event Management Certification
- Waste and Landfill Management Systems
- Hazardous Waste Characterization
- Social Media Management
- Innovation and creativity
- Cultural awareness
- Public speaking
- Hazardous waste management
Affiliations
- Environment & Sustainability Society - Canada
- Environment & Social Consultative Association (ESCA)
- The Caribbean Youth Environmental Network
- The Blue Flag
- The Sustainability Shop
- Hydra-STATION
Relevant Volunteer Experience
Lead Volunteer and Consultant, The Hydra-STATION, P.O.S., Port of Spain, Trinidad, 01/19, Current, Liaise with users, engage in technical conversations, manage report writing, and track the environmental impact by calculating the weight of plastics avoided and the corresponding reduction in carbon emissions.
Awards
- National Youth Environment Champion - Top 3 Finalist, Republic Day T&T, 2022
- Award of Academic Excellence for Master in Environment & Sustainability, B.W.O.M. (church), 2017
- Western University Merit Scholarship (MES) - Academic Excellence, Leadership, & Participation, 2016
- The UWI Scholarship (BSc.) - Development and Endowment Fund for Academic Performance, 2012 - 2013
- Valedictorian, Deputy Head Girl, Sports Team Capt., Arima Central Secondary School (Form 6), 2009 - 2011
Professional Development
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Ambassador - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research 2025
- Hazardous Waste Management: Handling & Disposal Techniques - OSS Academy, 2025
- Explorative Workshop on Circular Bioeconomy - The Faculty of Engineering, The UWI, 2024
- Events Management Certification, The Ministry of Community Development, 2023
- Stakeholder Consultant; Waste in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector - United Nations Development Programme, 2022
- Legislation and Certification Systems - Western University, Canada, 2016
- Measuring Change in Environment & Sustainability - Tavares Group Consulting Inc., Canada, 2016
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - Western University, Canada, 2015
Timeline
Technical Officer - Waste
THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (SWMCOL)
01.2019 - Current
Public Education Assistant
THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED (SWMCOL)
01.2018 - 12.2018
Research and Project Assistant
THE POLLUTION PROBE FOUNDATION
05.2016 - 08.2016
Research Assistant
GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION SERVICES LIMITED (GISL/TV4)
06.2014 - 08.2015
Junior Planning Assistant / Technical Intern
THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT - Town & Country Planning Division
06.2013 - 08.2013
The UWI, Faculty Computer Laboratory Manager
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES (The UWI)
10.2012 - 05.2014
Youth Group Manager / Tutor
birdsong STEEL ACADEMY
04.2012 - 08.2015
Master of Environment And Sustainability - Environment and Sustainability
Western University
Bachelor of Science - Environmental & Natural Resource Management & Geography
The University of The West Indies