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)
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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
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