Expertise: Environmental Technology, Environmental Compliance

Professional Profile

Ms. Rifkin’s introduction to the environmental field originated with an extensive background in the real estate industry.  Prior to joining ETG, she was a partner in a commercial real estate management company where she was involved in all phases of the acquisition, sales, and management of an extensive portfolio of shopping centers and office buildings.  Ms. Rifkin’s real estate experience also extends to the telecommunications industry.  As Manager of Real Estate and Zoning for a major wireless communications company, Ms. Rifkin was active in the acquisition, zoning, and permitting processes for the network implementation of wireless communication structures in three New York Counties.  These accomplishments have contributed to establishing a successful history of working closely with local governments and municipalities, including planning boards and zoning boards of appeal; as well as community groups, attorneys, insurance companies, and banks.

Ms. Rifkin also participated in a pilot engineering program at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Air, Noise, and Hazardous Materials.  Her assignments included inspecting exhaust equipment and their pollution control devices for Industrial Processes, inspecting New York City boiler systems for Fossil Fuels Division, and monitoring air emissions in the Air Laboratory.

Ms. Rifkin is an active participant in ETG’s training and environmental technology seminar programs.  She conducts an educational seminar on Brownfields redevelopment, with an emphasis on New York State legislation and grant funding opportunities.  In addition, she focuses on compliance, grant research, and environmental technology alternatives.

A member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and a New York State Licensed Real Estate Broker, Ms. Rifkin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Technology (with distinction) from the New York Institute of Technology.  In addition, Ms. Rifkin was the recipient of NYIT’s Environmental Technology Graduate Faculty Award.

Representative Experience

Incorporated Village of Bayville.  Long Island, NY

• Researched and prepared an extensive report evaluating alternative on-site residential wastewater treatment system technologies in an effort to reduce the presence of Fecal Coliform in a nearby body of water.
   
• Researched and prepared a report on the main bacterial water quality indicator standards for shellfish harvesting; including limits for Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, Escherichia Coli, and Enterococci.
   
• Performed water quality sampling for optical brighteners in the Mill Neck Creek.
   

• Analyzed Coliform sampling data for 19 sampling sites located in the Mill Neck Creek, Oyster Bay Harbor, and Cold Spring Harbor.  Prepared data for GIS input.

Incorporated Village of Manorhaven, Long Island, NY

• Researched the local impacts of extreme weather conditions in accordance with a Flood Plain Management and Hazard Mitigation Study.

 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) / University of Puerto Rico

• Took an active role in monitoring the compliance of a USEPA Consent Decree with PREPA, for correction of air, water pollution, and hazardous waste violations on four major electrical generating plants. 
   
• Analyzed emissions data and prepared quarterly reports for review.
   
• Created educational brochures describing types of power plant operations; PREPA’s land acquisition program; the chemical processes of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and ground-level ozone; complete and incomplete combustion; Opacity measurement methods; techniques for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions; and wastewater treatment.

 NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Air Monitoring Laboratory 

• Compared daily air emissions of contaminants generated by the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant under the North River Air Quality Monitoring Program.