Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Steven Sobieszćzyk
Steven Sobieszćzyk is a scientist and spokesperson. While "Sobie" spent most of his career researching landslide hazards, flooding, sediment transport, and stream ecosystems, he now focuses on science communication and promoting scientific literacy. Steve is a multihazard first responder and has spoken extensively about seismic, wildfire, landslide, flooding, and volcanic hazards.
CURRENT WORK
- Media Lead for the USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area
- Public Information Officer for DOI Office of Wildland Fire
- Hydrologist for National DOI Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team
Professional Experience
Public Affairs Specialist • U.S. Geological Survey • 2020 – Present
Develop, create, and execute national-level Bureau communication content (e.g., news releases, social media posts, videos), events (e.g., open houses, press conferences), and media & science communications training. Writer. Illustrator. Videographer. Webmaster. Instructor. Public Speaker.
Public Information Officer & Hydrologist • U.S. Department of Interior • 2017 – Present
Multi-incident first responder. Create talking points, press releases, videos, social media content, and online story maps. Coordinate community meetings and press conferences. DOI Burned Area Emergency Response hydrologist.
Co-founder • Association of Science Communicators • 2016 – 2023
Founding member and executive officer of an international non-profit science communication organization. Help guide internal/external communication and community marketing strategies, including graphic design, branding, and conference development.
Geographer & Hydrologist • U.S. Geological Survey • 2001 – 2020
Study debris flow, flooding, and sediment transport-related issues. Professional background in GIS, including runoff modeling and bathymetric surveys. Advised Leadership on strategies and methods to achieve better public understanding of science content.
Adjunct Professor • Portland State University • 2011 – 2017
Taught Hydrology (GEOG 4/514), GIS for Water Resources (GEOG 4/594), River Restoration, Part II: Ecological Processes (EPP 222), and Site Evaluation and Assessment Tools (EPP 223).
Research Assistant • NASA • 1999
Mapped, analyzed, and compiled a database of crater impacts on Ganymede, the largest moon of Jupiter, using Galileo and Viking satellite images.
Education and Certifications
Portland State University • M.S. • 2010
Landslide Engineering Geology and Hydrology
Portland State University • GISP • 2005
Licensed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional
University of Wisconson - Oshkosh • B.S. • 2000
Geology, minor in Geography
Science and Products
When it comes to talking to others, especially when explaining science, the key is consequences outweigh precision. You should always be honest, tell the truth, but don't sweat the small stuff. People care about relatability, not the mundane. Knowing what information isn't worth sharing is hard. There are professionals out there who can help. Like me.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
I Am A...Wildlife Biologist coloring page
I Am A...Wildlife Biologist coloring page
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the eighth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the eighth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Wetland Ecologist Coloring Page
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
This illustration is for an Ichthyologist coloring page. This coloring page can easily be added to lesson plans for students in science classes.
This illustration is for an Ichthyologist coloring page. This coloring page can easily be added to lesson plans for students in science classes.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the fifth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the fifth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds comprising more than 90 different species. Researchers at the USGS Alaska Science Center work in collaboration with many partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities and rehabilitation centers to investigate seabirds.
Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds comprising more than 90 different species. Researchers at the USGS Alaska Science Center work in collaboration with many partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities and rehabilitation centers to investigate seabirds.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Chiropterologist coloring page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Chiropterologist coloring page.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A Fire Ecologist - Coloring Page
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A Fire Ecologist - Coloring Page
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Ornithologist coloring page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Ornithologist coloring page.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A...Herpetologist Coloring Page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A...Herpetologist Coloring Page.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the first video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the first video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Houses were damaged during the M6.4 earthquake that struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Houses were tagged by local officials for whether they were safe or not.
Houses were damaged during the M6.4 earthquake that struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Houses were tagged by local officials for whether they were safe or not.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Steven is interested in landslide hazards, sediment transport, water quality, and stream ecosystems and has published numerous scientific reports, journal articles, and data sets on these topics (see subject links below for respective publications).
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
When it comes to talking to others, especially when explaining science, the key is consequences outweigh precision. You should always be honest, tell the truth, but don't sweat the small stuff. People care about relatability, not the mundane. Knowing what information isn't worth sharing is hard. There are professionals out there who can help. Like me.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
I Am A...Wildlife Biologist coloring page
I Am A...Wildlife Biologist coloring page
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the eighth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the eighth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Wetland Ecologist Coloring Page
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the sixth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
This illustration is for an Ichthyologist coloring page. This coloring page can easily be added to lesson plans for students in science classes.
This illustration is for an Ichthyologist coloring page. This coloring page can easily be added to lesson plans for students in science classes.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the fifth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the fifth video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds comprising more than 90 different species. Researchers at the USGS Alaska Science Center work in collaboration with many partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities and rehabilitation centers to investigate seabirds.
Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds comprising more than 90 different species. Researchers at the USGS Alaska Science Center work in collaboration with many partner agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities and rehabilitation centers to investigate seabirds.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Chiropterologist coloring page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Chiropterologist coloring page.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the third video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A Fire Ecologist - Coloring Page
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A Fire Ecologist - Coloring Page
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Ornithologist coloring page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series Ornithologist coloring page.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
Welcome to the “I Am A..." series, a whiteboard animation video series highlighting USGS careers.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A...Herpetologist Coloring Page.
This is a high resolution image for the whiteboard series I Am A...Herpetologist Coloring Page.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the first video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Welcome to the "The I Am A..." series. This is the first video in a series of USGS whiteboard animations that highlight USGS careers.
Houses were damaged during the M6.4 earthquake that struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Houses were tagged by local officials for whether they were safe or not.
Houses were damaged during the M6.4 earthquake that struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Houses were tagged by local officials for whether they were safe or not.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a landslide failure along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread along a residential road in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
USGS scientists were deployed to assess land deformation and movement after a large M6.4 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020. Here is an example of a lateral spread near a stream in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Steven is interested in landslide hazards, sediment transport, water quality, and stream ecosystems and has published numerous scientific reports, journal articles, and data sets on these topics (see subject links below for respective publications).
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.