CDR Associates Program Manager Jonathan Bartsch's Resume.

JONATHAN D. BARTSCH, M.A.

Jonathan D. Bartsch, M.A., Sr. Program Manager, is an experienced facilitator, mediator, trainer and researcher. His area of focus is complex, multi-party environmental and organizational consensus-building processes. Applying collaborative processes to transportation-related issues in a number of national and international cases is a particular area of attention. Bartsch is known for his ability to custom design and conduct public participation and decision-making processes in contentious situations. Bartsch continues to be involved in areas of violent conflict, including capacity building projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Mr. Bartsch holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation (1997) from Eastern Mennonite University, where he focused upon Islamic, Middle Eastern and Afghan approaches to addressing conflict, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Middle Eastern studies (1991) from the Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Bartsch also attended Birzeit University (1993), Arabic and Palestinian studies, and the American University in Cairo (1992), Arabic and Middle Eastern studies.

ENVIRONMENTAL & PUBLIC POLICY EXPERIENCE

CDOT/RTD US 36 Environmental Impact Statement (2003-Present). Serves as the Project Manager for the US 36 EIS from Denver to Longmont, Colorado. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Regional Transit District (RTD) are examining solutions to the transportation needs in the corridor and employing a proactive public involvement approach. The public involvement process involves facilitating a policy and technical committee as well as other approaches to inform and involve the public.

Nebraska Water Policy Task Force, Nebraska (2002-Present). Serves as facilitator for the Water Policy Task Force convened by the Governor of Nebraska to examine the laws governing the management and use of Nebraska's surface water and ground water.
The 49-member Task Force is addressing issues such as banking, leasing and addressing inequities between surface and ground water users in Nebraska in an interest-based consensus building process.

Niagara Power Project, Niagara Falls, NY (2002-Present). Mr. Bartsch is part of a CDR team that is facilitating the relicensing of the Niagara Power Project. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is using an intensive public involvement process, Alternative Licensing Procedure (ALP), to develop a license application that has broad stakeholder support. The ALP process is designed to gather a wide range of input from stakeholders, including environmental, socio-economic, cultural, historical, and tribal issues connected to the operation of the Niagara Power Project. Bartsch helps design and facilitate bi-monthly stakeholder meetings developing consensus during the scoping stage.

Institute of Behavioral Sciences (IBS)-Tokyo Japan (2002). As part of a capacity building effort, developed and conducted a public involvement consultation regarding a controversial highway in the city of Tokyo. Participants of the consultation included national government officials, City of Tokyo staff, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Japanese academics. The public involvement work related to how public involvement approaches and skills could assist in transportation decision making in Japan. Approaches to identify and involve key stakeholders, work with organized opposition groups, and utilization of interest-based approaches to problem solving were shared and their application explored in light of the controversy over the planned highway.

RTD Central Connection and Southwest Extension (2001-2002). Served as part of the facilitation team leading the public involvement efforts for the Central Connector and Southwest Extension projects that are looking at increasing light rail service for Denver, Colorado. RTD is studying the option of expanding light rail service into the upper Denver downtown area and to Highlands Ranch from the existing end-of-line in Littleton. Played a key role in designing and implementing the public outreach, designing and facilitating a Policy Advisory Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee that led to the selection of a final alternative for the projects.

Regional Transportation District, West Corridor EIS (2001-2002). Consulted with the public involvement team on process design and outreach strategy for the West Corridor and facilitated public meeting as required by NEPA in the Environmental Impact Statement process.

Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO (2000-2002). Served as facilitator, mediator, coach, and advisor to the Programmatic Environmental Impact Study (PEIS) along the I-70 corridor from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado.

South Carolina Partnering Workshop. Columbia, SC (2001). Facilitated a two-day partnering workshop with leaders of state and federal regulatory and resource agencies and FHWA and the Department of Transportation in South Carolina. The workshop helped to strengthen cooperative relationships between agencies and identified critical issues impacting each agency as well as establishing next steps to address issues such as cumulative and secondary growth.

Murray, Utah (2000). Mediated a dispute within numerous community groups, business interests and state and local agencies concerning the demolition of historic smelter smokestacks and redevelopment of a Superfund site.

Rocky Flats Long-Term Stewardship Process (2000). Worked with the Rocky Flats Coalition of Local Governments (RFCLOG) and the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), conducted interviews and developed recommendations regarding the long-term stewardship of the former nuclear weapons production city of Rocky Flats. Recommendations included overall process design, a list of recommended members and proposed charter and ground rules for a stewardship taskforce.

Dialogue for the State of Colorado, Denver, CO (1999-2000). Member of facilitation team for a mediated dialogue on physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and end-of-life (EOL) issues in the state of Colorado. Convened religious leaders, elected and appointed officials, health care providers, and insurance companies to examine all aspects of PAS and EOL for the purpose of establishing a civil and non-adversarial dialogue.

Evergreen Transportation (1999). Facilitated a consensus-building process aimed at selecting a preferred alternative for improving the intersection of County Road 73 and State Highway 74 in Evergreen, Colorado.

Council On Foreign Relations, New York, NY (1999). Represented CARE International at a dialogue that included elected and appointed U.S. officials, United Nations representatives, women's rights groups and operational NGO's on the subject of human rights, humanitarian assistance, and peace building in Afghanistan. Presented policy paper and advocated for greater communication and cooperation between the various stakeholders in Afghanistan.

EXPERIENCE IN ORGANIZATIONS

ACBAR Strategic Planning Process, Pakistan (2001). Facilitated a negotiation for the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) with the directors of International and Afghan Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and ACBAR staff to redefine the mission and determine future direction and funding. The facilitation resulted in the identification of a mission statement, core activities, and a governance model for ACBAR as an agency and support from the NGOs.

Afghanistan Consultancy, Pakistan (2001). Evaluated a conflict management program and developed recommendations regarding the future direction of the program. Additionally, intersected with Afghan peacebuilding organizations, International Non-governmental Organizations, and European and North American donors of humanitarian projects to promote coordination between actors and support non-violent intervention in conflict situations by Afghan peacebuilders. This work was completed successfully in a highly-charged and delicate political situation.

City of Thornton, Colorado (2001). Trained City Council staff in the skills of interest-based negotiation, communication, and raising conflict productively. The training assisted the City Council in preparation for the City's strategic goal setting process.

City of Thornton, Colorado (2001). Delivered the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) to City Council members, senior staff and middle management in the city. SDI aims to develop awareness of strengths and weaknesses and motives under stress and conflict as well as when things are going well.

City of Thornton, Colorado (2001). Facilitated City Council retreat designed to identify and synthesize public comment into a two to five year identification of goals. Identified key community values, broad programmatic needs and next steps in developing specific programs to assist the city in it's identified goals.

City of Thornton, Colorado (2000). Facilitated a two-day planning and priority setting process. Assisted in identifying strategic focus areas for the next two to five years.

City of Longmont, Colorado (2000). Mediated a sensitive workplace dispute involving allegations of discrimination and poor communication.

Afghan Consultancy (2000). Consulted with individuals and organizations working with peace-building and conflict resolution in Afghanistan. Brought together members of the International NGO community with individuals working with peace-building to identify ways to intervene in situations of conflict, as well as continue the peace education training. Helped bring two NGO's together to talk about programmatic coordination regarding an educational project.

Wyoming (2000). (Confidential) Mediated a formal EEO complaint, involving high level managers of a federal agency. The allegations of a 'hostile work environment' included racial and gender discrimination.

National Park Service (1999). Mediated dispute between supervisor and direct report regarding treatment of each other in the workplace, job performance issues and promotions.

Bethany House, Denver, CO (1999). Facilitated a strategic planning process for a non-profit organization providing affordable housing to persons with HIV/Aids. Developed a organizational mission statement, five-year vision, and specific annual objectives to provide greater assistance to persons with HIV/Aids in the Denver Metro area.

National Park Service, Denver, CO (1999). Facilitated a service-wide acquisition meeting with the National Park Service. Established mechanisms for meeting new federal guidelines and allocated National Park Service funds for the next fiscal year.

CARE Afghanistan, Peshawar, Pakistan (1998-1999). Examined role of human rights and programming principles in development work in Afghan context funded by the Ford Foundation. Outlined strategies for CARE to incorporate human rights considerations with programming principles in Afghanistan. Presented research and implications at the University of Sussex, U.K.

Islamic University of Afghanistan, Peshawar, Pakistan (1996-1998). Initiated, coordinated, and managed conflict transformation project. Initiative focused upon negotiation, mediation, and peace building in an Afghan context. Implemented and managed a conflict transformation project as an extension of Eastern Mennonite University. Responsibilities included conflict transformation training with development workers, religious scholars, university faculty, and Afghan students. The issues of collaborative water usage, development and the concept of honor were emphasized.

The Islamic University of Afghanistan Project on Conflict Transformation (1996-2001). Partnered with an Afghan refugee university developing cultural and Islamic-based approaches to transforming conflict. Trained hundreds of Afghan students and faculty members in mediation and conflict resolution. Developed two multi-disciplinary educational courses and two training manuals in Persian and Pashto.

Community Mediation Center, Harrisonburg, VA (1994-1995). Coordinated and conducted organizational, workplace, and family mediation. Responsibilities included maintaining a database to track disputes within the local community.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

ACBAR Strategic Planning Process, Pakistan (2001). Facilitated a three-day emergency strategic planning process for the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) with the directors of International and Afghan Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and ACBAR staff to redefine the mission and determine future direction. The facilitation resulted in the identification of a mission statement, core activities, and a governance model for ACBAR as an agency.

Mediation Network of Northern Ireland (1999). Presented experiences and lessons learned from the Afghan context to community development experts. Compared lessons from the Afghan conflict to the situation in Northern Ireland.

Conflict Transformation Workshop, CARE Afghanistan (1998). Developed and implemented a training course for Afghan employees of CARE examining the role of development and conflict in Afghanistan. Explored strategies and skills to negotiate and relate with governmental authorities and communities in central and southeast Afghanistan.

Long-Range Strategic Planning Process, CARE Afghanistan (1998). Co-facilitated a three-step strategic process with an international organization and created a five-year plan for development in Afghanistan. The strategic planning process identified new sectors and geographic initiatives for CARE Afghanistan.

Conflict Transformation Training, International Assistance Mission (1997). Developed and conducted conflict resolution and peace-building workshop with Afghan women, men, and expatriate staff in Kabul, Afghanistan.

DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING TRAINING PROGRAMS

U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution and FHWA (2002-Present). Serving on a facilitation team to design and deliver regional workshops for transportation and resource/regulatory agencies to promote the application of collaborative problem solving approaches on transportation projects in order to accomplish environmental streamlining and stewardship.

Larimer County Facilitation Program. Fort Collins, CO (2001- 2002). Designed and delivered a facilitation program with the goal of building the internal capacity of Larimer County's on-going facilitation program. Training includes classroom work as well as academic reading and a mentoring program to ensure a broad range of competencies for the Larimer County program.

Federal Highway Administration, Public Involvement Training (1999-present). Delivering a series of three-day training programs for FHWA and State Department of Transportation staff in public involvement. The program features discussion with FHWA and DOT staff on the range of public involvement concepts and approaches in the planning, project development and construction phases.

Denver International Airport (1999- 2001). Designed and delivered one-day training courses on conflict resolution and problem-solving skills for mid-level supervisors from different divisions within DIA. The interactive course included segments on the causes of conflict, negotiation skills, personal conflict styles, raising conflict productively, and communication skills. These were part of a series of courses on effective leadership and management.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (1999-2001). Delivered a series of three-day training programs on "Complex Environmental Negotiations" for field offices of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The program focused on building effective negotiation skills, understanding negotiation dynamics, and conducting negotiations using consensus. The program featured discussions with USFWS staff about the negotiation of Habitat Conservation Plans, and highlighted difficulties experienced by field biologists holding strong values about a resource or species in negotiations with individuals and organizations having different values and interests.

CDR Associates' Public Training Seminars (1999-Present). Serves as a trainer in CDR's public training seminars, including "The Mediation Process" and "Mediation in the Workplace."

The Islamic University of Afghanistan Project on Conflict Transformation (1996-Present). Partnered with an Afghan refugee university developing cultural and Islamic-based approaches to transforming conflict. Trained hundreds of Afghan students and faculty members in mediation and conflict resolution. Developed two multi-disciplinary educational courses and two training manuals in Persian and Pashto. Continues to provide consultation and training to the Islamic University of Afghanistan.

White Sands Missile Range ( 2001). Delivered a three-day mediation course at the White Sands Missile Range for mediators on the Range. The program supported staff who mediate a range of workplace issues.

US Bureau of Reclamation ADR Advisors Training Program (2000). As part of a series of training programs for twenty Bureau ADR Advisors, designed and delivered four five-day training programs on "Overview of Collaborative Decision-Making and ADR Approaches and Procedures," "Effective Negotiation," "Effective Mediation," and "Multiparty and Environmental Dispute Resolution." The latter program addressed the range of choices for agency managers regarding public participation process, as well as skills in multiparty negotiation, convening, consensus-building, and facilitation.

US Bureau of Reclamation (2000). Serves as a member of a core team of CDR trainers developing and delivering a series of training programs and practical experiences for a group of ADR Advisors dedicated to infusing ADR throughout the Bureau as part of normal business practice. The ADR Advisor group includes BOR staff from water resource management, contracting, human resources, policy development, public involvement, and Native American affairs.

Department of Interior/CORE Program (1999-2000). Conducted a five-day workplace mediation training in Denver for this innovative DOI program. Continue to consult with the CORE leadership as the program was fine-tuned and expanded throughout all DOI bureaus.

United Airlines: Fleet Operations (1999). Designed and delivered a two-day conflict resolution skills training Fleet Operations managers. The course included segments on the causes of conflict, communication strategies and conflict analysis.

MEDIATION OF DISPUTES

Mr. Bartsch has mediated numerous types of disputes, including:

employee-employee disputes
equal employment opportunity complaints/claims
internal team disputes
large-scale intra-organizational disputes for both public and private organizations
disputes between high level managers and senior managers
client/agency issues
disputes within families
environmental and other public policy disputes

INTERESTS AND TRAVELS

Participated in Truth and Reconciliation Commission conference examining the role of truth and justice in the South African context. Visited conflict resolution organizations and townships in South Africa.

Traveled in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Egypt, Syria, Israel, West Bank/Gaza, Jordan, Northern Ireland, and Western Europe.