Mr. Fleishauer has been with the Department of Environmental Protection since 2005 as an Environmental Specialist in the Water Facilities Division. Prior to joining DEP, he served the Army Corps of Engineers as a Field Biologist, and done research in applied agricultural methods and ichthyology.

Elijah has also worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in an Emergency Room. When Hurricane Katrina hit, he volunteered with the Red Cross. Elijah was assigned to Mississippi where he drove emergency supplies through the wreckages of Gulfport, Waveland, Biloxi, and the Bay of St. Louis. He has previously volunteered with Trout Unlimited, YMCA Flag Football, Friends of the Tomorrow River, and Standing Rocks Preservation Crew.

The Ombudsman position is multifaceted. Mr. Fleishauer acts as a liaison between the public and the department, assists with referrals and basic questions about the department and its programs, coordinates community outreach events and handles media relations.