Bookmobile Assistant

• Jun 2022 - Present

Biological Science Technician - Plants

• Jun 2018 - Nov 2021

Led Botany crew in completing botanical surveys, monitored rare plant populations, wrote reports summarizing findings, and curated data using ArcMap, AGOL. Assisted with educational events: wildflower walks for 4th graders on Mt. Helena, woodpecker surveys with youth forest monitoring crew, field work days with volunteers. Collected native plant seeds from locations around the forest, processed seeds for planting. Assisted with raptor surveys, lynx multistory habitat assessments, tree plantings, hunter patrols, posting fire restrictions and shuttling vehicles for fire response efforts. Show less

Biologic Science Technician (Seasonal)

• Jun 2015 - Nov 2017

Created and directed a new monarch butterfly program at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Trained and supervised volunteers collecting species and habitat data and rearing monarch larvae, releasing butterflies at the park’s restored prairie Planned and oversaw planting and upkeep of a new monarch/pollinator entry garden and registered it as a monarch waystation Wrote an article for publication in national newsletter for park employees, explaining the monarch project; wrote other articles for social media and local interest groups Became a certified bird observer and participated in annual Great Lakes Region songbird surveys and waterfowl surveys on foot, by canoe, and by UTV Inspected trees along trails, removing fallen or dangling limbs and notifying land managers of hazard trees Maintained trail cameras, monitored images, coordinated with biologists and law enforcement when necessary Maintained trails and parking areas for public use and enjoyment Assisted in prairie restoration, including invasive species identification and control Controlled invasive species using mechanical and chemical means • Used and maintained brush mowers, weed whips, chainsaws, pole saws, wood chipper, hand tools • Properly mixed and applied herbicides using backpack sprayers and hand sprayers • Maintained herbicide use log and inventory Researched and ordered plant material and seeds from local growers Assisted in controlled burn operations, collaborating with teams from other parks (current red card) Led groups of volunteers doing planting, weed control, and other projects at the park Monitored spring water flow rates weekly and entered data into Access database Show less

Certified Tree Inspector

• May 2014 - Nov 2014

Helped the City Forester implement the shade tree disease control program: worked independently and as part of a team to identify and inspect trees for disorders/diseases; demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to residents from varied backgrounds and situations while communicating about the city forestry program, provided technical information on common diseases and pests, provided care for trees in city parks, collected and organized species and condition data for ash tree inventory, identified and removed buckthorn and other exotic plants by hand and applying herbicides, participated in native plant installation, provided advice, assistance and training to volunteers doing tree inventory, utilized Microsoft Office, Outlook, and ArcGIS. Show less

Bread Baker

• Mar 2011 - Nov 2012

Produced quality baked goods following instructions and standardized procedures, got along with co-workers, ensured quality control. Handled unexpected complications such as when a co-worker overslept and missed part of the shift. Demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations. Worked independently delivering bread to wholesale accounts and opening the bakery at times. Helped to train new bakers. Produced quality baked goods following instructions and standardized procedures, got along with co-workers, ensured quality control. Handled unexpected complications such as when a co-worker overslept and missed part of the shift. Demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations. Worked independently delivering bread to wholesale accounts and opening the bakery at times. Helped to train new bakers.

Conservation Educator

• Jun 2010 - Jan 2011

Independently researched, developed and delivered educational talks for zoo visitors; led groups of 10-20 kids on overnight conservation-education camp-outs at the zoo; provided advice, assistance and training to teen naturalist volunteers; demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations who visited the zoo; utilized Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Outlook software. Independently researched, developed and delivered educational talks for zoo visitors; led groups of 10-20 kids on overnight conservation-education camp-outs at the zoo; provided advice, assistance and training to teen naturalist volunteers; demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations who visited the zoo; utilized Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Outlook software.

Research Associate

• May 2008 - May 2010

Provided logistical support and area orientation for visiting scientists and research groups at a field study: performed groundwater data collection independently and with a team, demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations; followed instructions and standardized procedures using peristaltic and submersible pumps, and instruments measuring dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; performed titration techniques; worked effectively with a team doing arduous field work for long hours during the summer, collected and transmitted soil, water, and atmospheric data to researchers via secure file transfer; utilized Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Adobe Acrobat and Outlook software programs. Used a digital camera to document field activities. Independently handled unexpected complications in shipping carbon dioxide samples to research groups via FedEx, and ensured the samples were sent in a timely manner. Show less

Teaching Assistant

• Aug 2007 - Dec 2007

Assisted with Soil Landscape Pedology undergraduate course, with responsibilities including: support in planning and preparation of lab and lecture materials; provide advice, assistance, and training to students; independently grade homework and exams; teach groups of students in a field lab setting, demonstrating understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations. I effectively handled unexpected complications or obstacles that arose in dealing with others, such as organizing transportation to and from field labs. Performed data entry and organized scores using Microsoft Excel. Show less

Hydrology Technician

• May 2006 - Aug 2006

Collected watershed data using a Trimble GPS backpack unit and documented erosion using a digital camera. Navigated independently using topographic map and compass in steep, rugged terrain hiking daily for extended periods carrying a heavy pack. Collected soil samples and processed them in a lab, following instructions and standardized procedures. Worked effectively with a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team to minimize erosion in areas impacted by fire. Demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations. Utilized Microsoft Word, Pathfinder Office, and ArcGIS software. Show less

Range Tech, Fire

• Jun 2005 - Aug 2005

Participated in arduous firefighter training camp and earned FFT2 red card certification. Hiked for extended periods carrying heavy packs. Fought wildfires in the intermountain west as a team member with an engine crew, and as part of an inter-agency handcrew, participated in prescribed burn operations. Demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people at fire camps from varied backgrounds and situations. Participated in arduous firefighter training camp and earned FFT2 red card certification. Hiked for extended periods carrying heavy packs. Fought wildfires in the intermountain west as a team member with an engine crew, and as part of an inter-agency handcrew, participated in prescribed burn operations. Demonstrated understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people at fire camps from varied backgrounds and situations.

Crew member

• May 2004 - Oct 2004

Participated with six-person crew in trail construction and maintenance, fencing, re-vegetation projects, forest fuels reduction and data collection for government agencies and private landowners. Backpacked for multiple day trips in wilderness, hiking for extended periods carrying heavy packs and doing arduous field work. Practiced Leave no Trace. Operated, cleaned and maintained chain saws, hand tools and power tools. Independently studied native wildflowers and created a presentation for my crew on the topic of flower identification. Aided in hurricane disaster relief with FEMA in Florida, demonstrating understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, and concern in relating to people from varied backgrounds and situations; Completed USFS sawyer chainsaw training, Wilderness First Aid/CPR certified; Received “Dig-it” award in recognition of reliability, great work ethic. Worked as a team member on trail-building and brush removal, invasive plant control including mechanical and chemical techniques, installation of native seeds and plants. Show less