EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A highly motivated, goal-oriented environmental steward, with a strong multidisciplinary background seeks a position with room for advancement. This organized individual with experience in horticulture, forestry, construction, welding, environmental education, and research development is able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. A strong work ethic and excellent communication skills allow this team player to work effectively with clients, senior management, scientists, field personnel, and the public.

Over the last 13 years, I have learned to:

Manage multiple types of trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers, and grasses;

Prune, transplant, start seeds, fell, fertilize, graft, and mulch;

Lead projects and teams in all aspects of research, construction and environmental education;

Design, build, and fix life support systems for aquariums and aquaculture facilities;

Safely operate around water and electricity;

Use and repair equipment including small engines, electric motors, pumps, forklifts, and power tools;

Comfortably use computer programs including ArcGIS, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint;

Apply my strong organizational and time management skills to complete projects;

Work as a team player to obtain a common goal.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society – Philadelphia, PA

Zone Gardener April 2019 – Present

Responsible for maintaining numerous public gardens and beds within the Navy Yard complex. Duties include weeding, string trimming, tree pruning/ care (including chainsaw work), maintaining and propagating perennials, planting/ bed design, and pesticide application when needed.

Chora Leone Studios – Somers Point, NJ

Welder/ Fabricator October 2017 – April 2019

Assisted in the welding and manufacture of large metal sculptures for private and commercial clients. I managed multiple concurrent projects while working with construction contractors and clients to meet project deadlines.

Taylor Shellfish – Kailua-Kona, HI

Hatchery Technician March 2014 ̶ March 2017

Managed spawning, rearing, and setting of multiple oyster, clam, and mussel species. Built and maintained large-scale life support systems, directed general farm maintenance and oversaw construction projects.

Dolphin Quest Hawaii – Waikoloa, HI

Head Aquarist March 2010 ̶ March 2014

Directed educational exhibits including design, budget, and installation of floating docks, gardens, touch tanks, and snorkel programs. Cared for a diverse group of aquatic animals and trained all crew members in the same techniques. Mentored staff members and interns to produce environmental programs for local school groups.

The Wetlands Institute – Stone Harbor, NJ

Aquarist and Environmental Educator August 2008 – March 2010

Oversaw maintenance of aquariums and public exhibits including public displays, life support systems, plumbing, and electrical. Managed all aquarium volunteers and led environmentally based programs for school and scout youth groups.

NJ Department of Environmental Protection and Americorps – Trenton, NJ

Watershed Ambassador August 2007 – August 2008

Conducted biological and visual assessments of local waterways. Led educational programming for diverse school and community groups about environmental issues such as pollution, storm water runoff, water quality, and watershed management. Managed the construction of an educational water garden through grant funds and volunteer labor at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve.

University of Maine – Orono, ME

Crew Supervisor May 2006 – February 2007 Employed by the Cooperative Forest Research Unit in order to continue a long term spruce-fir thinning research project. Duties included but were not limited to the measuring of tree diameters and heights using a set protocol as well as entering the subsequent data into an Excel spreadsheet, managing a three person crew in an outdoor setting, and all the logistical concerns involved with traveling long distances on logging roads for days at a time.

EDUCATION

Warren Wilson College – Asheville, NC 2005, B.S. in Environmental Studies, Concentration in Conservation Biology