Aldo Isaac Cerda

As a CBP 1st-Line Supervisory Agriculture Specialist in a Southern Land Border Port of Entry,

• Supervise a medium to large team of Ag Specialists and Ag Canine Enforcement Officers on performance of their job duties while providing guidance and training on communication of intelligence and enforcement information to traveling public and customers.
• Efficiently provide enhanced conflict resolution skills and assistance to conflicts and difficulties experienced by Agriculture Specialists, traveling public, importing public and stakeholders.
• Constantly monitor employee's method and quality of service provided to customers and provide guidance as needed.
• Subject matter expert on response to and resolving technical and operational questions by Agriculture Specialists and customers.
• First hand working experience and knowledge on Certifications of CBP Agriculture Canine's and Handlers for the port.
• Directly communicate with importing public, commercial importers and exporters on facilitation of trade and travel while assuring prevention of introduction of harmful pests, plant, animal diseases, and biological threats attempting to make entry into U.S. Agriculture.
• Serve as subject matter expert during monthly Trade and Quarterly Pest Risk Assessment meetings by providing trade community, stakeholders, and other USDA entities and division's with a presentation on pertinent information and statistics of CBP Agriculture Program as well as answering to any of their questions or concerns.
• Formulate port Agriculture Enforcement Operations throughout the fiscal year taking into account significant dates of enhanced travel, assuring adequate staffing is available during operation and Agriculture Specialists and Canine Enforcement Officers have proper and suffice equipment and tools to execute operations.
• Submit After Action Reports of operation statistics in a timely manner following my chain of command.
• Create weekly port schedules for staffing of Agriculture Specialists incorporating employee's on leave and perform occasional leave audits assuring compliance of CBP leave policy.
• Input, approval, and verification of Overtime work tickets and leave requests input by Agriculture Specialists.
• Review and approve monthly port targeting guides and information alerts prepared by Agriculture Communication Specialists prior to showcasing at port.
• Supervise training and mentoring on new hire Agriculture Specialist and Ag Canine Enforcement Officers.
• File reports and communicate to proper personnel on any unsafe infrastructure or working environments to prevent accidents of employee's or traveling public.
• Extensive knowledge in CBP use computer systems including, USEC, ITDS, ACE ATS, SEACATS, COSS, BESA, TECS MOD, ARM, TRUCK MANIFEST SECONDARY, WEBSIRS, WEBTELE, EMIS, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office Systems.
• Work proactively and in conjunction to maintain close contact with other outside partnering agencies such as US Fish And Wildlife, US Veterinary Services, USDA Domestics, USDA APHIS, US Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Texas Game Warden, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure regulations are upheld and observed by traveling public and importers.

As a CBP Agriculture Specialist in a Southern Land Border port of entry,

• Work with the traveling public and commercial importer and exporters to prevent the introduction of harmful pest, plant, animal diseases, and biological threats to US agriculture.
• Act proactively and in conjunction with other agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Veterinary Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Texas Game Warden, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure the regulations are upheld and observed by the traveling public making entry into the country.
• Agriculture Enforcement and Compliance Officer within the southern land border passenger/pedestrian, commercial importation, and international airport setting, ensuring that all agriculture laws and regulations are followed by the traveling public by explaining the purpose of the agriculture program and assessing proper civil penalties and conducting seizures when laws are not complied.
• Served as port Agriculture Communication Specialist with tasks including creation of monthly targeting guides for prohibited agriculture items of interest, participation in Joint Pest Risk Assessment table top discussions, and assisting with the update of SOPs for Port Agriculture program.
• Proper handling and submission of significant actionable agriculture pests through ARM and ITDS systems.
• Working knowledge in CBP computer systems including, USEC, ACE, SEACATS, COSS, TECS MOD, ARM, ITDS, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Office Systems.
• Assist Agriculture Canine Enforcement Officers in setting out training aids for Canine's.
• Work alongside Agriculture Canine Enforcement Officers during in port Agriculture Canine Operations.
• In port training and mentoring of new hire Agriculture Specialist.
• Proper handling, safeguarding, and destruction of Agriculture Quarantine Material.
• Assist supervisors during inventory.

• Tick Eradication Program for Cameron County.
• Scratch cattle, horse, and deer hides for ticks.
• Set up of Deer Feeders with Ivermectin medicated corn for assistance with tick infested areas.
• Spray and Dip livestock for tick treatment.
• Consult and set up appointments with local area ranchers to administer treatment for their livestock.
• Submission of Fever Ticks for identification.
• Participate in daily teleconference meetings to report results and consult any in house questions.

• Greeted pet owners and went over available services, outlined costs and determined special needs of animals under care.
• Processed new patients and updated client records with key information using standardized registration systems.
• Assessed paws, ears and eyes for injuries or infections as part of initial evaluation.
• Recorded symptoms and documented medical observations to inform veterinarian for treatment decisions.
• Cleaned and disinfected exam areas, surgical equipment and kennels to prevent diseases and control odors.
• Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave under high pressure and high temperature conditions.
• Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
• Collected patient biopsies and blood samples for laboratory analysis.
• Assisted senior staff with blood analyses and physical assessments.
• Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
• Established intravenous drips for ongoing hydration in treatment of canines suffering from parvovirus infections.
• Bathed and dipped dogs afflicted with parasitic infections and applied specific medications for itch relief.
• Swabbed ears to remove wax and dirt, removing extra hair to allow air to circulate freely and avoid infection.
• Carefully clipped nails and trimmed hair around pads and paws, using gentle approach for anxious pets.
• Performed dental extractions and dental cleaning on dogs under veterinary supervision.
• Walked pets outside throughout each shift to prevent accidents in group play areas and on bedding.
• Made visits to farms to assist with animal emergencies such as injury, disease and birthing.
• Implanted subcutaneous identification microchips into animals.
• Managed adjoining veterinary supply shop that sold medications, animal food and pet equipment.
• Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices.

• Assisted customers with questions in reference to the care of their pets and assisted customers with translation of the their questions to the veterinarian.
• Cleaned, sterilized and maintained kennels, operating rooms and surgical equipment.
• Assisted veterinarian during immunologic, medical, surgical and diagnostic procedures.
• Prepared surgical instrument packs and drapes for use in sterile environments by processing in autoclave under high pressure and high temperature conditions.
• Positioned animals for diagnostic imaging such as x-rays and scans.
• Collected and prepared tissues, cellular or microbiological samples by skin scraping, impressions and other non-surgical methods.
• Recorded symptoms and documented medical observations to inform veterinarian for their treatment decisions.
• Provided care for animals before surgeries, administering anesthetics as necessary for overall comfort and health.
• Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
• Assisted veterinarian during surgical procedures by creating and maintaining unobstructive surgical fields and passing instruments.
• Aided veterinary surgeon during surgeries and procedures for domestic and exotic species with complex requirements.
• Educated clients on post-surgical care and nutrition.
• Bathed and dipped dogs afflicted with parasitic infections and applied specific medications for itch relief.
• Answered owner animal health questions and advised on best care practices for their pets.