Carmen Marie Hirkala

Eighteen years of experience in Chemistry and Biology laboratories, supporting curriculum based experiential learning practices, student engagement in scientific principles, and overseeing laboratory and field experiential department policies, practices, and procedures with a "Safety First" mindset. Functioned as Biology Department Chemical Hygiene and Safety Coordinator in cooperation with Instructional Supervisor.

Professional with strong background in training and development, adept at designing and implementing effective training programs. Skilled in curriculum development, instructional design, and leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences. Known for fostering team collaboration, adapting to changing needs, and consistently achieving measurable results. Reliable, flexible, and focused on driving continuous improvement in organizational performance.

• Hazardous Communications training through NES, Inc., 01/08
• 2-day Laboratory Health and Safety course through Laboratory Safety Institute, 01/05
• CPR and AED trained, 01/12
• Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) training, 01/08
• 40-hr HAZWOPER training, 01/13
• Haz Waste Awareness/Med waste and DOT Labeling training- Ingenium, 01/16
• Cal-OSHA Certified Environmental Specialist training, 01/15
• 30-hr General Industry OSHA training, 01/19
• Completed 8-hr Infection Control & Sterilization, 01/20
• Continuous online Environmental, Health, & Safety training webinars from BioRAFT and EHS Today, 01/18
• Safety in the Laboratory, Biosafety, and Lab Waste Management Training through Laboratory Safety Institute, 01/22

• Eighteen years of experience in Chemistry and Biology laboratories, supporting curriculum based experiential learning practices, student engagement in scientific principles, and overseeing laboratory and field experiential department policies, practices, and procedures with a 'Safety First' mindset. Functioned as Biology Department Chemical Hygiene and Safety Coordinator in cooperation with Instructional Supervisor.
• Developed, reviewed, and heavily modified district created templates of the Injury Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP), EAP (Emergency Action Plan), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), Exposure Control Plan (ECP), and created a Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) for Sacramento City College Biology (SCC) Department, with yearly audits.
• Served as content expert and science laboratory consultant in Los Rios district planning groups for multi-phase capital outlay construction projects, including four new buildings (LEED certification goals met on three) dedicated to science labs and their outdoor space needs for field ecology and conservation coursework.
• Serve as tri-chair classified leader on multiple standing committees including Campus Safety, Budget, and Staff Development, and as a Classified Senate Officer (currently Vice-President) for over ten years.
• Spearheaded Los Rios District outreach support for new initiative work in a California Community College Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) supported effort in campus community behavioral practices and commitments to support student engagement and satisfaction/sense of belonging through Caring Campus, created by Institute for Interest-Based Change (IEBC) since 2020. Continue to lead efforts as a member of a tactical statewide team designing implementation and institutionalization training and guidance documents for multiple stakeholder distribution and engagement.
• Implemented a complete hazard assessment, controls, and mitigation plan within the Biology Department that other areas of campus, and science areas at other campuses use as a template for their health and safety planning processes. Built in monitoring, evaluation, and remediation processes and practices into hazardous mitigation plan and trained fellow employees and administrators on the efficacy of iterative process model for health and safety needs.

• Environmental Regulations, Sacramento City College, 01/02
• Special Studies in Biology - Restoration Ecology, Sacramento City College, 01/02
• Plant survey verifying initial California Natural Diversity Database search Carpenter Ranch - Gibson & Skordal, 01/09
• Developed and conducted Worker Environmental Awareness Training for Creek Week volunteer clean up activities for Carmichael, El Camino/Fulton, and Mission Recreation and Parks District, 01/09
• Health and Safety Management and Program Development, 01/14
• Incident Investigation Techniques, UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, 01/19
• Assist CDFW White-nose Syndrome Bat Surveillance Team including provide training on WNS protocol in field sampling work for agency-wide report, 01/23

• Officer of Classified Senate, 01/06, 12/24
• Member of campus accreditation/self-study writing teams, 01/07, 12/14
• Member of campus accreditation/self-study writing teams, 01/20, 12/20
• Member and/or Tri-chair of Campus Safety Committee, 01/13, 12/22
• Classified Leadership Academy graduate, 01/13, 12/13
• Interest Based Approach (IBA) training, 01/13, 12/17
• Served on SCC Davis Center Phase 2 Planning Group, 01/14, 12/15
• Member and Leader of Classified Professional's Retreat Planning Committee, 01/14, present
• Member of Sustainability Taskforce Committee, 01/15, 12/22
• Member and/or Tri-chair of Budget Committee, 01/12, present
• Classified Leadership Institute (CLI), 01/17, 12/23
• Served on Lillard Hall Modernization Project Planning Group, 01/18, 12/19
• UndocuAlly (Undocumented Student Ally) training, 01/18, 12/18
• Served as only SAH representative for Facilities Master Plan Task Force, 01/18, 12/19
• Hollaback! Bystander Intervention Training for AAPI community, 01/20, 12/20
• Black Minds Matter series and other webinars from the Center for Organizational Responsibility & Advancement (CORA), 01/20, present

• Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
• [Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]

taking up space here