Devin Cozzens
Aldie, VA,Virginia
Summary
Hard working Outdoor Educator with talent for leading high ropes, watercraft and off-site trip activities. Energetic and driven teacher bringing ten-year background in related roles. Ready to leverage experience and abilities to take on challenging new role.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Recreation Programmer
Loudoun County Parks and Recreation
South Riding, VA
01.2024 - Current
- Coordinated recreation programs, classes, and community events for Loudoun County residents.
- Registered participants and processed program enrollments using Rectrac.
- Assisted with camps, classes, and special events setup across parks and recreation sites.
- Maintained records, reports, and program files for Loudoun County Parks and Recreation.
- Resolved participant questions and concerns with clear, professional customer service.
- Supervised and coordinated work activities of personnel.
- Supported instructors, volunteers, and part-time staff during recreation activities and events.
- Developed budgets for new programs while staying within allocated funds.
- Identified areas needing improvement in existing programs based on feedback from participants.
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure seamless programs.
- Trained, scheduled, and managed 58 staff members at one time.
Trip Leader
The Road Less Traveled
Chicago, IL
06.2022 - 08.2023
- Educated and shared natural, geological and cultural history through story-telling.
- Assisted in developing tour programming to enhance guest experience.
- Drove motor vehicles to transport visitors to establishments and tour site locations.
- Displayed strong public speaking and communication skills to facilitate high quality guest tours.
- Researched site history and environmental conditions to plan appropriate expeditions, instruction and commentary.
- Escorted individuals and groups on sightseeing tours and through points of interest.
Outdoor Educator
Outdoor Learning Center
Harrisonburg, VA
06.2019 - 05.2023
- Planned, organized, facilitated, and promoted diverse recreation programs.
- Coordinated daily activity schedules for assigned campers and managed transitions for timely arrival.
- Assisted with transporting and escorting program participants to, from, and within activity locations and external trips.
- Developed events and programs based on needs, abilities, and interests of participants.
- Organized and led variety of small- and large-group activities, including high ropes, watercraft, and team-building activities.
- Advertised upcoming events to increase engagement and involvement.
- Mediated conflicts between campers.
- Worked successfully with diverse coworkers to accomplish goals and address service issues.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to complete service goals efficiently.
- Developed guest relationships to maintain high satisfaction.
- Created tour programs with focus on positive guest experiences.
- Mentored apprentice guides to improve understanding of information presented to students.
- Monitored and guided children through high-risk activities.
Farm Worker Volunteer
Harrisonburg Traveling Zoo
Harrisonburg, VA
10.2022 - 11.2022
- Cared for livestock by regularly feeding and watering animals.
- Brought horses in and out to pasture at times assigned by farm manager.
- Moved livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales and enclosures.
Host
Endless Horizons
Harrisonburg, VA
11.2021 - 04.2022
- Accommodated guests to promote comfortable dining experience.
- Supported serving staff, food runners and bussers to keep dining room presentable and ready for guests.
- Managed guest expectations by relaying information regarding hours, wait times and specials.
- Helped restaurant staff set up small and large events to coordinate smooth execution.
- Engaged pleasantly with patrons and delivered information on beverage specials to encourage positive dining experience.
- Communicated with event coordinators to verify accommodation capacity for larger parties.
- Collected reservation information and communicated updates to guests via mobile device or in-person.
Rock Climbing Instructor
Horizons Edge
Rockingham, VA
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Built guests' confidence by promoting positive and encouraging climbing experiences.
- Assisted with proper fit of equipment and communicated instructions to climbers.
- Taught guests proper rock climbing techniques to minimize safety risks.
- Monitored guests' gear use and behaviors to verify compliance with rules.
- Checked equipment regularly to identify worn or broken areas impacting performance.
- Monitored student performance and offered feedback to support goal achievement.
- Built positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.
Camp Counselor
Camp Horizons
Harrisonburg, VA
06.2019 - 08.2021
- Checked on campers struggling with various social and recreational skills to maintain camper and parent satisfaction.
- Coordinated and led group activities for campers and counselors.
- Assisted with training camp staff on program and procedures.
- Developed and implemented camp emergency procedures and communicated potential hazards to staff members and campers.
- Explained principles, techniques and safety requirements to activity participants to prevent injury.
- Arranged decorations, equipment and site resources to facilitate various entertaining activities for campers.
- Communicated camper needs, progress and attitudes in weekly staff meetings and made appropriate program adjustments.
- Planned various indoor activities during periods of inclement weather to promote camper satisfaction.
- Helped campers build confidence and self-esteem through consistent guidance and mentoring.
- Played various outdoor sports with children, teaching rules and demonstrating good sportsmanship.
- Worked creatively with other staff to develop and carry out new themes and events for camp participants.
- Reviewed inventory levels and obtained supplies needed for lesson plans.
- Provided swimming, kayaking and canoeing lessons to boost confidence and encourage safety.
- Inspected equipment, buildings and sites and reported maintenance issues.
- Led overnight excursions for groups of up to 12 children, participating in hiking, campfire cooking and canoeing.
Preschool Lead Teacher
Kiddie Academy
South Riding, VA
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
- Worked closely with site director, family care workers, classroom teaching team and other specialists.
- Distributed quarterly progress assessments and milestone reports to each parent.
- Created and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum addressing learning styles.
- Collaborated with colleagues on developing new classroom projects and monthly themes.
- Directed and supervised children during field trips and special activities.
- Identified children in need of extra support for emotional, health-related or developmental concerns and conceived improvement strategies.
- Promoted good behaviors by using positive reinforcement methods with children.
- Used crowd management techniques to create safe and secure childcare environment.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
Camp Counselor Volunteer
Northern Virginia 4H
Front Royal, VA
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Organized, led and promoted interest in recreational activities.
- Assessed needs and interests of individuals and groups and planned activities accordingly.
- Planned, organized, facilitated and promoted diverse recreational programs.
- Administered first aid and notified emergency medical personnel.
- Promoted fun, safe and inclusive environment by monitoring activity of campers to identify and address behavioral issues.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VASkills
- Transportation Logistics
- First Aid and CPR
- High Ropes Facilitation
- Belaying
- Low Ropes Facilitation
- Watercraft Facilitation
- Environmental Science
- Survival and Bushcraft Skills
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Recreational Program Planning
- Facility Operations
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Team Leadership
- Customer and Service-Oriented
- Activity Planning and Coordination
- Scheduling Events and Programs
- Documentation and Recordkeeping
- Relationship Building
- Safety Guidelines and Procedures
- Group Supervision
- Health and Wellness
- Staff Training
- Group Discussions
- Positive Reinforcement Methods
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Group Recreation
- Lifeguard
- Emergency Response
- Individual and Group Coaching
- Safety Demonstrations
- Youth Behavior Management
- Daily Schedule Creation
- Entertainment Coordination
- Enforcing Rules and Regulations
- Inventory Management
- Equipment Setup
- Enrichment Activities
- Camp Operations
Certification
- Certified in WFA, through NOLS in March 2024
- Certified in CPR, through American Red Cross in March 2024
- Certified in First Aid, through American Red Cross in March 2024
- Certified Lifeguard, through American Red Cross in June 2024
Timeline
Recreation Programmer
Loudoun County Parks and Recreation
01.2024 - Current
Farm Worker Volunteer
Harrisonburg Traveling Zoo
10.2022 - 11.2022
Trip Leader
The Road Less Traveled
06.2022 - 08.2023
Host
Endless Horizons
11.2021 - 04.2022
Preschool Lead Teacher
Kiddie Academy
09.2020 - 05.2021
Rock Climbing Instructor
Horizons Edge
11.2019 - 03.2022
Outdoor Educator
Outdoor Learning Center
06.2019 - 05.2023
Camp Counselor
Camp Horizons
06.2019 - 08.2021
Camp Counselor Volunteer
Northern Virginia 4H
05.2016 - 08.2018
Some College (No Degree) - Early Childhood Education
Northern Virginia Community College