GEO MENDOZA
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Dedicated student with a history of working and volunteering in the marine science field. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges, as demonstrated while volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center and working with the California Ocean Alliance. Experience working in customer service and administrative roles. Eager to obtain work in conservation and enthusiastic to learn and grow.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Tour Guide and Shop Assistant
Kayak Connection
12.2022 - Current
- Guide groups of up to 20 people on scheduled wildlife tours
- Assist customers who want to rent kayaks or paddleboards, which includes giving safety talks and working on a dock in the Santa Cruz harbor
- Manage the Kayak Connection shop, keep track of boat maintenance, assist customers with retail.
- Administrative responsibilities that include responding to customer emails, phone calls and keeping track of inventory.
Volunteer
The Marine Mammal Center
02.2018 - Current
- Volunteer on the animal husbandry crew once a week
- Present at the marine mammal center every Sunday for about a year
- Mixed and administered special food formulas to individual animals based on unique dietary needs
- Observed and documented animal behavior and characteristics such as size, condition, behavior, and eating habits
- Educated visitors about climate change during the Summer
- Participated in rescue responses in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties
Receptionist
Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital
09.2022 - 11.2022
- Greeted incoming visitors and customers professionally and provided friendly, knowledgeable assistance regarding their pet care
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records
- Answered phone promptly and directed incoming calls to correct offices
- Ordered medications for clients and their pets
Conservation in Marine Mammal Response Intern
The Marine Mammal Center
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Assisted volunteer crews with animal care, specifically with feeding and medication administration
- Tracked and updated marine mammal rescue responses in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties using a computer program called RUBY
- Conducted seal lion and whale population surveys in Monterey Bay
- Participated in seal and sea lion rescues dealing with maternal abandonment, entanglements, and neurological disease in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties
- Attended weekly meetings with the vet staff and other management to update them on our facility's rescue responses and animal care
Intern
California Ocean Alliance
02.2021 - 01.2022
- Interning for The California Ocean Alliance on their project related to whale associations in Monterey Bay
- Primary responsibilities include analyzing photos of humpback whale flukes and determining whether or not these individuals had already been identified in a database called Happy Whale.
- Teaching assistant for The California Ocean Alliance's online Marine Scientist In Training camp for high school students
Education
No Degree - Animal Science
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
High School Diploma -
Presentation High School
San Jose, CANo Degree - Biology
De Anza College
Cupertino, CABachelor of Science -
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA06-2025
Skills
- Passionate about marine life and conservation
- Proficient with technology
- Experience in working with volunteers to promote education
- Basic animal husbandry skills
- Determined to learn difficult concepts
- Hardworking
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Customer service
Timeline
Tour Guide and Shop Assistant
Kayak Connection
12.2022 - Current
Receptionist
Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital
09.2022 - 11.2022
Conservation in Marine Mammal Response Intern
The Marine Mammal Center
03.2022 - 06.2022
Intern
California Ocean Alliance
02.2021 - 01.2022
Volunteer
The Marine Mammal Center
02.2018 - Current
High School Diploma -
Presentation High School
No Degree - Animal Science
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
No Degree - Biology
De Anza College
Bachelor of Science -
University of California Santa Cruz
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