Kayla Kerstetter
SCI, Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary
Kapolei,HI
1
Certification
3
years of professional experience
Compassionate and adaptive professional with hands-on mortuary operations experience and a solid academic foundation in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Victim Services. Proven track record in the dignified handling of human remains, maintaining chain of custody, supporting families during sensitive and high-stress situations, and navigating crisis environments with professionalism and empathy. Known for attention to detail, reliability, clear communication, and effective coordination across sensitive cases and operational responsibilities.
Work History
Funeral Director Associate
1 Month- Coordinated funeral arrangements, service details, and interment schedules with families and cemetery staff.
- Prepared decedents for viewing by managing transportation, identification, appearance checks, and care procedures.
- Communicated clearly with clergy, florists, celebrants, and vendors to support seamless funeral and celebratory services.
- Maintained compliance with state funeral regulations, company policies, and confidential case records.
- Assisted in the preparation of bodies for visitation or burial, adhering to strict standards of care.
- Maintained facility cleanliness, ensuring a welcoming environment for grieving families.
- Served diverse clientele by offering a range of culturally and religiously appropriate services.
- Increased customer retention, skillfully addressing concerns and resolving conflicts.
- Managed secure transport logistics and intake documentation for decedents, accurately verifying identification and maintaining seamless chain-of-custody protocols in various weather conditions, ensuring the safe transportation of passengers at all times.
- Executed proper lifting, transferring, and positioning protocols for human remains up to 150+ lbs, ensuring absolute dignity and compliance with safety/biohazard standards.
Imaging Specialist- Temporary Employee
2 Months- Reviewed images for clarity, completeness, and proper file organization.
- Entered metadata into imaging systems to support efficient record retrieval.
- Processed incoming documents while maintaining strict quality control standards.
- Scanned, indexed, and verified confidential records for accurate digital archiving.
- Maintained accurate records of projects completed, streamlining future reference for client requests.
- Reviewed papers for defects, consistency, and compliance with quality specifications and utilization of tools to do so.
- Reduced errors in data entry tasks by consistently proofreading information before submission.
- Utilized standard software programs for efficient data entry and processing, increasing overall efficiency.
Animal Caretaker/Euthanasia Technician Assistant
7 Months- Fed, watered, and monitored animals to support consistent daily care routine.
- Cleaned kennels, cages, and living area to maintain sanitary shelter conditions.
- Observed animal behavior and reported health concern to support timely intervention.
- Safely restrained and moved animals during intake, handling, and transport activity.
- Recorded feeding, medication, and behavior update to maintain accurate animal care logs.
- Supported adoption and intake process by coordinating animals for evaluation and placement.
- Delivered compassionate end-of-life care through thoughtful communication with pet owners and administration of humane euthanasia when necessary.
- Strengthened client trust in the clinic by offering compassionate support during difficult decisions such as euthanasia or adoption surrender.
- Streamlined communication between veterinary healthcare professionals by promptly answering phone calls and relaying important messages.
Security Officer
6 Months- Patrolled assigned areas to identify safety hazards and suspicious activity.
- Responded quickly to alarms, disturbances, and emergency situations.
- Monitored property entrances and restricted unauthorized access.
- Documented incidents, observations, and shift activities in detailed reports.
- Assisted with emergency response and supported incident investigation efforts.
- Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere while making safety the top priority.
- Monitored assigned areas to maintain safety, order, and policy compliance
- Documented observations accurately using standard logs and reporting forms; performed this duty based on physical and surveillance proof.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
- Dean's List 2022 and 2025
- Double Minor in Law Enforcement Studies and Victim Services
- 3.88 GPA
Skills
Mortuary operations
Attention to detail
Compassionate communication
Active listening
Empathy skills
Decision-making
Problem-solving abilities
Relationship building
Multitasking Abilities
Adaptability skills
Self motivation
Office software proficiency
Public speaking
Reliability
Certification
- Dignity University Training Courses
- Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online — American Red Cross
- Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 (IS-100.C) — FEMA, 2023
- Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 (IS-200.C) — FEMA, 2023
- Basic Workplace Security Awareness (IS-906) — FEMA, 2023
- Active Shooter: What You Can Do (IS-907) — FEMA, 2023
Timeline
Funeral Director Associate
SCI, Ballard Family Moanalua Mortuary
09.2026 - CurrentRead More
Imaging Specialist- Temporary Employee
Kelly Services, Access
07.2026 - 09.2026Read More
Animal Caretaker/Euthanasia Technician Assistant
Guam Animals In Need
10.2025 - 05.2026Read More
Security Officer
Protection Concepts Unlimited, LLC.
11.2023 - 05.2024Read More
University of Colorado Denver
Bachelor of Arts from Criminal Justice
Read More