Kayla Smith
Summary
Driven to provide exceptional public service to help people explore and connect to natural areas. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Rio Grande Seasonal Forestry Technician
San Juan Mountains Association
07.2023 - Current
- Maintained, repaired, and built trails throughout the Forest Service unit to ensure protections of wildlife habitat and water quality in addition to improving recreational access to forest lands.
- Built trails with gravel and associated materials, restores impacted areas and replaces signage as needed.
- Prepared construction materials, ensures proper tool maintenance and reports work completed.
- Planned and implemented the logistics of projects associated with trail maintenance and reconstruction projects.
- Performed routine maintenance of trails at dispersed recreation sites including cleanup and naturalizing.
- Interacted with forest visitors and educated visitors covering trail maintenance and cleanup.
- Prepared and collected data as directed by forester for use in forest management plans, timber appraisals, timber sales, timber tax basis and GIS mapping.
- Checked timber stands to assess sales volume and potential quality and marked timber for harvesting.
- Closely monitored campers and campgrounds for behavioral and safety issues, initiating prompt and professional response to problem situations.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
Senior Account Clerk
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office
12.2022 - 07.2023
- Compiled and entered financial data, specializing in software applications to develop spreadsheets.
- Modified spreadsheets for report format.
- Set up and updated Excel spreadsheets to track financial data.
- Provided clerical support to department, such as filing, copying and restocking supplies.
- Maintained compliance with all established guidelines and legal requirements.
- Developed working relationships with associates, employees of other departments and representatives of other organizations.
Dog Trainer
Boss K9
12.2020 - 03.2022
- Instructed owners and dogs on basic obedience commands using different techniques to match dogs' drives for reward.
- Specialized in aggression rehabilitation and behavior modification training.
- Provided daily care, feeding, watering, administering meds, exercising and training all board and train canines and boarding canines based on individual needs.
- Consulted with owners to discuss behavioral concerns and determine final goals.
- Monitored animal health, attention and behavior during training sessions.
- Observed dogs in various settings to determine behavioral concerns and problems.
- Maintained detailed daily records of each canines' husbandry and training notes.
- Conducted basic grooming services with baths, brushing and nail clipping.
- Worked independently and as a team to accomplish training goals and daily tasks.
- Communicated and updated clients on their pets progress and general health.
- Completed any maintenance and repair of the work area and facility.
- Trained new employees.
Pet Care Specialist
Execupets
07.2019 - 12.2020
- Provided daily care to domestic pets.
- Fed, walked, exercised and administered meds pets of different sizes and temperaments.
- Followed pet care instructions for dietary needs and medication regimens.
- Provided over night care of pets.
- Completed routine check-ups to assess animal health and chronic or acute concerns.
- Tracked information about pet health, behavior and food and fluid intake for diagnostic purposes.
- Monitored animals for signs of disease, illness, or injury and communicated concerns to owners.
- Trained new employees.
Kennel Technician
Four Paws Animal Hospital
10.2017 - 07.2018
- Provided daily care to domestic and exotic pets in the hospital and kennel.
- Performed pet intake to gain necessary information concerning health, behaviors, potential allergies, and other details to provide complete records and methods of owner contact.
- Cleaned and maintained kennel areas for optimized hygiene, including cages, runs and yards.
- Recorded dogs' intake and output, physical condition and behavior for updated kennel logs.
- Conducted introductions of new dogs into doggy daycare groups.
- Minimized animal injury risk by monitoring behaviors and eliminating safety hazards.
- Mixed and administered special food formulas to individual animals based on unique dietary needs.
- Kept animals clean and free of contaminants to promote optimal health.
- Performed basic wound care and other medical aid, working with veterinarians to handle advanced cases.
- Reset procedure rooms between appointments and disinfected equipment.
- Contributed to client retention by consistently providing outstanding customer service to both clients and pets.
Outreach Specialist
Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.
05.2017 - 09.2017
- Provided daily animal care and husbandry to animal ambassador collection of a variety of species across all taxa.
- Developed and implemented enrichment plans to keep animals healthy and stimulated.
- Trained animals through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement for basic husbandry and natural behaviors.
- Monitored animal behavior and completed examinations to identify illnesses, injuries, or potential diseases.
- Performed basic wound care and other medical aid, working with veterinarians to handle advanced cases.
- Prepared and administered medications and treatments as prescribed by veterinarian.
- Learned and followed safety protocols for transporting animals to and from facilities to avoid injuries and keep animals safe.
- Assisted researchers in conducting studies by collecting and providing data about animals in care.
- Updated and submitted daily ZIMS reports
- Conducted live animal shows, Cheetah Encounter, media events, special tours and public relations projects.
- Maintained equipment and facility to keep animal care environment and tools in good working order.
Animal Keeper/Education Show Assistant
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
04.2015 - 05.2017
- Provided daily animal care and husbandry to 80+ animal ambassador collection of a variety of species across all taxa.
- Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.
- Monitored animal behavior and completed examinations to identify illnesses, injuries, or potential diseases.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Developed and implemented enrichment plans to keep animals healthy and stimulated.
- Trained animals through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
- Documented observations of animal behavior and physical condition to track health and progress.
- Learned and followed safety protocols for transporting animals to and from facilities to avoid injuries and keep animals safe.
- Performed live animal shows, Inside Tracks Tours, Keeper for the Day Program, Career Day, media appearances and other formal and informal education programs.
- Trained volunteers and staff on animal handling and protocols
- Maintained equipment and facility to keep animal care environment and tools in good working order.
- Assisted in AZA Re-Accreditation inspection.
Animal Keeper/Education Show Interpreter
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
02.2014 - 11.2014
- Provided daily animal care and husbandry to the 80+ animal ambassador collection consisting of a variety of species across all taxa.
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
- Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.
- Documented animals' weight, size and condition in computer system for review by senior staff.
- Cleaned animal enclosures maintain clean living spaces for pets and prevent spread of disease.
- Minimized animal injury risk by monitoring behaviors and eliminating safety hazards.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Developed and implemented enrichment plans to keep animals healthy and stimulated.
- Trained animals through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.
- Assisted with development of animal behavior modification plans.
- Learned and followed safety protocols for transporting animals to and from facilities to avoid injuries and keep animals safe.
- Prepared and performed educational animal shows and other educational programs.
- Maintained equipment and facility to keep animal care environment and tools in good working order.
Animal Caretaker Apprentice
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
05.2013 - 10.2013
- Provided daily care and husbandry to all sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
- Prepared special diets for animals to accommodate specific health conditions and species-specific needs.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
- Followed specific vector species protocol.
- Provided enrichment activities to improve physical and psychological well-being of animals and prevent boredom.
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
- Answered 24-hour hotline pertaining to rescues and advice on human-wildlife conflict.
Field Technician
Ecological Associates Inc.
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Conducted daily sea turtle nesting surveys and constructed nest barriers.
- Delivered high-quality work by diligently following standard operating procedures.
- Kept detailed records of field measurements and data.
- Identified different tracks and species in the field.
- Excavated nests, determined reproductive success, relocated nests and released hatchlings.
- Worked with diverse types of weather and ground conditions.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Zoology
Ohio Wesleyan University
Delaware, OHBachelor of Science - Wildlife & Fisheries Resources
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Morgantown, WV05.2012
Skills
- Brush Clearing
- Critical Thinking
- Basic Repairs
- Park Patrol
- Topographical Maps
- Social Perceptiveness
- Safety and Maintenance
- Forest Conditions
- GPS Data
- Reading Comprehension
Certification
FS-2300-53 (v04/2023) A Sawyer
CIG - Certified Interpretive Guide
Timeline
Rio Grande Seasonal Forestry Technician
San Juan Mountains Association
07.2023 - Current
Senior Account Clerk
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office
12.2022 - 07.2023
Dog Trainer
Boss K9
12.2020 - 03.2022
Pet Care Specialist
Execupets
07.2019 - 12.2020
Kennel Technician
Four Paws Animal Hospital
10.2017 - 07.2018
Outreach Specialist
Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.
05.2017 - 09.2017
Animal Keeper/Education Show Assistant
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
04.2015 - 05.2017
Animal Keeper/Education Show Interpreter
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
02.2014 - 11.2014
Animal Caretaker Apprentice
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
05.2013 - 10.2013
Field Technician
Ecological Associates Inc.
05.2010 - 08.2010
Some College (No Degree) - Zoology
Ohio Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife & Fisheries Resources
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
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