Lesley Estrada
Laborer/Maintence Worker/ Specialist
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Hardworking, enthusiastic and passionate trail worker with strong organizational skills eager to learn in every area of trails. Stays on top of current and expected demands, quickly realigning tasks to handle needs. Dedicated to first-rate communication and team success. Dedicated team player with punctual nature and open communication style dedicated to working hard. Diligent Labor Worker with experience performing variety of technical and manual tasks. Maintains cleanliness of work area and counts materials, merchandise and supplies in stock. Experienced in training new employees on responsibilities and company work ethics. Background in general maintenance, light construction, repair and custodial work.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Wilderness Cook Trainer
Backcountry Trails Program
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Able to create meal plans for trail work crews in rugged, remote environment. This includes understanding logistical functions of delivery via stock animals on wilderness trails, providing all necessary equipment for a functioning kitchen, ordering appropriate food stuff, and adhering to safe food storage without traditional refrigeration.
- Able to order, receive and store food stuff based on meal planning through clear communication coordinating with nearest food stores and safe delivery mechanisms as prescribed by Backcountry management and project sponsors.
- Be able to successfully prepare, cook, and deliver meals while maintaining hygienic and sanitation standards for all equipment, dinnerware, storage, and work areas following food safety principles and Serv-Safe guidelines.
- Apply appropriate time and efficient resource management skills to ensure that meals are delivered on time and of very high quality with minimal waste.
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of safe, sanitary food storage, preparation, and delivery of meals in remote, rugged environments.
- Learn and understand meal cooking techniques, recipes, and nutritional make-up to develop and cook appropriate, balanced meals that meet caloric needs of the Backcountry crew using limited resources and producing minimal waste.
- Learn and understand that meal’s quality and variety, in addition to the nourishment it provides, serves as central gathering, socialization, and morale improving experience. Each enrollee should care about quality of their meals to ensure that meals are positive experience. Practice food ordering, logistics, coordination, and stock transportation of food stuff. Adhere to emergency preparedness standards in rugged environments, including participating in first aid training.
- Optimized ingredient utilization through creative menu planning that minimized waste while maximizing flavor profiles.
- Enhanced food quality by consistently monitoring ingredient freshness and implementing proper storage techniques.
- Diligent Cook possessing excellent cooking skills and strong knowledge of food safety.
- Proficient in maintaining well-stocked, organized and clean kitchen areas to maximize productivity.
- Dedicated team player with punctual nature and open communication style dedicated to working hard. Attentive, with a wide-ranging culinary experience in various settings. Produces quality meals while adhering to safety and sanitation guidelines.
- Possesses excellent organization and time management skills for smooth kitchen operation.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Worked closely to corpsmembers/program participants to train on how to run a backcountry camp.
California Conservation Corps
Corpsmember / Chainsaw Specialist
8 2022 - 03.2024
- Worked to remove forest fire fuels, brushing and falling trees with use of chainsaws and other various tools such as loppers, mcLeods, pulaskis and chippers.
- Responded to fire emergency, providing firefighters and other emergency personnel with emergency supplies and equipment.
- Built emergency infrastructure and maintained clean work environment during emergency response.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment. Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships.
- Learned new skills and applied to daily tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
- Used hand saws and power equipment to remove unwanted and diseased trees.
- Maintained public and private lands for optimal use and implemented fire safety prevention strategies to protect homes, businesses and individuals.
- Organized and detail-oriented with strong work ethic.
- Provided professional services and support in dynamic work environments.
- Experience planning and preparing meals for up to 100 people.
- Plan and prepare large quantities of meals based on standardized recipes
- Follow dietary guidelines and restrictions, accommodating special dietary needs as required.
- Ensure that meals meet nutritional standards and are visually appealing.
- Utilize various cooking methods such as baking, roasting, grilling, boiling, and frying.
- Monitor cooking times and temperatures to ensure food safety and quality.
- Coordinate cooking schedules to meet meal service times.
- Receive, inspect, and store food deliveries, ensuring proper sanitation and temperature control.
- Rotate food stock to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness.
- Portion and distribute food items appropriately.
- Maintain clean and organized kitchen workspace, adhering to food safety and sanitation standards.
- Manage kitchen inventory, keeping track of supplies and ordering as needed.
- Collaborate with kitchen staff to streamline workflow and ensure efficiency.
- Operate and maintain kitchen equipment, such as ovens, stoves, grills, and industrial-sized mixers.
- Monitor equipment performance, reporting any malfunctions or maintenance needs.
- Work closely with other kitchen staff, including chefs, sous chefs, and kitchen assistants.
- Communicate effectively to ensure smooth coordination during meal preparation.
- Adapt to changes in menu or production requirements as directed by kitchen leadership.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, including proper food handling, storage, and sanitation practices.
- Follow HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) guidelines.
- Maintain accurate records of food production, inventory levels, and meal counts.
- Assist in menu planning and contribute ideas for improvements.
- Conduct taste tests and visual inspections to maintain high-quality standards.
- Address any issues related to food quality promptly.
- Train and supervise kitchen staff as needed, ensuring they adhere to established procedures.
- Foster positive and collaborative work environment.
- Performed tasks of cleaning restrooms, restocking restroom supplies, litter pickup, grounds work and other manual labor tasks.
Backcountry Trails Crew Program
Trail Worker
4 2023 - 9 2023
- Dedicated and physically fit Backcountry Trailworker with a passion for maintaining and enhancing natural environments.
- Experienced in trail construction, maintenance, and restoration, seeking a position to contribute to the preservation and accessibility of wilderness areas.
- Participate in trail construction and maintenance projects, ensuring trails are safe, sustainable, and accessible for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Execute erosion control measures, trail stabilization, and vegetation management to minimize environmental impact.
- Operate and maintain a variety of hand tools, power tools, and heavy equipment to carry out trail maintenance tasks.
- Collaborate with a diverse team to achieve project goals, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
- Conduct regular trail assessments, identifying and addressing hazards and obstacles to maintain user safety.
- Educate trail users about Leave No Trace principles and responsible outdoor recreation.
- Perform trail maintenance on trails including brushing, lopping, tread repair using loppers, chainsaws, McLeods, pulaskis, pick mattocks and shovels.
- Construct drainage features using dry stone masonry.
- Construct new trails using sustainable trail techniques.
- Completes trail work in a timely and efficient manner.
- Follows established protocol to ensure that project work quality remains consistent.
- Maintain tools and equipment in accordance with established procedures.
- Adhere to field safety protocols to ensure safety of self and others.
- Follows all employee and safety handbook guidelines
- Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Worked closely and effectively with all sponsors and supervisors to ensure proper production, and on off of work.
- Worked closely with backcountry cook to gain knowledge ans skills to efficiently run a backcountry kitchen.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Plan meals and requisition necessary foodstuffs and supplies on a weekly or semi-weekly basis with a minimum of waste.
- Dedicated and skilled with a passion for preparing delicious and nutritious meals in remote outdoor settings.
- Plan, prepare, and serve family-style a variety of nutritionally well-balanced menus including specialty diet items such as vegetarian dishes. Preserves, stores, and utilizes foodstuffs fully without modern refrigeration.
- Source, pack, and organize food supplies, taking into consideration weight, perishability, and dietary restrictions.
- Utilize various cooking methods, including open-flame cooking, camp stoves, and lightweight cookware, to prepare meals in challenging outdoor environments.
- Collaborated with sponsors, supervisors, and crewmembers to tailor meal plans to the specific needs and preferences.
- Maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in backcountry kitchens, adhering to Leave No Trace principles
- Demonstrate proficiency in backcountry navigation and wilderness safety to contribute to the overall safety of the crew.
- Assisted the head chef in menu planning, food preparation, and kitchen management.
- Managed inventory, controlled costs, and minimized waste to optimize kitchen efficiency.
- Assures that equipment, dishes and utensils, and food storage areas are kept orderly and sanitary while displaying good personal hygiene and supervises the hygiene of the kitchen area and helpers.
- Performs other camp duties as necessary, such as splitting wood, fueling fires to heat water, treating water, monitoring camp sanitation as a whole including camp layout, camp commissary facilities, backcountry latrine facilities, backcountry bathing facilities, dish washing facilities.
- Can deal effectively and safely with wildlife in camp, including bears, snakes, and other wildlife.
- Meticulously planned and prepared nutritionally balanced meals for groups ranging from 5 to 10 individuals at a time, situated in semi-remote locations such as outdoor kitchens.
- Stock/Packer husbandry experience, Safely load and unload packs on animals, ensuring that the weight is distributed evenly and does not cause harm.
- Follow proper packing techniques to secure loads and minimize stress on the animals.
- Collaborate with trail workers and leaders to plan routes that are suitable for pack animals.
- Effectively communicate with other members of the team, including trail workers, guides, and fellow packers.
- Relay information about the condition of the pack animals and any challenges encountered on the trail.
- Adhere to Leave No Trace principles and other conservation practices to minimize the impact of pack animals on the environment.
- Participate in camp setup and breakdown, including selecting suitable areas for animal rest and grazing.
- Implement practices to minimize the environmental impact of the pack animals in camp.
- Collaborate with trip leaders and coordinators to plan logistics related to the use of pack animals.
- Contribute to the development of packing plans, taking into account the needs of the team and the capabilities of the pack animals.
- Set up and break down campsites efficiently, minimizing disturbance to the surrounding environment.
- Leave the campsite in its natural state upon departure, with no evidence of human presence.
- Practice responsible waste management by packing out all trash, including food scraps and litter.
- Dispose of waste properly, following specific guidelines for waste disposal in the backcountry.
- Conserve water resources by using water efficiently for cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene.
- Follow established procedures for treating water to ensure its safety for consumption.
- Follow regulations related to campfires, which may include restrictions or prohibitions depending on the location and environmental conditions.
- If fires are permitted, use established fire rings and follow safe fire management practices.
- Minimize interactions with wildlife by storing food securely and not feeding animals.
- Observe wildlife from a safe distance and avoid behaviors that may disturb or endanger them.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively within the camping group.
- Share responsibilities for camp chores and decision-making.
- Wilderness trail construction, repair, maintenance, and project planning.
- Wilderness 1st Aid Certification acquired.
- Swift Water Rescue or other water safety certifications
- Backcountry crew camp set up.
- Minimal impact or Leave No Trace wilderness practices.
- Backpacking and wilderness navigation (including cross-country hiking).
- Map and compass use, orienteering, mountaineering.
- Planning, implementing, and facilitating meetings, trainings, and educational classes.
- Working with public land management agencies (e.g. USFS, NPS).
- Microsoft Office and other computer applications.
- Performed in work areas that is require to stand, stoop, bend and work in tiring uncomfortable positions. Frequently lifts and carries supplies, materials and equipment that weigh up to 50 pounds.
- Typical strenuous activity includes: frequently lifts and carries objects up to 50 pounds, cutting and stockpiling of wood for camp and kitchen fires, frequently walking several miles a day in the course of daily chores or in going to work at the project site. Have been required to work long hours and hike long distances in rough terrain. As well as required to assist animal packers in the un/loading of camp supplies carried by mules and horses.
- Work split shift hours in order to prepare and serve morning and evening meals.
- Have ability to live and work effectively in isolated back country areas in close contact with small numbers of people for extended periods of time up to 6 months of the year.
- Lived and worked outdoors in mountainous terrain to 13,000 feet in elevation in all extremes of weather. Hazardous conditions may exist in working around stock, falling and bucking trees for firewood, working around heat, working around gas stoves and other gas equipment, and working with sharp knives.
- May perform duties in areas where wildlife is present and be required to store and protect food stores from wildlife (i.e.-bears, deer, rodents, small mammals).
- May perform duties where poisonous reptiles, plants, and insects are known to be present.
Emergency First Responder
Joffe Emergency Services
11.2021 - 03.2022
- Provided emergency services at Banc of California Stadium.
- Communicated with lucid patients to gather incident and medical history information.
- Maintained levelheadedness and efficiency in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine care needs using pulse oximeters and electronic vital sign machines.
Education
First Responder Course - Emergency Medical Technician Course - Applied Sciences
North Valley Occupational Center
Mission Hills 01.2021 - 11.2021
High School Diploma -
Vaughn International Studies Academy
San Fernando 08.2012 - 06.2016
Skills
First Aid & CPR Certified with American Heart Association - Sept 2022
FEMA Certifications IS-00100-907 - Nov 2, 2021
Proficient in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint/ Prezi
Emergency Flood Fighter
Fire Trained
Wilderness First Aid Certified - May 2023
Epinephrine Administration Certified - May 2023
Swiftwater Rescue Certified - May 2023
ServSafe California Food Handler - March 2023
ServSafe Allergen - Nov 2023
ServSafe Food Protection Manager - Dec 2023
ServSafe Food Protection Proctor - Dec 2023
Chainsaw Specialist
Tool Specialist
Volunteer Work
Combined 250+ hours
- L.A. Regional Food Bank, 2014 - 2016
- In charge of sorting and packaging food into boxes. - SOVA Community Food & Resource Program , 2015- 2016
- In charge of filling orders food orders for people in need. - Project Angel Food, 2015 - 2016
- Making food to feed and nourish people who are critically ill. - My Friend’s Place, 2015
- Sorting donated clothing, and giving food to homeless youth. - Habitat For Humanity/ Restore, 2016
- Helped build houses.
- Organized doors for the customers. - West Valley Animal Shelter, 2018- 2020
- Providing food and water to animals, cleaning living areas, taking animals out for walks,
brushing and grooming animal coats, and transporting animals.
References
Courtney Parks - Recreation Technician - USFS
(503) 995-8694
CaParks27@gmail.com
Anna King - Forestry Technician - USFS
(707)599-3271
Anna-king4455@gmail.com
Aric Anderson - California Conservation Corps - Redding Center - Conservation Supervisor
Aric.Anderson@ccc.ca.gov
(530) 440-5471
Timeline
Wilderness Cook Trainer
Backcountry Trails Program
04.2024 - 09.2024
Emergency First Responder
Joffe Emergency Services
11.2021 - 03.2022
First Responder Course - Emergency Medical Technician Course - Applied Sciences
North Valley Occupational Center
01.2021 - 11.2021
High School Diploma -
Vaughn International Studies Academy
08.2012 - 06.2016
California Conservation Corps
Corpsmember / Chainsaw Specialist
8 2022 - 03.2024
Backcountry Trails Crew Program
Trail Worker
4 2023 - 9 2023