Michelle Keefer
Ritzville,WA
Summary
Dynamic Leader/Educator/Administrator offering 25 years of outdoor education and recreation experience. Highly skilled in risk management and strategy development to serve client and organization needs. Builds lasting rapport with colleagues, volunteers, youth, and families to create engaging learning environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Clerk Treasurer
City Of Ritzville
06.2022 - Current
- Maintain customer satisfaction with strategies focused on addressing customer needs and problem solving.
- Special projects including code updates, policies & procedures manuals, emergency notification system, and code enforcement.
- Receive and reconcile utility payments.
- Receive, review, track, and issue permit applications.
Paraprofessional
Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools
11.2021 - 01.2023
- Oversee students in classroom and common areas to monitor, supervise, and support lead teacher.
- Delivered personalized educational, behavioral and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
- Organized and facilitated weekly enrichment activities for all K-5 students and coordinated parent / guardian event.
- Received mini-grant for outdoor education and piloted afterschool outdoors club for students 3rd-5th and high school volunteer leaders.
Senior Camp Director
Girl Scouts AZ Cactus-Pine Council
12.2009 - 09.2021
- Outdoor program design and implementation for youth K-12 within 200 acre Girl Scout Camp with 85% camper retention.
- Administered program department organizational staffing structures through hiring, supervision, feedback, on-boarding documents, and evaluation for over 45 seasonal staff yearly.
- Authored and held fiscal responsibility for budgets.
- Coordinated public outreach and promotion – developing relationships with local community organizations.
- Communicated and coordinated logistics with staff regarding work assignments, projects, and program implementation.
- Conducted annual reviews and updates of health care plan, medical protocols, communicable disease plan, and emergency action policies and procedures.
- Experience with conflict resolution and crisis/emergency scenarios.
- Ensured that camp program and facilities meet current local, state, and American Camping Association standards.
Education Specialist
Tillamook Forest Center - Department Of Forestry
04.2006 - 06.2009
- Developed and implemented new programs and education curriculum, in alignment with State of Oregon education standards.
- Managed training of seasonal education staff and volunteers, including Lead Worker for college intern.
- Organized schedule, logistics, risk management, marketing, supervision, and parent communication for summer day camp.
- Developed Tillamook Forest Center emergency response plan guidelines and scheduled emergency response staff trainings.
- Provided education on ecology, natural resources and environmental concerns to visitors through captivating presentations, elaborate exhibits and hands-on workshops.
Program Coordinator & Interim Director
McDowell Environmental Center - Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
01.2003 - 04.2006
- Served as primary contact person for all schools attending environmental education residential program.
- Organized all program schedules, logistics, meals, health information, and housing for residential school groups (up to 250 students per week).
- Responsible for hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of seasonal and full-time environmental education staff.
- Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across departments.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
Education
Master of Science - Recreation Administration-Outdoor
Aurora University
Aurora, ILBachelor of Arts - Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Studies
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WASkills
- Budget Management
- Staff Recruitment, Hiring, Training & Supervision
- Community Partnership Cultivation
- Outcomes & Evaluation
- Risk Management
- Contract Management
- Event Coordination
- Policies & Procedures
- Program Design
- Instructional Methods
- Logistics Oversight
- Marketing
Accomplishments
- Wildwood Outdoors - Owner/Manager
- American Camping Association - New Director Orientation - Presenter/Trainer
- American Camping Association - Team writer/designer for Day Camp Director Qualification Course
- Environmental Education Association of Alabama, Board member – 2004 to 2006 and logistics for 2005 EEAA conference
- North American Association for Environmental Education, Social Chair – Coordinated social events for conference attendees
- “Making Connections for a Sustainable Future” Presenter Association for Experiential Education Regional Conference and National Association for Interpretation National Conference
- “Freshwater & Forests” Co-Presenter Project Learning Tree Teacher Workshop
- Volunteer Naturalist - Portland Metro
Affiliations
- American Camping Association
- Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education
- National Parks and Recreation Association
- Washington Recreation and Park Association
- Washington Conservation Society
- Children & Nature Network
- Outdoor Learning Alliance
- E3 Washington
Certification
- American Camping Association Camp Director
- American Camping Association New Director Orientation
- American Camping Association Accreditation Visitor
- Leave No Trace Master Trainer
- Trout Unlimited STREAM Girls Trainer and Facilitator
- Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid
- NOLS - Wilderness First Responder & CPR, AED
- Association of Nature and Forest Therapy - Certified Guide
References
Maggie Wade Johnston
Executive Director - Wild Alabama
256.974.6166 (cell) maggie@wildal.org
Past Supervisor at McDowell Environmental Center
Justina Burks
Senior Student Services Specialist - Chandler – Gilbert Community College
714.399.5905 (cell) Justina.burks@cgc.edu
Past Supervisor at Girl Scouts AZ Cactus Pine Council
Kristin Babbs
President/CEO - Keep Oregon Green
503-945-7498 (work) kristin.a.babbs@oregon.gov
Past Lead Worker at Tillamook Forest Center - Oregon Department of Forestry
Timeline
Deputy Clerk Treasurer
City Of Ritzville
06.2022 - Current
Paraprofessional
Lind-Ritzville Cooperative Schools
11.2021 - 01.2023
Senior Camp Director
Girl Scouts AZ Cactus-Pine Council
12.2009 - 09.2021
Education Specialist
Tillamook Forest Center - Department Of Forestry
04.2006 - 06.2009
Program Coordinator & Interim Director
McDowell Environmental Center - Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
01.2003 - 04.2006
Master of Science - Recreation Administration-Outdoor
Aurora University
Bachelor of Arts - Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Studies
Eastern Washington University
Similar Profiles
Don MckenzieDon Mckenzie
Superintendent at Ritzville, Whse. CoSuperintendent at Ritzville, Whse. Co
Caitlin StrohmaierCaitlin Strohmaier
1st Grade Elementary Teacher at Ritzville Grade School1st Grade Elementary Teacher at Ritzville Grade School
Carolyn MontgomeryCarolyn Montgomery
Treasurer at Castle Dale City/Price City/Orangeville CityTreasurer at Castle Dale City/Price City/Orangeville City
Debra ConnorsDebra Connors
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant at East Adams Rural HospitalCertified Clinical Medical Assistant at East Adams Rural Hospital
Kody NeckerKody Necker
CDL A Truck Driver-Warehouse/backup Driver at North Coast ElectricCDL A Truck Driver-Warehouse/backup Driver at North Coast Electric