Parker Palen

Environmental science student with vast practical experience in conservation and public engagement, demonstrating strong leadership and academic excellence. Possesses certifications in Wildland Firefighting and Microsoft Office. Proficient in ArcGIS Pro and natural resource management, showcasing a commitment to teamwork and proactive service. Aiming to leverage skills in environmental testing and resource management for impactful conservation initiatives.

• Former Certified Interpretive Guide through NAI
• Former Journalist for The Communique - Kirkwood Community College Student Newspaper
• Emergency Personnel Aiding Trail Marker Project - Golden Gate Canyon State Park
• Climate Ambassador Program - Iowa City, IA

Kevin Flanagan - City of Ottumwa Code Enforcement Boss - 641-451-4990

Ken Carroll - Kirkwood Community College Professor - 319-398-5899, ext. 5130 or ken.carroll@kirkwood.edu

Colton Koestner - 3+ years Coworker - 319-883-9175

Additional references available upon request.

CPR (2012-2016),

Microsoft Office Certified (2015),

Wildland Firefighting,

Certified Interpretive Guide (2018),

Equipment Operations (2018)

• Achieved updated trail map marking system for Golden Gate Canyon State Park through effectively helping with installing trail markers, using Strava to identify coordinates and taking photos to document location.
• Renovated outdoor huts for hikers which required completely new roof installation at Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
• Documented and resolved a stressful code enforcement issue in Ottumwa, Iowa which involved death threats made toward myself. I maintained professionalism, showing empathy and ensuring that respect was given to the upset citizen.

Kevin C. Flanagan
Planning Director
City of Ottumwa, IA
2349 Middle Glasgow Rd.
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-451-4990 ©

To Whom It May Concern -
I am writing this recommendation for Parker Palen. I am the Director of Planning, Health, Inspections,
Solid Waste, and Economic Development here in the City of Ottumwa, Iowa. We are a City of
approximately 25,000 and a regional leader in our Southeastern Iowa area. Parker worked in my
department for almost a year as our code enforcement intern.
Parker's Duties involved acting as one of our City code enforcement officers regarding issues ranging
from solid waste and illegal dumping to tall grass and the inevitable myriad of citizen complaints arising
from the daily activity of a bustling and industrial small City, with a considerable level of population
density.
I found Parker to be an immensely quick study and to have an immeasurable desire to want to learn and
do more and more, by way of improving himself as well as being an integral part of our department's
operations. He was very helpful to other staff, a real team player. In fact, I likely would have offered him
a permanent position here in Ottumwa were it not for an unfortunate budgetary issue with our City
generally at the current time, not allowing for my expansion of current staffing levels. I felt we truly
missed a good opportunity in not being able to bring Parker on permanently, good talent in this industry
being hard to find and easy to lose.
I have always felt he would succeed at any endeavor he attempted, as he has the key tools for excelling
in today's business world: a high acumen, a willingness to work hard, and the tenacity to overcome
challenges. Parker's disposition was very appreciable in dealing with the public, no small feat in the code
enforcement world, where the reasons for many interactions are often not as pleasant as we may wish,
and his talent in delivering hard news in an affable and understandable manner was well received in our
community. I would not hesitate in enthusiastically recommending Parker in any capacity for your company, as I am
sure you would find him as a dedicated, flexible, and quite capable employee. If you have questions
concerning my recommendation or wish to discuss Parker's performance in our organization, please feel
free to contact me at your convenience.