Microsoft Office Suite 2016
Richard Neils
Reno
Summary
Dynamic Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at Goodwill Industries, skilled in safety training and waste management. Achieved significant reductions in disposal costs through sustainable practices while enhancing employee compliance with safety regulations. Adept at problem-solving and fostering a culture of safety, ensuring a secure workplace for all staff and patrons. Resourceful, comprehensive, and self-motivated Community Educator with over 14 years of experience of providing adult-based education. Accurate, descriptive, and punctual with auditing and recordkeeping.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & N. NV
08.2022 - 03.2025
- Conducted ongoing employee trainings on all matters relating to Non-disposable Items (NDI) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), hazardous waste management, emergency response, and safe workplace practices; improved employee awareness of environmental health and safety regulations by following all procedures as outlined in the corresponding training materials
- Monitored NDI and HHW accumulation at area retail stores / warehouses and donation collection centers; responsible for monitoring compliance of NDI and HHW programs in accordance with Nevada and California guidelines; ensured a standardized set up of NDI and HHW sorting stations at area retail stores and donation collection centers; monitored NDI and HHW accumulation dates and collaborated with Regional Director and Director of Environmental Health and Safety to schedule NDI and HHW pick ups by a licensed Hazardous Waste Hauler
- Conducted regular audits of employee cognizance and process compliance including NDI and HHW sorting, storing, and record retention at retail stores and donation collection centers, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures (action plans) for underperforming locations; reported findings to the Regional Director and Director of Environmental Health and Safety
- Research and developed new tools to help educate the public on identifying and disposing of NDI and HHW safely and legally
- Reduced environmental impact by implementing sustainable waste management practices and recycling initiatives; managed hazardous waste inventories in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, reducing disposal costs substantially
- Provided ongoing safety trainings of all new and existing employees (e.g., Hazardous Waste Procedures; CPR, First Aid, and AED; Safety Data Sheets (SDS); Forklift Operation(Class III & IV), Lockout / Tagout Procedures of warehouse machinery, etc.); educated employees on safe workplace practices in both retail storefronts and warehouses
- Conducted regular safety audits of environmental health and safety procedures within company locations, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures (action plans) for underperforming locations; reported findings to the Regional Director and Director of Environmental Health and Safety
- Monitored workplace activities to determine compliance with safety regulations and standards
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement risk reduction measures, minimizing potential environmental and/or safety incidents
- Attended and completed all internal and external training courses required to remain in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., CPR-First Aid-AED Instructor; HAZWOPER, etc.)
Program Coordinator and Instructor
The Children's Cabinet
04.2014 - 01.2021
- Organized and instructed ongoing evidence-based parenting workshops and webinars promoting parental involvement, social interactions, social-emotional development in children (ages 0-18), and child safety throughout Washoe County, NV (e.g., Active Parenting; Ages and Stages of Child Development; Anger Management; ADD/ADHD; Disaster Preparedness; Bullying Prevention; etc.)
- Organized and instructed ongoing evidence-based Out of School Time (OST) care professional trainings and webinars promoting social-emotional development, positive guidance, and parental involvement of school-aged children (ages 5-18), including best practices, STEM/STEAM activities, anti-bullying prevention, and anger management activities
- Implemented program evaluation tools to measure effectiveness, utilizing data-driven insights for continuous improvement; monitored performance metrics closely and evaluating areas requiring intervention or adjustment, making decisions that contributed positively towards overall results
- Coordinated strategic collaborations with external organizations expanding program reach and impact (e.g., public/private schools, after-school programs, community outreach program centers, law enforcement agencies, and health and social services agencies)
- Co-facilitated regular meetings with team members and external stakeholders to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and brainstorm solutions for ongoing program success
- Maintained detailed records of program activities, participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations regarding grant funding
- Co-facilitated regular community events and workshops with private and public partners promoting child/family engagement, child safety awareness, child development, child education, and community family resources
- Participated on assigned Parenting and After-school Provider related committee board panels encouraging a unifying message on parenting and provider best practices, community concerns, latest social trends, problem-solving, and identifying activities to help facilitate positive parent and teacher involvement
- Coordinated regular meetings with Program Manager and Department Director in developing, implementing, assessing, and revising programs promoting positive parent and after-school provider engagement
- Co-managed budgets and resources for successful execution of multiple programs simultaneously
Case Manager
The Children's Cabinet
03.2012 - 04.2014
- Provided comprehensive emergency case management services in part of the Washoe County Permanency Intervention Initiative (WCPII) Safety Inventions and Permanency Systems (SIPS) pilot program co-funded by Washoe County Human Services Agency (WCHSA)
- Provided case management services in part of WCPII Family Search and Engagement (FSE) pilot program co-funded by WCHSA
- Collaborated and participated closely with WCHSA caseworkers and supervisors regarding ongoing safety plans of families, who were randomly selected to the WCPII pilot program; met extensively with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., extended family, counselors, program providers, etc.) regarding the general needs and welfare of children in care; coordinated with caseworkers and supervisors regarding the safe conditions of returning children and youth to their parents'/caregivers' custody, including assisting with ongoing safety management, planning, and progress assessments
- Collaborated and participated closely with WCHSA caseworkers and supervisors regarding case mining biological relatives and fictive kin of youth currently in foster care; initiating and establishing contact with identified birth relatives/fictive kin to engage communication with youth in care (e.g., letters, email, telephone contact, and visitation) per case worker approval and establishing both immediate- and extended family history and genealogy; maintained relationships with assigned youth and their relatives/fictive kin, and care professionals tasked in developing permanency options for youth upon aging out of care
- Maintained accurate documentation on all active and dormant cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions
- Provided ongoing services and goods for families to help meet their immediate needs while caring for their children (e.g., food, diaper, and clothing vouchers, car safety seats, strollers and cribs/beds, rent and utility payments, child daycare and schooling placement and payments, outpatient/inpatient counseling and substance abuse treatment services and payments, etc.); coordinated services with other agencies, healthcare professionals, and community-based organizations to provide useful benefits to clients
- Provided frequent supervised safe visitations between caregivers and children as needed
- Participated in ongoing Protective Capacity Family Assessments (PCFA), Protective Capacity Parent Assessments (PCPA), and scheduled Family Court hearings as described in the written policies and procedures
- Identified, developed, and supported plans for each assigned foster youth establishing lifelong connections with their birth relatives and/or extended families, addressing client needs, and goals upon exiting foster care (when applicable)
- Provided case management supportive services and crisis intervention to assigned foster youth and their families (when applicable) participating in family-strengthening programs (e.g., counseling; family workshops, etc.) per caseworker approval, and using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely
- Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information provided by internal and external stakeholders
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs and the care needs of their child(ren)
- Advocated for client rights when interacting with external institutions and partnering agencies, ensuring fair treatment at all times
- Submitted detailed weekly reports outcomes to immediate supervisor and Department Director
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
University of Phoenix
Reno, NV03-2011
Skills
- Safety training
- Hazard identification
- Environmental workplace monitoring
- Household hazardous waste management storage and disposal
- First aid training
- Adult Education
- Parent Education (Relationship building)
- Youth Education (Life skills)
- Case Management (Crisis Intervention)
- Program development
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
Certification
- First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor Certification – HSI
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) Certification – Occupational Safety and Health Administration approved providers
- Active Parenting (R) Instructor Certification – Active Parenting Publishers
- CPR, First Aid, AED Certification – HSI
- Forklift Certification – Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley and Northern Nevada
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Software
GoToMeeting/Training
Eventbrite
Paycom
Timeline
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & N. NV
08.2022 - 03.2025
Program Coordinator and Instructor
The Children's Cabinet
04.2014 - 01.2021
Case Manager
The Children's Cabinet
03.2012 - 04.2014
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
University of Phoenix
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