Brittney Van Der Werff

Experience

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  Camp Scully of Catholic Charities New York

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Camp Counselor

  • Responsible for the week long care of 12 campers, ages 13 to 14, all from under-privileged, inner-city areas of Albany, New York.• Mentored youth unlikely to have ever been outside urban areas for extended periods of time.• Facilitated involvement in programs and integration into the camp community. • Successfully led numerous camp activities. Demonstrated a high level of flexibility, creativity and adaptability in challenging situations

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  Community Provider of Enrichment Services (CPES)

  Sept 2007 - Sept 2009

  Instructor/Recruiter/Direct Service Provider

  • Created new course materials later adopted by the larger Phoenix and Tucson branches• Taught all new employees courses on caregiver policy requirements, medication administration, incident reporting, HIPPA, behavior treatment plans & ethical care of mentally disabled adults• Instructor of First Aid, CPR and AED (certified by NSC)• Managed HR concerns, all new hire paperwork, monthly tracking reports• Coached in three group homes as a support provider for disabled adults

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  Valles Caldera Trust

  May 2010 - Aug 2010

  Interpretative Intern

  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary agency experts to gain understanding of the organization’s flagship science-based adaptive management style implemented by Congress in 2001.• Led the creation/development of a new multi-themed interpretative station for the preserve staging area. Materials were later used to supplement pre-existing interpretive programs.• Spearheaded the research, trail routing, interpretation and creation of the Valle Grande Pond self-guided hike.

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  Valles Caldera National Preserve

  Jul 2011 - Nov 2012

  Interpretive Assistant

  Due to the strong interpretation, communication and leadership skills I exhibited as an intern, I was selected as lead designer for the VCT National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Website. Website was completed on time, under budget, and has received praise from both public and staff. Please refer to site for examples of below accomplishments https://bit.ly/2OlTRew.Technical knowledge/Skills • Created VCT NEPA website. Design guided by goals and objectives targeting usability and navigability.• Interpreted complex legal framework of NEPA and translated it in a way accessible to both the general public and local stakeholders.• Incorporated visual displays, info-graphics and interactive website components to engage internet audiences with different learning styles. Verbally recognized at all-staff meeting by supervisor for innovative ‘Guide to NEPA’ page.• Participated in group planning for interpretive NEPA website project. • Proof-read, edited, and converted over 120 policy reference documents into web appropriate formats. • Conducted research using both primary and secondary sources for infographics and informational content included in interpretive NEPA site. • Generated interpretive material including articles, summaries, and site bulletins.• Proficient in Adobe Dreamweaver, Cascading Style Sheets, and HTML.Communication• Participated in weekly verbal and written reports on program/project needs, status, and accomplishments to facilitate communication and collaboration with supervisor.• Worked with Cultural Resources Coordinator to create interpretive web pages devoted to obsidian artifacts, geology, historic land use and archaeological sites. • Established strong cooperative relationships with Trust cultural resources staff through frequent verbal and written communication. My relationships remain as the primary tie between the Cultural Resources Division and Visitors Services Division. Show less

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  Valles Caldera Trust

  Jan 2012 - Oct 2015

  Lead Educator/Education Coordinator

  As the Education Coordinator for the Valles Caldera Trust (VCT), I created, administered, evaluated, and coordinated all educational programs at VCT. While in this position I earned the highest performance rating in our division and my education programs were praised by local news outlets for their outstanding curriculum-based programming. When the Valles Caldera Trust was transferred to the National Park Service by Congress in 2015, the legislation explicitly called for the continuation of my education programs under National Park Service management. Education Experience• Received $80,000 of funding from National Park Foundation to continue the education programs I created for the VCT under the National Park Service.• Spearheaded the creation and administration of all education programs (20+) for both K-12 and college audiences. Programs compliment New Mexico state education standards and Common Core.• Awarded funding for Nature Conservancy environmental education grant in 2014.• Committee chair of Santa Fe Rio Grande Water Fund environmental educators working group.• Generated thematic educational programs about VCT archeological sites, earth skills, and traditional land use history. Volunteer Management • Organized, scheduled, and lead two annual education volunteer work days from 2012-2014.• Trained education volunteers to effectively lead interpretive educational programs and process forest monitoring data.• Supervised/trained approximately 15 adult education volunteers. Show less

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  National Park Service

  Oct 2015 - May 2019

  Lead Park Ranger

  • Serve as the Adobe CC expert for Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) and nearby NPS units. Responsibilities include design and creation of VCNP waysides, visitor center exhibits, interpretive displays, pamphlets, and flyers. • Awarded $11,000 for proposal to create and design the first two interpretive wayside exhibits at VCNP - a new National Park Service unit. Waysides were completed on-time and under-budget.• Organize large (600+ attendees) events for VCNP. Responsible for event budget, logistics, and advertising.• Procured $36,000 in grant funds to expand the VCNP education programs available to local teachers and students.• Manage 20+ volunteers to staff the VCNP visitor center. Duties include interviewing, onboarding/training, scheduling, hours tracking, and performance evaluations.• Cater to a variety of learning styles by creating videos, short stories, hands-on demonstrations, and program ‘touchables’ to explain VCNP geological, cultural, and natural resources to visitors. Show less

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  New Mexico EPSCoR

  Apr 2019 - now

  Public Relations Specialist

  • Project manager for multiple partner sub-award projects. Ensure deliverables are on time and on budget.• Generate short films, print publications, monthly newsletters, and manage all social media platforms. • Primary content creator, videographer, and photographer. Maintain NM EPSCoR's media content database.• Organize training webinars with subject matter experts for student and faculty professional development.• Chair of National NSF EPSCoR communications group.• Board member of NSF EPSCoR EOD Council.• Associate Editor of the New Mexico Journal of Science. Show less