Aquarist, Diver, Conservationist, Educator

DEREK WAKSMUNSKI

*** ********* **** ******** *******, PA 15714 Cell: 814-***-****

*******@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/pub/derek-waksmunski/85/511/618/en

AQUARIST, EDUCATOR & DIVER

Recent Marine Biology graduate with extensive internship and apprenticeship experience spanning the care of diverse marine animals and habitats, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and other aquatic fauna. Significant field work and diving experience with PADI diving certifications and a minor in Biological Diving. Strong knowledge of research methodologies, animal husbandry standards and best practices, and marine life behavior and life cycles.

Areas of Expertise

Aquarium Husbandry & Maintenance

Environmental Research

Water Chemistry Testing

Filtration System Maintenance

Ichthyologic Research

Field Research Methods

Research Ethics & Standards

Environmental Education

Boating/Sailing

Research & Rescue Diving

Dive Safety & Emergency Protocol

GIS/GPS Mapping & Data Collection

Research Team Leadership

Time Management

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology, 2015 Minors: Biological Diving & Psychology GPA: 3.125

Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA

Key Coursework: Animal Behavior, Microbiology, Invertebrate Zoology, Conservation Biology, Biology Aquarium Care, Advanced Open Water Diver, Fish Identification Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Rescue Diver, Statistics, Contemporary Chemistry, Evolution, Microscopy, Ecology

Research & Field Experience:

Research Diver Methods, PADI Advanced Diver Techniques, and PADI Fish Identification, Saint Lucia: Dove on local reefs to record population rise and decline of local reef species using field research techniques.

Field Biology, Australia: Studied eucalypt forest, grasslands, and ocean ecology. Dove at the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns and Fitzroy Island.

Marine Ichthyology, Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Wallops Island, VA: Studied evolution of fish and the local diversity of saltwater fish using seine nets, cast nets, trawl nets, and long lines for sharks catch and release collection.

Ichthyology Species Identification Research, Hinckston Run, Johnstown, PA: Led a research team of Environmental Engineers in freshwater fish sampling using a seine net to successfully identify the property owner’s undocumented mystery species for that area. Results were filed with the Watershed Association.

Juniata College/St. Francis Consortium, Raystown Field Station, Huntington, PA: Completed field, classroom, and lab courses in Natural History of South Florida – Field Biology Class of Hydrology, Ecology of Fish, Marine Conservation Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, Special Topics in Biology: Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and Electro Fishing Technique.

Professional Experience

Don Lee Camp & Methodist Retreat Center, Arapahoe, NC 01/28/2018 – 04/13/2018

Coastal Communities Environmental Educator

Providing hands-on, teaching and public speaking experience to 1st graders to high school students to teach them about respect, acquire leadership skills, good communication skills and teamwork. I facilitate science classes and challenge courses relating to the Coastal Communities around North Carolina. I am also responsible for providing animal husbandry for my assigned animals: Tree frog and Toad exhibit, Hermit Crab exhibit, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

Alabama 4-H Science School, Columbiana, AL 01/31/2017 – 05/20/2017

Science instructor and animal husbandry curator

Providing hands-on, teaching and public speaking experience to kindergarten up to high school students to teach them about Respect, teamwork a understanding for the environment and creatures of the natural world. I also take part in our Raptor Trek program to travel with animals and birds of prey to different schools to handle and teach with our animals like: Owls, hawks, vultures, snakes, turtles, and amphibians.

I am responsible for providing animal husbandry for: (snakes, bearded dragons, turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, birds of prey and native fish species). In the process of animal husbandry for our animals, I have performed water changes on 500 to 800 gallon exhibits to cleaning 20 gallon tanks and even performed water chemistry on exhibits and in laboratory style classes.

Seacamp Association Inc., Big Pine Key, FL 06/10/2016 – 09/30/2016

Science Instructor & Camp Counselor

As a Science Instructor and camp Counselor at Seacamp Association Inc. on Big Pine Key, I have experience presenting and teaching middle school to high school students about the biodiversity and history of the Florida Keys from the mammals, reptiles, geology, and ichthyology to the coral reef ecology.

I have been responsible for the safety of multiple children in and around the water in the classroom setting. And I take pride in that I have educated children on how to always respect Mother Nature, our local ecosystems and its creatures that are on land and in the water.

Have been responsible for multiple children in a classroom setting on land, and in a boat.

PITTSBURGH ZOO & AQUARIUM, Pittsburgh, PA 1/2016 – 04/20/2016

Aquarist Intern & Volunteer Diver

Provide a safe and habitable environment for a wide range of marine animals by accurately performing water chemistry tests, maintaining filtration systems, cleaning exhibits, and preparing food in accordance with animal care standards.

Sustain habitats for animals including penguins, the Giant Pacific Octopus, garden eels, venomous fish, mangrove fish, frogfish, and tropical marine fish.

Instrumental in maintaining several special exhibits, including the horseshoe crab touch tank, the African cichlid large overhead exhibit, and a 100,000-gallon, 30-foot-tall saltwater ocean tank.

THE WILDS (AZA Facility) Associated with The Columbus Zoo

– HELLBENDER CONSERVATION CENTER, Cumberland, OH 8/2015 – 1/2016

Apprentice

Monitored and maintained the conditions, growth, and behavior of the Eastern Hellbender through all stages of development, from eggs to mature adults, for eventual release into the wild.

Managed habitats to ensure the successful growth and eventual release hellbenders by maintaining filtration systems, monitoring water quality, cleaning habitats, and feeding the animals.

MARINE BIOLOGY LAB – SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, Loretto, PA 6/2013 – 1/2015

Aquarist/Work Study

Managed diverse aquariums, including a 1500-gallon saltwater aquarium, for faculty and student research and study.

Monitored and maintained critical habitat components, including filtration, water chemistry, and cleanliness, by following strict schedules and identifying issues to proactively resolve them.

Prepared food and monitored the condition of a variety of marine life to ensure their wellbeing.

PRINCE GALLITZIN STATE PARK, Patton, PA 5/2014 – 8/2014

Trimble GPS/GIS Intern, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Accurately recorded park GPS/GIS data as a mapper and technician in this DCNR-sponsored internship.

Collected and reported data to update the park’s server and improve mapping accuracy for park personnel.

SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY, Loretto, PA 3/2012 – 5/2012

Biology Tutor

Supported students of diverse learning styles and academic levels to excel in their general biology and lab courses.

Identified students’ learning needs by communicating with them to understand the specific concepts, techniques, or information with which they needed additional instruction, and designed relevant lessons and practice in response.

CAMP SEPH MACK, Yellow Creek State Park, PA 6/2010 – 8/2010 & 6/2011 – 8/2011

Boy Scout Merit Badge Instructor/Counselor

Taught Ecology Merit Badge lessons to scouts by translating badge requirements into relevant hands-on lessons focused on respect for the environment and scouts’ achievement of Eagle Scout status.

Taught the information and techniques required for Bird Study, Tracking, Reptiles and Amphibian Study, Forestry, Nature, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fly Fishing, and Skating Merit Badges.

Diving Experience

Certified SCUBA Recue Diver, July 2014 – Present

Certified PADI Advanced Open Water, 2013 - Present

Certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver, July 2012– Present

Certified PADI Wreck Diver, 2013- Present

Certified PADI Nitrox Diver, 2013- Present

Certified PADI Fish ID, 2013 - Present

Certified PADI Georgia Aquarium Whale Shark Specialty, 2017 - Present

Certified DSAT TecRec Gas Blender, October 14th 2017

Certified NAUI Rescue Diver, July 2016 to Present

Volunteer Diver at The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium- January 2016 to present

Currently have over 95 dives logged from Aquarium, Ocean and freshwater dives with over 75 hours of underwater time.

Dive Sites:

Pennsylvania: Dutch Springs (Bethlehem, PA) and Blue Hole Quarry (Williamsburg, PA)

Ohio: White Star Quarry, Gilboa Quarry, Strawberry Quarry

Mexico: Cancun

St. Lucia: Anse Cochon, Anse Cochon South Side, Piton Wall, Coral Reef Garden, Anse Chastanet, Grand Caille, Superman Flight, Lesleen M. Wreck, and Rosemond’s Trench

Australia: Multiple reef sites near Cairns, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, and reef sites at Fitzroy Island, Queensland.

Honors, Awards, & Affiliations

American Red Cross Certifications:

Administering Emergency Oxygen, Lifeguarding/First Aid/ CPR/ AED, Waterfront Skills: Valid only with Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED – Certified 06/23/2016 valid till 06/23/2018

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card):

Maritime User/Private Contractor- Expires November 9th, 2022

Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout, 2011 Order of the Arrow: Brotherhood Member, since 2010 World Conservation Award Snorkeling Certificate Kayaking Certificate Leadership positions including Chaplain Assistant, Historian, Chaplain, and Patrol Leader

Saint Francis University: Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity Scuba Club Frisbee Team Biology Club

Community: Democratic Committeeman, Susquehanna Township South, 2014 Eucharistic Minister, Prince of Peace Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Trout Unlimited

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