NATHAN KAMSTRA

*** ****** **** *, **** Perry, ON, L9L 1Z8

647-***-**** · adbn1k@r.postjobfree.com

February 7, 2020

Environmental Science Student

Suncor

Dear hiring department,

I am writing in response to the Environmental Science Student position I found through the Neuvoo job board. I believe I would be a valuable addition because of previous education I have with GIS and mapping technologies. I have spent considerable time in outdoor work environments and working with ArcGIS software.

Both volunteer and personal environmental experiences are major. I have actively participated in environmental community work including assisted in building fish cribs for CLOCA, a waterfront clean-up in Whitby, boardwalk reconstruction on the nature trail at Oshawa Second Marsh and removing invasive trees for a rehabilitation project in Uxbridge.

Over the last 4 years, I have developed a strong team-based work ethic in both office and field settings. The jobs I had on the golf course and working for Whitby taught me time management and collaborative skills. Time management was imperative for completing a sequence of unsupervised tasks, some main requirements of both jobs required both tasks to be completed in pace with co-workers, each having to be done quickly enough to meet each day’s deadline – first morning tee-off or a section of the city done within a certain time frame. Collaborative communication was integral for decision-making when completing co-ordinated tasks such as cutting and laying sod or working together on survey work.

At my previous job, my boss recognized my strong work ethic and welcomed me back for a second from my efficient completion of projects and dedication to the company’s virtues. My time with the Town of Whitby gave me insight and respect for the departments and the roles of each staff member. I was an honour roll recipient through 3 years of high school and have achieved a 3.0 GPA overall at Brock now in year 3.

I see myself being well suited to this position. I believe my skills, experiences, and dependability would be a strong asset in your organization. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you by cell 647-***-****) or email at (adbn1k@r.postjobfree.com).

Sincerely,

Nathan Kamstra

NATHAN KAMSTRA

560 Scugog Line 4, Port Perry, ON, L9L 1Z8

647-***-**** · adbn1k@r.postjobfree.com

Education

Honours Bachelor of Science, Geography Student Anticipated graduation of 2021

Brock University, St. Catharines

Related courses: GEOG 3P04 Digital Mapping, GEOG 2P94 Human Dominated Ecosystems, ERSC 2P16 Clastic Sedimentology, GEOG 2P04 Meteorology, GEOG 3P14 Introduction to Soil Science

80% final grade for Earth Surface Processes, 85% final grade for Geographic Information Systems, and 83% final grade for Digital Mapping

Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops Winter Semester January – April 2020

GEOG 2050 Intro to Hydrology and GEOG 3650 Geography of Consumption

Relevant Experience

GIS/Engineering Summer Student, (Seasonal) May - August 2019

The Corporation of the Town of Whitby, Whitby, Ontario

Completed field data collection in varying weather conditions of safety risks posed by sidewalk and sign conditions for entire township, utilizing mobile GIS applications (Arc Collector and Arc Survey 123) as well as communicative skills when interacting with the public

Constructed project maps for operations team to complete repair work, obtaining experience with use of ArcPro software, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access

Completion of project weeks ahead of schedule, allowed participation in other projects including conducting of site contractor site visits and door-to-door site visits to notify public of construction

Volunteer, 2012 - 2016

Durham Region, Ontario

•Volunteering on various environmental projects in the Durham regions including boardwalk reconstruction at Second Marsh in Oshawa, Invasive plant removal at the Countryside Preserve in Uxbridge, and Job shadow with fish crib building at Darlington Provincial Park in Oshawa, provided insight for how some environmental organizations operate

Student Volunteer Assistant, November 2014 – March 2015

Durham Sustainability, Whitby, Ontario

Reviewed magazine articles, social media posts, and MS Excel spreadsheets to ensure professionalism and public appeal

Completed an MS Excel spreadsheet updating data on golf courses within Durham Region

Additional Experience

Groundskeeper, April 2016 – October 2018

Hy-Hope Farm and Golf Course, Ashburn, Ontario

Completed a wide variety of tasks as part of general maintenance around the course on to the satisfaction of the manager such that the position was offered again for multiple years

Gained time management skills by ensuring tasks with a deadline were fully completed before the end of the work day

Gained experience and safety training by working with a variety of machinery including different types of mowers, pole saws, sod cutters, and hedge trimmers

Church Volunteer, 2012 - 2017

Port Perry United Church, Port Perry, Ontario

•Assisted with various church held events including fund raising bazaar and donation

•Participation in a youth mission trip to El Salvador to gain first hand experience with culture, conditions, and social issues in a third world country. Later, when several Salvadoran students were in Canada, I was chosen to accompany them

Ski Apprentice, Seasonal (January – March) 2014 – 2016

Lakeridge Ski Resort, Uxbridge, Ontario

Assisted with beginner ski lessons to help student develop stronger skills

Gained teaching skills by giving one on one lessons to students

Cashier/Produce Sales, September – November 2015

Hy-Hope Farm and Golf Course, Ashburn, Ontario

Sold fall produce (pumpkins, squash, apples) and provided good customer service often resulting in customers returning to talk and ask new questions

handled produce, including bagging, attractive displays, and stocking

Academic Projects

Physical Geography Field Course: Field Study Assignment, September – December 2019

Conducted a study and completed a report on The Effect of Natural Weathering Processes on Bedrock Surface Hardness across Central Ontario,

Spent a week in the Peterborough and Kawartha’s region of Ontario measuring rock hardness values across both the Paleozoic sedimentary bedrock formations and the Precambrian shield to analyze the differences caused by localized weathering conditions

Geographic Information Systems: Final Assignment, January – April 2019

Utilized GPS data acquired from a field professional from multiple areas and habitat locations to assess Five lined Skink sightings in Southern Ontario

Creation of a map using ArcMap 10.6 and data tables through Microsoft Excel

Digital Mapping: Final Assignment, January – April 2019

•Using location data of current wind turbines and major populated centers, used ArcMap 10.6 to analyze useable wind energy across the Province of Alberta

Human Dominated Ecosystems: Local Landscape Assignment, September – December 2018

Analyzed the historical, development, and different biogeographical aspects of the area

Investigated the impacts of human development were on the region’s flora and fauna

Personal Interests

Hiking

Phutuq K'usi (Peru), Spruce Woods Provincial Park (Manitoba), Bruce Peninsula National park (Ontario), Waterton Lakes Provincial Park (Alberta)

Outdoor Recreations

Mountain biking

Kayaking and canoeing long (French River) and short trips (Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park)

Skiing

Visiting numerous parks in both different provinces and countries including Georgian Bay Islands, Riding Mountain, Olympic (US), and Hoge Veluwe National Park (Netherlands)

Environmental Events

Participation in different events such as bio blitzes, bird counts, butterfly counts led by professionals

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