Wildlife Field Biologist
Resume:
Andrea L. Reinhardt
Seattle, WA 98125
August 30, 2011
Dear Companion Pet Clinic:
I would like to apply to the Veterinary Assistant and Kennel Help positions, advertised on the Simply Hired website. I am an individual passionate about animals, domestic and wild, and conservation ideals. It is my zeal, strong work ethic, and extensive bird banding/handing experience that sets me apart from other applicants and makes me an excellent candidate.
As a Wildlife Science graduate from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, I have had multiple opportunities to gain hands-on field experience. I have acquired extensive bird banding skills, having worked with Passerines, waterfowl, and birds of prey. As the lead bird bander for Texas Tech University, two years running, I performed target mist-netting, banding, color banding, and bleeding of adult and nestling (one-day-old) Veeries in their breeding habitat. My field responsibilities also involved placing radio transmitters on a select subset of adult male Veeries and performing radio tracking duties. I am well versed in Microsoft programs and program BANDIT, and no stranger to data entry. Additionally, I have completed three seasons of passive Passerine mist-netting/banding working for Audubon Pennsylvania at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA and the University of Southern Mississippi in Gulf Shores, AL. To estimate conservatively, I have banded and processed >1200 Passerines. I am also familiar with waterfowl capture techniques having been a volunteer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission banding Canada Geese, Mallards, Teal, and Black Ducks. In addition to my bird handing experience, I am comfortable handling and working with small mammals. As a rodent lover, I have had several rats and mice friends as pets. Moreover, I have worked as a small mammal research intern tagging and collecting fecal matter samples for dietary analysis. Despite not having a veterinary technicians degree, I comfortable working with animals and the administration of medications. As a volunteer at a Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in PA and the El Arca Animal Sanctuary in Ecuador, I have assisted in veterinary duties and administering mediations. I am extremely eager to learn more about veterinary medicine and promise to be a dedicated, professional, and competent worker.
It has been my volunteer banding experience working with Swainson’s Hawks that has greatly impacted my professional interests and fostered my career aspirations. On a personal level, the greatest connection to nature I have ever felt was holding an adult female Swainson’s Hawk; feeling the remarkable power beneath my finger tips and the vibrations of her heartbeat as she lay tightly secured in my hands during the banding process. Prompted by the profound impact of this experience, I have continuously sought out additional bird banding opportunities. As shown in my resume, the last few years of my professional career have been marked by extensive volunteer experience, specifically working with birds, in an effort to increase my skill set and better position myself to achieve my career goals.
As an aspiring wildlife scientist I am interested gaining greater exposure to domestic animals and medical practices. As the above information hopefully demonstrates, I am a dedicated, highly motivated, and passionate person. If given the opportunity, I am confident that my enthusiasm and intrepid nature would translate to a productive and successful working venture. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Andrea L. Reinhardt
11716 23rd AVENUE NE* SEATTLE, WA 98125
PHONE 585-***-**** * E-MAIL *********.******@*****.***
ANDREA L. REINHARDT
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a veterinary assistant position that promotes the opportunity to expand my technical skill set
EDUCATION
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), Syracuse, NY
Bachelor of Science: Wildlife Science
Graduated December 2008
Cumulative GPA 3.76; Magna Cum Laude
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY
Associate of Science: Liberal Arts-General Studies
GPA 3.56; graduated with distinction
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
Cranberry Lake Biological Station, Cranberry Lake, NY
o Three week field intensive course addressing topics of herpetology, entomology, genetics, small mammal trapping, ornithology, soils, statistics, orienteering, fisheries, and macro-invertebrates
Related coursework: Management of Wildlife Habitats and Populations, Conservation Biology, Animal Behavior, Ornithology, Dendrology, Genetics, Evolution, Statistics, Environmental Law, and Natural Resource Policy
SCIENTIFIC WORK EXPERIENCE
Lead Bird Bander, Texas Tech University May 2011 – July 2011
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY
o Target mist-netting, banding, color banding, and bleeding of adult and nestling Veery’s in their breeding habitat
o Collected morphological measurements including: natural wing chord, tarsus length, age, sex, weight, and primary flight feather measurements
o Trained field technicians on banding protocols and mist-netting procedures
o Fitted adult male Veery’s with radio transmitters (23) for a “homing” study looking at territory size
o Performed radio tracking on radio transmittered Veery’s using yagi type directional antennas
o Obtained rearing skills pertaining to the incubation of Veery eggs in a laboratory setting
o Collected morphological measurements, including blood samples, on day 1 Veery chicks
o Performed egg dissections, collecting tissue (brain, liver) and embryos, on unsuccessfully hatched Veery eggs
o Monitored nest survivorship of Veery, Ovenbird, and Worm-eating Warbler nests
o Conducted vegetation surveys at Veery nest sites
o Maintained data records relating to banding and nest survivorship using Program Bandit and Microsoft Access
Telemetry Research Assistant, University of Southern Mississippi August 2010 – October 2010
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Shores, AL
o Affixed radio transmitters (114) onto Red-eyed Vireos, Swainson’s Thrush, and Indigo Buntings
o Programmed and maintained automated telemetry towers
o Analyzed automated telemetry data for departure direction
o Performed evening radio telemetry using hand-held yagi antennas
o Organized and entered all telemetry and banding data into Microsoft Excel
o Assisted banding station with mist-netting, bird extraction, primary flight feather measurements, wing photographs, and net repair (~3000 birds captured)
Bird Bander/Research Assistant, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies July 2010 – August 2010
Millbrook, NY
o Target mist-netting and banding of American Robins
o Collected morphological measurements including: natural wing chord, fat score, age, sex, and weight
o Performed bird husbandry for captive American Robins
o Assisted in larval tick infestations on captive American Robins for research pertaining to tick-borne diseases
o Collected larval and nymphal ticks via daily pan checks
o Performed animal husbandry and pan checks for captive mammalian species (mice, shrews, raccoons, weasels)
Lead Bird Bander, Texas Tech University May 2010 – July 2010
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY
o Target mist-netting, banding, color banding, and bleeding of adult and nestling Veery’s in their breeding habitat
o Collected morphological measurements including: natural wing chord, tarsus length, age, sex, weight, and primary flight feather measurements
o Trained field technicians on banding protocols and mist-netting procedures
o Fitted adult male Veery’s with radio transmitters (15) for a study looking at territory size and boundary overlap
o Operated experimental playback stations using Eastern Tufted Titmouse and Eastern chipmunk vocals
o Monitored survivorship of Veery, Ovenbird, and Worm-eating Warbler nests
o Performed re-sighting and spot mapping of color banded Veery’s
o Maintained data records relating to banding and nest survivorship using Program Bandit and Microsoft Access
Bird Banding Intern, Audubon Pennsylvania March 2009 – December 2009
Presque Isle State Park, Erie PA
o Mist-netted and banded Passerine migrants and resident species (~800) during spring and fall migrations
o Collected morphological measurements including: wing chord, tarsus length, age, sex, weight, and fat score
o Provided environmental education for the general public via banding presentations and volunteer trainings
o Entered banding data for spring and fall seasons using Bandit program and Microsoft Excel
o Presented at the 2009 TREC Research Science Consortium (Presentation Title: Migrant Passerines at Presque Isle State Park: Foraging habits and tick frequency)
o Designed Spring 2009 and Fall 2009 banding newsletter
o Sampled vegetation in grassland and woodland habitats using transect surveys and vegetation plots
o Planted native gardens at Pymatuning State Park and Moraine State Park
Volunteer, Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center June 2009 – December 2009
Saegertown, PA
o Cared for injured/emaciated birds of prey, Passerines, and wading birds. Duties included: food processing, feeding, cleaning cages, wildlife releases, and assisting a wildlife rehabilitator with various tasks
Waterfowl Banding Volunteer, Pennsylvania Game Commission September 2009
Pymatuning State Park, Northwest PA
o Assisted banding crew with handling, sex identification, and ageing of Mallards, Wood Ducks, Northern Pintails, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, and American Black Ducks
o Sex and age determined using venting methods and plumage criteria
Volunteer, Purple Martin Conservation Association June 2009 – August 2009
Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA
o Assisted field intern with nest checks and color band readings of Purple Martins in breeding colonies
o Banded nestling Purple Martins
Core Shorebird Monitor, Pennsylvania DCNR March 2009 – June 2009
Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA
o Routinely monitored designated critical habitat of Piping Plovers (endangered Great Lakes subspecies)
o Identified shorebirds and predator species
o Performed various office duties: organized/maintained monitoring schedule and entered all monitoring data into Microsoft Excel
Wildlife Intern, USDA Forest Service, Gooseneck Ranger District June 2008 – August 2008
Klamath National Forest, Macdoel, CA
o Conducted transect and nest surveys for Northern Spotted Owls, Northern Goshawks, and Bald Eagles
o Performed nightly Northern Spotted Owl call routes
o Determined reproductive status of Northern Spotted Owls via “mousing”
o Provided small mammal care
o Completed USDA Forest Service government employee training
Raptor Trapping/Banding Volunteer June 2008 – August 2008
Klamath National Forest, Macdoel, CA
o Assisted Chris Briggs, PhD candidate, University of Nevada at Reno, with active mist-netting, handling, collection of morphological measurements, and banding of adult and nestling Swainson’s Hawks
o Participated in rehabilitation and feeding of a Great Horned Owl
Ecology/Wildlife Volunteer, El Arca Animal Sanctuary December 2007 – January 2008
Cotundo, Ecuador
o Participated in a two week conservation excursion to Ecuador sponsored by The Society for Conservation Biology and Sustainable Horizons
o Worked directly with wildlife (birds, mammals, herpetofauna) in duties such as: feeding, habitat restoration, and veterinary medicine
Small Mammal/Mycology Intern, Adirondack Ecological Center May 2007 – August 2007 Huntington Wildlife Forest, Newcomb, NY
o Conducted live trapping of small mammals involving species identification, handling, processing, sexing, and tagging
o Rehabilitation of small mammals
o Collected data for independent research project: Mycophagy and Small Mammals
o Utilized a microscope to identify presence or absence of fungal spores in fecal matter
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Co-wrote bird banding news article for the Tern of Events, PISP Audubon chapter November 2009
Saw-Whet Owl banding volunteer, Allegany State Park, NY October 2009
Pennsylvania DCNR/SONS of Erie youth fishing program August 2009
Wood Thrush banding volunteer, for M.S. student, York University August 2009
Canada Goose banding volunteer, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest PA June 2009
Creek Connections Student Research Symposium, Allegheny College, Meadville, PA April 2009
Eastern Coyote trapping volunteer, for M.S. student, Edinboro University March-April 2009
Beaver survey volunteer, Huntington Wildlife Forest November 2008
NACASI Northern Spotted Owl Conference 2008 August 2008
SUNY ESF Student Spotlight poster presentation April 2008
The Wildlife Society Student Conclaves 2008 March 2008
Ruffed Grouse banding and trapping volunteer, for M.S. student, SUNY ESF November 2007
All Taxa Adirondack Biodiversity Inventory, Paul Smith, NY July 2007
Annual Small Mammal Trapping Survey, Adirondack Ecological Center, Newcomb, NY July 2007
Rosamont Gifford Zoo Eco Expo 2007- Global Climate Change April 2007
Environmental Coordinator, Student Government Association, Monroe Community College 2004-2005
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Customer Experience Associate/Cash Handler, Old Navy, Gap INC. November 2007 – Present
New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington locations
o Possesses extensive knowledge pertaining to: customer service, cash register skills, accounting, product inventory, product shipment, and merchandise pricing
Waitress, Chili’s Bar and Grill February 2010 – April 2011
Rochester, NY
o Customer service and hospitality skills
Administrative Assistant, Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies August 2007 – May 2008
SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY
o Performed general office tasks: copying, filing, inter-office mail, deliveries, and telephone responsibilities
Waitress/Hostess/Administration, Uno Chicago Bar and Grill May 2005 – May 2007
Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY
o Duties included: customer service, hospitality, food preparation, telephone responsibilities, banking, and office work
Waitress/Hostess/Food Preparation, Simply Crepes June 2004 – August 2005
Pittsford, NY and Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY
o Duties included: food preparation (crepes, salads, and desserts), barista, customer service, and hospitality.
Food Preparation Employee, Krony’s Pizza Inc. June 2003 – June 2005
Hamlin, NY
o Duties included: food preparation, telephone responsibilities, and customer service
REFERENCES
Dr. Kara Belinsky Dr. Sarah Sargent
Post-Doctoral Fellow IBA Coordinator, Western Pennsylvania
Texas Tech University Audubon Pennsylvania
407 Biological Sciences 301 Chestnut Street
Mailstop 3131 Meadville, PA 16335
Lubbock, TX 79409 Telephone: 814-***-****
Telephone: 413-***-**** ********@*******.***
****.********@***.*** (preferred mode of communication)
Dr. Kenneth Schmidt Dr. William M. Shields
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Ecology of Birds and Mammals Professor of Animal Behavior
Texas Tech University SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry
Department of Biological Sciences 1 Forestry Drive
Box 43143 Syracuse, NY 13210
Lubbock, TX 79409 Telephone: 315-***-****
Office Telephone: 806-***-**** ****@***.***
*******.*******@***.***
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