José Serrano
Oxnard
Summary
Dynamic Environmental Educator and Project Coordinator at MERITO Foundation, skilled in instructional and field planning and project coordination. Successfully enhanced student engagement through innovative STEM-based curricula and meaningful outdoor experiences. Proven ability to build strong relationships with educators, faculty, and stakeholders, driving program success and promoting outdoor education initiatives.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Environmental Educator & Project Coordinator
MERITO Foundation
02.2023 - Current
- Met with formal educators to assist in content understanding and supporting educational objectives, learning expectations and behavior standards.
- Present ocean and environmental lessons and curricula to classrooms of students from 3rd to 12th grade, up to 60 students at once.
- Lead engaging and inclusive activities to promote understanding and reinforce comprehension of topics of interest.
- Increased participation and concentration while reinforcing classroom discipline by modeling acceptable behavior and respect for others.
- Presented to educators additional resources available to build on the lessons presented.
- Reviewed teacher performance through pre and post evaluations completed by students.
- Create and review pre and post surveys of all lessons taught to gauge student understanding and comprehension.
- Make improvements to curricula using student data and suggestions from educators.
- Worked directly with over 2.500 students per school year to support educational success, engagement, achievement, and experiential learning.
- Developed teacher hiring and training program to inspire teachers and maintain performance levels.
- Identified methods and tools to promote student success in project-based learning.
- Developed community education programming events and other activities designed to increase and improve educational outcomes.
- Coordinated departmental teams to successfully integrate new educational programs.
- Built relationships with external stakeholders, community organizations and donors to increase program scope.
- Attended professional educational and developmental meetings to support accreditation and grant writing.
- Liaised between faculty, staff and administrators to coordinate educational program delivery.
- Monitored expenditures to remain within budgets and improve forecasting accuracy.
- Assessed student performance and utilized feedback to increase educational program success.
- Spearheaded outreach activities to expand educational opportunities and promote programs and services.
- Implemented student assessment and evaluation processes, aiding program success.
- Supported staff recruitment initiatives for high-quality program delivery.
- Utilized variety of instructional design methodologies to create effective learning experiences.
- Built and maintained professional relationships with vendors and suppliers.
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows.
- Liaised between departments to facilitate communication and keep appropriate parties updated on project developments.
- Supervised multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments.
- Created job files for each project and maintained current data in each file.
- Tracked hours and expenses to keep project on task and within budgetary parameters.
- Responded to requests for information on materials to inquiring parties.
- Prepared meeting agendas and minutes for distribution and record keeping.
- Photocopied, distributed and emailed documents to project managers.
- Maintained database and spreadsheets with accurate inventory and status.
- Established rapport and engaged with stakeholders to build lasting professional relationships.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
- Delivered effective safety debriefings to guests to promote safe environment.
- Developed personal knowledge of [Area of expertise] to enhance quality programming on adventure education trips.
- Offered physically and emotionally safe and supportive environment for education, cooperation and fun utilizing hands-on activities to foster individual growth.
- Developed engaging and informative scripts, guiding tour members through attractions.
- Collaborated with other tour guides to provide comprehensive and enjoyable experience.
- Established positive relationships with tour members through fun and engaging conversation.
- Built personal relationships with guests to promote positive experiences.
- Guided groups of up to [Number] people on scheduled tours.
- Transitioned participants between activities, rest periods and field trips.
- Provided technical assistance to site leader to help coordinate diverse projects.
- Supervised groups of up to [Number] children under age [Number] from arrival through departure at end of day.
- Planned, promoted and executed more than [Number] events each year.
- Developed positive and productive relationships with kids, parents and staff.
- Engaged participants in recreational activities and team-building exercises.
- Factored-in abilities, needs and interests of participants in development of events and programs.
- Monitored participation in recreational activities to provide assistance to participants.
- Resolved conflicts that arose between campers by listening to complaints and finding appropriate solutions.
- Developed and monitored safety policies and procedures to facilitate safety of participants.
- Ordered and maintained all recreational equipment.
- Transported and escorted program participants to and from activities and on field trips.
- Provided clear instruction to activity and program participants to deliver fun and maintain safety.
Geotechnical Technician and Project Manager
META Engineering
10.2018 - 06.2021
- Monitored installation of materials and equipment for compliance with drawings and specifications.
- Determined and scheduled priorities as required to progress engineering work.
- Maintained records for each project and engineering discipline.
- Identified technical risks within managed projects.
- Reviewed contractor proposals to determine favorable partnerships for on-time and under-budget project completion.
- Evaluated change order requests in response to out-of-scope work activities.
- Developed and maintained relationships with suppliers to facilitate quality and timely delivery of materials.
- Implemented new strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency of engineering team.
- Verified construction documentation to meet client requirements and vision.
- Developed and implemented procedures to verify compliance with engineering standards.
- Assisted in bidding process by providing for on-site inspections and preparing take-offs.
- Performed construction observation and took soil samples.
- Estimated materials costs and sourcing requirements for project feasibility.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements for water quality protection.
- Displayed strong communication and interpersonal skills while visiting clients, jobsites and consultant offices to support project and business development needs.
- Visited project sites during construction to monitor progress and consult with contractors and on-site engineers.
- Drafted and reviewed construction schedules, environmental impact studies and project designs.
- Tested soils and materials to determine foundation strength.
- Interacted with state and local agencies concerning compliance with codes and regulations.
- Acted as contact for client's communication with field personnel.
- Assessed core samples and cuttings for deposit quality and quantity.
- Prepared detailed reports outlining sampling and testing activities and made recommendations for drilling based on available information.
- Kept equipment running correctly by expertly diagnosing malfunctions and completing repairs.
- Tested and analyzed samples to determine content and characteristics using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- Collected geological data with specialized equipment.
- Oversaw work of field personnel collecting geological samples.
- Inspected, evaluated and interpreted data from core samples and cuttings.
- Recorded readings from site equipment and compiled data to determine optimal prospecting locations.
- Operated measuring instruments to assess characteristics of potential prospecting locations.
- Operated or adjusted equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
- Maintained impeccable sample and testing logs for additional review and analysis by senior personnel.
- Prepared sketches, geological maps and cross-sections.
- Collected information from aerial photographs, well logs, and section descriptions.
- Conducted environmental impact assessments for projects to identify potential risks to subsurface materials.
- Produced detailed reports and professional presentations for use by management and regulatory agencies.
- Prepared samples of soil and groundwater slides and compiled relevant documentation to be shipped to contracted laboratories.
- Took part in environmental projects within [State] and created technical reports for submission to regulatory organizations.
- Produced accurate maps, cross-sections and notes for project leaders and other stakeholders.
- Identified optimal locations for prospecting by reading available reports and studies.
- Photographed site images and compiled images with reporting documentation for submission to [Type] supervisor.
- Assessed field data integrity, accuracy, and information quality.
- Operated testing equipment correctly to consistently obtain accurate results.
- Collected, organized and managed date in full compliance with [Type] and [Type] standards.
Resident Assistant
University Of Hawaii At Manoa
01.2018 - 06.2019
- Responded to room transfers, incident reports, and maintenance requests.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Assisted residents with daily dental and mouth care, bath functions, and hair care.
- Attended, participated, and contributed to monthly staff meetings addressing resident needs.
- Changed bed linens, dumped trash, and smoothly handled maintenance issues to promote resident comfort.
- Assisted residents in preparing for activity and social programs.
- Monitored and inspected residence hall rooms to determine safety and manage maintenance issues.
- Organized and hosted social and educational events for residents to foster meaningful connections and community spirit.
- Mediated conflict resolution with roommates and other residence hall members to promote peace, order and positive relationships.
- Established and enforced residence hall policies and quiet hours to establish safe and respectful living environment.
- Assisted residents with transitioning into new living environment and maintained strong relationships with residents.
- Promoted culture of respect and understanding among students.
- Provided crisis management and intervention during emergency situations.
- Developed and maintained relationships with parents to promote positive living environment for students.
- Responded to student inquiries and concerns, offering support and guidance.
- Provided swift and knowledgeable emergency support in line with campus crisis protocols.
- Developed and enforced safety policies and procedures to drive safety and well-being of students.
- Monitored student behavior and responded to disciplinary issues in accordance with established policies.
- Coordinated activities and events to create safe, positive and inclusive environment.
- Helped develop and implement programs to foster community growth and development.
- Solved grievances and complaints by collaborating with residents.
- Facilitated smooth transition of new students into residential program.
- Supervised student employees and provided feedback on performance.
- Enforced policies and safety standards through building and room rounds.
- Collaborated with residential team to maximize effective and efficient operations.
- Developed, implemented and monitored residential policies and procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Natural Resource And Environmental Management
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI12-2019
Associate of Science - Biology
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CAHigh School Diploma -
Channel Islands High School
OxnardSkills
- Conservation practices
- Resource conservation
- Habitat restoration
- Data collection
- Instructional planning
- Parent, student, and faculty communication
- STEM-based classroom instruction & curriculum development
- Project-based learning
- Project coordination
- Outdoor & environmental education
Accomplishments
- Through numerous projects with the MERITO Foundation, collaborated with 4 Southern and Central California counties and over 100 organizations to directly engage more than 6,000 students in education, conservation, scientific research, and green entrepreneurial opportunities to youth and their communities since my start in 2023.
Certification
- Certified CPR / AED
- Certified Wilderness and First Aid Responder
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Environmental Educator & Project Coordinator
MERITO Foundation
02.2023 - Current
Geotechnical Technician and Project Manager
META Engineering
10.2018 - 06.2021
Resident Assistant
University Of Hawaii At Manoa
01.2018 - 06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Natural Resource And Environmental Management
University of Hawaii At Manoa
Associate of Science - Biology
Oxnard College
High School Diploma -
Channel Islands High School
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