Administer projects and programs for youth shelter that houses adolescents ages 11 to 17 who are mandated to facility through Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Court System. Counsel, advise, and ensure health, safety, and well-being of diverse youth from variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Work with those who have mental and/or behavioral issues, substance abuse issues, or history of abuse. Oversee daily operations for living skills, meal preparations, activities, and exercise. Address any personal issues or problems of charges and conduct weekly planned group discussions to facilitate quality treatment regimen for both workers and providers. Contribute as part of multidisciplinary team to meet daily requirements, programs, and schedules while ensuring optimal health, safety, and facility standards. Exercise creativity, flexibility, and adaptability to meet needs of diverse client base while promoting quality communications, negotiations, and continual reassessment for optimal service delivery.

Composed, edited, and published content for this twice-weekly newspaper with a circulation of 4,000. Prepared and produced additional content for a monthly farm-news magazine that was distributed to a 47 western Iowa county territory with a circulation of 23,500. Iowa Farm & Ranch was also produced as a quarterly statewide edition. Drafted wide array of creative content that covered politics, education, health, sports, and more. Featured specials on inspiring people from the community, special projects and programs, or historical happenings. Focused on agricultural trends and news with the Iowa Farm & Ranch. Conducted research for all articles, verified information, and met stringent deadlines for publications and special sections. Received 2011 Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Journalist Award from Iowa Newspaper Foundation and many other recognitions from Iowa Press Women Organization and National Federation of Press Women. Handled 2 annual projects that included the Corn Contest for ad sales promotions and production of regional Soil and Water Conservation Association’s Annual Report featured as special section in paper each spring.

Provided customer service and promoted merchandise sales within the retail store. Demonstrated a keen product knowledge for outdoor/yard decorations, grilling accoutrements, pet products, animal health products, and more. Responded to customer queries on landscaping services, retail bagged feed and feed mill, and petroleum products. Accounted for incoming shipments, set pricing, created merchandise displays, and managed store inventory. Created an Inventory Tracking Program that more effectively managed goods and contributed to store profits. Worked with Landscaping Department and set-up a comprehensive advertising/promotional program that greatly grew sales for that area.

Consulted with customers on livestock management that included feeding and breeding programs, housing, and ventilation. Processed orders, scheduled deliveries, and ensured nutritional and budgetary needs were met for each client and their farm livestock. Supported management team in all sales, advertising, and promotional programs for sustained business growth and development. Set-up and maintained client database that tracked accounts and operations and contained information on veterinarians and livestock suppliers for networking and prospecting of new business (i.e., defined sales goals and generated fulfillment reports to Feed Department Manager, District Manager, and Corporate District Manager). Worked closely with Mill Manager for optimal inventory control and flow of products that enhanced customer service and order fulfillment. Trained and advised staff at a new start-up retail location on processes and procedures for business operations, sales, customer service, and account management and placed on–track for profitability. Contributed on key promotional and educational outreach program effort in conjunction with Feed Department Manager (i.e., designed materials for ads and direct mailing on new product introductions and events and presentations with industry professionals that were well received and well attended).

Processed and packaged harvested seed for this soybean seed research facility. Performed lab work that included checking on germination, greenhouse work, and other duties as assigned. Trained and assisted workers in the field and seasonal staff for controlled breeding and harvest work. Set-up documentations and procedures for SOPs, MSDS records maintenance, inspections, daily briefings, weekly trainings, and quarterly presentations.