Chicago, Illinois, United States
With over five years of experience as a Veteran Career Specialist at the Illinois Department of Employment Security, I assist Veterans in visualizing, actualizing, and sustaining their career goals. I leverage my situational and team leadership skills, as well as my military experience, to advocate for the employment rights of Veterans in Illinois and to connect them with various contractors and employers. I am passionate about providing transformational support for Veterans seeking employment in Illinois, especially those who face significant barriers in transitioning to civilian life. I am committed to building bridges of upward mobility for those who have served our country, and to making living in Chicago more economically viable for them. I utilize my expertise in biology, hospitality management, fitness and recreation, deployment readiness and mortuary affairs, and languages to help Veterans find fulfilling careers that match their skills and interests.
I assist Veterans in visualizing, actualizing, and sustaining their career goals.
Adjudicated Community Care Health claims for care rendered to Veterans enrolled in healthcare with the Department of Veterans Health Administration (VHA). I advocated for Veterans dealing with privatized medical claims from emergency community care and for those authorized by VHA. I ethically and diligently reviewed, processed, and paid vouchers for medical care according to government policy.
Monitored the campus landscape along a set route by Horticultural management practices to ensure trees, plants, and turf maintained healthy water and nutrient levels. Assessed the health of plant and tree populations and performed preventive health techniques such as: mulching, transplanting, irrigation, and fertilization on a self-directed schedule. Operated commercial equipment according to safety standards such as: snow blowers, leaf blowers, hedge-trimmers, lawnmowers, and irrigation tanks with high pressure hoses to accomplish plant care management methods with efficiency on campus ecosystems like the prairie gardens. Gardening techniques were performed using most gardening hand tools effectively and safely.
CJ Fiore planted me in their massive pot as a humble horticulture intern and allowed me to grow into a landscape industry leader. At CJ Fiore Company, I was a key component in maintaining an inventory of over 1,100 plant species. I conducted physical plant counts, assessed plant conditions, and adjusted sales inventory in the companies' network database system.
Performed critical duties, such as operating facsimile, scan, printing, copying, and multi-phone line machines. Acted as a front line of response for the Vice President to the college whenever matters deemed necessary. Coordinated special projects that contributed to re-accreditation of tenure from the Higher Learning Commission in 2009.