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Employment History
Environmental Communication and Creative Consultant
Ami Thompson Consulting LLC
2008 – Present
Primary Duty:
Serve community and environmental science organizations through environmental education, communications, graphic design, and photography.
Results:
• Provide freelance environmental education, meeting facilitation, graphic design, and photography for local organizations including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of the Mississippi River, the Mississippi River Fund, the Rice Creek Watershed District, and more.
Minneapolis Zoning Board of Adjustment
Appointed by the Minneapolis City Council
2011 – Present
Primary Duty:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears matters of zoning appeals, zoning variances, and the establishment of legal nonconforming rights. It is a citizen’s committee that works with the staff of the CPED-Planning Division. The Zoning Board of Adjustment consists of nine members appointed by the city council.
Neighborhood Community Engagement Commissioner 2009 – 2011
City of Minneapolis Commission
Appointed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Primary Duty:
To provide overall direction to next phase of neighborhood funding including reviewing and recommending proposals to City Council; Advise the Mayor, City Council, and City Departments on development or improvement of community participation policies, delivery of services and decision-making processes to systematize community input into City processes; Review, advise and make recommendations on the business plan and the budget for the City’s Neighborhood and Community Relations Department; and other duties as outlined in City Council adopted Resolution 2008R-402.
Results:
• Elected to be one of four commission Facilitators (16 member commission)
• Member of the task force that reviewed resumes, interviewed, and recommended three top candidates for Neighborhood and Community Relations Department Director to the City Coordinator.
• Member of the Selected and Diversity Task Force, and elected as Facilitator
• Created guidelines and allocation formula to distribute $3 million in funding to neighborhood organizations (entire commission effort)
• Reviewed and approved request for neighborhood organization funding (entire commission effort)
• Received a letter of appreciate from the City of Minneapolis
Projects Coordinator
Split Rock Studios
Primary Duty:
Write proposals which secure new work in response to requests from federal, state, and non-profit organizations.
Results:
• Secure new exhibit design and build work for Split Rock Studios.
• Research requesting organizations and their interpretive needs.
• Write proposals which match requesting organizations interpretive needs and Split Rock Studios skills and abilities.
Interpretive Park Ranger
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Primary Duty:
Develop and implement a three-year management plan to breath new life into the Mighty Mississippi Passport Program (a National Park Service partnership focused Junior Ranger Program).
Results:
• An increased number of Junior Rangers “sworn-in” each year from about 50 to nearly 600.
• Lead writer and editor for the Mississippi River Visitor Guide.
• Four new Junior Ranger booklets developed and distributed in cooperation with partner locations.
• An increased number of Junior Rangers “sworn-in” each year from about 50 to nearly 600.
• The creation of a “roving” interpretive ranger program staffed by student rangers, mentored by a seasoned ranger.
• Strong partnerships with over a dozen new, renewed, and established park partners (commercial, community, non-profit, local, state, and federal).
• Flexible and efficient support of opportunities provided by the National Park Foundation and the Mississippi River Fund through grant and court settlement funds.
• Increased media attention including newspaper articles, radio interviews, and TV interviews.
• Opportunities for Junior Rangers to continue being involved with the park after they earn their badge including interpretive programs, service learning, and email and postal mail newsletters.
Additional Duties:
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Strategic Planning committee.
• Volunteers in Parks Committee
• Climate Change Committee
• Provide Junior Ranger and public interpretive programs and events.
• Staff the Mississippi River Visitor Center.
• Completed a detail at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site where I wrote an international sister park agreement with Canada and a cooperative agreement between the National Park Service and local law enforcement.
Creative Liaison
Urban Sub New Media
Primary Duty:
Provide the support, structure, and tools necessary for a successful graphic design family business.
Results:
• Attracted new clients by participating in the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce and other networking events, placing advertisements, and composing website copy.
• Restructured rates, billing, and contracting procedures to increase profits.
• Increased client satisfaction and repeat business through excellent customer service.
• Ensured projects stayed on track and met deadlines.
Communications Specialist
Minnesota Conservation Corps
Primary Duty:
Ensuring a smooth transition for the Minnesota Conservation Corps’ transition from a state-run institution to a non-profit.
Results:
• Awarded a Merit Report for high quality indispensable work during the organization’s transition.
• Provided computer and technical support, receptionist support, and other general office support for central office staff.
• Organized a tree planting celebration in honor of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the continued existence of the Minnesota Conservation Corps.
• Assisted with interviewing, training, and team building for new corps members.
Adopt-a-River Assistant
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources/
Minnesota Conservation Corps/ AmeriCorps
Primary Duty:
Maintain the operations of the established and successful Adopt-a-River Program.
Results:
• Continued recruitment and support for over 250 Adopt-a-River volunteer organizations.
• Collected and recorded Adopt-a-River data using ArcView and Access.
• Authored, edited, and designed the Adopt-a-River Newsletter.
• Redesigned and facilitated the Adopt-a-River education program for the National Park Service’s Big River Journey.
• Updated and increased the usability of the Adopt-a-River Assistant manual.
• Assisted with volunteer recruitment and managed volunteer support and follow-up.
Additional Duty
• Collaborated with numerous private and state agencies to plan the Lafayette Earth Week Celebration.
Resident Assistant
University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Primary Duty:
Create a safe, healthy, and engaging environment for students living in the UW-River Falls residence halls.
Results:
• Identified the need for, developed, funded, and facilitated programs for college students.
• Formulated and lead training and team-building classes for fellow resident assistants.
• Negotiated and mediated resolutions to student conflicts.
• Guided college students through emergencies related to fires, tornadoes, and personal crisis.
• Inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary with recognizes the top 1% of students living in residence halls.
• Received a letter of commendation from the Dean of Students for responding exceptionally well to particularly difficult resident life situation.
• Involved in making decisions of student discipline and handling of disorderly people.
Naturalist Internship
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Primary Duty:
Provide environmental interpretive programs for children.
Results:
• Developed and facilitated indoor and outdoor exploratory education programs for children ages 2 – 12.
• Researched and authored a captive animal care guide for the animals used for education.
• Fed, cleaned, and handed the educational animals.
• Conducted outreach efforts at the Wisconsin State Fair.
Other Qualifications:
College Achievements:
• Graduated from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls Cum Laude (GPA 3.8): B.S. in Conservation with a Minor in Geology.
• Reviewed and approved or denied requests for funding of student activities as a member of West Area Council.
Volunteer Work:
• Designed the Minnesota Naturalist Association Website (2011)
• Appointed to the Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission. (2009 -2011)
• Care for the Red-Tailed Hawk at Westwood Hills Nature Center (2008)
• Brochure Design for the International Ranger Federation. (2007)
• Member of the Field Trip Committee for the 2006 North American Association of Environmental Educators Conference.
• Shift leader of a team of diverse people who provided care for the injured wildlife at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. (2001-2006)
• Interpreted paleontology and historical geology at the Science Museum of Minnesota. (2004 – 2005)
• Researched seed genetics and habitat restoration for The Nature Conservancy. (2001)
Certifications and Training:
Minnesota Master Naturalist (2010)
Project Wet (2009)
Project Wild (2009)
Project Learning Tree (2009)
American Heart Association First Aid (2006)
American Heart Association CPR (2006)
SCUBA Certification (1993)
ATV Safety (2002)
Federal I-100, S-130, and S-190 Fire Suppression Certificates (2001)
F.I.S.T.A. Chainsaw Operation (2001)
National Park Service Fundamentals I – V (2005 – 2007)
Federal Information Systems Security Awareness (2006)
Federal Ethics Training (2006)
U.S. Department of Interior Driver Improvement Program (2004)
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Interpretation Training (2005)
Minnesota Drivers License
Attended the George Wright Society Conference (2007)
Computer Skills:
Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.)
Adobe Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.)
ArcView
Basic HTML
Familiar with PCs and Macs
Install/Remove Programs
Set Up/Take Down Hardware
Troubleshooting
Scanning/Scanners
Photo Optimization and Manipulation
Digital Cameras
Job Related Honors:
• Awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Minneapolis for work on the Neighborhood Community Engagement Commission creating a program to distribute funding to neighborhood organizations.
• Received a 24-hr time-off reward from the National Park Service for outstanding performance.
• Minnesota Conservation Corps Merit Report for excellent work assisting with the organization’s transition from state-run to non-profit.
• Received a letter of commendation from the Dean of Students while working as a Resident Assistant for responding well to a particularly difficult and sensitive residence life situation.
Interests:
• Photography
• Writing
• Traveling
• All outdoor non-motorized sports but specifically canoeing, hiking, running, biking, and horseback riding.
• Yoga