Nicole Niese is an experienced educator with a passion for inspiring students to appreciate the natural world. She has led educational programs for diverse youth and adults at locations like The Ford Plantation and The Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Niese is skilled at collaborating with others, planning lessons, performing administrative tasks, and using various computer software and certifications. Her professional experience also includes serving as a naturalist, AmeriCorps educator, and lead spa coordinator at Sea Island Company.
1. NICOLE M. NIESE
nmniese@gmail.com
EDUCATOR | TEACHER
Naturalist, experienced in creating and leading educational programs for both small and large groups of diverse
youth and adults.Passionate about inspiring students to develop curiosity and an appreciation of the natural world.
Adept at collaborating with leaders and peers, planning, data gathering, report writing, and performing other
administrative responsibilities.
SKILLS
Leadership Teaching Communications
Lesson Planning Educational Creativity ProgramEvaluation
Administrative tasks Organization Attention to Detail
Computer Skills: Apple and PC
Software: MS-Office, Publisher, PowerPoint, Open Course Activity and Management, Minitab, Matlab
PROFESSIONALEXPERIENCE
THE FORD PLANTATION, Richmond Hill, GA 2015 – 2016
Naturalist
Responsible for all nature and environmental programs, education,and guidance for the club’s members & guests.
Increased program offerings from 40 in 2015 to 70 in 2016 with development of The Bluebird Project, Pollinator
Garden, and many others. This stimulated a significant increase in member participation in activities.
Addressed understaffing by actively recruiting, interviewing and hiring good-fit candidates.Organized safety training
and CPR/First Aid training for all counselors.Arranged planning sessions and pre/post daily meetings which increased
preparedness.
Advised the golf course supervisorand team as they pursued Audubon certification for the club’s golf course. Engaged
over 30 club members to place and monitor bluebird houses to check on nesting population,documenting over 100 eggs
laid.
Utilized knowledge of ecology of the area to teach topic-specific classes and lead kayaking, hiking and educational
boating tours.
SEA ISLAND COMPANY, Sea Island, GA 2012 – 2014
Consistently maintained Forbes5-Starlevel of service in anticipation ofunannounced inspections.
Received two promotionswithin a year.
Reduced excessive wait times on the reservation line by seeking out and utilizing data from phone service provider to
assess and meet scheduling needs.
Taught staff greater understanding ofspa services offered, thereby facilitating improved communications to potential
clients and improving sales.
Enabled therapists to track gratuities by creating an accessible spreadsheet with billing codes and account references,
thereby reducing human-error accidents and assuring proper reimbursement for services.
Lead Spa Coordinator, March, 2014 – December, 2014
Trained, coached, supervised and scheduled a team of eleven coordinators.
As the main “go-to” person,resolved guest issues with services and billing.
Group Coordinator, May, 2013 – March, 2014
Oversaw the planning and execution of large corporate groups,up to more than 250 guests.
Coordinator, October, 2012 – May, 2013
Greeted guests,arranged appointments,answered phones (with 5-star service), and billed for services.
THE GEORGIA SEA TURTLE CENTER, Jekyll Island, GA 2011 – 2012
2. AmeriCorps Educator
Educated visitors about the nature and purpose of the turtle hospital.Designed and provided educationalprograms for diverse
audiences,including tour groups,primary and middle schoolstudents,and adults .
Increased Facebook likes by 37% to 5,235, and weekly reach to over 35,000 in less than five months by posting patient
updates,upcoming events,local activities and more on a daily basis.
Created fact sheets with constantly updated information which were displayed throughout the hospitalpavilion.
WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY, Springfield, OH 2011
CENTER FOR CIVIC AND URBAN ENGAGEMENT
Afterschool Network Intern
Performed a wide variety of administrative tasks,and worked with afterschool professionals who were part of the
network.
EDUCATION
B.S., Biological Sciences, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA, 2016
Technology Theories and Applications for Teachers, Armstrong University, Savannah, GA, 2016
SuccessfulTrainer Seminar, Sea Island Company, Sea Island, GA, 2014
Training for Intervention Procedures, TIPS, Sea Island, GA, 2013
Aspire Hospitality Workshop,Aspire Marketing Company, Sea Island, GA, 2013
CERTIFICATIONS
Georgia Master Naturalist, University of Georgia, June 2016 – no expiration
Certified Guide, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 2015 – 2016
CIG, Certified Interpretive Guide, National Association for Interpretation, 2012 – 2016
CPR/First Aid/AED Certification, The Ford Plantation, Richmond Hill, GA, 2016
PROFESSIONALAFFILIATIONS
National Association for Interpretation, Georgia, 2012 – 2016
Georgia Environmental Educators Alliance, 2012 – 2015
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Saint Simons Land Trust, St. Simons, GA, 2014 – 2016
Southeast Georgia Health Systems, Brunswick, GA, 2012 – 2013
Humane Society of Coastal Georgia, Brunswick, GA, 2011 – 2012
Habitat for Humanity, Springfield, OH, 2010 – 2011