Galen J. Ventresca Barker

Passionate ecologist educated in environmental management and sustainable living. Excellent communication skills promoting friendly culture while maintaining professionalism, ground rules. Level-headed multi-tasker amid high pressure and strict timelines. Creative problem-solver when challenged with unexpected demands. Strong leader with interpersonal skills.

Corporate Event Grillmaster - Rambus - San Jose, CA

(2023-09)

Directed weekly corporate barbecue events, handling all preparation, set-up, tear-down, clean-up during high-volume, fast-paced events.

Corps Member / Landscaper / Park Maintenance - San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School - San Jose, CA

(2022-08 - 2023-06)

• Invasive vs native plant identification, protecting native species, and removing invasive species
• Protecting sensitive ecosystems, preventing erosion, landscaping, and sensitive habitat management
• Flooding, soil erosion, lethal tools, tree trimming, felling, and bucking
• Fire abatement, erosion control, brush clearing, hand/power tool usage, transport
• Assessing tension and compression forces of logs and trees in complex and adverse conditions
• Trail clearing, reinforcement, shoring, water flow design, drainage, berm construction, rock structure
• Landscaping, earth-moving, rockwork, litter removal, riverside restoration
• Educating and training the team on tool usage, maintenance, and safety
• Tool maintenance, wood chipper start-up, warm-up, safe operation, mechanical jam recovery, shut-down
• Safety briefing/overview before commencing project to identify hazards, reinforce safe procedures
• Team cohesion, safety, and efficiency before entering a loud environment to maintain PPE
• Crew water purification systems, pump filter maintenance, source alternative water purification systems
• Crew training on risks of waterborne pathogens, antibacterial/antiviral tablets, water boiling techniques
• Kept team together when lost and regrouped using optimum safe practice
• Backpacking work trips completed ahead of schedule with reach goals accomplished
• Backpacking with limited resources: insufficient food, fuel, supplies, tools; adverse weather, dust, high fire risk
• Homeless and needy outreach, communications, safety, food, and supply distribution

Retail Cashier / Crew Member - Chipotle Mexican Grill - San Jose, CA

(2014-06 - 2016-06)

Sous Chef / Grill Master / Supervisor - Splendid Feast Catering - Los Gatos, CA

(2009-06 - 2013-08)

• Managed team in intense, high-pressure work environments with strict timelines
• Food preparation, scale-up, safety, storage, new recipe creation and training, time management
• Trained diverse staff on proper kitchen procedure
• Documented and maintained food safety standards
• Managed purchases and organized on-shelf and back-room inventory

Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation - West Valley College (2021-01)

Environmental Resource Management & Pollution Prevention - De Anza College (2019-03 - 2020-12)

Environmental Management - Indiana University Bloomington (2013-09 - 2014-06)

High School Diploma - Los Gatos High School (2009-08 - 2013-06)