Jenna Testa Jobs | Conservation Careers

Jenna Lindsey Testa

850-333-7425(c)
jlt09c@my.fsu.edu
1000 Bay Drive Unit 503 Niceville, FL 32578

Education

Miami University (Project Dragonfly) Miami, OH

MA – Biology (Focus in Zoology and Conservation Biology), Dec 2018

Abroad classes focused in Marine Conservation (Belize June 2016, Australia July 2017)

Florida State University Tallahassee, FL

BS – Biological Science (Marine Biology Academic Track), Minor – Chemistry, Aug 2013

Experience
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and Zoological Park Fort Walton Beach, FL

Current: Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator; Wildlife Health Technician; Educator
Past: Animal Care Supervisor; Zookeeper
Jul 2014 – Present

• Coordinate and conduct rescue of marine mammals and sea turtles, and their safe transport to rehabilitation; assisted in over 10 live rescues of bottlenose dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles

• Perform live marine mammal health procedures such as on-site physical exams, blood draws, & basic triage

• Facilitate and aid in large scale live catch-up events for entangled or out-of-habitat animals, coordinate with other stranding agencies for assistance

• Direct carcass recovery, necropsies, & research reports on 40+ marine mammals, 20+ sea turtles

• Prepare and conduct marine animal stranding training workshops for staff and volunteers; maintained team of over 30 active volunteers & interns in Northwest Florida

• Host community marine conservation events such as reef and beach clean-ups and citizen science projects for monitoring marine life at fishing piers

• Represent ECWR as Spokesperson & Educator for media events (television interviews, radio broadcasts, social media representative)

• Serve as Vet Technician: prepare diets, administer medications, and conduct physical exams & health observations on rehabilitation patients and ambassador animals

• Conduct operant conditioning with ambassador animals; create and implement training program for new husbandry and education-based behaviors

• Develop, implement, and monitor efficient animal enrichment program

• Oversee animal health records, facility conditions, inventory of wildlife food and supplies

• Facilitate routine cleaning of clinic facilities, including safe handling of chemicals and proper quarantine protocols

Walt Disney World Resort Orlando, FL
The Seas – Marine Mammal Professional Internship:
Jan 2014 – Jun 2014

• Participated in the husbandry, training, and cognitive research of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins and the husbandry and rehabilitation of West Indian manatees

• Performed daily marine mammal food preparation, enrichment, and safety & sanitation protocol

• Observed animal training sessions and husbandry practices, such as physicals & endoscopies

• Learned animal training basics, observations and record keeping, and marine mammal research techniques

• Conducted daily microphone presentations and demonstrations of marine mammal research and rehabilitation & interacted with aquarium guests to inspire conservation awareness

• Executed SCUBA demonstrations and aquarium underwater maintenance such as vacuuming and hall scrubbing
Disney College Program – Attractions Intern:
Aug 2013 – Jan 2014

• Conducted daily microphone presentations to inform guests about attractions and safety protocol

• Operated various attractions throughout Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park

• Applied Disney’s Four Key Basics in safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency to maintain exceptional customer service
Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Dolphin Research Program – Research Intern:
May 2012 – Aug 2012

• Participated in dolphin population monitoring/surveys (boat-based), health assessments, photo-identification, videography, radio tracking, and natural behavior recognition

• Learned marine GPS operation (Garmin GPS map 72) and small vessel operation

• Utilized ArcGIS and Darwin fin matching software

• Certified in marine mammal handling and rescue protocol

• Aided in seine netting for prey distribution study

• Participated in marine mammal and sea turtle rehabilitation; assisted with sea turtle tagging, nest and population monitoring
Women in Math, Science, and Engineering Tallahassee, FL

Research Experience Program – Research Assistant:
Jan 2010 – May 2011

• Assisted with research on Florida manatees using MATLAB and Excel based tools to identify and analyze manatee vocalizations within recorded underwater audio files
Grace Rides Horse Therapy Niceville, FL

Equestrian Handler – Volunteer:
May 2011 – Aug 2011

• Aided in equine training sessions and special needs assisted therapy sessions

• Participated in equine handling and husbandry, tack cleaning and barn maintenance

Certifications & Skills

• PADI Open Water Scuba Certification (30+ logged dive hours in aquarium setting, 20+ hours open water)

• Completion of 2016 National Marine Animal Health and Stranding Conference, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia

• NOAA & Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission 2014 Prescott Cetacean Stranding Workshop Level 1 and 2 Completion

• International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association- Associate Member

• Public Speaking And Performing Arts Experience: ECWR Spokesperson, Captain of Florida State University Majorettes (baton twirler), dancer of 15 years

• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), MATLAB, ArcGIS and Darwin fin matching software

• Photography

Jenna Lindsey Testa

850-333-7425(c) jlt09c@my.fsu.edu
1000 Bay Drive Unit 503 Niceville, FL 32578