CONFERENCE SESSION BLOCK 2

• Session 2A
• Session 2B
• Session 2C
• Session 2D
• Session 2E
• Session 2F

Secure the Interview: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications 

Description: 

This session will review helpful tips and tricks to assist you in securing the interview. Components of this session will include cover letter writing, resumes, and how to properly apply. A panel of hiring managers and HR professionals will open the discussion with a Q&A session that will help to inspire those applying for career-level positions for the first time and for those looking to sharpen their skills.

Presented by: 

Jay Sandstrom, Recreation Coordinator, City of Edmonds

Bio: Jay Sandstrom is the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Edmonds. He received his bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Services from Western Washington University and has over 9 years of experience in the recreation field. His background is in youth development and athletics, and over the years has overseen a variety of recreation programming in nearly every age demographic. Jay currently serves as a member of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) committee through WRPA.

Kelly Darling, Recreation Coordinator, Pierce County Parks

Bio: Kelly Darling is a Recreation Coordinator with Pierce County Parks at Chambers Creek Regional Park. She helps oversee special events that occur at the park and around Pierce County. Kelly graduated from the University of North Texas in 2016 with a degree in Recreation, Event, and Sport Management in 2016. Kelly has experience in youth, senior, and adult programming as well as special events. Kelly is new to the PREP committee and is excited to help support those going into the field of Parks and Recreation

NeSha Thomas-Schadt, Parks & Recreation Manager, Pierce County Parks & Recreation

Bio: NeSha Thomas-Schadt oversees the operations of the west region of Pierce County’s park system. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked for several municipalities in Washington and California. She holds a bachelor’s in athletic administration from Pepperdine University, where she competed as a student-athlete, as well as a master’s degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco. She is also a Professional Advisory Committee member of Western Washington University’s recreation degree program and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.

Learning Objectives

• The participants will be able to identify and understand the application process and how to effectively apply for the job they want.
• Participants will learn effective tips and tricks to writing a strong cover letter as well as creating a clear and powerful resume.
• By getting to ask questions to hiring managers and HR professionals, participants will be able to gain first-hand knowledge of what employers are looking for when screening applications and how to make sure they are seen. 

The Esports Experience: Determining the Best Esports Programs to Build and Strengthen Communities

Description: 

Esports, or competitive video gaming, not only has grown to be an impressive billion-dollar industry, but also is now also known as the "new social network" attracting multi-generational players and spectators alike. For parks and recreational professionals, this means Esports can have tremendous impacts on equity and health and wellness within communities. The opportunities to bring esports experiences to the population at-large are endless. From recreational esports programs, to STEM/STEAM learning, to tapping into the sports tourism business, understanding all the possibilities to bring inclusive and innovative esports experiences to communities will be the focus at this interactive lecture. We will provide field-tested and proven concepts from real-life case studies of esports experiences we've activated over the past year. In addition, we will share best practices and guidelines to determine the best approach to launching the best esports program for your community.

Presented by: 

Scott Novis, CEO and Founder, Bravous Youth Esports and GameTruck LLC

Scott Novis is the founder of GameTruck, the market leader in the video-game-theater-on-wheels franchise business, and founder and CEO of Bravous Youth Esports, the dominant force behind STEM/STEAM programs using video games in New York and Arizona. Novis holds 11 patents and dual engineering degrees. He ran development studios for the Walt Disney Company, Pixar Studios and many other notable gaming projects. 

Learning Objectives

• Assess your own readiness and current capabilities to launch Esports programs in their community.

• Design effective Esports programming that optimizes social inclusion and maximizes innovative learning for all.

•  Apply the framework and guidelines presented to determine the best financial model for Esports programming, equipment and staffing

In-Servicing Beyond the Standard - Build the Ideal Guard

Description: 

Every Aquatics manager wants their guards to be knowledgeable, react fast, and be strong; but struggle with how to build the ideal lifeguard. This is your chance to gather innovative tools to train your lifeguards on being prepared for both the physical and mental demands of the job. Exceed the standard with this fresh in-service approach. When our in-servicing guide is used guards will have the knowledge, react fast and be strong!

Presented by: 

Kasia Robbins, Aquatics Manager, City of Hermiston

Bio: Kasia Robbins, is the aquatics manager and recreation coordinator for the City of Hermiston. Kasia is successful at developing and coordinating a variety of training and programs. Kasia has had an active role in the aquatics profession for over 13 years. Kasia combines her coordinating experience along with her aquatic background; to create fun and rewarding skill development programming and training for her staff.  Kasia has experience in speaking at state conferences, state summit/educational meetings, and giving webinars during Covid-19. Kasia is looking to grow as a professional and share her extensive programming and aquatic knowledge with others.

Brandon  Artz, Recreation Manager, City of Hermiston

Bio: Brandon Artz was raised in Central Washington and got his start in recreation while managing facility staff at the HIRC in Moscow, ID. After earning his Master’s degree in Recreation from the University of Idaho he has coordinated recreational programs.

Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of this session, participants will identify the ideal lifeguard
• Upon completion of this session participants will be able to plan, prepare, & perform in-services that go beyond the standard.
• Upon completion of this session participants will know the In-services that build the ideal lifeguard - Have examples in hand when you leave 

Hey, Bear! A Multilingual Outreach Approach to Reducing Wildlife Conflicts

Description: 

Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. These words from the Bellevue City Council’s vision for our city set clear expectations for service delivery, and push Bellevue Parks & Community Services employees to raise the bar on how we communicate with park guests. Beginning in 2020, with funds from a King Conservation District Member Jurisdiction Grant, Natural Resource Division employees began a project to develop a variety of multilingual outreach materials for the Bellevue park-going community. The goal of these new outreach materials was to help address recurring conflicts and perceived conflicts in the natural resource space, including wildlife-related conflicts. Join park ranger Curtis Kukal for a presentation on the lessons learned to date from this project, including writing for clarity in translated materials, integrating outreach into existing programs and service delivery structures, the importance of partnerships, and being flexible.

Presented by: 

Curtis Kukal, Park Ranger & Environmental Programs Coordinator, Bellevue Parks & Community Services, Natural Resource Division

Bio: As a Bellevue Park Ranger, Curtis Kukal's duties are as varied as the parks he patrols and interprets. On a given day, Curtis may be coordinating environmental programming, leading community volunteers, educating park guests about local wildlife, or coordinating Bellevue's Well K.E.P.T. (Kids Environmental Project Training) and Master Naturalist programs. Curtis received his B.S. from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Fisheries & Wildlife Management, and an M.S. from Texas Tech University in Wildlife Science. In addition to the City of Bellevue, he has worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Nature Conservancy, and Washington State Parks.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will better understand the process of creating multilingual outreach materials, utilizing this grant-funded project as a case study.
• Participants will understand opportunities for more effective outreach to diverse park guests, as well as some pitfalls to avoid.
• Participants will gain insights about communicating with park guests about potential wildlife conflicts and perceived conflicts. 

Essential Eligibility Criteria: Creating Accessible Programming Standards

Description: 

Outlining and advertising program expectations can help prepare participants, manage expectations, and even open conversations about making reasonable accommodations! Defining what a participant needs to be able to do during a program is a critical step for managing program risk. Allow me to introduce you to ..... Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC)! This session will teach you how to apply EEC to your current programs and increase the accessibility of your programs!

Presented by: 

Kacie Dietz, CTRS/R, Spokane Parks and Recreation

Bio: Kacie Dietz is a CTRS/R with BA’s in Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation, as well as minors in Challenge Course Facilitation and Experiential Education. She has worked in clinical rehabilitation, public recreation programming, and adaptive sports. Kacie is currently at Eastern Washington University pursuing a master’s degree in sports and recreation administration. She has been with Spokane Parks and Recreation for three years, but has worked in recreation for over a decade!

Learning Objectives

• By attending this session, participants will understand the purpose of implementing Essential Eligibility Criteria in recreation programming.
• Participants in this session will be able to identify EEC as a helpful risk management and inclusive programming tool, NOT as a barrier to participation.
• Participants of this session will receive specific action steps to implementing EEC into their own programs! 

Demystifying the Legislative Process Inside & Out

Description: 

Many of us are intimidated about engaging in the legislative process.  What are we allowed to do?  When and how should we speak up?  What is to be gained?  What are the risks?  This session will walk you through the why's, what's and how's of engaging with members of the Washington State Legislature, demystifying the legislative process and helping you secure support and resources for your parks and services.

Presented by: 

Roxanne Miles, Director, Pierce County Parks & Recreation

Bio: Roxanne Miles has been the Pierce County Parks Director since 2017, building on a 15-year career with Metro Parks Tacoma.  She has served as WRPA’s Legislative Chair since 2019.  She has a passion to make her community better for all, lending her grant-writing, professional facilitation, and strategic planning talents to small non-profits for nearly two decades.  She is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and earned her Master of Business Administration for public and non-profit leadership in 2012 from Corban University.  She lives in Puyallup, WA.

Doug Levy, WRPA Lobbyist, Outcomes By Levy

Bio: Doug Levy has owned and operated his government affairs and lobbying business, Outcomes By Levy, LLC, since October 1999, and has represented WRPA on all legislative, regulator, and funding matters since 2008.

Christine Mahler, Executive Director, Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition

Bio: Christine Mahler is an experienced nonprofit professional with more than a decade of experience in leadership, management, fundraising, relationship management, and external affairs. She has served as Executive Director of the Washington Wildlife & Recreation.

Learning Objectives

• Attendees will learn the benefits of understanding and engaging in the legislative process.
• Attendees will get tips on funding opportunities approved by the Legislature.
• Attendees will learn more about affecting advocacy and engagement within their own organizations.

Meydenbauer Bay Park Tour (Offsite)

Description: 

We will discuss the Meydenbauer Bay Park phase 1 master planning process, the permitting and construction challenges, and finally the long-term vision for phase 2, including the upcoming process beginning later in 2022 to determine what elements from the Master Plan will be included in phase 2. We will tour the completed phase 1 park and then walk from the Bellevue Marina to the Downtown Park to view the phase 2 Master Planned area and segment of the “Grand Connection”. Meydenbauer Bay Park has been a long-term vision of the City Council beginning with the adoption of the 1987 Park & Open Space Plan 30 years ago. Between 1992 and 2007, the City acquired 12 individual properties to add to the land conveyed by King County to Bellevue when the City was incorporated in 1953. In 2007, Council appointed a Steering Committee to advise the Council and Park Board throughout the development of a park master plan. Working with neighbors and other citizen groups over 2½ years, the Steering Committee recommended approval of the Meydenbauer Bay Park & Land Use Plan, and in December 2010, Council unanimously adopted the Plan (Resolution 8182). Six residential houses and several related piers were removed from the site between 2012 and 2014. 

Presented by: 

Pam Fehrman, Park Planning and Development Manager, City of Bellevue

Bio: Pam Fehrman is the Planning and Development Manager for Bellevue Parks & Community Services.  She manages the Park Capital Projects group that works with the community to plan, design and construct Bellevue’s parks.  She has worked for the City since 1998.  Pam graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Landscape Architecture, and Architecture and Urban Planning Studies.  Her interests center on urban and cultural design issues focusing on design dynamics and public space use.  She loves to travel and feels privileged to work for, and contribute to the community where she grew up, and lives today.

Scott Vander Hyden, Park Project Manager, City of Bellevue

Bio: Scott Vander Hyden has worked as a Capital Projects Manager for Bellevue Parks since 2005 and as a Project Manager with Bellevue Parks Resource Management section since 1996. He has extensive experience in landscape design, construction, and sales in the private sector as well. Scott attended Northland College where he studied studio art and outdoor education and has a Project Management certification from the  University of Washington. 

Learning Objectives

• Learn about Meydenbauer Bay Park's history and how the city of Bellevue engaged the community to influence design and the master planning process.
• Tour the Park site and learn of the Construction, permitting site challenges.
• Discuss and inform the potential opportunities for the next phase of development.

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