Bethany E.
Heft
610-761-2878
beh5056@[Link]
CAMPUS (UNTIL: MAY 2011) PERMANENT
340 East Beaver Ave. 6515 Riverview Road
Apartment 401 Slatington, PA 18080
State College, PA 16801 610-767-5955
Beh5056@[Link]
Education
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.
Expected graduation: BS, 5/2011
Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science (Wildlife option)
Teaching Assistant- Mammalogy Lab, Pennsylvania State University, 1/2011 to present
Prepared and graded weekly quizzes on course materials and assisted in created lab
practicals
Assisted students in learning types of teeth, bones in the mammalian skeleton, and all
mammalian orders as well as other course material
Relevant Course Work
Experience calculating habitat suitability index while working with densitometers and
densiometers
Conducted electrofishing using both a boat and backpack system as well as took readings
on stream flow and pH
Learned field identification and Latin names for trees native to Pennsylvania
Experience operating and using both a GPS and a compass
Research Experience
Research Assistant- Effects of light pollution on white footed mice and redback salamanders;
Summer 2010 to present
Laid out transect lines, set and baited live traps as well as placed cover boards
Routinely checked transects and collected specimens
Ear tagged, determined gender, and weighed white footed mice
Recorded data into logs books
Observed the eye bleed procedure on a white footed mouse
Viewed blood slides under microscope and classified types of white blood cells
Work Experience:
Conservation Educator– Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5/2009 to 8/2009
Conducted guided tours and gave informational talks detailing the biological background
and environmental requirements for each animal exhibit.
Directed guided hikes on the preserve’s surrounding trails identifying flora and fauna
while indicating visible signs of habitation
Designed and organized week long children’s camps (ages 4 to 13). Camp leadership
included running multi-day projects, preparing age appropriate crafts, and planning
snacks with consideration given to food allergies of youth.
Designed and conducted overnight programs for scout troops and children’s camps which
included night time tours of the zoo to view nocturnal animals, owl calling, and owl
pellet dissection
Directed youth stream studies to capture and identify macroinvertebrates in the Jordan
Creek
Handled animals including tarantulas, various snakes, ferrets, hedgehogs, and birds of
prey during presentations to groups about each specific animal
Riding Camp Manager & Instructor- Self Employed, Summers 2006 and 2007
Created educational programs and developed scheduling for children’s horseback riding
camps with participants ranging in age from 5 to 16. Held multiple sessions of this
weekly camp throughout the summer months.
Developed and implemented a strict budget for the program as well as a payroll system
for camp counselors.
Created an advertising strategy and employed various publicity increasing programs.
Instructed classes educating campers about basic equine nutrition as well as medical
requirements and the identification of vital signs in an emergency situation. Instruction
was also given on basic horsemanship skills from riding techniques to hands on
management of the camp’s horses and stables.
Staff- Strawberry Acres and Overlook Orchards Inc, 9/2004 to 8/2008
Initially operated a cash register, and progressed through roles with increasing
responsibility including serving as field guide for customers, deli/bakery support (slicing
meats & cheeses, filling orders etc.), stocking shelves, and inventory
During final 2 years trained new employees in all aspects of the various jobs
Related Experience
CPR and First Aid Certified
Extensive experience in animal care (horses, goats, chickens, rabbits and sled dogs)
including diet management, basic veterinary care, wound management, stable and kennel
management, etc.
Experience feeding horses, cleaning stalls and providing basic care for over 50 horses at a
riding stable
Trained horses and competed in various hunt seat competitions including local and
Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
Conditioned and trained working sled dog teams as well as weight-pull dogs
(International Weight Pull Association & some International Sled Dog Racing
Association competitions)
Member of the Pennsylvania State University Equestrian Team, 2007-present
Avid outdoors woman including horseback riding, dog sledding, hiking, and camping
