Laurel Cruse

Laurel Cruse

240 34^th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA • 319-440-0234 • [email protected]

Qualifications Summary

I am an innately motivated and energetic individual who is able to adapt effectively to challenging situations.  My contagious enthusiasm enhances my ability to motivate team members towards group projects and worthwhile community efforts.  Additionally, you’ll find the following traits suit most environments:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Hardworking and efficient
• Highly organized and able to follow complex instructions
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Solid administrative skills
• International work experience
• Proficient in the French language

Relevant Work Experience

City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA

Administrative Assistant - Utilities Department                                                                 January, 2013 to Present

• Served as a Wellness Ambassador for the City to the Water Pollution Control Facility.
• Assisted in the creation of, and facilitated the City’s Teamwork & Initiative unit for Values training.
• Assisted in the facilitating of the City’s Diversity unit for Values training.
• Worked with a committee to create a Green Purchasing Policy for the City of Cedar Rapids.
• Prepares all City Council agenda items for the department utilizing OnBase software. These are very detailed and specific. Extreme detail orientation is necessary.
• Track and prepare all waste hauler bills using Microsoft Access. Create invoices using Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing (CC&B) software for all Group II’s, III’s, and waste haulers.
• Serves as the primary contact for all visitors to the facility. Receive their credentials and issue the appropriate badge. Both Lenel-Alarm Monitoring and Lenel-Visitor Management software are used to track all visitors as well as Milestone XProtect Smart Client software.
• Track all Utility employee performance appraisals.
• Research and negotiate for outside services as needed. Verify charges and services; maintain communications.
• General filing, scheduling, and ordering of supplies.
• Create, plan and promote employee special events.
• Prepares and submits documents for City related travel for employees across the various divisions of WPC.
• Served on the IA-AWWA Customer Service Committee.

Events Coordinator - Ushers Ferry Historic Village                                                  October, 2010 to January, 2013

• Enhanced the school tour program by fostering solid communication with teachers through Prezi’s, emails, letters, and follow-up. This resulted in better relationships and increased participation in programs.
• Responsible for program management at Ushers Ferry including all aspects of event coordination and on-site execution. 
• Developed new and exciting programs and events for Ushers Ferry including, but not limited to, Fruit of the Vine, American Girl Day Camp, and Tea with Grandpa.
• Cultivated the volunteer program by launching a quarterly newsletter, holding bimonthly volunteer meetings, and adding additional small group meetings for specialized programs.
• Served as a member of the Employee Recognition Committee in 2011.
• Served as a Wellness Ambassador to the Parks and Recreation Department from 2011-2012.

Salem School District, Salem, AR

Elementary School Substitute Teacher                                                                      August, 2009 to October, 2010

• Created a physical education program for over 400 students during the primary teacher’s unscheduled five-week absence.
• Effectively implemented the academic curriculum set forth by the teachers in grades K-6th.
• Successfully followed school policy regarding classroom management, student safety, and disciplinary procedures.
• Heightened students’ participation and energy level by introducing new concepts of play and more creative ways of learning.

Laurel Cruse, page 2

United States Peace Corps, Dassilame Serere, Senegal

Eco-Tourism Advisor                                                                                            September, 2007 to August, 2009

• Developed marketing materials such as websites and brochures with eight different organizations, improving their business and augmenting sales.
• Directed an entrepreneurial training session for eight women, better educating them on the costs and benefits of selling their products.
• Assisted the local neophyte women’s group by serving as the liaison between them and a soap making trainer. Taught basic marketing and accounting skills.
• Administered a village survey to determine the number of mosquito nets needed, which resulted in USAID obtaining nets for children aged six months to five years old.
• Collaborated with the primary school director in writing a Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant to install a school fence securing a protected space for a garden.
• Wrote a Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant with the 10 member theatre group ‘Antidote’ enabling the group to do a tour of six middle schools performing skits on important issues in Senegal, including HIV/AIDS.
• Joined together with other Peace Corps Volunteers to organize two Eco-Tourism expositions, which allowed our host country counterparts to publicly speak about tourism opportunities.

City of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA

Recreation Specialist - Adult Sports & Aquatics Program                                            March, 2007 to August, 2007

• Supervised five employees who were responsible for accumulating league game data, and conducted meetings with those employees to resolve issues with schedules and employee conduct.
• Executed a new online program, quickscores.com, enabling sports participants to view all aspects of league play; i.e. scores, schedules, and rankings.
• Scheduled adult men’s basketball, co-ed and men’s team softball, and men’s baseball league games four nights a week to allow over 50 teams to participate in a fun, competitive, and recreational league.
• Produced and submitted vendor requests and purchase orders for league materials, such as softballs, bases, and t-shirts, as well as submitting employee timecards and other requested reports.

Recreation Specialist - Aquatics Program                                                                       May, 2006 to August, 2007

• Collaborated with a contract employee to provide a successful year-round recreational aquatics program to meet the needs of the client base, the contractor, and the city.
• Increased registration to a field of over 1000 participants due to additional marketing, exceptional customer service skills, and a good rapport with the contractor.
• Generated and maintained the quarterly catalogue (aquatics section) and the summer brochure, highlighting special courses by verifying dates and times, taking photos, and working with graphic design to produce an attractive end product.
• Interacted with aquatics clients on a daily basis to help solve scheduling conflicts, payment issues, and listen to compliments and concerns by using common sense and patience, while maintaining the integrity of the City of Beverly Hills.

Childcare Counselor                                                                                                         June, 2005 to June, 2006

• Supervised in excess of 20 elementary school children ages 5-12 in an after school program that fosters independence, confidence, and amusement.
• Designed and administered daily activities to encourage sportsmanship, knowledge building, and team spirit in a safe and clean environment.
• Worked with parents to ensure a well-rounded, exceptional experience for each child by listening to parent’s feedback, addressing their feedback, and adjusting the curriculum to each child’s ability.
• Tutored students in their daily work to help improve their study habits, work ethic, and boost their scores and self-confidence.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Interdepartmental Studies; Focus: Recreation Management and Child Studies

University of Iowa

Certifications

• Certified Yoga Teacher-500 Hour (CYT-500), 2024
• Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, 2023
• Iowa Coaching Authorization, 2018