Shiela Branson
Education
High School Fessenden High School
Fessenden, North Dakota 4.00 cumulative GPA
College University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota 3.15 cumulative GPA
Bachelor’s Degree 2002
Psychology Emphasis
Other Training
Cambridge State Hospital, Cambridge, MN
Specialized training to work with severely/profoundly physically/mentally handicapped people, including but not limited to training in setting individualized goals, assessment of progress, planning and implementation of individual and group activities, both on campus and off, general work in the various households with people of varying skill levels.
N.E.O.N. Minneapolis, MN
Nighttime emergency Outreach Network
Trained but did not actively participate in this program due to pregnancy as a risk factor. The training included suicide intervention, drug-related incidents, domestic violence, runaways, the unemployed, and other stress factored situations (i.e. hotline types of things) with the appropriate local resources references. Training covered both telephone and face to face intervention (partner pairs with telephone backup).
Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Pine City and Cambridge, MN
Dealing with (mostly teen) pregnancies, this was crisis line work as well as drop-in and follow up services (pregnancy tests, referrals for medical assistance, social services, ministers, short term housing as necessary, clothing and other needs for mothers to be and infants, etc.). It also involved community education, making presentations for churches, working with local school personnel, fund-raising, and liaison role for teens/parents/schools/service providers.
The Refuge, Cambridge, MN
Domestic Violence intensive and extensive pre-advocacy training as well as continued on-the-job training. Telephone crisis line work, safe house, emergency transportation, coordinating services, legal support for court hearings, filling out appropriate paperwork according to individual needs, support groups, legislative input, monitoring/tracking local law enforcement and/or judicial responses, etc. A VERY fine program with many extremely well trained and effective volunteers as well as staff.
Electronic Scaling, Road Construction Projects
This involves computerized electronic scaling (weights) of materials used in construction projects, working with contractors, Department of Transportation personnel, drivers, equipment operators, OSHA, MSHA, local, county, state, and federal officials, etc. Specialized knowledge of construction-based computer programs, knowledge of specific project requirements as well as general regulations, keeping paperwork straight and as perfect as humanly possible. Instilling and maintaining a positive work atmosphere in situations where Murphy’s Law rules. I also flagged some projects, public relations and safety issues.
Extra-curricular/Volunteer
High School
Lettered in Track and Basketball, Class Secretary, Chess Club, Girls Athletic Association, State Speech two years(second place in my category one year), ‘Oklahoma’ Musical, Church youth activities, Vocal music groups, District Science Fair.
College
UND Varsity Football Cheerleader, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority office holder, intramural basketball, Student Government Recording Secretary, North Dakota Intercollegiate State Legislature (one year as recording secretary, one year UND Representative, nominated for the May Award for best piece of legislation), founding member of Association for Better Child Care, member of President’s Committee via the Women’s Center, student parent liaison, recording secretary and then active member of Multicultural Awareness Committee of Student Government, allocating funding and assisting in the planning and implementation of Student Organization projects, danced in a Dance-a-thon to raise money for charities, Little Sister at Sigma Alpha epsilon Fraternity, raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis, helped area kids plan, prepare, and present a Christmas Play, supervised their ‘newspaper’ production, organized a small gymnastics class, worked in the Fieldhouse and at the Women’s Center.
Other
Assisted with the high school production of the musical ‘Annie’, costumes, props, line coaching, etc, at Cambridge, MN – sold out every performance, including several that were added!
Did a dissection unit for Omnibus, a high potential program for gifted students in Cambridge, MN.
Member of MCCL (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life).
Member of a local Baby-sitting Co-op in Cambridge, MN.
Volunteer Domestic Violence Advocate/Program Director, Wells County SAAF, Fessenden, North Dakota, a one-year pilot program ‘coordinated’ through Safe Alternatives for Abused Families in Devils Lake, ND. See Page One under ‘The Refuge’ for breakdown of services.
For Wells Co. SAAF, I did the grant-writing and record-keeping for the program, including but not limited to weekly, monthly, quarterly, and end of year reports. Washington personnel called me ‘The Lone Ranger’.
Volunteer for ‘The Refuge’ see page one.
Volunteer for Crisis Pregnancy Centers see page one.
Work History
Current :
Vignettes House Publishing Jack of All Trades, Master of Writing, Editing, Formatting
Previous:
Wells County Free Press Freelance Feature Article Writer
‘Self-employed’ renovating my 100 year old home in Fessenden, North Dakota
Johnny Nolon’s Casino Opening/Closing Cashier 6/2004 – 5/2007
301 E. Bennett Avenue 40 hrs/wk (four days) $29,500.00/yr
Cripple Creek, CO plus full benefits
80813
Supervisor: Laura, Cage Manager
Duties:
Access to and care of restricted keys, responsible for the signing out and in of same by various personnel,
Verifying opening/closing coin, currency, and tokens,
Verifying contents of vaults,
Documentation of all ‘in’ and ‘out’ transactions involving money for cage, bar, restaurant, management, etc.,
Public Relations,
Making change for customers,
Paying out jackpots,
Cashing in tokens and/or tickets,
Jackpot record-keeping for large jackpots,
Answering telephone when requested,
Taking and delivering messages,
Operating specialized equipment including coin counter, roll wrapper, coin count/bagging, check company program, credit card machine, etc.
Using and trouble-shooting computerized data programs,
Training new personnel,
Creating and maintaining a congenial work environment,
Being knowledgeable about and keeping records of special events, promotions, etc.,
Keeping the ‘non-main’ windows stocked with coin, currency, etc.
This position includes both people- and paper-work in a well-balanced blend!
Child Development Services One-on-one (special needs) 9/2003-11/2004
Substitute Teacher
La Junta,
Colorado Kitchen
30-40 hrs/wk
$7.50/hr
Supervisor:
Shelly Coulter
Duties:
Implementing individualized education plan for special needs child, assuming responsibility for and control over same.
Following classroom daily schedule, interacting with children (aged three to five years), other teachers, parents/grandparents, and professional personnel.
Planning and preparing meals for hundreds of people; meticulously following Cook’s orders!
Strata Corporation Electronic Scale Operator 5/2002-6/2002
Strata Park
Grand Forks, ND
50 hrs/wk
$1800.00/mo
58201
Supervisor: Carl Lill, Strata Park Manager
Duties:
Enter Project Data into electronic Equipment,
Operate Electronic Scaling Equipment,
Trouble-shoot,
Keep Accurate Records of Daily, Weekly, and To-Date Totals, Run Daily Reports,
Interact with Project and Corporate Personnel,
Maintain All Equipment,
Perform Required Testing of Equipment,
Construct ‘Ease of Use’ Instructions for Equipment (training purposes),
Organize and Maintain Field Office Files,
Operate Field Office Cell Phone, business Band Radio, Ticket Printer, Report Printer,
Coordinate Services with Other Sites, Projects, etc.,
Provide Security for Project Records,
Maintain Records for Hired Trucks, Drivers.
Strata Block and Masonry Receptionist/Clerical 6/2002-12/2002
1625 36 St. North
Data Entry/Billing
Grand Forks, ND
58203
25 hrs/wk
$900.00/mo
Supervisor: Dale Juve, Office Manager
Duties:
Multi-line Phone System,
Data Entry,
Filing,
Processing Accounts Receivable (billing),
Fax,
Copier,
Typewriter,
Business Computer Programs,
Receive and Relay Messages for Office Personnel,
Daily Corporate Mail Run,
Processing Invoices,
Responding to Questions from the Public and Customers,
Tending to Special Projects as Assigned by Management,
Divisions included Concrete for Road and Other Building Projects, Brick, Stone, Masonry Blocks, Fireplaces, Pavers, Materials, Tools, Equipment, and Supplies.
Strata Corporation Accounts Payable 6/2002-12/2002
Corporate Main Office
728 Red Dot Place 20 hrs/wk
$720.00/mo
Grand Forks, North Dakota
58203
Supervisor: Gerald Brorby, Corporate Exec
Duties:
Process Invoices Received for Payment,
Data Entry,
Sort and File Accounts Payable,
Process Checks for Payment,
Attend Regularly Scheduled Safety/Training Days,
Postage Machine,
Document Separator,
Copier,
Business Computer Programs,
Update Files,
Prepare End-of Year Files for Storage,
Route Employee Expense Accounts,
Attend and Participate in Departmental Meetings,
Interact with Personnel from Various Divisions within the Corporate Structure,
Learn to Identify Suppliers and Customers, Vendors,
MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY AT ALL TIMES.
Close Construction Electronic Scale Operator 5/2001-10/2001
Road Construction
Milton, North Dakota 50-70 hrs/wk
$2,400.00/mo
58260
Supervisor: Rick Volk, Project Foreman
Duties:
Enter Project Data into electronic Equipment for Interstate highway Project,
Operate Electronic Scaling Equipment,
Multiple Project Scale Sites,
Trouble-shoot,
Keep Accurate Daily, Weekly, and To-Date Totals for Materials, Primary Contractor, Hired Trucks/Drivers, Department of Transportation,
Run Daily Reports and Distribute to Contractors and DOT,
Interact with Drivers, Equipment Operators, Mechanics, Contractors, DOT, etc.,
Maintain Equipment,
Perform Required Testing of Equipment,
Train Scale Operator,
Organize and Maintain Field Scale Office Files,
Operate Communications Equipment (i.e. phone, business Band Radio).
Close Construction Flag Person 5/2001-10/2001
Milton, North Dakota Variable Weekly Hours
Variable Income
Supervisor: Brent Close, Project Superintendent
Duties:
On-Site Management of Traffic,
Adhere to All Regulations Concerning Road Construction Safety Standards,
Control Traffic (public) and Construction Trucks/Equipment in Work Zone,
Safety of ALL Persons and Vehicles Number One Priority,
Public Relations Number One and a Half Priority,
Train My Team Members to be the Best, to be First On-Site and Last Off, Deal with the Public, and to be Both Professional and Personable.
Close Construction Pilot Car Driver 5/2001-10/2001
Road
Construction Devils Lake Hwy 19 Project
Milton, North Dakota Variable Hours
Variable Pay
58260
Supervisor: Brent Close, Project Superintendent
Duties:
Guide traffic safely through congested and sometimes hazardous construction area, without interfering with or delaying the trucks/equipment. I requested and received permission to alternate stations, so our team of three rotated the two flag positions and pilot car duties, which worked well and helped keep attitudes very positive.
Holen Construction Electronic Scale Operator 6/1997-12/2000
Road Construction
Flag Person
McClusky, North Dakota
50-75 hrs/week
$2,000.00/mo
Supervisor: Robert Tkach, Project Foreman
Duties: see above and attached
Vignettes Owner 5/1997-6/1999 Seasonal
Seasonal Plants and Accessories
Fessenden, North Dakota Variable Hours
Variable Income
58438
Self-employed
Duties:
Research Client Needs,
Travel to Locate and Buy the Best Plants and Accessories,
Sales,
Daily, Weekly, Season Records,
Quarterly Reports,
Inventory,
Care of Plants,
Client Consultations.
Fessenden Booster Club Black Jack Dealer 2/1993-10/1995
Charitable Gaming
Fessenden, North Dakota Variable Hours
Variable Pay
58438
Supervisor: Deronda O’Neill, Gaming Manager
Duties:
Deal blackjack,
Fundraising,
Pull Tab Sales and Redemptions,
Bingo Calling,
Help Plan and Participate in Special Events,
Keep Accurate Records.
Krahler Construction Surveyor 5/1993-10 1994
Farm Related
Fessenden, North Dakota
58438
60 hrs/wk
$1000.00/mo
Supervisor: Mark Krahler, Owner
Duties:
Use Surveying Rod and Transit to Determine Slope Adjustments Needed for Large Field Drainage,
Communicate Instrument Readings to Equipment Operator,
Check Adjustments to Assure Accuracy.
Safe Alternatives for Abused Families, Wells County Director
Rural Domestic Violence Pilot Program
9/1991-11/1992
Fessenden, North Dakota
58438
Variable Hours
Mileage Stipend
Duties:
Grant-writing,
Fund-raising,
Quarterly Reports,
Setting up and Running the Office and Office Equipment,
Making and Accepting Referrals to and from Other Agencies in a Tri-County Area,
Providing Safe Housing,
Transportation,
Public Education,
Support Groups,
Hot Line Telephone Services,
Emergency On-Call for Law Enforcement and Medical Personnel.
