Building & Environmental Resume
Whitney Bembenek
612-462-4084
Work Experience
Independently Contracted - Natural Builder & Consultant July 10 - Present
(Various U.S. locations)
Develop, realize and engage community in building projects using natural, salvage
and locally-sourced materials
- Design & co-construct earth-based projects, such as baking ovens, garden partitions, benches & gazebos with community members
- Prioritize using naturally-occurring, local, and excess materials to create structures of beauty and function
- Manage and coordinate volunteer participation, hands-on workshops, project financing, and materials acquisition
Urban Farm Collective - Facilitator & Garden Apprentice Dec.10 - Dec.11
(Portland, OR)
Actively participated in the development, gardening and outreach efforts of young
organization to incorporate and promote urban communal gardening in NE Portland
- Facilitated administrative meetings to ensure agenda loyalty and effective group
- Participated in weekly growth & maintenance of organic produce gardens and harvest
VOZ Workers’ Rights - Landscape Program Developer & Interpreter Feb. 11 - June 11
(Portland, OR)
Co-designed and facilitated weekly program that empowered immigrant laborers with
landscaping technique, culture and vocabulary
- Provided on-site language interpretation for English-speaking Instructor and
- Cross-cultural counseling with course instructor, heightened awareness of laborers’
Lovett Deconstruction - Deconstructionist & Interpreter Oct. 10 – Dec. 10
(Portland, OR)
Strategically dismantled entire and partial residential structures for material
reuse and facilitated communication for culturally-diverse crew meetings
- Frequently used hand and power tools including pry-bars, reciprocating saws and pneumatic de-nailers
- Regularly assessed proper handling of hazardous building materials and use of
Habitat for Humanity – Carpentry Crew Member Jan. 10 – Feb. 10
(Madison, WI)
Selected to oversee groups of volunteers in the assembly and installation of
stud walls and drywall in residential buildings
Noteworthy Skills & Training
- Both written and spoken Spanish fluency
- Applied study & workshop facilitation of Non-Violent Communication Feb. 12 - Present
- Certification in Permaculture Design ~ Occidental Arts & Ecology Center July 2011
- Certification in Lead Abatement & Management June 2011
- Graduate of Oregon Tradeswomen Pre-Apprenticeship program Oct. 2010
- 40-hour HAZWOPER Certification Sept. 2010
- Traveled abroad to various countries in Latin America and Europe, China and India
Education
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Sept. 02 - Dec. 06
Bachelor’s Degree – Spanish Studies
Cumulative GPA – 3.73
Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile July 04 - Dec. 04
Spanish and Liberal Arts studies
*Inquire for References*