David Benz
12 Addington Rd.
Reading, RGI 5PJ
ENGLAND
(44)(118) 966-9563
Qualifications Summary: Solid
background in GIS analysis using a variety of vector & raster
applications. Excellent written &
spoken communication skills. Proven
organizational, supervisory, & teaching ability. Extensive international experience. English, French, & Spanish proficiency. Software skills: ArcView, Idrisi, ArcGIS, Imagine, ENVI, MS Office, Corel Suite,
SPSS, VBA.
Clark University
Worcester, Massachusetts
·
Research
project: Inferring high-resolution
values in ASTER band 4 imagery.
·
Advisor: J. Ronald Eastman, Ph.D.
·
Coursework
included Vector GIS for Local Planning, Remotely-Sensed Image Processing,
Geodatabase Development, Global Land-Use Change, Quantitative Environmental
Modeling, Multivariate Statistics, and Current Themes in GIS Research.
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
Bachelor
of Arts, Botany, May 1993
Minor, Geography, with
Human Emphasis
Minor, French
·
Honors: Cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Tested GIS software modules and answered customer inquiries at the
Idrisi Project headquarters.
·
Pinpointed and
documented algorithm and interface errors for recent new release of Idrisi.
·
Routines tested
include neural network classifier, GEOMOD predictive land change
simulator, HDF file importer,
interactive layer blending and compositing, and geodatabase manager.
·
Researched and
responded to operational problems encountered by users of Idrisi and CartaLinx.
·
Revised exercises in
UNITAR series of workbooks, which teach GIS analysis techniques.
Worcester,
Massachusetts
Research Assistant, May – December 2002
Analyzed GIS data for NASA-funded study of long-term environmental
change in tropical Mexico.
·
Classified series
of LANDSAT and AVHRR images using Evidential Reasoning approach.
·
Located, acquired,
and geo-referenced imagery of study area.
·
Prepared conference
presentation materials explaining progress of research.
Advised student team on
interpretation of census data and use of ArcView in their term project.
Supported data
management needs at an agricultural research center.
·
Designed MS Access database to
monitor and evaluate effectiveness of farmer training schools.
·
Developed questionnaire for
collecting information from training school participants.
·
Created user-friendly software
interface for entering data from questionnaires.
·
Formatted spreadsheet to simplify
research center’s payroll calculations.
United States Bureau of the Census
Geographer, March
- October 2000
Supervised staff in administration
of decennial census projects at a Regional Census Center.
·
Trained and supervised up to 10 Specialists and Clerks in
review and adjustment of statistical boundaries in TIGER/Line files, ensuring
completion by time-sensitive deadlines.
·
Used ArcView and Maptitude to prepare and print maps
supporting enumeration activities.
·
Comprehensively managed address list update program,
including invitation letters, materials mail-out, staff training, processing
returns, and submitting reports.
·
Professionally represented Census Bureau at state and
regional conferences and symposia.
·
Reviewed and edited program procedures for Census
headquarters.
United States Bureau of the Census
Geographic
Specialist, March 1998 - March 2000
Administered decennial census
projects and facilitated public relations.
·
Arranged
curriculum and conducted 40 half-day training seminars for local government
officials.
·
Reviewed
maps and digitized voting district boundaries in TIGER/Line files for 4 states.
·
Efficiently
organized and oversaw letter and map mail-outs to 3200 local governments.
·
Drafted
official correspondence to program participants and maintained contact
databases.
·
Answered
questions from members of the public regarding enumeration policies.
·
Trained
clerks to use software necessary for organizing and processing project-related
data.
United States Peace Corps
Program Specialist, November
1997 - January 1998
Executed programs in the Office of
Returned Volunteer Services.
·
Liaised between Peace Corps and nationwide community of
over 100,000 returned volunteers.
·
Provided large-volume administrative support to Director
and Writer/Editor.
·
Supervised and managed highly-visible career resource
center.
United States Peace Corps
Program
Suspension Assistant, July - September 1996
Expedited closure of an overseas
Peace Corps office.
·
Inventoried and mailed personal possessions of 85
evacuated volunteers.
·
Verified database of lost property claims to ensure swift
and accurate re-imbursement.
·
Prepared Peace Corps property for in-country auction or
re-distribution.
United States Peace Corps
Agriculture
Volunteer, September 1994 - June 1996
Promoted sustainable cultivation
techniques among rural subsistence farmers.
·
Independently designed and delivered series of
Sango-language, illustrated presentations to villagers.
·
Planted 15 cooperative plots demonstrating sustainable
farming methods.
·
Established and managed nursery of 400 leguminous trees
to serve as regional seed bank.
·
Provided technical and logistical assistance for
rejuvenating primary school gardening program.
·
Promoted construction and use of fuel-efficient mud
stoves by building demonstration models.
·
Produced wall-sized world maps from locally-solicited
materials, for use in under-equipped classrooms.
Berkshire College of Nursing and Midwifery
Clerical Aide, June
- August 1993
Performed diverse data management
duties as a temporary assistant in a state nursing school.
·
Devised system for storing 6000+ student records on new
computer scanning machine.
·
Sorted and scanned records for 12 years of student
enrollment.
·
Composed guidelines for future employees to operate
scanner.
·
Substituted for college receptionist, welcoming visitors,
sorting mail, and directing phone calls.
Undergraduate student employment
August 1988 - May 1993
While a student
at Miami University I held concurrent jobs tending plants in the campus
greenhouse, as a trip leader and rental equipment specialist at the
university’s outdoor recreation center, and as custodian at a private clinical
psychology office.
Clark University
Worcester,
Massachusetts
Peace Corps full-tuition
scholarship, August 2001 – May 2003
United States
Bureau of the Census
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Outstanding
Employee recognition, 5 times, June 1998 - August 2000
ESRI: ArcView,
ArcGIS
Clark Labs: Idrisi, CartaLinx
ERDAS Imagine
RSI ENVI
U.S. Census
Bureau GusX
Microsoft: Word,
Excel, Access, PowerPoint
Corel: WordPerfect,
Paradox, QuattroPro, Draw
High Performance
Systems Stella
SPSS SPSS
for Windows
Oracle Discoverer
Programming with Visual
Basic for Applications
Fluency in written and spoken
English, French, and Sango.
·
Score of Superior in spoken
French, Foreign Institute Exam, September 1994
·
4 hours’ weekly private
tutoring from British Council-certified Spanish teacher in Quito, Ecuador,
January - June 2001
Taught English as a Second Language
to adult immigrants, from pre-literate to advanced proficiency.
United States Peace Corps
M’baïki, Central African Republic
Intensive
3-month training program in French and Sango language, cross-cultural
adaptation, and sustainable agricultural methods.
Miami University
John E. Dolibois European Center
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
One academic year studying Liberal Arts, September 1990 - May 1991
I have traveled independently
during the following periods:
·
Around the world, January - May 2003
·
South America, June - July 2001
·
Africa, October 1996 - September 1997
·
Turkey and south-eastern Europe, September - December
1993
I have also spent shorter intervals
traveling in Southeast Asia and throughout the United States and Western
Europe.
Director
Clark Labs
950 Main St.
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
(508) 793-7526
reastman@clarku.edu
R. Gil Pontius, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Geography
Clark University
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
(508) 793-7761
rpontius@clarku.edu
Fernando E. Armstrong
Regional Director
U.S. Bureau of the Census
1601 Market St., 21st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2395
(215) 656-7550
fernando.e.armstrong@census.gov