DLT Candidate

INTRODUCTION

My Name is Gerald Michalski I have been a proud member of Universal Orlando Resorts Park Service Department for almost 5 years now. In my time with this department I have experienced many of the opportunities offered by both nights and days teams. I have worked my way from an attendant to status lead. My work ethic and personal code of conduct have served me well to advance through the ranks and earn my strips. After looking over this document you will agree that I am the right choice as the next Park Service Candidate for Developing Leadership Talent Course.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

My parents instilled in me from the moment I was born a core set of values that have guided me in every aspect of my life.

Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken bymisfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Respect: esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, apersonal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestationof a personal quality or ability

Open Mind: A mind receptive to different opinions and ideas.

Ownership: Do a job the best you can; do a job the best it can be done. 

CORE VALUES AND BUSINESS

The following is how I have used these values to lead my Team here at Universal Orlando Resort:

Compassion: There is a belief that being a compassionate person in the work place means you are a weak leader. Many believe that you have to put pressure on employees in order to increase performance. However connecting with others in a meaningful way helps the employee enjoy better mental and physical

Compassion Respect Open-Mind Ownership

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health. Happy employees also make for a more congenial workplace and improved customer service.

Respect: Team Members universally want to be treated first and foremost with respect. As a Lead I have worked very hard to show all Team Members from a New Hire to Managers the upmost respect. I Treat people with courtesy, politeness, and kindness. When I am working in an area I always encourage Team Members to express opinions and ideas. It is important for me to in turn listen to what others have to say before expressing your viewpoint. I do try not to speak over, butt in, or cut off another person. When a Team Member has an idea to change or improve work I want them to try their idea. I believe that treating Team Members with respect will help ensure a respectful, considerate, professional work place.

Open-Mind: In order for me to keep up with the ever changing nature of our business, I must be open to new experiences and new ways of looking at things. It also means that I am willing to change my views when presented with new facts and evidence. Having an open mind helps me to look at more than one way to approach a problem; then find a verity of ways of solving it. When I give myself more options and better solutions. Ultimately, having an open mind helps me expand my horizons and be more diverse.

Ownership: When I arrive at work I want the work I do to be something to be proud of. The jobs I take on do help my career, but it also helps Universal succeed in their mission. Every day I go above and beyond and really take ownership of every job I do. I want to inspire and motivate my Team Members to action be leading by example.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

Although I have worked very hard to improve myself to be an effective, and efficient Team Leader I have areas that need to be improved. The following are areas of improvement:

Delegating: Although taking Ownership of my area is a strength it is also a weakness. I take great pride in ensuring that my area is the best it can be. In turn I often do many tasks that should be done by my Team Members. The old adage “if you want something done right do it yourself” describes me very well. This approach has had the unintended consequence of holding my Team Members from developing skills and more important confidence in their work. I need to step back and allow them to spread their wings and show what they can do.

Supporting the Management Team: Taking on a great deal of responsibility on my shoulders limits my time that I can spend with my Team during my shift. As a consequence I give the impression that the supervisors have a lot of demands on us and create a stressful work environment. In addition I don’t spend enough time explaining what is going on in the big picture of the Department. As a leader I need to ensure that I do a better job of explaining the reasons for decisions that are made at every level so the Team can better understand how each part of the machine fits together to make a fine tune engine of success.

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PROFESSIONAL SKILLS/WORK HISTORY

The following section will highlight not only a 10 year work history but also key professional skills that have shaped me into the ideal candidate for DLT.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCES

Having proudly enlisted into the United States Air Force after High School I was motivated to serve my country in the wake of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. I was wide eyed and patriotic when the first time I put on the Uniform of an American Airman. When I left the service I had been transformed into a more mature, and confident young adult. In my time I learned the following:

Loyalty Leadership ability Respect, integrity Duty Reliability Working as team members

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ALLIED BARTON SECURITY SERVICES SECURITY GUARD

After I left the Air Force I found a profession close to the structure that I was use to when I was serving. As a Security Guard it was my job to maintain the security and safety of people and property in assigned area by patrolling areas on foot and enforcing rules and regulations. After two years of serving as a Guard and Lead I learned the following skills:

Knowledge of basic security and fire inspection procedures. 

Skill in both verbal and written communication. 

Skill in observing situations and decision making. 

Skill in dealing courteously with public.

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ALLIEDBARTON SECURITY OPERATIONS MANAGER/TRANIER

After working 2 years as a Security Officer the District Manager of Buffalo saw fit to permute me to the newly created position of Operations Manager and District Trainer. I would serve in this position for 3 years. During my time in this positon I learned the following skills:

Manage staff, preparing work schedules and assigning specific duties Monitor businesses and agencies to ensure that they efficiently and effectively

provide needed services while staying within budgetary limits. Ordering, tracking, and issuing Uniforms to officers in the district Maintaining personnel files Ordering Supplies for the office Training New and Current Security Officers in the district as per NYS Security

rules and regulations.

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AMERICAN RED CROSS CPR/AED FIRST AID INSTRUCTOR:

As part of my position with AlliedBarton Security I was required to be certified as an American Red Cross CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor. As an instructor I learned the following skill sets:

Speak in a clear manner in order to ensure understanding from those attending the class.

Possess good communications skills: verbal and written Have a good comprehension/knowledge of American Red Cross CPR/AED and

First Aid curriculum Manages all equipment and inventory in my possession. This may include

transporting, unloading and set-up the necessary materials and supplies needed to teach classes and return the materials to the prescribed location. At conclusion of class, I am responsible for the cleaning and any maintenance of the equipment.

Responsible for applying quality assurance and control programs. Integrates quality improvement activities and measures in overall service provision. Ensure that the proper safety measures are in place to protect customers and staff who participate in the training activities.

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IOA PARK SERVICE NIGHTS ATTENDENT:

After leaving my position with AlliedBarton due to a rising cost of living in Buffalo NY and lack of advancement opportunity I moved to Orange City Florida. Once I arrived I looked for a company that would offer me the opportunity to grow in professional career and advancement opportunity. I started working for Universal Orlando Park Service Nights on March 15, 2010. While on night I completed the following:

Performing job duties of Park Attendant. Maintaining park quality standards by thoroughly performing all cleaning duties.

Performing other duties as assigned. Understanding and actively participating in Environmental, Health & Safety

responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities

Restaurant Cleaner Attraction Cleaner High Reach Operator Hoser Operator Spotter

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Ride Vehicle Detailer Baler Operator Trainer Warehouse, Utility, Shops, and Floors Specialist

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS PARK SERVICE ATTENDENT:

After working two years on Night I decided to return to college to pursue a degree in the Medical Field. Due to the school schedule I would have to follow working at night would not be possible for my success in my studies. With the help of former Supervisor Ilsen Fontes I applied and was allowed to transfer to USF Park Service Days. While on days I completed the following:

Performing job duties of Park Attendant. Maintaining park quality standards by thoroughly performing all cleaning duties.

Performing other duties as assigned. Understanding and actively participating in Environmental, Health & Safety

responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities

Male Restroom Attendant Detailer RTC

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Billy Goat Operator Trainer Baler Operator

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO PARK SERVICE LEAD:

After working on days for about a year I was asked by then supervisors Lisa and Ilsen to apply for a Relief Lead position. Later I was encourage by the current management team to apply for a Status Lead position. As both a Relief and Status Lead I provide work direction to Park Attendants and ensure efficient completion of department tasks by performing the following duties.

Directing employee's workflow, setting leadership standards, and guiding work locations efficiency.

Communicating performance and behavior standards and expectations; counsels and coaches to improvement.

Assisting supervision with creating and maintaining schedules, including breaks and lunch periods.

Monitoring timeliness of employees and maintains appropriate records. Assisting with training new and current employees. Observing and directing staff member's compliance with wardrobe and

grooming standards. I also earned respect of my fellow Team Members during my time as a Relief

Lead by making the transition from Lead to attendant and back again without

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compromising my responsibilities as a Lead. I earned of reputation of being fair with all Team Members I worked with.

ACCOMPLISHMNETS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO:

In the almost 5 years I have been a member of this department I have been very proud of everything I was able to accomplish. I have been recognized by the company for my efforts and created a number of things to help the company be recognized as the number one tourist destination in the world. Here are a list of all I have created or been recognized for:

Park Services Night Team Member of the Month September 2011 4 years of Perfect attendance (Club 16 Member) Wrote a Hogworts Castle Cleaning SOP Manual for Harry Potter Supervisor

Ilsen Fontes Created a San Francisco Area Team Member Recognition Award for than

Supervisor Allie (Break Out Award) Created Team Member Guest Service Incentive during Holiday Peek in 2014

(Springfield Photo Challenge) Created Guest Service Program for Springfield Area. (Hey Did you Know?)

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World Expo Team Member Guest Services Ambassador Currently working on creating a new Department aimed at creating world class

Team Members called the Team Member Welfare Department.

EDUCATION:

Since 2005 I have earned not one but two Associate Degrees from Universities in both New York and here in Florida. The following will highlight not only my educational accomplishments but the skills acquired that make me a great candidate for DLT.

EIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

In June 2005 I earned my first degree from Erie Community College in the field of Criminal Justice/Police with a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0. As part of the curriculum I learned the following skills: Demonstrate an understanding of the criminal justice vocabulary;

Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical and historical background in the three parts of criminal justice: law enforcement, courts and corrections;

Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and causes of crime: economic, sociological and psychological;

Demonstrate a working knowledge of the New York State Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law; and 

Obtain these competencies as outlined by the college’s Social Science Department.

Attention to Detail

Powers of Observation

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Critical Thinking

Good Communication

Memory

Research

ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES:

In September 2012 I was accepted in into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Adventists University. According to National Center of Education Statistics is listed as the most selective University in the state of Florida. The college only accepts 13% of applicants who apply to this university. In addition the program I completed only accepts 24 out of over 200 applicants that applied in 2012. I graduated Cum Laude in August 2014. While in the Program I learned the following skills:

Visually observe and assess a patient, discriminate color and depth, read and accurately complete reports, and visualize diagnostic/monitoring equipment in dimmed light.

Auditorily monitor and assess patient health needs, monitor various equipment and background sounds, and communicate by telephone.

Verbally communicate in a clear and concise manner.

Communicate sufficiently to interact with others in appropriate professional verbal and written form.

Read and interpret relevant medical data from patient charts, reports, and orders.

Safely lift and transfer patients to accomplish bed/chair/stretcher transfer with assistance or assistive devices.

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Safely push a gurney or wheelchair.

Stand or sit for an extended period of time.

Demonstrate sufficient manual dexterity necessary to perform activities specific to this program.

Possess sufficient critical thinking skills to think clearly and act professionally, safely, and accurately in stressful situations.

Professionally interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds

CONCLUSION:

Park Services is a department with a number of qualified, intelligent, skilled, and creative Team Members. Any of which would make a great representative for Park Services in the upcoming DLT course. However I know that I am the right candidate to be sent through this course. In the course of my 4 years with Universal I have sought out and complete all opportunities available to a Park Service Team Member. I sought out these challenges because of a trait that sets be a part from my fellow candidates not only in Park Service but a part from the other departments as well. I have an unrelenting curiosity to learn new things. From the time I was young to today I have always been a curious person. As such I am:

Open minded, objective and optimistic yet balanced with doubt and scepticism, they resist leaping to assumptions and are better able to think for themselves

Persistent and resilient, more tolerant of ambiguity and uncertainty (less stressed)

Adaptable and humble (I recognize learning can only come from accepting they don’t already know)

Intrinsically interested in people, I ask genuine questions, listen sincerely for understanding and, as a consequence, develop strong relationships

Actively seeking and exploring novel situations - excellent learners who are more likely to look for patterns, persist with challenges and derive joy from learning for learning’s sake

Aware, with their senses alert they notice details and opportunities. They have active minds and dispositions and seek to understand themselves

Creative and innovative they embrace problems as puzzles to solve and have an entrepreneurial spirit

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Inquisitive, engaged and naturally adept at questioning they focus on getting to the root cause of issues

Enthusiastic in taking up change they take initiative to explore and understand their world

It is this trait above all others that make me an ideal candidate. I may not be perfect but I am open and willing to work hard to be the best person to go through this wonderful program. Thank you for your consideration.

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