My Career Objective & Work Experience Summary

 

My Career Objective & Work Experience Summary

I Want More than A Career, I Want A Mission. Your Cause Becomes My Cause

I'm looking for more than a job, but a mission- a career with a business or entity that specializes in economic development, land and wildlife conservation, or farmland preservation, even if I have to start off at the bottom (like cleaning the office) and work my way up. I have the drive, passion, restlessness and real-world experience and training you're looking for! 

My "bread and butter" is mainly janitorial and food and customer service work. I have 14 years experience in basic janitorial, with some being construction clean-up, light landscaping, floor buffing, stripping and waxing, and some light maintenance. I was also promoted to management positions thanks to the way I take ownership of my job, take the initiative when needed and not just wait for others, and show an ability to organize and manage personnel, finances, inventory and work schedules. Routinely, as Assistant Program Manager with the DLBA, I had to generate work orders and actively ensure all employees finish them correctly and within the timeline given. I also did general office work, including e-mailing, faxing, scanning, answering phones and taking messages, filling out reports both on paper and computer, and so on.

As the above was temporary, I am now back to being a cleaner, with my duties being cleaning sidewalks, gutters, drains, and planters, removing large debris and graffiti, emptying overflowing trash cans, and doing some light landscaping. In my fourteen years of experience, I have worked in offices, both private and government, in high-rises, restaurants, and construction sites. 

Though a while ago, I also have extensive experience in fast-food and casual dining services, being a Shift Supervisor of a Carl's Jr. at one time. 

As you can see by my profile on LinkedIn, under my DBA of The C. Forte Company, I am also working as a "side job" on blogging, photography, social networking, and activism on behalf of causes like the ones I mentioned at the opening of this summary. More on LinkedIN

Business Improvement District Cleaner looking for part-time work

 

Hello, my name is Christopher Forte and I work full-time for the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), the agency that runs the property-based improvement district (PBID) in downtown Long Beach, so if you own a business there, technically I already work for you!! I work as a Cleaner or "Sweeper," cleaning sidewalks, gutters, drains, planters, removing large debris and graffiti, emptying overflowing trash cans, and doing some light landscaping. I also worked as a street pressure washer and as a "Rest Room Host" at the First Street Transit Gallery, keeping the public restrooms and Drivers Lounge clean, safe and giving out information to the public. You can learn more about the DLBA Clean Team at their web site here:http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/clean-team and you are encouraged to contact my Supervisors for a professional reference and work confirmation here: Dennis Clark, Program Manager: 562-400-2282 and/or Susan Linson, Assistant Program Manager at 562-244-1366.

As you shall see in my resume below, I also have over 10 years experience in janitorial work, cleaning offices and restaurants, along with my experience in the food service industry. I even acted as the Assistant Supervisor for the DLBA Clean Team for a short time while the Assistant Manager was out on medical leave. In the food service industry, though it was years ago, I was a Shift Supervisor.



Currently, though I work full-time, I am looking for a second job to supplement my income but do not need much. I can clean a small office or restaurant in one hour, five days a week, preferably after-hours-the graveyard shift. I am looking for at least $11 an hour, but again, a small business should only take an hour each night =$55 a week. For larger spaces, or additional work to basic, high-cleaning, I am open to negotiate.

What you get for the money is hard-work, attention to detail, experience, loyalty, and trustworthiness all as attested to by my former Supervisors. You also get the way I make your business MY business as no job is just "a job" to me: I treat all my clients and employers as if they were my own businesses or property, being concerned for their safety and security (I had one restaurant that the Closing Managers would leave wide open almost every night before I came in and I always made sure the place was secured when I left, you can ask Dan Bolstad about that), and I am always careful not to damage anything or look at anything not relevant to cleaning, especially if the office has sensitive material (like a bank, lawyer, or government).

I am willing to go through a background check, I have nothing but speeding tickets and a suspended license and just one arrest, but it was for driving without a license, not for theft, fraud, drugs, or sex crimes (I have my drivers license now), and I can also take a drug test if requested.

As a DLBA worker, you know I am trustworthy, experienced and hard-working since I am already constantly watched not just by my employer, but by the property owners, residents and business owners in downtown who are forced to pay into the PBID and so always hold DLBA employees accountable.

Again, normally one hour night, $11 an hour equaling $55 a week, or we can negotiate, especially if the cleaning could take longer. I need the position to be in downtown Long Beach or within 4 miles of it as I no longer have my car (it broke down permanently) (partly a reason I am looking for a second income-to buy a car).

Below is my resume and you can also find out more about me here:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Forte-for-Hire/124338297595957,http://chrisforteforhire.blogspot.com/ and here:https://sites.google.com/site/thefortecompany/our-company/our-staff .

My resume:

Chris Forte
(Personal info like address and phone # not posted in public)
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Work Experience:

ABM Janitorial Services, Commerce, CA
Assistant Program Manager/ Working Supervisor, 06/24/2013-11/2013 (temp.)

I inspected the District and dispatched personnel to handle problem areas, answered the desk and clean team duty cell, returned all calls as soon as possible, confirmed all employees were on time and properly completed the sign-in sheet, distributed cleaning supplies and equipment as needed, collected and reviewed the restroom host logs and reported any concerns to the Program Manager and Operations Manager, made sure all equipment is in good working condition, inspected areas pressure washed and confirmed all work was completed, completed weekend reports and followed up if necessary with the Program Manager, reported any requests to leave early or for time off to the Program Manager prior to approval, and reported any incidents or special requests from stakeholders.

ABM Janitorial Services, Commerce, CA
General Cleaner/Clean Team Member, 07/2012-present

Current duties: Sanitize and restock restrooms; monitor public throughways for spills and debris; sweep up leaves and dirt and pick up litter and trash from sidewalks, gutters, streets, and grass areas; change trash liners and dispose of trash; dust and damp wipe surfaces and glass when needed; pressure wash sidewalks and streets; mop hard floors when needed; conduct weed abatement and control; vacuum carpets; disseminate information like a guide; patrol areas and document and report suspicious or dangerous activity. Currently working for an account with the Downtown Long Beach Associates.

Dan Copp Crushing Corp., Yorba Linda, CA
Yard Attendant/Load Checker, 08/2010-04/2012

Checked, received and documented in-coming and out-bound product; conducted financial transactions using a credit card and telecheck machine; conducted inventory control and ordering; controlled dust and pollution per government regulations and laws; conducted light housekeeping and maintenance; demonstrated exceptional ability to work both in a team and alone.

Employee Leasing/See-Thru Window Cleaning, Banning, CA
Janitor/Crew Member, 06/2010-11/2010

Did detail and basic window cleaning/washing; detail and basic janitorial work including sweeping and mopping hard floors, vacuuming carpets, dusting and polishing furnishings, and sanitizing and restocking restrooms and supplies in multiple commercial establishments.

Riley's at Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen, CA
Crew Member, 09/2008-11/2008

Helped cook, prepare and serve food orders in deli; assisted cashiers with guest service in store; conducted event set up, serving, and take down; conducted basic janitorial and grounds keeping including sweeping, mopping and vacuuming floors, taking out trash, washing windows, dusting tables, counters and other surfaces, picking up litter and spot-cleaning spills in store, parking lot and on grounds and sanitizing and restocking rest rooms; directing traffic in parking lot, and any other work as needed and requested by supervisor.

Dan's Janitorial/Eastside Sonics, Bishop, CA
Janitor, 08/1999-05/2007

Recruited, supervised and trained employees according to company policies and standards; maintained inventory and reported low number of supplies to Supervisor; worked at multi-site operations that included government and private offices and restaurants: work consisted of sweeping and mopping hard floors, vacuuming carpets, washing windows, taking out trash, dusting and polishing furniture and other surfaces, sanitizing and restocking restrooms, some light maintenance and did some construction clean-up. Also did minimal floor buffing, stripping, and waxing.

References:

Jason Ayres, Yard Supervisor, Dan Copp Crushing Corp.: 714-920-9180
Brandon Bradley, Owner, Employee Leasing/See-Thru Window Cleaning: 760-660-3685
Dan Bolstad, Owner, Dan's Janitorial/Eastside Sonics: 760-937-6651
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My Yard Attendant job with my last employer that was in the construction industry

So do I have the experience and other qualifications you as an employer are looking for? Or are any of the skill and on-the-job training and experience I gained in some way similar or transferable to a position you have open? Well, in this blog you can read about my food-service experience as well as my janitorial experience. Many of those past jobs required detailed record-keeping, inventory control and ordering, and financial transactions and management. As you can see, I also design and manage web sites and web logs, and do freelance writing and photography.

Today, why don't we take a look at a normal workday for me and see if the duties of my most recent job matches or is transferable to any of those of a position you have open? Again, though my job experience is quite varied, I'm a jack-of-all-trades, you might say, and you can read about those below. But here is a normal work day for me today:

I used to wake up at 4:00 am. I left by 5:30 at the latest and drove 20 miles from Huntington Beach, CA to my job in Wilmington. Just last January, though, I moved to Long Beach just 10 minutes from my it. Just a few blocks from my job, I would stop to get breakfast. Sometimes I bought enough to share with my colleagues. Like me already, huh? I got to work at or before 6:00 am. I worked at a concrete and asphalt recycling plant that is gated, so I had to unlock and open the front gates. After parking out of the way of our customers, mostly established contractors with large trucks spanning the spectrum, from ten wheelers up to semi end dumps, I then opened up the "office," which is really more of a shack. There is no electricity at this yard, so I had no lights or computers to turn on. When it was too hot or too cold, both very rare there, I also had no heater or a/c. When that happened I usually hung out in my car. I have worked at yards where we did use computers, so that is not a problem. Some of the yards also have heaters and a/c...and some even have fridges, microwaves, and televisions!

I would then open up a log book and document my day, and with no-time clock, also write in my time on my time-card. This position was based almost solely on trust-trust that I'll be there on time and work my full hours. Usually, there was no one else there when I arrived, so unless I discussed it with my boss the day before, I absolutely had to make it to work no matter what. I have never called in sick or neglected showing up for work with no notice. I have been sent home sick, but only after making a valiant effort to work a full day.

Though the yard is gated, there are many ways for a person to sneak into it and some of the contractors find ways to dump there after hours, so I then routinely walked it and searched for after-hour dumps and any signs of break-ins. I documented any thing that I saw that was out of the ordinary and if pertinent enough, I informed my Yard Supervisor of them. I also watched out for vegetation growth. Our contract specifically stated that we must keep the yard clear of any vegetation, and if there was enough, I had to kill all the vegetation with weed killer. I did this at least once every two weeks, and usually in the morning in the summer time.

At some yards, I had to control dust per government regulations with a hose or water truck, but at this yard we had a separate designated employee for that. He came in at 7:00 am.

When a customer came in I inspected the load to confirm that it matched with our acceptable specs, confirmed that the customer had a contract with us, documented the load, the truck type, and location where it originated in the said log, and then directed the customer to the appropriate place for dumping. In some cases I  personally guided the customer and even supervised and directed them as they dumped. At some times I had multiple trucks dumping simultaneously, and I had to control and supervise all of them.

As a recycling plant, we also crushed and recycled the in-coming concrete and asphalt and sold it back out. The routine for this was basically the same:  I confirmed the customer had a contact with us, and I documented its end location and each truck and load when it went out. Some yards have scales, and some are computerized. I have used each. This yard did not have a scale, so there, as well at the other yards that didn't have them, we charged and documented by the truck size. That pertained to in-coming dumps, as well.

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned any financial transactions yet. Well, the yard I worked at most recently had a contract with a government agency and thus all the trucks or "customers" that came through didn't need to pay at the yard. I have done financial transactions, of course, at some of the other yards I've worked at and kept a detailed record of each one. Our company did not accept cash, so they were all by debit or credit card or by electronic check or money order.

At least once a week, when I had time, I did some "house-keeping": I cleaned the office, took out the trash, and swept or washed-down our yard's rumble grates. I also searched the yard for any lost and loose rebar or any other object or obstruction that can pop a tire or in some other way damage a vehicle. Of course, we did have a liability waiver, but it was still courtesy to make sure our customers didn't get hurt or have their vehicles damaged.

When we had the crushers in crushing and recycling the material, sometimes I was scheduled or called upon to be a "picker," which is the same as a "sorter": I started around 6:00 am and sorted and picked out any material we didn't want going through the crusher, like wood and trash, from a moving conveyor belt. Of course, I was very careful and always followed my company's detailed safety policies in all that I did. I could stand there for hours, sometimes in extreme heat (like at some yards in Riverside County in summer),  but with enough water, spray bottles, and breaks as required by law or as given out as a courtesy by the supervisor, I did well under such conditions with no complaints.

At the end of the day, as the yard I last worked at had a government contract, a government inspector came out to get the numbers and details of all the dumps in and material that went out. I then organized and put away my paperwork, wrote in the time I got off on my time card, and locked up. I locked the "office," and then closed and locked the gate behind me. I then drove 20 miles home, until I moved closer to work there in Long Beach.

Every Friday, I called in my hours. Again, this was based solely on trust. Every Monday I reviewed my inventory and ordered products or equipment as needed. Goggles, masks, gloves, and hand cleaner are just a few examples.

I was doing this full-time: 10-hours a day 5 days a week, with an average monthly pay of $1700. But with a slowing economy, and another contract ended, I was laid off. My Supervisor didn't want to let me go and said if he had another position open, I'd be kept on, and I do encourage you to call him for a reference and ask him about that. So here I am on the job search again. One that is similar to the job I described above is ideal. But again, I have had lots of experience in many different industries. If this post matches any job you have open, if any of the responsibilities I successfully accomplished there are transferable to a position you have open, then give me a call or e-mail. I am ready to work!

Me (Chris Forte) at work.

My Fast-Food/ Eat-In Restaurant Experience

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For almost eleven years I have worked in the fast-food industry, and just under two years in sit-down restaurants. In 1998 I started at Carl's Jr. at 785 N. Main St. Bishop, CA 93514, 760-873-4090. Mary Navarro was one of my immediate supervisor there. Because this was one of my first jobs, and I was so young, at first I was shy and timid, and did not want to work the register, only clean the dining room as I was originally hired to do. One day, however, with a short staff and heavy business, I was forced to get on a register and before long I had come out of my shell and working a register and customer service  became second nature, soon receiving compliments from our customers, employees, and supervisors.

It wasn't before long when I was given the privilege to be an acting manager when the official managers were away or on break, because of the leadership and customer service skills I quickly portrayed. And it wasn't long after that that they decided it would be better or just as well to make me an official low-level manager, a Shift Leader. I would work any shift needed, including doubles, and was responsible for supervising the crew, making de facto scheduling changes when a crew member was sick or just did not show up for work, handling money transactions at a register, filling out reports at the end or beginning of each shift, making sure each register and the safe balanced out at the end of a shift,  and for accurately counting our inventory and reporting such to the supervisor in charge of ordering. My main responsibility, of course, was making sure we all gave great customer service with quick times and good, properly prepared food and in general the over all smooth function of the restaurant.

Over the years I was there, indeed very quickly as this was in a small town, we all became a family and would look out for each other. For my part, I was willing and did work any and all shifts that were short on staff and to jump in to help on my days off, even if I just stopped by for a bite to eat. At one time I had two jobs, this one at Carl's and a night time janitorial one, and while it was hard to work double shifts and long ten-hour shifts and still go to my second job that night, I did it, I did it for the restaurant, for my manager, for all of us. I can do that for you.

I left there a few times, and was able to come back, but in 2004 I left for good as my other job started paying better. While I hated letting down my friends there and the restaurant in general, with my hours and pay picking up at my other job, it was the only logical choice for me.

I also worked at McDonald's, Jack in the Box, and Burger King, all there in Bishop.

In 2006 my hours at my janitorial job started getting cut as my boss lost a few contracts, so I had to find a second job again. This is when I went to work at a sit-down restaurant, this one being a Denny's there in Bishop (1014 N. Main Bishop, CA 93514, 760-873-5656). I worked there for just under a year as a Host/busser and enjoyed my job; my interaction with the customers, my helping the servers, and the daily tips that came with it. But I only worked part-time or less, about 3 or 4 days a week and only 3 to six hours a day. The good thing was my janitorial job was paying my bills, this paycheck and the tips were just extra cash in my pocket. I normally only worked the register, hosted and seated guest, and offered refreshments, but sometimes I would have to help the bussers and the servers. I also had to look for work to do on our slow times, this being cleaning menus, wrapping silverware for use, washing windows and other glass, dusting, and such.

In mid-2007 my grandfather was dying in a hospital 300 miles away in Southern California, and that, along with some better potential college opportunities, pushed me to quit both jobs and relocate. I at first moved in with my father, step-mother, and two half-sisters in Yucaipa, CA which is near Redlands, and looked for work. I made the uncalculable stupid mistake of relocating at the beginning of the great economic downturn, and for six months could not find a job, even in the big city and with all my experience. I did get on with a janitorial firm, but after working long, grueling hours for it, the owner refused to pay me. I did some other odd-jobs here and there, and finally landed a position at Riley's at Los Rios Rancho in Oak Glen, though it was only seasonal (39611 Oak Glen Rd. #13, Oak Glen, CA 92399, 909-797-1005). There I mainly did janitorial work, but I also helped cook and serve food in the kitchen, and serve at special events.  Oak Glen is in the mountains here just east of Yucaipa, and it reminded  me of Bishop, of my home.

That job was only seasonal and when it ended, and with a bonus and compliment from my supervisor, the owner, I was back to the job search. By this time, I now live on my own at 1221 N. San Gorgonio Av. Banning, CA 92220. After another month, I finally got on with Gramma's Country Kitchen here in Banning, CA. I was a busser or "Server Assistant," and the job, like most, had its ups and downs. I sat guests and offered refreshments, bussed tables, helped take care of the customers for the Servers, and cleaned and stocked. I was there for just over a year (December 26, 2008-May 16, 2010), when I was unexpectedly let go.

And so we get to today...now I am searching again. Yet, I do have many, many years experience behind me in the hospitality, customer service, and food industry. I know that I can find a job and an employer that I will like.... and who will like me, in a business that, like only a few others in the past,  will become like a family and that I will stay with and loyal to for years to come.
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My Janitorial/ Custodial/ Construction Clean-Up Exeperience and Qualifications

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This post will discuss my janitorial/ custodial experience in wich I have nine years of such. For most of that time I was employed with one company, attesting to my company loyalty, Dan's Janitorial/Eastside Sonics, with Dan Bolstad as my supervisor (760-937-6651). Working any hours or shifts needed or requested by my supervisor, especially ones other employees could not, I once worked 30-days straight. I cleaned private and government offices including the Forest Service and CalTrans, and  businesses like The Pizza Factory, all in Bishop, California. While I mainly did basic janitorial work: sweep, mop, vacuum carpets, wash windows, dust, take out trash, and clean and restock rest rooms; I have had some on the job training with buffing, stripping, and waxing floors. I may need a little more training concerning them, but not much. I was trusted to work unsupervised a majority of the time, with having the keys and alarm codes to the buildings of certain clients, including our government contracts. I was expected to keep accurate track of my own hours and of supplies that were made available to me. I was to report any overage in hours and negotiate them with my supervisor. I also helped recruit and train employees, which speaks to my organizational and leadership skills.

In 2008, I got on with Hayward Services out of LA. With them I would mainly do construction clean-up work, in some cases working in on-going construction sites for eight-ten hours with no a/c or any other electricity during a summer heat wave when temperatures were well over 100 degrees. With enough water, spray bottles, and enough breaks as required by law, I do not mind such conditions. This company required me to commute between many different construction sites and other work sites through out Southern California, a task I actually enjoyed and am willing to do again. I enjoy working alone, and unsupervised,  but I also work well with a team and can easily take direction form others and from supervisors. I enjoy working the graveyard shift, late night-early morning, so if that is a shift that is hard to fill, I am your man. I have an open, extremely flexible schedule with an ability and willingness to work weekends and any and all holidays, and I have my own reliable transportation.

As for my criminal background,  I have no illegal narcotics, theft, fraud, DUIs or any other felonies and misdemeanors on my record outside of a few minor traffic violations. Some of those violations did go to warrant as I was sometimes stupid and forgot to go to court on time once or twice, but they have since been resolved, though still remain on my record. 

While there may be some who are more experienced in the skilled sectors of janitorial work, if its is entry-level or basic janitorial  positions you want to fill or if you are willing to train just a little, you could not find a better candidate than myself.
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