career objective                                   

 

ph.d. candidate with extensive background in youth work eager to contribute exceptional teaching, counseling and leadership talents toward supporting adolescents and young adults in maximizing their well-being and self-reliance.

 

profile                                                      

 

         wide-ranging experience in corrections and coordinating programs for at-risk youth and young adults to successfully re-integrate individuals into the community. 

         outstanding blend of skills in advocacy, crisis counseling, outreach, goal setting, and education.

         merges patience, insight, and proficiency in developing rapport to help youth cope with and address issues that led to incarceration or delinquency.

         substantial experience in substance use/abuse prevention and intervention programs and strategies; created two videos on drunk driving and adolescent substance abuse treatment.

         well-honed administrative skills encompassing program management, recruiting and training volunteers, and public relations.

         maximizes positive outcomes by establishing linkages for clients with community agencies and resources.

         flexible and versatile c easily adapts to new roles, responsibilities and environments.

         excellent time management skills; quickly completes daily priorities according to need and special situations. 

 

professional experience                      

 

jefferson county juvenile detention center, pine bluff, arkansas, 2005 to present

teacher and counselor

         teach math, geography and science to juvenile detention population.

         counsel and advise youth in areas of employment, long-term goals, peer/family problems, school behavior issues, and drug/alcohol rehabilitation.

 

jefferson county juvenile court, pine bluff, arkansas, 1999 to 2000 and 2001 to 2005

juvenile probation officer

         skillfully managed caseload of 100+ juveniles ages ranging from 12 to 19 years old.

         leveraged strong communication, interpersonal, and decision-making skills to tackle crisis situations and assist school administrations and resource officers with truancy and disciplinary issues.

         effectively prepared pre-disposition and disposition reports, and submitted recommendations to prosecutors and the court.

         applied solid critical thinking skills to recommend and negotiate pleas with defense attorney.

         taught juvenile law classes and cultural diversity program to local police department, high school students, and as component of crime prevention program.

         exercised excellent knowledge of community resources to source and coordinate inpatient and outpatient treatment for youths affected by drug/alcohol abuse and mental health issues.

         tasked with locating residential placement for juvenile sex offenders and overseeing associated probation.

 

continued

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professional experience continued

 

 

arkansas department of corrections- varner unit, grady, arkansas, 2000 to 2001

correctional counselor / pass program manager

         demonstrated outstanding motivational attributes in teaching life skills such as decision-making, communication skills, assertiveness, crisis management, coping skills, goal setting, respect, and responsibility.

         counseled 75+ inmates in areas related to drug/alcohol use and abuse, release planning, and halfway house placement.

         supervised 6 personnel and exhibited exemplary organizational strengths to perform and coordinate administrative functions.

 

~ prior background ~

 

buyer, general electric supply/manpower, elk grove village/oakbrook, illinois, 1997 to 1998

volunteer / chaplain intern, joliet correctional center, joliet, illinois, 1996 to 1997

call center agent & property manager, manpower temporary service (ibm), oakbrook, illinois, 1993 to 1996

family fitness supervisor, nautilus instructor, buehler ymca, palatine, illinois, 1992 to 1993  

outreach coordinator, pads program, connection telephone referral service, mundelein, illinois, 1990 to 1992

director of human services & life skills educator, township of downers grove, illinois, 1982 to 1989  

 

education                                                

 

capella university, 2004 to present

ph.d. in criminal justice (in progress), specializing in juvenile justice

 

garrett-evangelical theological seminary, evanston illinois:

master's degree, ethics

master's degree, divinity ~ concentration in youth work and pastoral counseling

 

ohio wesleyan university, delaware, ohio

bachelor's degree, latin american history and religion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

date

 

 

hiring agent name

title

facility name

address

city/state/zip code

 

dear__________________:

 

i am currently seeking a challenging career opportunity as a <insert job title/position> and am submitting my resume for your review.  in advance, thank you for your time and consideration.

 

as indicated in the accompanying resume, i bring to you a significant background in youth work, exceptional expertise in leadership and counseling roles, and strong skills in administering programs which support education, prevent delinquency, and engage youth.  to complement these qualifications, i offer solid organizational, problem solving, crisis management, and prioritization skills which are essential in a <insert job title> role. my academic qualifications are outstanding and i am currently completing my phd in criminal (juvenile) justice.

 

as a proactive contributor to your agency, you will find me to be a driven professional committed to supporting you in achieving your objectives through superior performance, compassion, diplomacy, and initiative. i am confident that i could be a valuable asset to <insert name of agency>, and look forward to interviewing with you in the near future.

 

sincerely,

 

 

 

yyyyyy x. yyyyyy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

date

 

 

interviewer s name

title

company name

address

city/state/zip code

 

dear__________________:

 

it was a pleasure (speaking with you/meeting with you) on [insert date here]. i would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the time you spent with me, as well as to express my appreciation for the information you offered. i am still very interested in the [insert name of position] position, and i am convinced now, more than ever, that it is the right job for me. i feel my background and qualifications prepare me well for the challenges and responsibilities we discussed.

 

the position as you described it to me would combine my strong skills in [insert two skills or qualities here].  this would allow me to make the same valuable contribution to your school as i ve made to my past employers a win-win proposition for both of us.

 

(choose one of the two paragraphs below, depending on whether or not you have, or have not yet, interviewed with the person)

 

(i am eager to meet with you in person to further discuss my background and qualifications. please feel free to contact me at the above number so we can continue the discussion we began over the telephone.)

 

(again, thank you for considering my qualifications. i enjoyed our talk, and am available at any time to provide you with any more information you may need. i look forward to hearing your decision.)

 

sincerely,

 

 

 

yyyyyy x. yyyyyy