Alex Merrill
Saco,ME
Summary
Compassionate, adaptable human services professional with experienced perspective in employment support, direct care, and coalition building in clinical, and retail environments. Strong background in conflict resolution, sales, soft skills and workplace integration practices. Focus on active listening and building rapport to achieve the most desirable outcomes for stakeholders of all shapes and sizes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Employment Specialist
Maine Health
Portland, ME
05.2022 - Current
- Worked to onboard clients and interns in hospital and retail environments
- Assessed client strengths, barriers, and vocational interests to enhance placement outcomes.
- Worked with care teams and community partners to deliver employment services.
- Expanded and leveraged own knowledge base of retail and clinical environments to identify challenges and create positive ongoing placement outcomes
Direct Support Professional
Maine Vocational Rehabilitation Associates
Portland, ME
07.2015 - 09.2022
- - Facilitated skill growth by providing job coaching and support for independent living tasks, enhancing client autonomy.
- - Created visual tools and learning resources for clients to set goals and track progress, improving their engagement.
- - Collaborated with case managers and support staff to build individualized service plans for each participant.
- - Strengthened communication and self-advocacy skills, empowering clients to make informed choices.
Sales Associate
Festiva
Westbrook, Maine
02.2015 - 09.2015
- Built rapport with guests through active listening and communication
- Guided customers through membership and package selections.
- Worked with guests to identify and overcome objections and barriers
Director of Talent Development
The Maine Studios
Portland, ME
07.2010 - 12.2014
- Facilitated recruiting, training, supervising, evaluating, and mentoring of staff members to enhance team capability.
- Developed training rubrics and curricula to standardize training processes and improve employee skill development.
- Aligned daily tasks of cross-functional teams with organizational priorities to ensure cohesive project execution.
- Prepared detailed project plans with timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs, and related requirements.
- Acted as public spokesperson at industry events and conferences.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Studies
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME12-2009
Skills
- Program planning
- Curriculum development
- Relationship management
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Active listening
- Workplace integration
- Soft skills training
Certification
- ACRE Integrated Employment Certification
- Maine Certified Career Planner
- Emotional CPR Certificate
Boards of Trustees
- Maine Resource Development Corporation: January 2026-present
- Portland Media Center, President: 2017- 2019
Affiliations
- Trivia Host and Writer, Whatcha Know Wednesdays, DJ, Filmmaker
Timeline
Employment Specialist
Maine Health
05.2022 - Current
Direct Support Professional
Maine Vocational Rehabilitation Associates
07.2015 - 09.2022
Sales Associate
Festiva
02.2015 - 09.2015
Director of Talent Development
The Maine Studios
07.2010 - 12.2014
Bachelor of Arts - English Studies
University of Southern Maine