Alexandra Castro
Explosive Detection Canine Handler
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Service focused individual that values organizations that are committed to create an impact in the growth of humanity towards a more awakened world. I am a leader that is dedicated to manage and improve organizations by identifying susceptible areas for growth and executing high quality programs for company’s success. I am an experienced proactive professional with excellent communication, organizational, and customer service skills that is motivated by the engagement and positive impact I can create in our community.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
1
1
Language
Work History
Explosive Detection Canine Handler
Department Of Homeland Security
San Francisco, CA
11.2020 - Current
- Resolve problems, improve operations and provide exceptional service.
- Oversee daily operations to ensure high levels of productivity.
- Participate in regular and required canine team training exercises and events to keep canine proficient and monitor increased proficiency.
- Respond quickly to suspected bomb threats and evacuate buildings to search for explosive devices.
- Scheduled veterinary visits, physicals, vaccinations and emergency medical needs for the entire canine unit to keep canines healthy, safe and well-maintained.
- Prepares and directs canine units social media posts to marketing coordinator.
- Initiates and creates meetings and ceremonies for SFO canine unit.
- Implements and analyzes passenger threshold data to create canine handler schedule for optimal efficiency in screening passengers.
- Performs a variety of administrative functions to include: logging work activities/time; updating training and utilization in canine specific tracking systems to ensure documentation of canine behavior, potential training needs, and actions taken to correct canine behaviors; entering vehicle usage/maintenance data; and entering/ validating time and attendance, etc.
- Evaluates potential threat based canine response to determine action to be taken. Prepares incidents reports and other documentation for variety of situations/activities such as threat assessments and or mitigation or canine issue.
- Coordinates and collaborates with other Explosive Detection Canine program members, in scheduling work and training activities. May interact with airline and or airport staff in utilizing equipment or facilities for training or responding to potential security threats.
- Utilizes risk-based security techniques and intelligence information to determine areas in which to use canine to conduct random sweeps, searches, and as a visible deterrent to potential terrorist threats or criminal activity and to align training to mitigate known threats.
Immigration Service Officer
United States Citizenship And Immigration Services
Sacramento, CA
08.2019 - 11.2021
- Conducted or participated in the evaluation of administrative programs and identify ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services at local level.
- Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate public on available immigration services.
- Manged and directed Citizenship Ceremonies with over 2,000 attendees.
- Interviewed applicants and petitioners to elicit statements, assess credibility, and analyze information to identify facts that form the basis for a decision concerning eligibility for immigration benefits.
- Conducted security checks and provide assistance to federal law enforcement agencies to identify individuals who are ineligible for immigration benefits due to national security, public safety, or other legal grounds.
- Wrote final determinations with legal analysis to support decisions; Independently analyzed immigration laws, policies, and precedent decisions.
Program Manager
TSA
Miami, FL
07.2017 - 08.2019
- Met with project stakeholders on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Directed 48 simultaneous projects to boost business opportunities by 33%.
- Pitched and built new programming strategies and one-off feature shows to boost audience interests and diversify offerings.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Verified that design, operation and IT systems complied with applicable regulations.
- Organized and managed employee award ceremony conference with 400 plus attendees.
Director of Operations
Sellstate Partners Realty
Hoollywood, FL
05.2016 - 07.2017
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and guidelines.
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources.
- Analyzed technology, resource needs and market demand to plan and assess feasibility of company projects.
- Managed procurement, inventory and warehouse operations.
- Kept up-to-date with industry trends and identified areas of opportunity to drive improvements.
- Launched staff engagement, gender diversity and cultural programs in addition to robust reporting tool that increased operational quality.
- Coordinated leadership workshops to educate team members on best practices to optimize productivity.
- Interviewed and hired strong candidates for team openings, using newspapers, job boards and social media to find applicants.
- Assisted with marketing strategy creation and advertising initiatives to better promote facility to public.
- Directed all activities pertaining to event planning and execution of company social gatherings, real estate open houses, and weekly informational trainings for employee's.
General Manager of Operations
European Wax Center
Weston, FL
03.2014 - 05.2016
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision and long-range planning.
- Established and administered annual budget with controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
- Trained, coached and mentored staff to support smooth adoption of new referral program.
- Enhanced and redefined organizational structure to maintain company's competitive edge across territories.
- Chaired weekly meetings with executive leadership to identify opportunities for improvement, establish milestones and tailor products to individual markets.
- Improved productivity while reducing staffing and operational costs by 20%.
- Advanced productivity KPIs by leading trainings on procedures and safety practices.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications and missed deadlines.
- Managed multiple events for marketing purposes regarding the company's brand.
- Weekly meetings with Marketing Manager and Regional Manager to establish strategies for quarterly basis goals.
Education
Master of Advanced Study - International Crime And Justice
Florida International University
Miami, FL 06.2018 - 05.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And Criminal Justice
Florida International University
Miami, FL 01.2010 - 05.2014
Skills
Bilingual
undefinedCertification
Certificate in National Security Studies
Accomplishments
- Graduated with Honors and top of the class in both Bachelors and Masters Degree.
- Employee of the Year for TSA
- Valedictorian of TSA Class
Job Related Training
- Digital Marketing
- Effective Team Communication
- Communication, Changes, and Documentation
- Accountable Leadership
- Audience and Purpose in Business Writing
- Leadership Principles
- Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion
- Maintaining Work Life Balance
- Thrive: Overcoming Self-Criticism
- Critical Thinking- Social Engineering
- Hazard Communications
- Cultural and Religious Awareness
- Behavior Awareness Training
- Dealing Effectively with Unacceptable Employee Behavior
- Excelling as a Manager and Supervisor
- Workplace Security Awareness
- Reaching Goals Using Perseverance and Resilience
- Make the Time You Need: Get Organized
- USCIS Ethics and Integrity Course
- Cultivating Relationships with Your Peers
Affiliations
- Golden Key Honor Society - Member
- Combined Federal Campaign - Key worker
- Awards Committee for USCIS - Committee Member
- Mentor of the Department of Homeland Security Mentoring Program
Quote
The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.
Unknown
Timeline
Project Management Professional Certificate
03-2022
Explosive Detection Canine Handler
Department Of Homeland Security
11.2020 - Current
Immigration Service Officer
United States Citizenship And Immigration Services
08.2019 - 11.2021
Certificate in National Security Studies
01-2019
Certificate for Outstanding Customer Service from TSA
01-2019
Certificate for Best Uniform from TSA
01-2019
Master of Advanced Study - International Crime And Justice
Florida International University
06.2018 - 05.2020
Program Manager
TSA
07.2017 - 08.2019
Director of Operations
Sellstate Partners Realty
05.2016 - 07.2017
General Manager of Operations
European Wax Center
03.2014 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology And Criminal Justice
Florida International University
01.2010 - 05.2014
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