Ariana Mejia-Ortega

I am currently assigned to work in the Intake, Transfer Release unit at the Santa Rita county jail. My duties consist of entering data into our computer system when an arrestee arrives, I know how to operate and navigate through CRIMS, look for warrants, send teletypes. Communicate with outside agencies to obtain citation information as well as the whole process of booking an individual. I work in a fast paced environment where it’s necessary to learn fast and become efficient and attentive to detail. I have a Good working knowledge of internal jail operations, policies, and procedures, and have competency in Microsoft office platforms.

Our position a rotates between the investigation’s unit and the autopsy suite. I report to the Chief Forensic Pathologist and assist the Forensic Pathologists during autopsies which consist of photographing, fingerprinting and taking X-Rays of decedents; cleaning, opening and closing decedents; and collecting and packaging biological samples for laboratory submission. Collecting, tracking and processing evidence, property and medication; maintaining appropriate logs. Stocking inventory and supplies and purge/dispose of medications, specimens and hazardous waste accordingly. Monitoring, maintaining and cleaning equipment and refrigeration units. In the investigations unit I was also responsible for releasing property, photographs and fulfilling records requests from members of the public, law enforcement agencies and the district attorneys office. I provided general information to the public and created death certificates. The investigations unit had heavy phone volume and multi tasking was necessary.

I was assigned to work at the East County Animal shelter in Dublin. We would alternate days in the field with shelter days. When I was assigned to work in the field, I was assigned an Animal Control Truck and received details from the county dispatch and respond to them by priority. The complaints I responded to ranged from barking complaints to stray animals, trapped animals, biting and or attacking dogs, sick or injured domestic animals as well as wildlife. I investigated cat and dog bites, wrote incident reports and enforced quarantines as required by law. I used come alongs, transfer cages, nets, cat traps, snappy snares and skunk poles. I maintained a professional demeanor as well as worked diligently and independently. I speak Spanish and often translated for my coworkers and or the public. When we were at the shelter we cleaned kennels and cages for dogs and cats, fed and medicated, We cleaned the shelter before we opened to the public. When the Shelter opened we sold licenses, did animal adoptions, intake of strays, vaccinated and tried to reunite the lost animals with their owners. We socialized animals whenever time allotted. I have also been certified to euthanize sick or injured animals. I have decapitated deceased animals as requested, to test for rabies.

When i was promoted to Sheriff Technician, was assigned to work at Santa Rita Jail. I was placed in a housing unit with various inmate classifications. I coordinated along with the deputies assigned to the housing unit, all daily activities such as; staging inmates for court, pill call, clinic appointments, visitation, AA meetings, educational classes and meal times. I would direct and control the flow of people entering the housing unit. I also had the responsibility of observing the deputies I worked with and I would relay clear and accurate information over the radio if they were ever in need of additional assistance. I used a variety of computer software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and programs specific to the Sheriff’s Office. I input information into existing databases and generated simple spreadsheets and reports as well as basic correspondence. I answered telephones, monitored cameras and kept track of inmate movement. All of my interactions with inmates was limited, I communicated with them through intercoms and loudspeakers.

I worked at the Oakland international airport. I was assigned to rotating or fixed security posts where I would aide in providing public safety services by observing and reporting suspicious activity to the appropriate sworn staff. Before allowing vehicles into secured areas, I would stop and inspect the vehicles as well as check the badges of personnel seeking to gain access onto the airfield. I was also assigned to a traffic position where I would dispense citations to vehicles disobeying signs and barriers.