Charisma McKnight
Bayonne,NJ
Summary
Detail-oriented security and corrections professional with extensive experience in federal environments. Expertise includes maintaining secure environments, enforcing regulations, conducting security screenings, and managing sensitive information. Proven skills in behavioral observation, operational coordination, and compliance training, contributing to effective federal mission support.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Bureau Of Prisons
Brooklyn, NY
05.2025 - Current
- Managed daily office operations ensuring compliance with federal regulations and policies.
- Completed daily logs for management review.
- Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
- Supervised and monitor inmate activities, work details, and daily routines to ensure compliance with federal rules, regulations, institutional procedures, and security requirements.
- Maintained a secure and orderly correctional environment by enforcing facility rules, preventing disturbances, responding to security concerns, and ensuring continuous inmate accountability.
- Conducted searches of inmates, cells, and designated areas to identify and remove contraband, including weapons, drugs, and other prohibited items.
- Conducted regular inmate counts and verified that individuals are present and properly accounted for in accordance with institutional procedures.
- Escort and transport inmates to courtrooms, medical appointments, and other authorized destinations while following approved security and restraint procedures.
- Prepare clear, accurate written reports documenting daily activities, inmate behavior, unusual incidents, security concerns, and other events requiring official documentation.
- Observed inmate behavior and responded appropriately to changing situations while maintaining professionalism, safety, security, and institutional order.
- Supported rehabilitation and orderly institutional operations by assisting inmates with authorized daily needs, including meals, hygiene supplies, and other services.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, inmates, and other personnel while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
- Exercised sound judgment and self-management while working in a structured, high-stress federal environment.
City Mail Carrier
USPS
Bayonne, NJ
01.2023 - 05.2025
- Delivered mail efficiently to designated routes, ensuring timely service and customer satisfaction.
- Managed daily inventory of mail, packages, and supplies for optimal route planning.
- Maintained accurate records of deliveries, addressing discrepancies promptly to uphold standards.
- Operated postal vehicles safely while adhering to traffic regulations and company policies.
- Implemented best practices for sorting mail, improving overall workflow efficiency within the team.
- Assisted in training new carriers on route navigation and delivery protocols to enhance team performance.
- Fostered positive relationships with customers through effective communication and problem resolution skills.
- Handled customer inquiries and concerns professionally, directing them to appropriate resources when necessary for further assistance or information.
- Collaborated with fellow carriers to cover additional routes when needed, supporting team cohesion and effective workload distribution.
- Used portable devices to maintain system records by scanning items delivered to homes and businesses.
- Managed high volumes of incoming and outgoing mail during peak seasons without compromising quality or timeliness of service provided.
- Loaded and secured items in trucks to avoid damage to parcels during delivery.
- Greeted customers and answered questions regarding mail pick up times, postal regulations, and delivery costs.
- Promoted safety standards by maintaining a clean driving record and following proper vehicle maintenance procedures.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with timely and accurate deliveries, adhering to strict schedules and protocols.
Behavior Detection Officer
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
Newark, NJ
04.2018 - 04.2022
- Conducted thorough security screenings for passengers and baggage to ensure compliance with TSA regulations.
- Monitored and operated advanced screening equipment, consistently ensuring optimal functionality and safety standards.
- Provided training and mentorship to new officers on protocols and procedures for effective security operations.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance operational efficiency during high-volume travel periods.
- Selected for the Behavior Detection Optimization Program within the Advanced Threat Local Allocation Strategy ATLAS Threat Analysis Programs unit.
- Conducted passive observation and active encounters with members of the public to identify potential security concerns using established behavioral indicators and environmental baselines.
- Processed Behavior Detection Referrals and conducted Resolution Conversations to assess observed behavioral indicators.
- Escalated referrals to law enforcement for additional scrutiny when circumstances and established indicators warranted further review.
- Applied critical-thinking, reasoning, and situational decision-making skills to identify, evaluate, and respond to evolving security concerns in rapidly changing environments.
- Incorporated intelligence briefings into daily security operations and maintained awareness of evolving threats and operational requirements.
- Communicated professionally with members of the public, TSA personnel, law enforcement officers, supervisors, and other stakeholders.
- Prepared investigation, compliance, and incident reports and reviewed documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Entered and maintained information in agency systems and prepared documentation for security-related activities.
- Assisted senior employees, supervisors, and managers with reports and briefings concerning security incidents, bomb threats, onboard disturbances, access control, screening, inspection/compliance, statistics, and operational metrics.
- Served as an ATLAS Coordination Center Officer/Point of Contact, coordinating operational activities, locations, breaks, lunches, and security plays.
- Maintained operational logs and tracked security activity and countermeasure information.
- Prepared and submitted Selectee Notification Reports, Expanded Selectee Notification Reports, and No-Fly Notification Reports.
- Worked with TSA personnel and other security stakeholders to coordinate security operations and countermeasures.
- Participated in security operations involving private aircraft entering designated National Security Area airspace.
- Adapted to changing circumstances while following established standard operating procedures, policies, and security requirements.
Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
Queens, NY
04.2017 - 04.2018
- Monitored passenger behavior and identified suspicious activity to mitigate potential threats.
- Conducted thorough security screenings using advanced detection equipment to ensure passenger safety.
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies to enhance security protocols and response strategies.
- Operated aviation security screening equipment, including X-ray, WTMD, HHMD, ETD, AIT, and BLS equipment.
- Screened persons and property while maintaining compliance with federal aviation security requirements, procedures, and security directives.
- Authenticated identification and boarding documents and controlled entry and egress in accordance with established security procedures.
- Conducted searches and Selectee screening and made security-related decisions using available information, training, experience, and established procedures.
- Assisted with incident and security-breach investigations and used CCTV and gathered information to evaluate access-control events.
- Served as Acting Lead Officer, assisting with passenger flow, personnel rotations, breaks, lunches, and checkpoint operations.
- Served as an on-the-job-training mentor and coached new employees regarding security procedures, operational requirements, and job responsibilities.
- Prepared written progress reports and critiques for employees and management.
- Communicated with Supervisory Transportation Security Officers, Transportation Security Managers, and other TSA personnel regarding operational and security matters.
- Assisted with conflict mitigation and maintained professional interactions with passengers and stakeholders.
- Monitored performance metrics and supported operational goals while maintaining security and customer-service standards.
Education
Medical Assistant - Medical Technology
Drake College of Business
Newark, NJ04-2018
Skills
- Correctional operations
- Effective communication
- Workflow optimization
- Time management
- Advanced communication
- Security operations
- Problem-solving
- Customer relations
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
Timeline
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Bureau Of Prisons
05.2025 - Current
City Mail Carrier
USPS
01.2023 - 05.2025
Behavior Detection Officer
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
04.2018 - 04.2022
Transportation Security Officer
Transportation Security Administration, TSA
04.2017 - 04.2018
Medical Assistant - Medical Technology
Drake College of Business