Claudia Ascencio
Huntsville,TX
Summary
Seasoned leader in public administration and corrections with 25 years of experience in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Specializes in human resources, investigations, and offender services. Delivers effective team leadership and communication in high-pressure environments. Excels in case management, report writing, and enhancing organizational operations with a focus on legal compliance and process improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Equal Employment Opportunity-Investigator IV
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
02.2024 - Current
- Conducts complex investigative tasks for the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program.
- The role entails the planning, organization, and execution of investigations and assessments.
- Evaluates and analyzes the legal dimensions of designated investigations while formulating protocols for executing these inquiries.
- Engages with and interviews prospective witnesses and complainants; carries out investigations and assessments of purported breaches of laws, rules, and regulations; and gathers and preserves investigative information.
- Assesses, condenses, and records investigative findings; composes thorough and detailed investigative correspondence and reports; oversees the quality and volume of conducted investigations; and examines finalized investigations to guarantee the consistent and accurate application of policy.
- Evaluates investigative methods, policies, and regulations, suggesting enhancements, alterations, and modifications; and conducts audits and analyses of records and reports to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
- Facilitates the coordination of investigative activities with both state and federal law enforcement agencies. Operates with minimal supervision, allowing for significant freedom in exercising initiative and independent judgment.
- Travels throughout the state of Texas to conduct interviews.
- Managed multiple caseloads, ensuring timely processing of investigations and maintaining adherence to legal standards.
- Reviewed unit reports, HR records, body-cam video surveillance, and other evidence to assess compliance with regulatory standards.
- Provided training to new employees and ensured they comprehended the policies and procedures.
Ombudsman I-Office of the Independent Ombudsman
Texas Board of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
03.2021 - 02.2024
- Conducts investigation on complaints and issues and procedures; communicates with agency management, employees legislators, inmate families and others.
- Conducts research and reviews records and other resources to respond to complaints: reviews and organizes documentation and records information and maintains research information.
- Assisted individuals in resolving various situations: preparing conferences, hearings and proceedings and investigating complaints.
- Makes recommendations for actions.
- Advises on and explains relevant state and federal laws, rules regulations, policies and procedures and provides information and assistance regarding agency ombudsman programs.
- Performs translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
- Collaborated with colleagues on problem-solving and resource sharing to strengthen team cohesion.
Ombudsman I-Spanish Bilingual
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
02.2019 - 03.2021
- Performs moderately complex mediation work in the agency.
- Work involves assisting individuals in resolving various situations: preparing conferences, hearings and proceedings and investigating complaints.
- Conducts research and reviews records and other resources to respond to complaints: reviews and organizes documentation and records information and maintains research information.
- Conducts investigation on complaints and issues and procedures; communicates with agency management, employees’ legislators, inmate families and others.
- Makes recommendation for actions.
- Advises on and explains relevant state and federal laws, rules regulations, policies and procedures and provides information and assistance regarding agency ombudsman programs.
- Performs translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
- Collaborated with team members to plan and execute project tasks effectively.
- Provided support and mentorship to colleagues to enhance teamwork and communication.
Administrative Assistant IV-Intake Coordinator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
09.2016 - 02.2019
- Performs advanced administrative support and technical program assistance work.
- Work involves coordinating the dissemination of information; developing filing systems; coordinating administrative support work and supervising the work of others.
- Work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
- Perform advanced technical program assistance work for an agency program: prepare and disseminate information concerning agency programs and procedures; and coordinate work between organizational units of the agency.
- Develop administrative and technical assistance policies and procedures; respond to inquiries regarding technical program and administrative regulations, policies and procedures; research technical policy issues; and participate in program planning and execution.
- Coordinate the preparation, editing, and distribution of correspondence, reports, studies, forms, and other documents; compile and edit data, make calculations, prepare summaries and reports; and develop and maintain filing, record keeping and records management system.
- Screen inmates and schedule diagnostic interviews.
- Perform criminal information search retrieval using Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History System access.
- Managed communication between internal and external departments to enhance collaboration.
- Coordinated and scheduled meetings, managing room reservations, catering, and technical setup for smooth execution.
- Tracked employee task progress to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Participated in ongoing training and professional development related to intake procedures.
- Performs translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
Administrative Assitant IV-Sociology
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
10.2008 - 09.2016
- Interview newly received inmates to gather sociological data and create a comprehensive summary for the agency to utilize for decision making related to inmate classification.
- Conducted investigations to recommend unit custody, housing, and activity plan assignments, enhancing inmate management.
- Compiled information and developed administrative and technical assistance for policy and procedures, supporting compliance and operational efficiency.
- Composed reports, emails, presentations, and other written correspondence for management staff.
- Performed translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
- Entered data into databases to maintain accurate records. into spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel or other similar programs.
- Delivered training to new employees, facilitating understanding of policies and procedures for effective integration.
- Travel statewide to conduct sociological interviews, IQ test, photo ID, and gather digital images of fingerprints from inmates to complete their intake process.
Human Resources Assistant II-Tracking Coordinator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
11.2006 - 10.2008
- Verified employee information, provided administrative support, and monitored selection postings and packets to ensure compliance with agency standards.
- Examined policies and procedures to produce weekly and monthly statistical reports detailing packets received and pending for management review.
- Submitted a monthly statistical report to management.
- Generated and printed reports from the Vacancy database for distribution. from the Vacancy database. Forwarded completed packets to the applicant flow coordinator and assisted with selection tracking documentation.
- Assisted Human Resources posting coordinator in downloading, proofreading, and updating job postings; managed bulletin boards and updated extensions and reports in Req2 fill.
- Maintained employee records and updated confidential information regularly.
- Processed selection results and posted on the TDCJ-Mainframe Bulletin Board.
Clerk III-Criminal History and Fingerprints
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
09.2006 - 11.2006
- Reviewed criminal history reports for employees to verify compliance with agency policy regarding reporting of arrests or warrants.
- Communicated with outside agencies to verify active warrants.
- Maintain access to Texas Department of Public Safety criminal history system for all agency employees.
- Processed employee clearance requests through Office of Inspector General for Windham School District and private facilities, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
- Enter arrests and warrants into Employee Warrants database; verified with TDCJ units arrests reported and submitted into the Criminal Database
- Processed applications from Laundry and Food Service Managers requesting overtime for Correctional Officers.
- Updated clearance requests in Excel spreadsheet for accuracy.
- Answered telephonic status calls, filing, imaging. Worked under moderate supervision.
Clerk II-Mailroom/Switchboard Operator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
11.2005 - 09.2006
- Managed over 150 incoming and outgoing calls, directing them to various departments within the TDCJ agency.
- Organized office supplies, sorted and opened mail, and retrieved and distributed boxes over 30 pounds to ensure efficient operations.
- Evaluated and disseminated agency policies and procedures to the public in response to employment inquiries
- Provided guidance to unit employees and multiple departments on human resources policies and procedures.
- maintained visitor logs and daily, monthly records of processed ID cards using Datacard program and digital camera.
- Issued ID cards to retirees and obtained signatures from Human Resources Representatives for their approval.
- Coordinated scheduling of screenings for correctional officers and entered data into human resources database to maintain accurate records.
- Facilitated box projects alongside administrative assistant to guarantee completion and consolidation of selection packets.
- Reviewed selection packets for accuracy and ensured compliance with agency standards to support hiring processes.
- Drafted and delivered status letters to applicants regarding their application progress.
- Managed filing systems for employee records and legal documents.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints professionally.
- Worked under moderate supervision, utilizing independent judgment.
Clerk II-Federal Out of State Review Section
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
07.2002 - 11.2005
- Initiated the Parole review process for all Federal and Out of State offenders.
- Evaluated incoming files for thoroughness and precision, ensuring they are submitted to the Parole Board Office.
- Requested PIA applications, fingerprints, photographs, and progress reports from correctional institutions to facilitate timely parole reviews.
- Communicated with facilities nationwide to gather critical information on offender convictions and release dates, enhancing case accuracy.
- Analyzed access to the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal History system to track offenders' locations.
- Alerted appropriate departments regarding erroneous releases of offenders
- Verified ICE deportations.
- Prepared and integrated status letters for offenders into weekly case pull lists, ensuring up-to-date information for review processes.
- Performed translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
- Processed and maintained inmate records and documentation efficiently.
Clerk II-Status Clerk
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Huntsville, Texas
11.2000 - 07.2002
- Managed 350-600 incoming calls, efficiently routing inquiries to appropriate departments within TDCJ agency.
- Addressed public and agency inquiries regarding offender parole status and release dates, ensuring clear communication of vital information.
- Performed translations and interpretations between English and Spanish, both verbally and in writing, for the public, the agency, and various departments.
- Sorted and opened incoming mail for the Parole Division to ensure timely distribution.
- Trained new employees on policies and procedures, enhancing their understanding and integration into agency operations.
- Operated under moderate supervision and exercised independent judgment in daily tasks.
- Switchboard clerk operator for Parole Division.
Laboratory Technician Supervisor
Walmart
Huntsville, Texas
06.1998 - 11.2000
- Trained and mentored laboratory staff on best practices and procedures.
- Supervised daily laboratory operations and ensured compliance with safety standards.
- Supervised technicians, coordinated plans and resolved conflicts.
- Reviewed team members' work, assessed research quality, and recommended procedural improvements to enhance outcomes.
- Performed quality control on glasses, prescriptions, and received products to ensure accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Managed inventory of lab supplies and ordered materials.
- Assisted in developing training materials for new laboratory procedures.
- Documented any changes made to existing procedures or protocols according to established guidelines.
- Fulfilled customers' eye prescription needs by transposing lenses, entering profiles, customizing eyeglasses, and training on contact lens fitting.
Education
High School Diploma -
Huntsville High School
Huntsville, TX05-1998
Skills
- Conducting investigations
- Investigation techniques
- Policy writing
- Data analysis
- Report writing
- Case management
- Records management
- Conflict resolution
Certification
- Qualified Spanish Translator, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, 2003
Timeline
Equal Employment Opportunity-Investigator IV
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
02.2024 - Current
Ombudsman I-Office of the Independent Ombudsman
Texas Board of Criminal Justice
03.2021 - 02.2024
Ombudsman I-Spanish Bilingual
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
02.2019 - 03.2021
Administrative Assistant IV-Intake Coordinator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
09.2016 - 02.2019
Administrative Assitant IV-Sociology
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
10.2008 - 09.2016
Human Resources Assistant II-Tracking Coordinator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
11.2006 - 10.2008
Clerk III-Criminal History and Fingerprints
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
09.2006 - 11.2006
Clerk II-Mailroom/Switchboard Operator
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
11.2005 - 09.2006
Clerk II-Federal Out of State Review Section
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
07.2002 - 11.2005
Clerk II-Status Clerk
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
11.2000 - 07.2002
Laboratory Technician Supervisor
Walmart
06.1998 - 11.2000
High School Diploma -
Huntsville High School