Cora Jones
Cordova,TN
Summary
Experienced with offender management and rehabilitation strategies. Utilizes in-depth knowledge of legal and social systems to support community reintegration. Track record of effective communication and conflict resolution, enhancing compliance and reducing recidivism.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SCU Probation Parole Officer
Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)
04.2023 - Current
- Actively supervising sex offender(s) via guidelines of TBI SOR & TDOC policy via primary, secondary, intermediate, and transition needs (male & female adults).
- Actively administering drug screen(s), completing arrest checks, conducting/completing annual risk and needs assessments, implementing sanctions as needed, completion of violation reports, testimony in court, conducting home visits and searches, reviewing case files, creating & modifying case plans, completing monthly job readiness and community service referrals, referring offenders to behavioral health specialists (BHS) based on assessed and/or observed needs, and entering detailed contact notes.
- Completing travel permits, interstate transfer requests, and monitoring offenders placed in Tennessee from other states via ICOTS, Interstate Compact Offender Tracking System
- Communicating with visitors, stakeholders, co-workers, managers, and offenders daily to improve work relations, rapport, problem-solving strategies, and overall professionalism.
- Daily communication with offenders via text message, phone calls, letters, and office visits per the standards of supervision and sex offender registration requirements.
- Actively attending mandatory training(s), weekly unit meetings, and quarterly SCU trainings, meetings.
Fulfillment Associate (MEM4)
Amazon Fulfillment Associate
10.2020 - 04.2024
- Worked as a certified packer in smalls, warehouse (weekends/part-time).
- Actively participated in Career Choice Programming through virtual attendance at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).
Family Connector
Agape Child & Family Services Agency
04.2019 - 04.2021
- Assisted parents & children with education, social capital, health, and wellness, and financial empowerment training and access to resources.
- Documented & captured client interactions of intake & orientation sessions, needs, strengths, crisis, referrals, and support persons.
- Completed assessments to aid in determining client needs, established goals and action steps with client(s), consistently updated demographic information for tracking & assisting clients with case planning.
- Attended and actively participated in team meeting(s), Agape University & Quarterly training(s), special projects, community café’s events, Annual Heartlight fundraiser event(s) and team building exercise(s).
- Researched resources and linkage to share with clients through facilitation of special programs, trainings, and events to increase awareness of safety, financial literacy, and domestic violence.
- Participated in (DEI) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion focus group collaboration initiatives, facilitated FACEBOOK Heal the Hood parent support groups, facilitated Emergency Preparedness Zoom presentations.
Writing Coach & Course Facilitator (Virtual/Remote)
Capella University
07.2019 - 03.2021
- Assisted learners within one-on-one sessions to introduce & reiterate writing strategies and tools to enhance writing skills and provide support.
- Consistently completed dictation of notes from session communication, use of audio recordings within the Zoom meeting room, daily interaction, and communication with supervisory personnel, email.
- Collaboration and presentation with fellow writing coaches for the quarterly PowerPoint seminar presentations from the Capella Writing Center for all learners, recordings are available.
- Creation and development of writing coach tools based on Capella’s writing standards to aid learners in the course room and provide reference materials for advisors and instructors/facilitators.
- Reference and skills to share APA, evidence within course facilitation, while assisting learners with database searches by subject and topic, and critics of writings and reference listings within the course room.
Correctional Counselor II & Correctional Officer
Tennessee Department of Correction
12.2016 - 01.2018
- Conducted initiative-taking interviews and utilized the Strong-R assessment tool for offenders/participants.
- Completed referrals for additional services as needed based on assessment information; alcohol and drug and/or mental health issues.
- Reviewed case files and conducted/completed case audits.
- Facilitated elective classes for program participants, music education, current events, and a study hall class.
- Conducted random drug screens for participants.
- Facilitated DRC, Day Reporting Center, new participant orientation.
- Completed daily case notes in TOMIS/COMET, per policy.
- Ensured supervision of male inmates.
- Conducted cell searches and inmate pat-down searches.
- Proven firearms proficiency for .38 pistol and 12-gauge shotgun.
- Certified in chemical agents and electronic devices.
- Completion of written reports; logbooks, segregation books, sanctions, written reprimands, or disciplinary reports for inmates.
- Worked mobile patrol, kitchen, central control, in the infirmary, on the yard, and within segregation posts as assigned.
Unarmed / Armed Security Professional
G4S Secure Solutions / Allied Universal Security
01.2015 - 07.2015
- Supervised five to ten employees
- Shared pertinent security information, trained officers, and encouraged employees to improve and/or continue with good, quality security work.
- Provided officers with basic information on how to effectively observe and deter/detect.
- Conducted uniform inspections and communicated with employees & clients respectfully and professionally regularly.
Family Service Worker - Team Leader (Supervisor)
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
01.2001 - 05.2014
- Supervised 1- 12 employees in Juvenile Justice, Adoptions, and Child Protective Services, and Child Protective Service Assessments (CPS).
- Facilitated & participated in Child & Family Team Meetings, CFTM.
- Conducted employee monthly briefings and case staffing regularly.
- Scheduled & held regular monthly team and leadership meetings.
- Completed & provided employees with quarterly performance feedback within documents such as bi-annual interims & annual evaluations.
- Participated in mandatory & voluntary professional training & community-based partnership meetings (CAB).
- Read & reviewed agency policy regularly.
- Assisted adoptive parents with finalization hearings by collecting pertinent information and completing court reports.
- Led P.A.T.H., Parents as Tender Healers, courses & completed home studies for potential kinship, foster, and adoptive parents.
- Served as the Shelby County Regional Adoption Assistance Designee, managing monetary & medical insurance services for adoptive homes post-adoption.
- Assisted resource parents with medical, dental, daycare, respite, and mental health services in state and out of state via an interstate compact.
- Attended court hearings & reported progress, and treatment/permanency plan goals to the judge.
- Completed absconder reports & documented efforts to locate delinquent youth, when necessary.
Behavioral Youth Counselor / Overnight Teacher Counselor
Youth Villages
01.1996 - 09.1998
- Supervised male sex offenders, mentally challenged males, mentally challenged females, and level 4, duo-diagnosis, severe behavioral females ages 14 to 19.
- Assisted with daily living & structured activities (drumming, group, chores)
- Frequently participated in crisis prevention techniques to ensure the safety of youth & staff, daily.
- Completed daily milieu notes via required documentation of daily supervision of youth activities such as medication intake or refusal, phone calls, transport to appointments, visits with mentors, and incidents.
- Completed daily/weekly schedule of activities to engage & teach youth life skills & independent living skills.
- Participated in mandatory training, review of agency policies & daily restraint practices to prevent injury to self, co-workers, and youth.
Education
Public Safety Executive Leadership Certificate -
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Adelphi, MD04.2024
MS - Human Services w/Specialization in Social & Community Services
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN04.2022
MS - Administration of Justice and Security / Special Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ12.2010
BA - Music Education, Voice K-12
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR08.1993
Skills
- Five years of ear training & voice training in English, Italian, French, and German diction
- Excellent phone etiquette & customer service skills
- Certified CPR, First Aid & AED
- Academic Data & Research experience
- TCA Correctional Officer Academy
- TCA Probation/Parole Officer Academy
- Prior law enforcement training in MS & TN via the Police Academy
- Experienced TN Resource Parent Trainer
- TN-certified Armed Security Officer
- Experienced Correctional Counselor
- Experienced Middle & High school educator (AR & LA)
- 14 years of State of TN social work experience
- Courtroom testimony
- Policy enforcement
- De-escalation techniques
- Offender supervision
- Behavioral assessment
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved the Master Tamper Strap Alert, which led to searching a warehouse of toxic chemicals and waste to locate the GPS strap and device successfully.
- Achieved a score of 250 by completing "LIVE FIRE" Weapons Qualification with TDOC in 2024 and 2025 with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
- Top Gun Award, TDOC Correctional Academy, 2015
- Tennessee Promise / TN Achieves Mentor, October 2017 – Present
- The National Society of Leadership & Success, 2020 – Present
- Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, 2021 – Present
- National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) member (Shelby County), 2025
- Tennessee State Employee Association (TSEA) member, 2003 - Present
- Memphis Symphony Chorus Vocalist, 2023 – Present
- Shelby County Deputy Registrar Representative, 2024 - Present
- Sigma Alpha Iota Fraternity, 1992 - Present
- The Life Church – Memphis, Volunteer, Kids Life, 2017 – Present
- Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA) member, 2016 – Present
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certification w/TDOC in 2025
- International, Leadership, Entrepreneurial Development, Arts, and Design Thinking (iLEAD) certification w/TDOC in 2025
iLEAD Certificate for Exemplary Participation, 9/15/25
I participated in a four-day course of instruction designed to enhance leadership styles, increase self-awareness, and gain a plethora of resources and tools to improve skills and leadership preparedness.
Timeline
SCU Probation Parole Officer
Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC)
04.2023 - Current
Fulfillment Associate (MEM4)
Amazon Fulfillment Associate
10.2020 - 04.2024
Writing Coach & Course Facilitator (Virtual/Remote)
Capella University
07.2019 - 03.2021
Family Connector
Agape Child & Family Services Agency
04.2019 - 04.2021
Correctional Counselor II & Correctional Officer
Tennessee Department of Correction
12.2016 - 01.2018
Unarmed / Armed Security Professional
G4S Secure Solutions / Allied Universal Security
01.2015 - 07.2015
Family Service Worker - Team Leader (Supervisor)
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
01.2001 - 05.2014
Behavioral Youth Counselor / Overnight Teacher Counselor
Youth Villages
01.1996 - 09.1998
MS - Human Services w/Specialization in Social & Community Services
Capella University
MS - Administration of Justice and Security / Special Education
University of Phoenix
BA - Music Education, Voice K-12
Arkansas Tech University
Public Safety Executive Leadership Certificate -
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)