Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Craig Nelson

Guadalupe,CA

Summary

Dynamic Correctional Counselor with extensive experience at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Proven ability to conduct thorough investigations and prepare detailed reports while utilizing exceptional interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships with the incarcerated population and coworkers. Committed to professional development and adept at applying motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate effective communication.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Correctional Counselor

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
05.2025 - Current

 Responsible for handling inmate requests and obtaining inmate signatures for legal paperwork.

 Prepare pre-release reports, supervise central file reviews and inmate attorney visits, set up unit classification for committees.

 Prepare special reports and counsel inmates on personal, institutional, and family problems.

 Perform R suffix and VIO reviews and ordered police reports; Communicate with DA Offices to get their comments for R suffix reviews.

Conducted thorough examination of police reports for VIO Reviews.

 Review the inmates' disciplinary history for restoring credits or placing them on C status.

Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
06.2016 - 05.2025

 Responsible for protecting the public, staff, and incarcerated population while enforcing State and Federal laws.

 Monitor for illegal activity, write various reports, transport incarcerated individuals, prevent escapes, conduct criminal and administrative investigations.

 Worked in the Mental Health Crisis Bed alongside medical and mental health staff to run all daily activities and tasks in the building and address any behavioral issues that arise with the incarcerated population using de-escalation techniques.

 Conduct searches of yards, buildings, and incarcerated persons’ cells. Find multiple items such as; weapons, drugs, needles, alcohol, and many other things that are considered contraband.

 Serve incarcerated individuals their first copies of their Rules Violation Reports, process evidence into ISU lockers, conduct UA's and cotton swabs.

Forklift Operator

Nestle Purina PetCare
04.2011 - 05.2016
  • Proficient in operating various forklift types, including sit-down, stand-up, and high-reach forklifts, adhering to all safety regulations.
  • Experienced in loading and unloading trucks and trailers, ensuring accurate and efficient transportation of goods.
  • Skilled in managing inventory using warehouse management systems (WMS) and radio frequency (RF) scanning equipment.
  • Maintained a perfect safety record, consistently adhering to all company safety protocols and regulations.
  • Efficiently transported materials within a warehouse, ensuring proper storage and organization.
  • Collaborated with warehouse staff to ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery of goods.
  • Identified and reported equipment malfunctions, contributing to timely repairs and preventing downtime.

Store Manager

Blockbuster Video
08.2001 - 09.2010
  • Managed recruitment, training, and performance assessments.
  • Coordinated and optimized workforce scheduling.
  • Supervising and motivating team members to achieve sales goals.
  • Managing inventory, including ordering and restocking.
  • Maintaining store cleanliness and organization.
  • Ensuring compliance with safety and security protocols.
  • Handling cash and managing deposits.
  • Ensuring a positive customer experience through excellent customer service.
  • Addressing customer inquiries and complaints effectively.
  • Promoting new products and services to customers.

Education

Criminal Justice

Rio Hondo College
Whittier, CA

Skills

     Outstanding analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting ability

     Excellent interpersonal skills and friendly, courteous, and polite nature

     Exceptional experience as a Correctional Counselor and Correctional Officer

     Vast knowledge of CDCR policies and procedures

     Fantastic ability to evaluate findings, conduct investigations, and prepare reports

     Remarkable ability to discern pathological behavior

     Ability to effectively present information both orally and in writing

     Excellent ability to Utilize effective communication with the incarcerated population and understanding when it needs to be documented

     Committed to professional development, willing, and able to complete special

    training as required

     Utilize motivational interviewing techniques with offender interactions

     Maintain knowledge of laws, legal codes, and agency rules and procedures

     Understand and implement active listening skills and social perception to allow for

    a successful interview for the appropriate purpose

     Effectively communicate with offenders and other law enforcement agencies to

    establish professional working relationships which assist the offender

     Extensive experience in law enforcement and security management in a multi-

    location environment

Timeline

Correctional Counselor

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
05.2025 - Current

Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
06.2016 - 05.2025

Forklift Operator

Nestle Purina PetCare
04.2011 - 05.2016

Store Manager

Blockbuster Video
08.2001 - 09.2010

Criminal Justice

Rio Hondo College
Craig Nelson