Desira Poland
Department of Human Services
Newcastle
23
years of professional experience
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Work History
Child Welfare Specialist V
8 Years 11 Months- Supervise and develop a team of six Child Welfare Specialists and Child Welfare Assistants, providing coaching, training, mentoring, and performance management to drive high-quality service delivery and professional growth.
- Direct oversight of up to 120 active child welfare investigations, ensuring timely case progression, workload distribution, and compliance with agency policies, state regulations, and court requirements.
- Review, approve, and monitor case documentation, investigative reports, and court filings to ensure accuracy, quality, and adherence to regulatory and legal deadlines.
- Manage employee relations matters, including performance evaluations, corrective action, conflict resolution, coaching, and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
- Collaborate with judges, attorneys, tribal representatives, law enforcement, service providers, schools, medical professionals, and multidisciplinary teams to coordinate services and support positive outcomes for children and families.
- Maintain an active caseload of up to 60 families, conducting safety and risk assessments, developing individualized case plans, preparing court reports, and monitoring service delivery to promote child safety, permanency, and family well-being.
- Analyze case trends, monitor performance metrics, and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service quality.
- Provide guidance and consultation to staff on complex cases, policy interpretation, crisis management, and best practices to support sound decision-making.
Human Resource Coordinator
1 Year 1 Month- Oversee the recruitment efforts and onboarding of all new employees.
- Recruiting and interviewing all direct care staff and office employees.
- Develop and present offer letters and termination letter for all employees.
- Updated current employee handbook and policies and procedures.
- Assist all new employees with benefits enrollment.
- Development of recruitment ads for job boards, Tulsa World, and social media.
- Development of recruitment flyers and flyer for career fairs for distribution.
- Developed new company brochure.
- Benefits reconciliation.
Human Resource Coordinator
10 Months- Provided oversight on recruitment efforts and onboarding of all new employees.
- Recruited and interviewed clinical and non-clinical staff members.
- Developed and presented offer letters for all new applicants.
- Assisted with the implementation of new applicant tracking system.
- Coordination of background checks, drug screen and physicals and reference checks on all new employees.
- Updated current policies and procedures.
- Assist new employees with benefits enrollments and current employees during open enrollment period.
- Updated job postings on job boards and developed job ads for Tulsa World.
- Coached managers on employee retention and interviewing tactics.
- Conducted new hire orientation for all new employees.
Lead Mental Health Technician/Human Resource Generalist
8 Years 11 Months- Lead a team of mental health technicians in rehabilitating at risk youths ages 12-17. Developed a three level program for adolescence that included sanctions, rewards, daily schedules and promotion opportunities.
- Developed and executed rehabilitation groups that include social skills, basic living and expressive therapy groups.
- Executed daily operations of milieu management of violent offenders.
- Managed residential unit that consisted of 12 full time employees and 24 patients.
- Taught de-escalation, handle with care, and patient supervision to new employees.
- Ensured milieu was safe and employees were following proper policy and procedures.
- Counseled patients in individual and group sessions to assist in coping with substance abuse, mental and physical illness, poverty, unemployment, and physical abuse.
- Recruitment and onboarding of new employees.
E-4 Specialist
8 Years- Managed the daily operation of the companies IHA that included teaching new soldiers how to use the database, ensure soldiers were at their duty stations at the mandatory time and understood the soldiers understood the mission.
- Compiled and prepared personal biographical information on new soldiers
- Compiled personal biographical information, including eye scans and fingerprints, on Iraqi individual during 2007-08 deployment to Iraq
- Trained and mentored new soldiers during training courses
- Supervised the IHA department during 2007-2008 deployment to Baghdad Iraq
- Trained new soldiers entering the country on the government databases
- Regular use of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and government database
- Tracked and inventoried all equipment being shipped to and from Iraq.
Education
Masters of Art and Leadership
Bachelors of Science - Business Management
Skills
Trauma-informed care
Problem-solving
Time management
Multitasking
Team collaboration
Timeline
Child Welfare Specialist V
Department of Human Services
09.2017 - CurrentRead More
Human Resource Coordinator
Brigher Day Inc.
08.2016 - 09.2017Read More
Human Resource Coordinator
Oklahoma Methodist Manor
10.2015 - 08.2016Read More
Lead Mental Health Technician/Human Resource Generalist
Universal Health Systems
08.2006 - 07.2015Read More
E-4 Specialist
United States Army
01.2004 - 01.2012Read More
Mid-American Christian University
Bachelors of Science from Business Management
Read More
Mid-American Christian University
Masters of Art and Leadership
Read More