Gabriel Ortiz
San Diego,CA
Summary
Professional child care specialist with 5 years of experience. Brings strong problem-solving abilities, compassionate care, and effective communication with clients and staff. Focuses on team collaboration and adapts to changing needs to ensure supportive and nurturing environment. Known for reliability, patience, and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child Care Worker
Center For Positive Changes
San Diego, CA
03.2025 - Current
- Supervise and ensure the safety, structure, and consistency of care for residents in compliance with company policy, Title 22, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Community Licensing, and all applicable federal, and local regulations.
- Guide residents in positive behavior development and provide academic support during homework and study periods.
- Assist with planning and overseeing recreational outings, shopping trips, and age-appropriate activities.
- Maintain a clean and organized living environment by promoting resident participation in daily upkeep of the facility and grounds.
- Prepare and serve nutritious meals for residents and staff, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.
- Complete detailed documentation including 15-minute activity logs, shift reports, timesheets with accuracy and timelines, and also serious incident reports (SIR) as needed.
Unit Counselor
Girl Scouts San Diego (Seasonal)
San Diego, CA
06.2025 - 07.2025
- Led and supervised a unit of girls, guiding group experiences through collaborative, youth-centered planning.
- Designed and implemented engaging, age-appropriate programs focused on skill-building, personal growth, and appreciation of the outdoors.
- Ensured physical and emotional safety of all girls by following and enforcing health, medication, and safety protocols (GSUSA and ACA standards).
- Actively facilitated activities in various program areas, including arts, nature, and all-camp events, promoting inclusion and participation.
- Monitored individual needs of girls, offering support with personal or health concerns and collaborating with team or leadership as needed.
- Promoted diversity, included, and empowerment among female campers, ensuring programs reflected a range of backgrounds and abilities.
Child Care Worker
New Alternatives Inc.
San Diego, CA
11.2024 - 03.2025
- Led and supported seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) teenagers in participating in daily activities and routines.
- Assisted teenagers to build daily living skills, improve self-esteem, and strengthen emotional regulation.
- Collaborated with a team to deliver crisis intervention and effectively de-escalate challenging behaviors.
- Expanded expertise in trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies, mindfulness, and behavior management techniques.
Residential Support Specialist
San Diego Center For Children
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Maintained daily progress notes, communication logs, and serious incident reports (SIR) to document child treatment goal progress, program activities along other noteworthy events regarding a child, and critical behavioral or safety incidents, respectively.
- Engaged in therapeutic programs to promote emotional regulation and positive coping strategies to children dealing with anxiety, depression, psychosis, anger, trauma, and other serious emotional disturbances.
- Facilitated therapeutic activities promoting emotional and social development among residents.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to implement treatment plans, crisis interventions, and de-escalation techniques.
Direct Care Staff
Emmanuel Family Homes Inc.
01.2020 - 08.2023
- Maintained daily accurate records of special needs client activities, behavior, health, hygiene, progress, and concerns to improve the objectives listed in their Individual Program Plans (IPP) in a Level 4I co-ed group home.
- Administered and assisted clients with consuming prescribed oral medication, under the written direction of their physician, while also teaching self-medication skills to them.
- Performed and assisted with daily living activities such as dressing, bathroom needs, hygiene, chores, and nutrition.
- Responded and reacted appropriately to the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of clients.
Education
High School Diploma -
San Ysidro High School
San Diego06-2016
Skills
- Child Development Support
- Communication Skills
- Conflict Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Critical Thinking
- Daily Living Skills
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Emotional Intelligence
- Emotional Regulation
- Flexibility
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Program Enhancement
- Team-Building Skills
- Trauma-Informed Care
Certification
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certificate issued by the American Red Cross
Languages
Spanish
English
Timeline
Unit Counselor
Girl Scouts San Diego (Seasonal)
06.2025 - 07.2025
Child Care Worker
Center For Positive Changes
03.2025 - Current
Child Care Worker
New Alternatives Inc.
11.2024 - 03.2025
Residential Support Specialist
San Diego Center For Children
03.2024 - 09.2024
Direct Care Staff
Emmanuel Family Homes Inc.
01.2020 - 08.2023
High School Diploma -
San Ysidro High School