Jess Mann
CRSS
Tucson,AZ
Summary
I am a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. This academic background gives me psychological insight and familiarity with clinical terminology. Combined with my personal substance abuse recovery, high-volume hospitality background, and stroke rehabilitation intimacy, I offer a unique ability to build immediate trust with diverse individuals, holding space for their trauma while advocating for their recovery needs.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Bartender/ Shift Lead
La Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
03.2022 - 05.2023
- Crisis Management: Maintained a safe environment for hundreds of guests nightly, utilizing verbal de-escalation to manage intoxicated or difficult individuals.
- Client Connection: Built rapport with clientele, "reading the room" to anticipate needs and provide emotional support when guests needed a supporting ear.
- Team Collaboration: Cultivated a high-trust, close-knit team dynamic to take full ownership of the service environment, maintaining a culture of mutual support and autonomous decision-making.
Bartender/ Shift Lead
Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar
12.2016 - 04.2021
- Crisis Intervention: Oversaw safety and crisis intervention along the high-volume 4th Avenue, utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques to manage unpredictable behavior and high-risk safety threats resulting from severe intoxication.
- Emergency Protocols & Compliance: Managed critical incidents and medical emergencies (including biohazards) with composure, strictly adhering to safety protocols while generating detailed incident reports for legal and operational compliance.
- Trauma-Informed Leadership: Acted as the primary safety lead during volatile shifts, shielding staff from aggressive behavior and facilitating immediate emotional debriefing for the team following traumatic incidents.
Bartender/ Shift Lead
Charleston's
08.2014 - 12.2016
- Operational Compliance: Maintained strict adherence to corporate standards and service specifications, demonstrating the ability to execute established protocols with precision in a regulated environment.
- High-Pressure Workflow Management: Managed complex, high-volume multi-tasking between service wells and customer demands and conversations, prioritizing tasks efficiently to maintain accuracy and speed under sustained pressure.
- Mentorship & Development: Helped guide new team members with patience and encouragement, showing them how to navigate strict protocols while building the confidence they needed to succeed on the floor.
Server/ Trainer
Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink
08.2012 - 08.2014
- Client-Centered Care: Adopted a philosophy of going above and beyond for every individual, ensuring guests felt seen, heard, and valued through empathetic and anticipatory service.
- Trusted Leadership: A designated floor leader, maintaining stability during high-volume shifts and modeling supportive behavior for the team.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience And Cognitive Science
The University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona05.2019
Skills
- Team Dedication: Committed to supporting colleagues; highly reliable and collaborative\
- Adaptive Communication: Expert in “code-switching” to build trust with both medical professionals and vulnerable populations
- Rapid Hands-On Learner: Thrive in fast-paced, intense environments; excited to learn new skills in the field
- Trauma-Informed Empathy: Use deep listening to resoundingly connect with vulnerable individuals without judgement
- Lived Experience: Personal resilience through substance abuse recovery journey and stroke rehabilitation
Timeline
Bartender/ Shift Lead
La Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
03.2022 - 05.2023
Bartender/ Shift Lead
Ermanos Craft Beer & Wine Bar
12.2016 - 04.2021
Bartender/ Shift Lead
Charleston's
08.2014 - 12.2016
Server/ Trainer
Reilly Craft Pizza & Drink
08.2012 - 08.2014
Bachelor of Science - Neuroscience And Cognitive Science
The University of Arizona
Certification
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Integrated Healthcare Recovery Support Specialist Institute | Workforce Development Program Completed October 2025
- Credential: Certified Peer Support Specialist (State-Funded/AHCCCS Recognized)
- Focus: Trauma-informed care, substance use recovery, and integrated healthcare support.
Additional Experience
Professional Dog Handler Assistant 2006 – 2011
- Communication & Trust: Learned to command extreme patience while navigating high-pressure show circuits, alongside an understanding of Spanish that allowed for connection across language barriers. Interpreted non-verbal cues to provide a calming, safe presence, while extensive animal interaction cultivated a deep understanding of gentle behavior and positive outlooks.
Psychological Statistics Tutor | Mesa Community College | 2014 – 2016
- Cognitive Support: Simplified statistical and psychological concepts to accommodate diverse learning styles, helping people gain academic confidence and success.
- Mentorship & Patience: Provided guidance to students struggling with difficult material, helping to reduce anxiety and build strengths in data analysis, psychological terminology, and the scientific method.