Jody Sparks
Scioto Furnace,OH
Summary
As a Corrections Professional, held many different positions within ODRC. 28 Years of experience, which includes an extensive background that includes working under the Supervision of many experienced Wardens and holding many different positions within ODRC. Having experience at two different facilities within ODRC, have experienced multiple levels of security and how to implement policies based on security levels of the Incarcerated Individuals housed in that particular facility. As a Corrections Professional have become knowledgeable in the daily operations of correctional facilities, how to recognize potential security risks and how to respond to those security risks as well as any emergency situations that may develop in a correctional setting. As a Corrections Professional, very successful at optimizing policies, reducing incidents, managing multiple priorities and recognizing and correcting security issues within a facility.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Correction Warden Assistant 2
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
07.2022 - Current
- In current role as Wardens' Administrative Assistant, required to handle policy revisions, Public Records Request and respond to inquiries from Public regarding Incarcerated Individual complaints that may arise. I also Supervise Rules Infraction Board, answering Incarcerated Individual Appeals regarding conduct reports and making sure RIB Hearings are conducted in timely manner and according to Policy.
- My duties also require me to supervise Health and Safety Officer at FMC. My duties include but are not limited to supervising Health and Safety Officer and assure safety practices according to policy are being followed by all staff and areas of Facility.
- Supervise Religious Services and assure all Incarcerated Individuals are given opportunity to worship and any Religious Accommodations requested are reviewed and considered. My duties also include participating in Labor Management Meetings to respond to any issues between Union and Management and come to mutual resolution to address policy or contractual issues that may arise.
- Responsible for conducting internal investigations as assigned by Warden and Labor Relations Officer. I also responsible for reviewing Authorized Entrance Forms for contractors and visitors which may be approved for entrance into Facility on behalf of Warden.
- I am also expected to fill role of Administrative Duty Officer as assigned by Warden, after hours to monitor functions of the Facility and assure policy is being followed by Supervisors and staff alike. My job duties also include working as a team to develop and implement future missions, programming and operational needs.
Labor Relations Officer 2
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
07.2022 - 11.2022
- Mediated discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
- Participated in labor-management meetings to discuss labor issues.
- Completed in-depth investigations into issues pertaining to discipline and grievance management and recommended strategies.
- Provided expertise on labor and employment laws to help employers make more effective decisions.
- Reduced grievances and arbitration needs by educating frontline managers on techniques for enhancing interactions between labor and leadership.
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements.
Correctional Grievance Officer
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
12.2020 - 07.2022
- While at Lebanon Correctional held position of Institutional Inspector as of December 6, 2020. Job duties included but were not limited to following:
- Facilitated all aspects of Offender Grievance Procedure as established by Administrative Rule 5120-9-31 of Administrative Code.
- Required to Investigate and respond to Grievances by Offenders.
- Monitored application of Institutional and Departmental Rules and Policies affecting conditions of incarceration and reported to Warden any noncompliance with recommendation for corrective action.
- Served as liaison between offender population and institutional personnel was also responsible for reviewing and providing input on institutional policies, procedures and post orders. Provided training on offender grievance procedure and other relevant topics.
- Was required to submit all reports, documents and other forms of accountability to Warden and Chief Inspector's office as requested.
- Acted as Liaison on Warden's behalf to address issues family members of incarcerated individuals may have regarding their incarcerated loved one.
- Prepared and submitted investigations for Ohio Attorney General's Office, submitted through Ohio Court of Claims and also represented Institution in public court cases and litigation that may have been brought forth regarding Institution and its Policies.
Corrections Captain
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
05.2019 - 12.2020
- As Administrative Captain I was responsible for all three volumes of Security Manual, to include updated Post Orders institutional specific, all directives set forth by Chief of Security and 310 Policies to include State and Local.
- As Administrative Captain was expected to be knowledgeable in institutional Pick A Post agreement and set in on various meetings with Union Officials to discuss possible issues or opportunities to improve Pick A Post agreement monthly.
- Conducted shift balances to manage overtime and facilitate canvasing of all four shifts for allotted leave on yearly basis.
- Among other duties I was also responsible for following: Fourth Shift Transportation, coordinating medical transports, funeral visits and emergency transports that may occur daily.
- I was also CIM Coordinator, which was responsible for updating policy and performing quarterly CIM drills and attending and coordinating LSA Meetings with stakeholders in surrounding areas. In short, was also responsible for safety and security of Corrections Officers and Lieutenants, for which I supervised as well as offenders incarcerated within Lebanon Correctional Institution.
- I also held position of Back-to-Basics Coordinator at Lebanon Correctional Institution. Within this role was responsible for assigning Post Orders to be reviewed on annual basis.
- Was responsible for updating and performing any necessary changes to institutional specific Post Orders.
- My duties also included supervision of offenders at various security levels; to include level 3 and level 4 offenders on main institutional grounds of Lebanon Correctional Institution.
- Was also responsible for supervising level 1 offenders at Lebanon Correctional Camp.
- My job duties included playing large role in audits, ranging from IMA, PREA and ACA.
- As of 2018, I was active member of Southwest Regional Complacency Strike Team. This team was compiled of Lieutenants from various institutions within State of Ohio and Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
- Have worked closely with Southwest Regional Security Administrator and Southwest Regional Director, Mr. Rob Jeffreys, to expose possible weaknesses or security concerns which may be overlooked within various institutions to include computers, staff awareness, Tool and Key Control and perimeter security of institutions and daily duties as outlined in Security Policies and Post Orders.
- My duties as Administrative Captain also required me as Corrections Captain, to supervise other Lieutenants and make decisions in absence of Warden, Deputy Warden of Operations and or Major.
- Also worked closely with Correctional Specialists in maintaining th interaction between Unit Management and Restrictive Housing Inmates, to ensure their time was being served in accordance with Policy.
Corrections Lieutenant
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
04.2011 - 05.2019
- In role as Corrections Lieutenant, I was responsible for all three volumes of Security Manual, to include updated Post Orders institutional specific, all directives set forth by Chief of Security and 310 Policies to include State and Local.
- As Administrative Lieutenant was expected to be knowledgeable in institutional Pick A Post agreement and set in on various meetings with Union Officials to discuss possible issues or opportunities to improve Pick A Post agreement monthly.
- Conducted shift balances to manage overtime and facilitate canvasing of all four shifts for allotted leave on yearly basis. Among other duties I was also responsible for following: Fourth Shift Transportation, coordinating medical transports, funeral visits and emergency transports that may occur daily.
- As CIM Coordinator, which was responsible for updating policy and performing quarterly CIM drills and attending and coordinating LSA Meetings with stakeholders in surrounding areas. In short, was also responsible for safety and security of Corrections Officers and other Lieutenants, for which I supervised as well as offenders incarcerated within Lebanon Correctional Institution.
- I held position of Back-to-Basics Coordinator at Lebanon Correctional Institution as well. I was responsible for assigning Post Orders to be reviewed on annual basis. I was responsible for updating and performing any necessary changes to institutional specific Post Orders.
- Duties also included supervision of offenders at various security levels; to include level 3 and level 4 offenders on main institutional grounds of Lebanon Correctional Institution.
- Was also responsible for supervising level 1 offenders at Lebanon Correctional Camp.
- My job duties included playing a large role in audits, ranging from IMA, PREA and ACA.
- As of 2018, I was active member of the Southwest Regional Complacency Strike Team. This team was compiled of Lieutenants from various institutions within the State of Ohio and the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. I have worked closely with the Southwest Regional Security Administrator and the Southwest Regional Director, Mr. Rob Jeffreys, to expose possible weaknesses or security concerns which may be overlooked within various institutions to include computers, staff awareness, Tool and Key Control and perimeter security of institutions and daily duties as outlined in Security Policies and Post Orders.
- My duties as the Administrative Lieutenant also required me as a Corrections Lieutenant to supervise other Lieutenants and make decisions in the absence of the Warden, Deputy Warden of Operations and or the Major.
- I also worked closely with Correctional Specialists in maintaining the interaction between them and Restrictive Housing Inmates, to ensure their time was being served in accordance with Policy.
- Cultivated and maintained climate of mutual respect with freedom from harassment and intimidation, to provide safe environment for staff and offenders.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided first aid following facility guidelines.
- Inspected housing cells and directed teams completing in-depth searches for contraband or damage.
- Participated in development of correctional policies and procedures.
Correctional Officer
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
01.1997 - 04.2011
- Searched cells of inmates to identify and confiscate contraband and other prohibited items.
- Escorted inmates to and from cells, court, hospitals, and medical appointments.
- Observed and supervised inmates throughout visits, meal time, recreation, phone calls, and showers.
- Conducted routine and emergency head counts.
- Prepared, processed and maintained forms, reports, logs, records, and activity journals.
- Tracked inmates through head counts, visitor logs, and scheduled activities.
- Provided guidance and support to inmates to help reintegrate in society and establish new beginnings.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
California Coast University
Santa Ana, CA03.2024
Associate of Arts - Political Service
Miami University
Oxford, OH05.2005
High School Diploma -
Notre Dame High School
Portsmouth, OH05.1992
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Management
- Communications Strategies
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Effective Communication
- Prison Security
Accomplishments
- 2004 Lebanon Correctional Fourth Shift Officer of the Year
- 2004 Lebanon Correctional Employee of the Month
- 2010 Lebanon Correctional Officer of the Month
- 2011 Lebanon Correctional Officer of the Year
- January 27, 2020, 24 Years of Service, Lebanon Correctional
- Lebanon Correctional Institution, Employee of the Month, September, 2020.
Timeline
Correction Warden Assistant 2
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
07.2022 - Current
Labor Relations Officer 2
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
07.2022 - 11.2022
Correctional Grievance Officer
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
12.2020 - 07.2022
Corrections Captain
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
05.2019 - 12.2020
Corrections Lieutenant
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
04.2011 - 05.2019
Correctional Officer
Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation And Correction
01.1997 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
California Coast University
Associate of Arts - Political Service
Miami University
High School Diploma -
Notre Dame High School