Chantilly Cruz
Saint Cloud,WI
Summary
Progressed throughout my career by taking on increasing levels of responsibility, including advancing to Assistant Manager and Lead Direct Support Professional roles. Experienced in team leadership, daily operations, staff coordination, activity planning, customer service, cash management, inventory, medication administration, and client advocacy. Recognized for creating engaging environments, supporting strong team morale, and taking initiative to keep daily operations organized and successful.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Direct Support Professional
New Horizons In Autism
Toms River, New Jersey
11.2022 - 02.2026
- Assisted with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Supported individuals with personal care routines including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and maintaining personal hygiene while promoting independence, dignity, and self-care skills.
- Medication Management: Administered and supported medication routines according to prescribed schedules, organizational policies, and medical guidelines while maintaining accurate medication-related documentation and ensuring client safety.
- Transportation & Mobility Support: Provided transportation and mobility assistance for medical appointments, social events, community outings, recreational activities, and other activities while supporting individuals’ physical access and safety needs.
- Skill Development & Education: Encouraged individuals to develop independent living skills, explore personal interests, and participate in educational, recreational, vocational, and community-based opportunities tailored to their abilities and goals.
- Emotional Support & Advocacy: Provided compassionate emotional support, encouraged positive relationships and social engagement, promoted self-advocacy, and advocated for individuals’ needs, preferences, dignity, and rights.Coordinated program operations by overseeing daily tasks and staff activities.
- Daily Group Coordination: Organized and assigned daily client groups based on individual needs, abilities, activities, staffing requirements, and community participation schedules.
- Activity & Program Planning: Developed monthly activity calendars featuring structured programming for both individuals participating in community outings and those remaining within the facility.
- Community Outing Preparation: Coordinated and prepared materials for outings, including organizing and bagging client medications and ensuring necessary supplies and documentation were ready for safe community participation.
- Recreation & Engagement: Planned and facilitated engaging activities including spirit weeks, baking activities, movie days, water days, arts and crafts, recreational activities, and other themed programming designed to encourage participation and social interaction.
- Client Engagement & Morale: Created a positive, welcoming, and engaging environment by developing activities that promoted socialization, creativity, independence, and meaningful participation throughout the program.
- Leadership & Team Support: Served as a lead resource for staff by helping coordinate daily operations, communicating activity plans, organizing groups, and helping ensure the program ran smoothly.
- Individualized Programming: Helped incorporate clients’ interests, preferences, abilities, and support needs into daily activities to create meaningful and inclusive programming.
- Program Organization: Maintained organized schedules, activity plans, outing preparations, and daily group assignments to support consistent programming and efficient day-to-day operations.
Cashier/Cake Decorator
Bjs Wholesales Club
Toms River, New Jersey
11.2020 - 10.2022
- Welcomed Customers: Greeted customers upon arrival, provided a friendly and professional first point of contact, and offered assistance or direction as needed.
- Processed Transactions: Accurately processed cash, credit, debit card, and check transactions while ensuring purchases were entered correctly into the register.
- Issued Receipts & Assisted with Purchases: Provided customers with receipts and responded to questions regarding purchases, payments, and transaction details.
- Managed Cash Drawer: Accurately counted and maintained the cash register before and after shifts and prepared earnings summaries to support accurate financial reconciliation.
- Provided Customer Assistance: Answered questions regarding products, store hours, policies, and services while directing customers to merchandise or the appropriate service desk.
- Bakery & Cake Decorating: Assisted with bakery operations and developed hands-on experience decorating cakes, including preparing and decorating cakes for customers while maintaining attention to detail and presentation.
- Delivered Quality Customer Service: Maintained a professional, helpful, and welcoming approach while assisting customers and addressing their needs.
Assistant Manager
Circle K
Saint Cloud, FL
09.2017 - 02.2019
- Supported Daily Operations: Assisted in overseeing the daily operations of the gas station and convenience store, ensuring the location remained organized, efficient, and properly staffed.
- Staff Supervision & Scheduling: Assisted with recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising employees while monitoring performance, providing guidance, and supporting staff with day-to-day responsibilities.
- Customer Service & Conflict Resolution: Addressed customer questions, concerns, and complaints professionally, worked to resolve issues, and maintained a high standard of customer service.
- Inventory Management: Monitored fuel and convenience store inventory levels, placed orders for fuel and store supplies, and maintained adequate stock to prevent shortages and support daily operations.
- Cash Management: Oversaw cashier operations, ensured accurate cash handling procedures, maintained appropriate register balances, and monitored daily transactions for accuracy.
- Bank Deposits & Financial Procedures: Prepared daily cash deposits and transported deposits to the bank while following established security and cash-handling procedures.
- Opening & Closing Operations: Assisted with opening and closing procedures, ensuring registers, cash, inventory, and the facility were properly secured and prepared for the next shift.
- Audits & Compliance: Participated in store audits and assisted with ensuring operational, financial, and inventory procedures were followed accurately and consistently.
- Team Leadership: Served as a key point of contact for employees during daily operations, providing direction and helping resolve operational or customer-related issues in the manager’s absence.
- Operational Problem-Solving: Responded to day-to-day operational challenges and worked with management and staff to maintain smooth and efficient station operations.
Education
Harmony High School
Saint Cloud, FLSkills
- Operations Management
- Team & Staff Leadership
- Staff Training & Scheduling
- Customer Service
- Conflict Resolution
- Cash Handling & Financial Transactions
- Inventory Management
- Strategic Planning
- Activity & Program Planning
- Client Support & Advocacy
- Medication Administration
- Documentation & Recordkeeping
- Community Outings & Engagement
- Problem-Solving
- Organization & Time Management
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Safety & Compliance
- Bakery Operations & Cake Decorating
Accomplishments
Received Employee of the Month recognition multiple times at New Horizons in Autism for dedication, initiative, and commitment to the individuals I supported. Recognized at an employee award banquet for outstanding involvement and for creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to learn, participate, and express their creativity, including bringing my custom tie-dye equipment into the program and teaching individuals how to create their own shirts. Also received Employee of the Month recognition at Circle K for strong performance and dedication.
Timeline
Lead Direct Support Professional
New Horizons In Autism
11.2022 - 02.2026
Cashier/Cake Decorator
Bjs Wholesales Club
11.2020 - 10.2022
Assistant Manager
Circle K
09.2017 - 02.2019
Harmony High School