Kelly Peterson
Duncannon
Summary
Experienced public service professional with a diverse background in corrections, juvenile rehabilitation, and sustainability program management. Proven ability to lead complex programs, maintain safety and security in high-risk environments, and build collaborative partnerships that achieve measurable results. Skilled in leadership, crisis intervention, behavior management, conflict resolution, program development, and team collaboration. Recognized for sound judgment, adaptability, effective communication, and a commitment to fostering positive outcomes for individuals, organizations, and the communities they serve.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Development Counselor
Loysville Youth Development Center
Loysville, PA
10.2024 - Current
- Developed and implemented evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each youth's behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs.
- Facilitated individual, group, and family counseling sessions that encouraged self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making.
- Delivered evidence-based programs, including Forward Thinking, to strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving, and pro-social behaviors.
- Guided court-adjudicated youth through structured rehabilitation programs that promoted accountability, positive behavior change, and personal growth.
- Applied trauma-informed practices to support youth from diverse backgrounds while fostering a safe, respectful, and structured environment.
- Implemented evidence-based behavioral interventions that reinforced positive choices and reduced maladaptive behaviors.
- Prepared youth for successful community reintegration through education, vocational readiness, and independent living skills development.
- Managed high-risk situations with verbal de-escalation techniques and safe physical intervention to ensure safety.
- Built trust-based relationships with youth and families to enhance engagement, communication, and promote positive long-term outcomes.
- Worked closely with educators, clinicians, probation officers, and families to coordinate services and achieve shared treatment objectives.
- Modeled professionalism, mentored peers on effective youth engagement strategies, and contributed to a collaborative team environment.
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Loysville Youth Development Center
Loysville, PA
01.2024 - 10.2024
- Facilitated meaningful engagement with youth in secure settings to foster trust and open communication
- Provide daily supervision, care, and structured activities for court-adjudicated youth in secure settings.
- Guided youth in emotional regulation
- Coach youth through decision-making, emotional regulation, and responsible behavior.
- Maintained safety through verbal de-escalation and approved physical intervention techniques.
- Model positive values and reinforce accountability, respect, and cooperation.
- Promote constructive behavioral change through consistent expectations and supportive guidance.
- Contributed to collaborative case reviews and team meetings to enhance support strategies for youth
- Ensured compliance with health regulations
- Monitor facility conditions to ensure adherence to safety, security, and health standards.
Corrections Specialist 2
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Aberdeen, WA
01.2016 - 12.2023
- Managed multiple environmental, educational, and vocational programs using a peer-led model, ensuring successful implementation and participant engagement.
- Acted as the primary liaison with colleges, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to develop new programs and expand educational opportunities.
- Coordinated program logistics, optimizing participant selection, instructor access, classroom scheduling, workshops, and certification courses to enhance overall program effectiveness.
- Oversaw sustainability initiatives to enhance recycling, energy conservation, and environmental stewardship, aligning with facility-wide sustainability goals.
- Managed restoration nursery and aquaponics programs that contributed to endangered species recovery through collaboration with researchers and state agencies.
- Expanded horticulture operations by increasing annual food production from 18,000 to 41,000 pounds while developing partnerships to distribute produce throughout the community.
- Developed peer-led educational curriculum and facilitated college credit opportunities through collaboration with higher education partners, enriching participant learning experiences.
- Directed vocational programs including bicycle and wheelchair repair, providing participants with practical job skills while supporting community service initiatives.
- Re-established and managed a dog training program that paired participants with shelter dogs to build responsibility, teamwork, and vocational experience.
- Built and maintained partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit groups to strengthen programming and service opportunities.
- Developed operational procedures, training materials, and process improvements to enhance program efficiency and support long-term sustainability goals.
- Applied Lean and continuous improvement principles to streamline operations, improve workplace organization, and increase program effectiveness.
- Supported emergency response operations by serving on the COVID-19 testing team and assisting with crisis communication efforts.
Correctional Officer 2
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
Aberdeen, WA
06.2000 - 01.2016
- Maintained safety, security, and compliance while serving in nearly every operational assignment within a state correctional facility, demonstrating adaptability in high-risk environments.
- Responded to fights, medical emergencies, inmate transports, searches, urinalysis testing, and other critical security incidents while making sound decisions under pressure.
- Supervised housing units of up to 136 inmates as the sole correctional officer, ensuring order, security, and efficient daily operations.
- Managed high-risk inmates in Intensive Management Unit (IMU)/segregation, enforcing security protocols to uphold institutional safety.
- Remained calm and effective during critical incidents, using sound judgment and established procedures to protect staff, inmates, and facility operations.
- Served as a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team member, providing peer support and post-incident debriefings while promoting staff well-being.
- Mentored new correctional officers by modeling professionalism and reinforcing policy compliance, enhancing team cohesion and performance.
Detention Officer
Grays Harbor County Juvenile Detention
Aberdeen, WA
04.1995 - 06.2000
- Responded swiftly to emergency situations with appropriate use of force when necessary to protect both inmates' well-being and facility security.
- Supervised youthful male and female residents in 34-bed secure facility to maintain order and safety.
- Monitored juvenile residents to ensure safety and compliance with facility regulations.
- Conducted routine inspections of living areas for security and cleanliness.
- Documented daily activities, incidents, and behavioral observations to ensure accurate records for staff review.
- Collaborated with staff to implement behavior management strategies effectively.
- Provided support during intake processes, ensuring proper documentation and orientation.
- Responded swiftly to emergency situations with appropriate use of force when necessary to protect both inmates'' well-being and facility security.
Education
Correctional Worker CORE Certificate - Criminal Justice
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA10-2002
Skills
- Youth advocacy
- Individual counseling
- Crisis management
- Behavior management
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Program development
- Positive reinforcement
Awards
- SCCC Team Excellence Award – Maintenance Department (2017), Washington Statewide Community Partnership Award (2020), WASBA Statewide Facility Bee Club of the Year (2023)
- Washington State DOC Team Excellence Award — CISM (2011)
Training
Correctional Worker CORE (2000) + annual in-service training.
Timeline
Youth Development Counselor
Loysville Youth Development Center
10.2024 - Current
Juvenile Justice Specialist
Loysville Youth Development Center
01.2024 - 10.2024
Corrections Specialist 2
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
01.2016 - 12.2023
Correctional Officer 2
Stafford Creek Corrections Center
06.2000 - 01.2016
Detention Officer
Grays Harbor County Juvenile Detention
04.1995 - 06.2000
Correctional Worker CORE Certificate - Criminal Justice
Peninsula College