Laura Hipps
Portland,OR
Summary
Highly communicative individual dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interest of clients. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy and willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Services Specialist
Oregon Department Of Human Services
01.2024 - Current
- Provided crisis intervention and conflict resolution support during critical situations.
- Advocated for clients' rights and access to necessary services within the community framework.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of social service trends and best practices through ongoing professional development activities.
- Ensured compliance with all state regulations and agency policies by maintaining detailed documentation of services provided.
- Conducted home visits as part of comprehensive case management services, assessing family dynamics and living environments for potential concerns.
- Managed a diverse caseload of clients, prioritizing needs based on urgency and complexity of each situation.
- Developed strong partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations to enhance overall service provision.
- Reduced barriers to service access by providing culturally sensitive assistance to diverse client populations.
Field Mentor
New Vision Wilderness - Deschutes
03.2023 - 12.2023
- Coach and mentor field instructors to help follow through on specific developmental goals
- Collaborate with field leadership to identify areas for growth and training in the field.
- Implementing a healthy group culture and holding boundaries with the group and individuals
- Creating learning opportunities that inspire growth for students and new staff
- Role model and instill positivity, teamwork, and fun into the field department by providing positive feedback weekly.
Head Bartender
Dataw Island Clubhouse
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Led bar operations, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Developed innovative cocktail recipes, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
- Trained and mentored junior bartenders, fostering skill development and teamwork.
- Managed inventory control, optimizing stock levels and reducing waste.
- Coordinated special events, creating tailored beverage menus to meet client needs.
- Performed opening and closing duties, printing sales reports, setting up for incoming shift, preparing cash drawers, and taking inventory.
Senior Field Instructor
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness / Second Nature
01.2020 - 10.2021
- Observed each staff and student's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Conducted peer-mediations between students to help resolve conflicts and reach agreements.
- Worked with clinical team to structure personalized therapeutic treatment plans to support students' individual needs.
- Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning for daily and weekly educational wilderness training.
- Communicated with staff, students and clinical team to encourage highest quality of service.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and backcountry safety standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Experimental Psychology
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina, SC12.2019
Skills
- Empathy, Service, Trusting Relationships
- Program development for at-risk youth
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation training
- Child welfare expertise
- Behavioral analysis
- Documentation proficiency
- Client assessment
- Substance abuse
- Trauma-informed care
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 15 in the development of improved processes and procedures within the child welfare systems.
- Scholarship recipient for the Oregon Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Symposium
- College Deans list
- Life scholarship recipient
- Former Wilderness First Responder certification
- Smoky Mountains Wilderness Trail Crew 2019
- PCT thru-hike 2018
Certification
Trauma Research Foundation's Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies
Timeline
Social Services Specialist
Oregon Department Of Human Services
01.2024 - Current
Field Mentor
New Vision Wilderness - Deschutes
03.2023 - 12.2023
Head Bartender
Dataw Island Clubhouse
03.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Field Instructor
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness / Second Nature
01.2020 - 10.2021
Bachelor of Science - Experimental Psychology
University of South Carolina