Nicholas A. Ferrara
Portsmouth,Ohio
Summary
Professional with robust background in directing and managing large-scale operations, consistently driving success through strategic planning and execution. Adept at implementing innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational effectiveness. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to evolving business needs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Community and Court Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
10.2020 - Current
- Development of policies and procedures, supervision of employees, and day to day operations of the Community and Court Services Department.
- Manage the agency wide court system, law enforcement and community corrections referral process and expand new market areas in need of agency services.
- Marketing of available agency programming and services to established referral sources as well as to potential new referral sources and outside treatment agencies.
- Manage agency client recruitment, client screening, determination of eligibility of services and coordination of intake scheduling.
- Act as a direct liaison between the legal referral sources and the agency.
- Coordinate clinical services for participating drug courts.
- Develop and manage court and legal protocol for agency wide policies and procedures.
- Ensure consistent public messaging and monitor referral trends.
Administrative Director, Recruitment, Re-Entry Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
09.2018 - 10.2020
- Operational development, day to day operations and supervision of Recruitment and Re-Entry Services.
- Supervised and further developed the Hughes Re-Entry Center program guidelines and operations format.
- Coordinated, oversight and further development of the Hughes Re-Entry Center technical training/education programs.
- Collaborated with Criminal Justice referral sources to format the liaison and referral process.
- Administration of Re-Entry Services housing.
- Managed grant awards and funding opportunities for program initiatives.
- Managed agency wide bed census and client screening for placement in appropriate services.
- Responsible for the day to day operations of the Hughes Re-Entry Center.
Operations Director, Re-Entry Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
05.2017 - 09.2018
- Developed the Re-Entry program guidelines and format.
- Coordinated with the community justice system on large projects.
- Coordinated with outside agencies in the creation and development of the Re-Entry Center technical training/education programs.
- Assisted in the development of the recovery resources.
- Developed the department budget and staff roster.
- Developed a referral, reporting, and tracking system, providing a level of accountability to the criminal justice system.
- Accessed funding opportunities for program initiatives.
- Responsible for the day to day operations of the Hughes Re-Entry Center.
- Provided direct supervision of the program and staff.
- Obtained maximum utilization of staff by clearly defining control measures and monitoring work quality for compliance with standards.
- Monitored the need for professional development of staff.
- Conducted public relations and networking activities for the program.
- Conducted presentations to courts, various agencies, government organizations, businesses and civic groups.
- Maintained effective relationships with other organizations both public and private.
- Project Management of the facility renovation and expansion.
Regional Coordinator, Jail Diversion
The Counseling Center, Inc.
11.2015 - 05.2017
- Developed comprehensive integrated referral process for courts, prosecutors, and probation offices to access substance abuse and behavioral health treatment for clients.
- Developed a referral reporting and tracking system for accountability to the criminal justice system.
- Helped coordinate addiction/mental health treatment, primary health care, family education programming, drug screening, housing and employment services for clients.
- Maintained and conducted outcome studies and measures for referral sources.
Work Release Coordinator
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
12.2003 - 11.2015
- Developed the program policies, procedures and regulations.
- Reviewed work release applications and determined eligibility for the program.
- Coordinated with the Scioto County Jail on job site assignments, scheduled release dates and adjusted jail credit.
- Coordinated with the Scioto County Workers Compensation Department in response to program enrollment and any injuries resulting during enrollment.
- Responsible for program equipment and program spending.
Probation Officer
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
05.2000 - 11.2015
- Directly supervised adult convicted felony offenders sentenced to intensive supervision and general probation to ensure offenders abide by specified Court Orders.
- Prepared Court motions and orders, requested and executed fugitive warrants and testified in Court hearings.
- Administered drug screenings, referred and coordinated needed substance treatment for offenders.
- Maintained compliance with all legal statutes, policies and procedures.
- Determined appropriate supervision levels by conducting risk and needs assessments.
- Established productive relationships with local law enforcement agencies, enhancing information sharing and cooperation.
- Maintained organized offender records and documentation in compliance with department and legal standards.
Chief Probation Officer/Community Corrections Program Director
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
05.2005 - 01.2015
- Responsible for the daily operations of the Adult Probation Department.
- Developed and enforced department policy and provided fiscal management.
- Supervised and evaluated department officers, clinical staff and support staff.
- Coordinated staff trainings and certifications.
- Provided direct supervision and services to convicted offenders.
- Performed expungement investigations.
- Coordinated joint operations with other law enforcement agencies.
- Created, managed, and ensured standards were met for (4) State of Ohio, Community Corrections grants. Annually revised and renewed each grant.
- Hired specialized staff and developed treatment program policies and curriculum.
- Uphold the standards set forth by the Court and the laws set forth by local, state and federal government.
- (resigned)
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Shawnee State University
01.2010 - 06.2010
- Instructed semester course in Criminal Justice for the Social Sciences Department.
- Maintained open lines of communication with students through regular office hours and prompt email responses, addressing concerns or questions efficiently.
- Enhanced student engagement by incorporating real-world examples and multimedia resources into lectures.
- Used exams, quizzes and assignments to assess student comprehension.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
- Received consistently positive evaluations from students and peers due to engaging teaching style and dedication to student success.
Probation Officer
Scioto County Common Pleas, Juvenile Court
01.1997 - 02.2000
- Maintained compliance with all legal statutes, policies and procedures.
- Determined appropriate supervision levels by conducting risk and needs assessments.
- Established productive relationships with local law enforcement agencies, enhancing information sharing and cooperation.
- Wrote progress reports and testified under oath at court hearings.
- Ensured compliance with court-ordered sanctions by closely monitoring probationers'' adherence to conditions of release.
- Supervised offenders to reduce risk to community.
- Conducted thorough pre-sentence investigations and prepared detailed reports for the courts, aiding informed decision making.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Century University
Albuquerque, NM01.2005
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Ohio University
Ironton, OH11.1995
Associate of Applied Science - Law Enforcement
Ohio University
Ironton, OH11.1994
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- Operations management
- Project management
- Staff management
- Organizational development
- Budget management
- Program management
- Financial management
Affiliations
- Scioto County Community Corrections Planning Board
- Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections
- Scioto County Drug Action Team Alliance
- National Center for Construction Education & Research
- Ohio Chief Probation Officers Association (past)
- Scioto County Courthouse Security Board (past)
- American Probation and Parole Association (past)
- Ohio Bailiffs and Court Officers Association (past)
- Cornerstone Methodist Church
- Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree Knight
Training
- Fundamental Probation Officer Training: Ohio Department of Youth Services
- Adult Parole Authority Training Academy: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
- Street Survival: Calibre Press
- Defensive Driving: National Safety Council
- CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard training: American Red Cross & American Heart Association
- Annual Duty Firearms training and recertification: OPOTA certified firearms training officer
- Certification in urine collection and drug screening: Redwood Biotech & Medtox
- Methamphetamine Clandestine Labs: Ohio Peace Officer Training Council
- Electronic stun restraints: Stun Tech, Inc.
- X26E Taser qualifications: TASER certified training officer
- Annual Cognitive Behavior Treatment training: Ohio Justice Alliance
- Annual training in Corporate Compliance and Ethics, Drug Free Workplace, Health and Safety, Workplace Violence Prevention, De-escalating Hostile Clients: Relias
Timeline
Director, Community and Court Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
10.2020 - Current
Administrative Director, Recruitment, Re-Entry Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
09.2018 - 10.2020
Operations Director, Re-Entry Services
The Counseling Center, Inc.
05.2017 - 09.2018
Regional Coordinator, Jail Diversion
The Counseling Center, Inc.
11.2015 - 05.2017
Adjunct Faculty Instructor
Shawnee State University
01.2010 - 06.2010
Chief Probation Officer/Community Corrections Program Director
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
05.2005 - 01.2015
Work Release Coordinator
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
12.2003 - 11.2015
Probation Officer
Scioto County Common Pleas Court, Adult Probation Dept.
05.2000 - 11.2015
Probation Officer
Scioto County Common Pleas, Juvenile Court
01.1997 - 02.2000
Master of Arts - Public Administration
Century University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Ohio University
Associate of Applied Science - Law Enforcement
Ohio University
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