Nicole Ramos
Corpus Christi,TX
Summary
Emerging organizational leader with extensive social justice experience ready to expand into environmental sustainability. A natural go-getter known for setting challenging goals and both the self-awareness and discipline necessary to achieve them. Thrive in diverse, fast-paced, multicultural, and complex work environments where growth and initiative is fostered and celebrated.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Mitigation Specialist
Texas Defender Service
10.2021 - Current
- Build and establish rapport and instill confidence in clients, client’s families and loved ones, witnesses and others connected with investigations from wide range of socio-economic backgrounds.
- Initiate and maintain variety of resource materials, files and records (computerized and manual) related to case mitigation and information gathered.
- Conduct thorough face-to-face interviews with employers, families, neighbors, friends, and clients, and document investigative findings.
- Read, interpret and apply pertinent laws, statutes, codes and regulations, including administrative and departmental policies and procedures.
- Prepare comprehensive, detailed narrative reports and psycho-social histories for attorneys, consultants, and courts.
Immigration Legal Associate
Foster LLP
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Developed expertise in various types of immigration matters including family-based petitions, asylum cases, and employment visas through hands-on experience.
- Compiled 300+ client application packets and included relevant documentation to present strongest case for successful outcome.
- Managed high-volume caseloads, ensuring timely completion of tasks and positive outcomes for clients.
- Researched and analyzed legal issues and cases to provide accurate advice to clients.
Community Outreach and Donor Coordinator
Haven Of Hope Jay Gould Center
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Directed communications, community outreach, and donation administration for organization, serving between 200‐300 clients daily.
- Engaged organization with other inter-agency communities and identified opportunities for public advocacy and collaboration.
- Provided guidance, mentorship, and operational supervision to staff of 12+ contracted employees as needed.
- Led project to extend food pantry supply chain, accumulating 2,000+ additional pounds of food, while overseeing data collection and reporting.
Office of Refugee Resettlement Case Coordinator
Upbring-Bokenkamp Children's Shelter
07.2018 - 01.2019
- Collaborated closely with external agencies to ensure seamless service provision, minimizing gaps in care for clients.
- Maintained current knowledge of applicable procedures and compliance requirements to optimize effectiveness.
- Conducted information gathering and case management, which included interviews with youth, sponsors, and family members from Central and South America.
- Led case strategy meetings with decision makers and drafted of reports with case recommendations.
- Successfully oversaw 30+ reunification processes and drafted 35+ compelling narrative reports that considered standards of child welfare in placement recommendations.
English, Leadership, and Life Skills Volunteer
Peace Corps
02.2016 - 04.2018
- Collaborated on community development projects and seminars with 10+ community leaders while living in indigenous, rural village.
- Designed research and experiential-based nutrition seminar attended by 50+ community members, as well health advocacy content that reached 1000+ people.
- Redesigned sexual health, gender-based violence, and healthy relationships seminar for young adults and community matriarchs, attended by 35 young adults, 20 matriarchs, one local health organization, and local health service provider.
- Liaised with Ministry of Education and Ministry of health for community and provincial wide projects.
- Additional projects included: sustainable agriculture seminars; working with community leaders on leadership development and water management; and supporting local female artisans in entrepreneurship.
Program Intern
Arapal Nature Farm
06.2015 - 08.2015
- Lived and worked on farm built by organization, learning across sustainable agriculture and ecotourism teams.
- Assisted with advocacy, outreach, and data collection to rural and urban communities via seminars designed to educate on alternative protein products for dietary enrichment, organic fruit consumption, and all‐natural products.
- Participated in organizational leadership strategy meetings as well as community mapping and operational management of “give a goat” program.
- Presented lessons learned to founder of organization as well as development proposals, administrative observations, and recommendations for stronger reporting processes that align with sector-wide standards.
Education
Master of Science - International Relations
Northeastern University
Boston, MA06.2020
Master of Arts - Vocational Missions And Ministry
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX12.2015
Skills
- Project & Time Management
- Interpersonal & Intercultural Communication
- International Experience
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical
- Problem Solving
- Relationship Building
- Collaboration
- Oral & Written Communication
- Research
- Multistakeholder processes
- Research
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Additional Information
Awarded the Brandon Valentine Leadership Award for Exemplary Service at the end of Peace Corps service in 2018.
Timeline
Mitigation Specialist
Texas Defender Service
10.2021 - Current
Immigration Legal Associate
Foster LLP
09.2020 - 09.2021
Community Outreach and Donor Coordinator
Haven Of Hope Jay Gould Center
01.2019 - 01.2020
Office of Refugee Resettlement Case Coordinator
Upbring-Bokenkamp Children's Shelter
07.2018 - 01.2019
English, Leadership, and Life Skills Volunteer
Peace Corps
02.2016 - 04.2018
Program Intern
Arapal Nature Farm
06.2015 - 08.2015
Master of Science - International Relations
Northeastern University
Master of Arts - Vocational Missions And Ministry
Abilene Christian University
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