Rachelle Heffernan
Ocala,FL
Summary
Highly adaptable professional with a positive attitude and to stay calm and nonjudgmental in any situation. Detail-driven when it comes to documenting. Hardworking Child Development Specialist well-versed in helping children diagnosed with behavioral, mental or developmental issues. Resourceful and hardworking team player focused on addressing problems head-on in order to help students in academic and social situations. Well-qualified administrative professional with remarkable typing skills, data entry expertise and goal-oriented mentality. Proficient in updating daily logs, investigating discrepancies and managing records. Focused on maximizing service and comfortable working with little oversight.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner / Director
Sunshine Academy of Marion County
Ocala, FL
08.2025 - Current
- Developed and implemented business strategies to enhance operational efficiency and profitability.
- Candidate Sourcing for social media to enhance enrollment and advertisement.
- Mentored and trained staff on best practices in customer service and sales techniques.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Managed financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to optimize resource allocation.
- Established strong vendor relationships, negotiating contracts for cost-effective procurement.
- Led marketing initiatives that expanded customer reach and increased brand awareness.
- Manage and generate team building techniques to ensure adequate moral.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure accurate documentation for State of Florida requirements for Department of Children and Families.
Correctional Officer
Florida Department Of Corrections
Ocala, FL
08.2025 - 12.2025
- Trained new officers in policies, procedures, and effective communication strategies within correctional environments.
- Trained new officers in interacting with high risk Mental Health inmates.
- Supervised inmate activities, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and regulations.
- Conducted regular inspections of facilities to maintain security standards and identify potential risks.
- Responded to emergencies, managing crisis situations with a focus on de-escalation and safety.
- Collaborated with staff to develop and implement rehabilitation programs for inmate reintegration.
- Managed high-risk situations with professionalism and composure, ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
- Assisted in the training of new correctional officers, providing guidance on best practices and procedures.
Child Protective Investigator
Department of Children and Family Services
Ocala, FL
04.2023 - 08.2025
- Assisted with Patient assessments during post traumatic life altering abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child as well as family members.
- Investigated reports of child abuse and neglect to determine if further actions are necessary.
- Conducted home visits, interviews, and assessments in order to evaluate the safety of a child's environment.
- Collaborated with other agencies such as law enforcement, mental health providers, schools, and social services.
- Developed case plans in order to ensure that the best interests of the child were met.
- Maintained detailed records on all cases including reports and notes from interviews.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed.
- Acted as a liaison between families and government or community resources.
- Participated in court proceedings related to cases.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations regarding child abuse investigations.
- Monitored progress of cases including ensuring that deadlines are met.
- Responded to emergency situations involving children requiring immediate attention.
- Provided testimony at hearings related to child protective investigations.
- Investigated each child's living environment to determine whether home was safe or presented risks.
- Remained composed and calm when interacting with individuals, taking into account that children and families were involved in high-stress situations.
Detention Officer
Marion County Sheriff Office
Ocala, FL
03.2020 - 04.2023
- Specialized training in general instructor teaching education for Law Enforcement.
- Assisted in the intake of new inmates, ensuring all necessary paperwork was completed and filed correctly.
- Supervised inmates during recreational activities, providing guidance when needed.
- Monitored inmate behavior to ensure compliance with facility regulations and procedures.
- Conducted searches of cells for contraband items such as drugs, weapons or other prohibited materials.
- Provided support and assistance to fellow officers during emergency situations.
- Maintained records of incident reports and daily logs to document inmate activity.
- Enforced disciplinary action when appropriate according to established guidelines.
- Performed administrative duties such as filing, data entry, mail sorting and answering telephones.
- Investigated disturbances within the facility and reported findings to supervisors.
- Escorted inmates from one area of the detention center to another safely and securely.
- Served meals in a timely manner while enforcing mealtime regulations for inmates.
- Patrolled areas within the detention center on foot or by vehicle to monitor security levels.
- Responded quickly and effectively to any medical emergencies that arose within the facility.
- Counseled inmates regarding their rights, privileges, rules and regulations of the facility.
Correctional Officer Captain
Florida Department Of Corrections
Ocala, FL
02.2018 - 03.2020
- Directed and coordinated the activities of subordinate officers in a correctional facility.
- Inmate assessments during a post use of force evaluation in assessing medical needs and possible life saving decisions to pursue further medical evaluations / treatments.
- Supervised the security, custody, and control of inmates within assigned areas.
- Monitored inmate behavior and enforced institution rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Conducted investigations into alleged incidents of misconduct involving inmates or staff.
- Provided guidance to staff on proper techniques for dealing with inmates.
- Prepared reports that documented disciplinary actions taken against inmates.
- Ensured compliance with safety standards by inspecting equipment and facilities.
- Collaborated with outside agencies such as social services and probation departments.
- Organized meetings with supervisors from other corrections facilities regarding best practices.
- Educated incoming officers on their duties and responsibilities as part of orientation.
- Maintained current knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, codes, ordinances.
- Resolved conflicts between inmates or staff members in order to ensure a safe environment.
- Coordinated transportation arrangements for transferring prisoners between institutions.
- Prepared written reports concerning inmate's misconduct.
- Monitored inmate behavior to prevent crime, escape attempts and other dangerous activities.
Correctional Officer Lieutenant
Florida Department Of Corrections
Ocala, FL
03.2016 - 02.2018
- Developed and implemented daily operational plans for assigned shifts.
- Responded to emergency situations within the facility involving inmates or staff members.
- Monitored inmate activities inside and outside of housing units to ensure compliance with institutional rules and regulations.
- Performed searches of individuals, cells, common areas, mailrooms. for contraband and other items prohibited by policy.
- Provided direction to subordinates regarding proper use-of-force techniques according to established guidelines.
- Maintained accurate records relating to inmate behavior, security matters, investigations, disciplinary actions taken against inmates and other related information.
- Coordinated transfers of inmates between institutions in order to maintain population control levels.
- Advised senior management on staffing needs based on inmate population fluctuations or changes in security levels at the facility.
- Evaluated performance evaluations completed by subordinate officers for accuracy prior to submitting them for approval from senior managers.
- Facilitated training sessions designed to educate new correctional officers on proper safety protocols when interacting with inmates.
- Disciplined staff members found guilty of violating departmental policies through issuing written warnings or imposing suspensions without pay.
Correctional Officer Sergeant
Florida Department Of Corrections
Ocala, FL
04.2012 - 03.2016
- Crisis intervention for peers during critical and life altering experiences with staff and family members as well as referrals for possible PTSD effects of events.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state and local laws governing corrections operations.
- Inspected cells to ensure that all rules and regulations pertaining to living conditions were met.
- Conducted investigations into reported incidents of misconduct or criminal activity among inmates.
- Supervised subordinate officers in the performance of their duties, including inmate security and control, housing assignments, meal service, recreation activities and work details.
- Maintained records of inmate movement within the facility as well as outside visits or transfers.
- Conducted searches of staff members, visitors and inmates upon entry and exit from the facility.
- Provided guidance to subordinates regarding proper procedures related to security operations.
- Reviewed incident reports submitted by subordinate officers for accuracy and completeness.
- Intervened in situations involving physical altercations between inmates or between inmates and staff members.
- Assisted medical personnel during emergency medical situations involving inmates.
Correctional Officer
Florida Department Of Corrections
Ocala , FL
10.2009 - 04.2012
- Conducted searches of inmates, cells, and prison grounds to detect contraband or illegal activities.
- Maintained order in the prison by monitoring inmate behavior and intervening when necessary.
- Enforced prison rules and regulations while maintaining a safe environment for inmates and staff.
- Supervised prisoners during meals, recreation time, work assignments, medical visits, court appearances, and other activities.
- Monitored video surveillance systems to observe prisoner activity throughout the correctional facility.
- Responded to emergency situations such as riots or disturbances with appropriate force measures.
- Interacted with inmates in an effort to reduce tension between them and maintain a peaceful atmosphere within the facility.
- Investigated incidents involving prisoners or staff to determine who was responsible for any violations of policies or procedures.
- Provided guidance and counseling services to help inmates adjust to their new environment and develop life skills needed upon release from prison.
- Assisted in training new Correctional Officers in proper safety protocols and techniques for dealing with difficult situations.
- Prepared detailed reports documenting all relevant information related to daily operations at the correctional facility.
Education
Nursing
South Florida State College
Avon Park, FLLaw Enforcement
Correctional Officer Certification
Port Charlotte10-2009
High School Diploma -
Desoto High School
Arcadia, FL06-2008
No Degree - Psychology
College of Central Florida
Ocala06-2018
Skills
- Writing and verbal communication
- Substance Abuse Knowledge
- Court Testimony
- Conducting interviews
- Confidentiality Practices
- Case Documentation
- Abuse and Neglect Investigation
- Information Gathering
- Child Development
- Teamwork and Cooperation
- Effective customer communication
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Active Learning
- Behavioral analysis
- First-aid and CPR
- Firearms proficiency
- Defensive Tactics
- Crisis Intervention
- Report Preparation
- Emergency Response
Languages
American Sign Language
Limited
Timeline
Owner / Director
Sunshine Academy of Marion County
08.2025 - Current
Correctional Officer
Florida Department Of Corrections
08.2025 - 12.2025
Child Protective Investigator
Department of Children and Family Services
04.2023 - 08.2025
Detention Officer
Marion County Sheriff Office
03.2020 - 04.2023
Correctional Officer Captain
Florida Department Of Corrections
02.2018 - 03.2020
Correctional Officer Lieutenant
Florida Department Of Corrections
03.2016 - 02.2018
Correctional Officer Sergeant
Florida Department Of Corrections
04.2012 - 03.2016
Correctional Officer
Florida Department Of Corrections
10.2009 - 04.2012
Law Enforcement
Correctional Officer Certification
High School Diploma -
Desoto High School
Nursing
South Florida State College
No Degree - Psychology
College of Central Florida
Education and Training
other,other,other