RUSSELL D. BAKER
Cypress
Summary
Dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience in youth development, case management, and therapeutic care. Skilled in mentoring and empowering individuals to achieve positive outcomes through structured programs and personalized support. Adept at crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and behavioral assessment to ensure safety and promote growth. Strong communicator with a proven ability to build trust and meaningful relationships with diverse populations. Experienced in developing and implementing tailored treatment plans and rehabilitation strategies. Proficient in administrative reporting, documentation management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Passionate about youth development and committed to making a lasting impact through dedicated service.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Development Specialist
Cook County Juvenile Detention Center
Chicago
03.2014 - 07.2025
- Supervise structured and leisure activities for residents in the largest juvenile detention facility in the U.S.
- Prepare customized group and individual activities, classes, and recreational programs.
- Administer admission and orientation processes for new residents.
- Motivate and mentor residents to support successful rehabilitation.
- Monitor residents for behavioral changes and provide crisis intervention as needed.
- Conduct security checks, resident counts, and room inspections regularly.
- Document activities and incidents with detailed administrative reports.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address residents' needs effectively.
- Largest juvenile detention facility in the U.S.
Mental Health Associate
Riveredge Hospital
Forest Park
09.2012 - 02.2014
- Facilitate group activities and therapeutic interventions for patients.
- Provide individualized care tailored to patients’ treatment plans.
- Act as a liaison between patients and professional staff to ensure seamless communication.
- Collaborate with nursing staff to develop alternative care strategies.
- Implement behavior management and treatment plans to ensure patient safety.
- Maintain a controlled environment conducive to recovery.
- Monitor patient progress and provide timely feedback to the care team.
- Uphold compliance with hospital policies and therapeutic standards.
Affordable Housing Manager
Community Corp. of Santa Monica
Santa Monica
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Supervising rental properties.
- Screening tenants.
- Collecting rent payments.
- Keeping efficient records.
- Handling inbound and outbound communications.
- Coordinating and managing repairs in rental units.
Customer Service Representative, Team Lead
Comcast Cable
Woodridge
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Trained and led a team on new product offerings and operational standards.
- Coordinated with field technicians to schedule installations and repairs.
- Resolved complex billing discrepancies to ensure customer retention.
- Delivered training sessions to enhance team performance.
- Handled escalated customer service issues with professionalism.
- Monitored team metrics to ensure compliance with service standards.
Customer Service Representative, Supervisor
Cingular Wireless, Inc.
Schaumburg
01.1999 - 01.2006
- Promoted to Supervisor for consistently exceeding quality benchmarks.
- Motivated and guided diverse teams to achieve performance goals.
- Conducted market research to identify opportunities for growth.
- Streamlined processes to improve operational efficiency.
- Managed multiple tasks and deadlines with exceptional organizational skills.
- Responded to client and management inquiries with clear communication.
- Provided training to staff to enhance service delivery.
- Assisted in developing customer engagement strategies.
Corporal, Telecommunications Engineer
United States Marine Corps
01.1985 - 01.1991
- Deployed to Camp Pendleton, CA; Okinawa, Japan; Saudi Arabia; and Albany, GA.
- Designed and maintained telecommunications systems in high-pressure environments.
- Trained and mentored junior personnel in technical and operational procedures.
- Ensured communication readiness during critical missions.
- Honorable Discharge received for exemplary service.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
American Intercontinental University
Atlanta, GASkills
- Case Management
- Youth Development
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavioral Assessment
- Therapeutic Care
- Leadership Skills
- Team Motivation
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Service
- Documentation Management
- Communication Skills
- Security Monitoring
- Training and Mentorship
- Rehabilitation Support
- Problem Solving
- Administrative Reporting
- Crisis Management
- Time Management
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Decision Making
- Team Collaboration
- Stress Management
- Conflict Mediation
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Military Discipline
Military Experience
Corporal, Telecommunications Engineer, United States Marine Corps, 01/01/85, 12/31/91, Deployed to Camp Pendleton, CA; Okinawa, Japan; Saudi Arabia; and Albany, GA., Designed and maintained telecommunications systems in high-pressure environments., Trained and mentored junior personnel in technical and operational procedures., Ensured communication readiness during critical missions., Honorable Discharge received for exemplary service.
Skills Highlights
- Case Management
- Youth Development
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavioral Assessment
- Therapeutic Care
- Leadership Skills
- Team Motivation
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Service
- Documentation Management
- Communication Skills
- Security Monitoring
- Training and Mentorship
- Rehabilitation Support
- Problem Solving
- Administrative Reporting
- Crisis Management
- Time Management
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Decision Making
- Team Collaboration
- Stress Management
- Conflict Mediation
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Military Discipline
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteSalary Range
$45000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Youth Development Specialist
Cook County Juvenile Detention Center
03.2014 - 07.2025
Mental Health Associate
Riveredge Hospital
09.2012 - 02.2014
Affordable Housing Manager
Community Corp. of Santa Monica
01.2009 - 01.2011
Customer Service Representative, Team Lead
Comcast Cable
01.2007 - 01.2008
Customer Service Representative, Supervisor
Cingular Wireless, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2006
Corporal, Telecommunications Engineer
United States Marine Corps
01.1985 - 01.1991
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
American Intercontinental University