Sheri Schwartz
Middleport,NY
Summary
While I've been a Correctional Officer for 26 years and am embarking upon my retirement in February 2024, I have held several customer service jobs before and during that time. I have always been a hard worker and had multiple jobs at a time since the age of 18. I have worked in many store settings that were not listed in my resume as they were over 26 years ago and I do not remember all specific dates. I have worked at the Levi's Store, Piercing Pagoda, Cellular One, Gi-Ro Dry Cleaner, RGIS Inventory Company and more. I was also a receptionist on weekends at the Nursing Home that my Great-Grandmother lived in.
My mother started teaching me customer service young, and at the age of 13 I accompanied her to all of her in home parties for Mary Kay Cosmetics. She had me handle all phone conversations with all guests who would be attending the party to see what their skin care preferences were. I got used to making phone calls and handling files, and sending out invitations at an early age. This readied me for my years in customer service. In my mid twenties, I had my own business selling Tastefully Simple.
From 2015-2021 I was an active Young Living Essential Oils distributor and ran my own business. I held workshops and classes in teaching health and wellness in a chemical free lifestyle. I had to research and write my own course material, come up with new and interesting workshops and did many vendor events and virtual classes via Facebook. I learned many different formats to hold classes via Facebook, in person and Zoom. I established lasting business connections and friendships along the way. I attended three National Conventions in Salt Lake City, Utah to gain more experience and knowledge about the product and business.
I am a conscientious, hard worker and not afraid to take charge of any situation. I have years of customer service experience as well as handling and diffusing high stress situations due to my work and experience within the Correctional Facility setting.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Correction Officer
Niagara County Correctional Facility
12.1997 - Current
- Enhanced facility safety by conducting thorough security checks and monitoring inmate activities.
- Reduced inmate altercations by maintaining consistent enforcement of rules and regulations.
- Prevented contraband introduction through diligent cell searches and visitor screenings.
- Promoted a positive environment for rehabilitation with effective communication and conflict resolution skills.
- Supervise officers as well as incarcerated individuals on an entire unit. My job responsibilities consist of maintaining the proper headcount within the housing unit, managing sick call with medical staff, facilitating programs, managing programs, attorney visits and counselors on the floor. Inmates oftentimes have mental health and behavioral issues that I have to communicate about and oftentimes diffuse.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping by diligently documenting incidents, medical issues, and daily activities.
- Supported successful emergency response efforts by participating in regular drills and training exercises.
- Provided guidance for new staff members as part of an ongoing training program aimed at enhancing overall team performance.
- Supervised inmates during all activities and transfers to monitor compliance and implement corrective actions.
- Effectively interacted with staff, offenders, visitors and public to maintain security within facility.
- Conducted pat downs and strip searches of inmates and visitors to prevent contraband from entering facility.
- Monitored radio transmissions between staff to respond immediately to directions and emergencies.
- Inspected condition of locks, window bars, doors and gates to prevent prisoner escapes.
- Maintained a fixed post in Central Control- this consists of coordinating all movement of staff and incarcerated individuals within two buildings, using a touch screen system to facilitate all movement within the facility and using our jail camera system, maintaining control and proper accountability of all facility issued keys and radios, handled all incoming calls within the facility from family members, legal council, courts, etc regarding inmate information and also handling issues with the fire suppression system and sprinkler system throughout the facility.
- Received New York State Correctional Officer of the Year award in 2021 for my part in successfully diffusing a hostage situation where an inmate held a jail made shank to one of the Nurse's throats in order to escape. We gained control of the inmate as well as the shank and the Nurse was successfully removed from the situation.
Sales Associate
Disc Jockey Records
03.1995 - 01.1999
- Increased sales revenue by building strong rapport with customers and recommending appropriate products based on their needs.
- Boosted customer satisfaction levels through exceptional service, addressing concerns promptly, and providing a welcoming store environment.
- Achieved monthly sales targets consistently by implementing effective sales strategies and maintaining a high level of product knowledge.
- Conducted inventory, handled ordering of product and checking in shipments of inventory.
- Handled sales through Ticketmaster for concert events.
- Held cashier sales as well as accounting for the cash register contents and deposits at the end of shift.
Assistant Manager
Frontier Cellular
05.1996 - 06.1998
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Streamlined store operations for increased efficiency, implementing new processes and procedures.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
- Conducting inventory checks, ordering inventory and restocking merchandise.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Completing contracts for new cellular service and all upgrades.
- Learning programming for all phone types in stock.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
Sales Associate
Mailboxes ETC.
02.1993 - 11.1995
- Handled cash transactions efficiently while adhering to company cash handling policies, ensuring accuracy in all financial exchanges.
- Handle copy making for customers
- Packing, labeling and shipping packages for clients via UPS or US Mail.
- Provided personalized shopping experiences for repeat customers by remembering their preferences and offering tailored recommendations.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal
SUNY Brockport
Brockport05.2003
Skills
- Records Management
- Security Procedures
- Crisis Management
- Relationship Building and Management
- Emergency Response
- Staff Management
- File and Record Maintenance
- Inmate Supervision
- Integrity and Honesty
- Trained in Defensive Tactics
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Coaching Abilities
- Discretion and Confidentiality
- Verbal Communication
- Multitasking Abilities
- Time Management
- Computer Literacy
- Professionalism
- Written Communication
- Report Writing
- Teamwork Abilities
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem Solving
- Assertiveness
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Ethical Conduct
- Record Keeping
- Attention to Detail
- Organizational Skills
- Leadership Qualities
- Interpersonal Skills
- Decision Making
- Accountability
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Knowledge
- Empathy and Compassion
- Contraband Seizure
- Facility Security
- CCTV Monitoring
- Criminal Justice
- First Aid Training
- Suicide Prevention
- Safety
- Program Coordination
- Product Knowledge
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Self-Defense Techniques
- Central and Pod Control
- Radio and Key Equipment Maintenance
Accomplishments
I earned New York States Correctional Officer of the Year award in 2021 due to my active roll in a hostage situation in the jail. We have never, in my entire career had a hostage situation in the facility. Four of us took control of the incarcerated individual, his weapon and we safely rescued our nurse from this volatile situation.
Certification
I am certified in CPR and First Aid Certified
Timeline
Correction Officer
Niagara County Correctional Facility
12.1997 - Current
Assistant Manager
Frontier Cellular
05.1996 - 06.1998
Sales Associate
Disc Jockey Records
03.1995 - 01.1999
Sales Associate
Mailboxes ETC.
02.1993 - 11.1995
Bachelor of Science - Criminal
SUNY Brockport
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