Valerie Onessimo
Wapato,WA
Summary
Proven Early Learning Advocate at Yakama Nation, adept in document management and building trust, significantly enhanced case efficiency and client advocacy through innovative solutions and strong interpersonal skills. Excelled in collaborative environments, achieving dynamic community partnerships and advancing educational support programs.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Learning Advocate
Yakama Nation
10.2008 - 04.2024
- Worked effectively with fellow Early Learning Advocates (previously titled Community Program Aides) to coordinate effective solutions to any question or concern regarding the Yakama Nation's Early Childhood Intervention and Infant and Toddler with Disabilities support program.
- Delivered friendly service and offered expert support in every interaction with clients, families and colleagues.
- Established trusting relationships with clients by maintaining open lines of communication throughout the entire representation process.
- Managed complex caseloads with diligence, prioritizing tasks to ensure timely progress of cases, effectively annotating goals and individual progress.
- Assisted with applications and collected required paperwork to help individuals register for supportive services.
- Assisted individuals in navigating processes and procedures to resolve issues, understand rights and express views. Helped clients parents develop skills to effectively advocate for themselves and their children in the educational supportive services field and special education field.
- Maintained positive relationships with community to build and nurture dynamic partnerships and actively sought opportunities to develop ChildFind and program recruitment activities.
- Collaborated with fellow advocates and other educational staff to maximize efficiency in case management and to ensure visits would fulfill individual goals through implementation of Individual Educational Plans (IEP).
- Through the use of Age and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3/SE 2) conducted comprehensive client interviews, gathering relevant information to build a strong foundation and use information to create individual goals and monthly lesson plans.
- Completed home-visits, reports, scanning, paperwork and documentation accurately and in timely manner.
- Participated in continuing education opportunities to stay current on educational trends and emerging health and wellness issues.
Security Officer
Legends Casino
05.2008 - 10.2008
- Greeted guests professionally and courteously to keep a welcoming atmosphere while making guests safety top priority.
- Conducted regular patrols of key areas to spot and control security concerns.
- Acted quickly during emergency situations to reduce opportunity for damage and injury.
- Patrolled and monitored premises while working with surveillance teams and under the advisement of higher ranked security officers.
- Provided courteous customer service while addressing questions and concerns from various customers and visitors.
- Prevented unauthorized access to site by enforcing identity checks, monitoring and keeping track of current bars, bans, and security threats.
- Enforce crowd control procedures during high-volume events.
- Escort large deposits of floor games and cashier cages to vault. Ensured security and safety of the revenue personnel to and from the vault.
- kept records and wrote detailed reports of security actions taken during shifts.
- Provided drivers assistance in parking lot with jump starts, safety escorts into and from building, providing back up to courtesy drivers and shuttle operators
Military Police Soldier
US Army
04.2001 - 04.2008
- Secured and protected military property, assets, and personnel while providing garrison military police services.
- Operated and maintained armored vehicles in field setting; conducted preventative maintenance checks and services before shift work, operated and maintained military police emergency vehicles in garrison setting.
- Implemented tactics, procedures, and techniques for defensive situations before, during, and after operations and exercises (particularly Post 9-11, Operation Noble Eagle, and post defense conditions Charlie to Bravo).
- Promoted a safe community by proactively addressing potential threats through intelligence gathering and crime prevention efforts.
- Facilitated communication between military personnel and civilians during crisis situations, ensuring proper coordination among all parties involved as a liaison from Provost Marshal's Office and local and county civilian police departments.
- Safeguarded classified materials through adherence to strict security protocols during transportation and storage processes. Oversaw handling of said materials in Provost Marshals Office.
- Contributed to overall mission readiness by maintaining personal physical fitness standards and participating in ongoing professional development opportunities. Oversaw physical fitness testing to ensure integrity of testing and taping of soldiers and also serving as witness to ensure lower ranking soldiers did not break their physical fitness profiles and limitations set forth by doctors orders.
- Exemplified strong leadership abilities by supervising junior military police personnel and ensuring optimal performance of assigned duties.
- Supported mission success through effective collaboration with local law enforcement agencies during joint operations. worked namely with Anne Arundel County Police, Odenton City Police, Maryland State Police, Laurel City Police, Baltimore City Police, Montgomery County Police during Operation Nobel Eagle and during the high-profile DC Sniper case.
- Assisted in reducing criminal activity by conducting diligent investigations into reported incidents and suspicious behaviors.
- Streamlined reporting processes by accurately documenting incidents using standardized forms and databases for efficient information sharing among relevant agencies. Helped rewrite paperwork to streamline official documents and create filing system to allow easier, faster, and effective record keeping standards still being used today. Assisted as Radio Transmitting Officer (RTO)/dispatcher in PMO and with Human Resources Office
- Enhanced security measures by conducting regular foot and vehicle patrols within assigned areas.
- Trained new Military Police Soldiers on proper techniques and procedures, fostering a culture of preparedness within the unit.
- Contributed to a secure environment by performing thorough inspections at entry control points and enforcing access restrictions.
- Participated in rigorous training exercises to maintain proficiency in advanced law enforcement techniques, tactics, and equipment.
- Maintained order during special events by providing crowd control, traffic management, and incident response services when necessary.
- Ensured the safety of personnel and property by responding swiftly to emergency situations, such as accidents or disturbances.
- Manned base entry points to provide 24/7 force protection, reviewing identifications, searching vehicles, and verifying deliveries prior to entrance to secure areas.
- Monitored gate activities, controlled traffic, and responded to emergencies on base.
- Patrolled base facilities and housing areas to deter crime, monitor activities, and provide force protection.
- Secured restricted areas and enforced limited access for civilians and military members in order to provide force protection and property security.
- Maintained 100% accountability of assigned equipment worth more than $250,000.
- Secured storage of weapons, ammunition and explosives to prevent theft and accidents and oversaw personnel who were charged with record keeping and signing out weapons and ammunition to patrols.
- Utilized surveillance equipment to monitor security of personnel and property.
- Searched vehicles, buildings and homes for evidence of stolen property.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide assistance to citizens in need.
- Utilized clear communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with citizens.
- Built excellent rapport and working relationship with community to build trust and improve upon communication.
- Conducted searches of individuals, vehicles and premises.
- Identified, pursued and arrested suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Performed rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters by directing traffic and administering emergency medical aid.
- Participated in continuous firearms proficiency, defensive driving and arrest technique training.
- Monitored traffic violations, issuing citations as necessary.
- Provided testimony in court proceedings.
- Handled citation and traffic violation paperwork.
Office Manager/Offset Press Operator
Digital Development/The Original Briefs
07.1996 - 03.2001
- Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
- Maintained clients orders for advertisements.
- Oversaw placement of advertisements, design ads on masters
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Create masters for daily newspaper
- Operated offset press printer to print 1000 copies of daily newspaper, collated, hand stuffed inserts as needed, counted orders and prepared for daily delivery.
- used Microsoft Word to create ads, place articles, edit news, print masters
Education
Bachelor of Science - Education K-8, Native American Studies
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA05.2015
Skills
- Document filing
- Document Review
- Legal knowledge
- Analytical Reasoning
- Active Listening
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Interpersonal Skills
- Case Management
- Creative and Critical Thinking
- Community Advocacy
- Written Communication
- Document Management
- Writing and editing
- Attention to Detail
- Building Trust and Relationships
Affiliations
- National Indian Child Welfare Association cardholder, member of Yakama Nation Warrior as a Veteran of US Army Post 9-11, member of local Indian Child Welfare advisory committee
Volunteer Community Cultural Teacher for arts and crafts to expand knowledge of Yakama Nation
I have taught basket making, bag weaving, how to gather prepare and store native foods and materials. taught how to sew native garments used in ceremonies and regalia.
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
sahaptan
Limited Working
Timeline
Early Learning Advocate
Yakama Nation
10.2008 - 04.2024
Security Officer
Legends Casino
05.2008 - 10.2008
Military Police Soldier
US Army
04.2001 - 04.2008
Office Manager/Offset Press Operator
Digital Development/The Original Briefs
07.1996 - 03.2001
Bachelor of Science - Education K-8, Native American Studies
Heritage University
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