Walter Ellison
Shelbyville,IL
Summary
Motivated Corrections Leader enthusiastic about helping team members meet and exceed department and facility targets with compassion and leadership. Talented trainer and operational problem-solver with front-line experience and collaborative nature. Resourceful in balancing personal, business, and employee needs.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Correctional Shift Commander
Illinois Dept Of Corrections
01.2021 - Current
- Enhanced team performance by implementing effective communication and collaboration strategies.
- Implemented data-driven decision-making processes to enhance shift outcomes continuously over time based on insights gathered from various sources.
- Developed and implemented security policies, procedures and systems to protect personnel, property and data.
- Led by example in promoting a positive attitude among staff members towards teamwork and problem solving.
- Coordinated effectively with external stakeholders such as suppliers, vendors, or emergency services when necessary during shifts.
- Prepared shift summary reports for supervisor and communicated regularly on goals and progress.
- Conducted drills and systems checks to show knowledge and compliance of Agency Directives.
- Ensured mandated training was completed in timely manners
Correctional Sergeant
Illinois Dept. of Corrections
07.2017 - 01.2021
- Coordinated shakedowns to locate and remove unauthorized items.
- Notified medical staff of inmates requiring medical attention and submitted proper incident reports.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Demonstrated leadership by making improvements to work processes and helping to train others.
- Worked collaboratively with team members to deliver program requirements, develop solutions and meet deadlines.
- Thorough knowledge of laws both state and federal.
- Supervised Offender work details and housing unit assignments.
- Thorough knowledge of best practices and union bargaining agreement.
Shift Commander
Wa. Dept. Of Corrections
03.1998 - 06.2017
- Assigned and monitored training needs of subordinate staff members to close knowledge and performance gaps.
- Supervised and made cell assignments.
- Assigned daily tasks and responsibilities to employees and filled out daily work logs.
- Supervised visitation and checked all visitors for proper identification and contraband.
- Maintained order in building and on grounds of Maximum and Closed Custody prison.
- Managed 65 employees and supervised up to 2800 offenders in Maximum and Closed Custody prison facility.
- Recognized by management for providing exceptional leadership.
- Evaluated operational trends and made proactive strategy adjustments to maintain alignment between performance and objectives.
- Conducted inventory counts by assessing current state of inventory integrity against target accuracy levels and tracking variances.
- Spearheaded training initiatives to improve employee performance and bottom-line results.
- Warden's designated replacement in his or her absence.
- Incident Commander of many multi tiered incidents related to Man-Made and Natural Disasters.
Criminal Unit Manager
Wa. Dept. Of Corrections
08.2009 - 02.2011
- Implemented ongoing educational objectives to improve staff competencies in safety, quality and core measures.
- Created and managed unit's budget and trained and hired employees.
- Initiated audit process to evaluate thoroughness of documentation and maintenance of facility standards.
- Analyzed inmates records to determine efficiency and effectiveness of classification actions.
- Directed daily operations at Washington Corrections Center facility for more than 500 offenders.
- Participated in daily meetings with department heads to discuss information, admissions and pending releases for offenders.
- Facilitated peer-to-peer conflict resolution.
- Chief and Chair of classification
- Coordinate offender programs in the reception center
- Trained and certified PREA and Grievance Investigator, conducted interviews of staff and offenders to formulate conclusions based off evidence.
- Manager and Supervisor, supervising Correctional Sergeants and Counselors ranking 2 and 3 senior counselors. I managed 38 staff in total.
- Completed annual performance evaluations and set goals for next years success for all my assigned staff.
- Intimate knowledge of Best Practices and Evidenced Based Programming.
Education
PhD. - Global Leadership And Management
California University
Irvine, CA08.2019
Master of Science - Emergency Management
Kaplan University
Davenport, IA08.2015
Master of Science - Homeland Security
Kaplan University
Davenport, IA08.2015
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Colorado University
Colorado Springs, CO10.2010
Skills
- Staff scheduling
- Policy development
- Staff supervision
- Performance metrics
- Issue resolution
- Team supervision
- Staff development
- Multi-unit operations management
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Effective Leadership
- Team Management
- Incident Command
Affiliations
- Member, Lambda Alpha Epsilon
- Member of Gold Key Honor Society
- Member of John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Association
Additional Information
Completed ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800 classes
Timeline
Correctional Shift Commander
Illinois Dept Of Corrections
01.2021 - Current
Correctional Sergeant
Illinois Dept. of Corrections
07.2017 - 01.2021
Criminal Unit Manager
Wa. Dept. Of Corrections
08.2009 - 02.2011
Shift Commander
Wa. Dept. Of Corrections
03.1998 - 06.2017
PhD. - Global Leadership And Management
California University
Master of Science - Emergency Management
Kaplan University
Master of Science - Homeland Security
Kaplan University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Colorado University
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