Ernesto Rojas
Fresno
Summary
Dynamic Recreation Specialist with a proven track record at the Federal Correctional Institution, adept at program development and crisis management. Successfully implemented diverse recreational initiatives that enhanced inmate well-being and fostered teamwork. Skilled in effective communication and community engagement, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
11
11
Certifications
Work History
Recreation Specialist
Federal Correctional Institution
Mendota
08.2024 - Current
- Planned and facilitated diverse recreational programs to provide inmates with enriching experiences.
- Developed recreational programs for inmates, enhancing physical health and overall well-being.
- Organized sports leagues and activities to foster teamwork and cooperation among participants.
- Supervised daily operations of recreational facilities to ensure a safe environment for users.
- Led workshops on life skills and personal development to support inmate rehabilitation efforts.
- Created promotional materials, including newsletters and flyers, to increase engagement in recreational activities.
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
Mendota
11.2023 - Current
- Oversaw administrative functions for a federal correctional facility to support daily operations.
- Streamlined appointment scheduling for staff and inmates to enhance operational flow.
- Coordinated inmate records to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Herlong
07.2021 - 11.2023
- Maintained calmness and responded swiftly during emergency situations, managing aggressive inmates and preventing life-threatening incidents, including riots and medical emergencies.
- I have directed emergency crews responding to a fire, accident, and I have resolved physical altercation between inmates using verbal communication skills.
- Activated fire alarm and implemented fire containment procedures to ensure safety.
- Intervened promptly to de-escalate a physical altercation between inmates in the recreation area.
- Coordinated movement of critically injured inmate from housing unit to ambulance, ensuring prompt medical attention.
- I have coordinated inmate movement and responding staff during an emergency situation.
- Authored disciplinary reports, work orders, internal memoranda, audit report segments, and correspondence to maintain clear communication and documentation.
- As a Senior Officer Specialist, I have expressed ideas clearly and concisely to individuals and groups in both stressful and non-stressful situations.
Early Childhood Specialist
Exceptional Parents Unlimited
Fresno
04.2014 - 03.2021
- Identified, evaluated, and implemented evidence-based educational systems to effectively meet individualized student goals.
- Developed individualized education plans for children with diverse needs.
- Planned, developed, implemented, and instructed programs such as remedial reading, math, and language arts to meet the educational requirements of children with special learning needs.
- Conducted specialized classes and coordinated resources to improve educational competencies and social adjustments.
- Implemented behavioral interventions to support positive social interactions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess and address children's progress and needs.
- Facilitated workshops for parents, equipping them with effective child development strategies.
- Monitored classroom environments to ensure safety and inclusivity for all children.
Behaviorist
Maxim Health Care Services
Fresno
03.2013 - 05.2015
- Conducted assessments to identify behavioral issues, informing the development of tailored treatment plans.
- Develop and implement treatment plans.
- Provided group instruction regarding various aspects of applied behavior analysis (ABA) with individuals in the Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Facilitated family sessions and visits to ensure alignment with treatment goals.
- Assessed progress regularly to track client development and inform treatment adjustments.
- The goal was to eliminate disruptive and negative behaviors and replace them with positive ones.
- Facilitated conflict resolution and crisis intervention sessions with clients.
- Creating general strategies for behavior assessment.
- Delivered instruction in multiple community locations to enhance skill generalization.
- Provide individual and group instruction in various subjects: English, math, science, foreign languages, literature, psychological education.
- Advocated for clients' needs within healthcare settings and community resources.
- Created detailed documentation using Excel, PowerPoint, and personal notes.
Behaviorist
Behavioral Intervention Association
Fresno
10.2011 - 03.2014
- Develop comprehensive treatment plans focused on accurate diagnosis and behavioral treatment.
- Teach clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills, and functional living skills.
- Provided instruction on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the treatment of autism, management of maladaptive behaviors, data collection techniques, discrete trials.
- Consulted with psychiatrist on medication adjustments and addressed compliance and efficacy concerns.
- Led individual, family, group, and marital therapy sessions to support patient progress and well-being.
- Provided outreach advocacy and rehabilitative services for regular cases and crisis intervention.
- Worked effectively with clinical staff and external resources such as school, clinical, or community personnel.
- Applied policies to assess social and emotional needs of clients related to medical conditions.
- Use appropriate interventions with students in an alternative education setting.
- Assisted in implementing treatment plans to ensure adherence to program standards and client needs.
- Conference with staff weekly to ensure consistency within the program.
- Maintain a positive and passionate attitude in the classroom setting in order to promote a fun, proactive, and positive classroom environment.
- Supported client care efforts in an inpatient mental health treatment facility.
Student Teacher
McLane High School
Fresno
09.2009 - 06.2010
- Direct instruction for programs such as: Literacy, General Education Development (GED), Physical Education, English as a second language (ESL) in a classroom setting.
- Plan and implement an individualized instruction driven by data, modern strategy, diverse learning styles, and availability of resources.
- Utilized instructional materials tailored to student needs and abilities, enhancing engagement through self-study, visual aids, and audio aids.
- Designed and implemented lesson plans for High School grade World History as well as eighth grade United States History I utilizing Smart Board technology.
- Designed and implemented lesson plans for class for high school juniors and seniors involving daily articles, viewing and discussions of pre-recorded evening news shows, and relevant current events dealing with local issues and important national news.
- Developed and executed an instructional assessment plan to evaluate student progress and adapt teaching strategies.
- Lesson included: t-charts, rubrics, web quests, film, jigsaw strategies, working with primary sources, lecture, adapted exams for special needs students, and various projects utilizing technology.
- Fostered a positive classroom environment by maintaining an encouraging attitude, promoting student participation and enthusiasm.
- Collaborated on creating individualized education plans tailored to students' unique learning requirements.
Assistant Coach
Roosevelt High School
Fresno
06.2007 - 05.2010
- Developed and implemented various aspects of the cross country program, focusing on recruiting, training, and coaching team members.
- Coordinated the development and promotion of the cross country program.
- Organize and schedule practice sessions.
- Ensured student athletes maintained acceptable grades and conduct for program participation.
- Teach life skills that develop character.
- Effectively communicated with the athletic director, parents, athletes, and administrators.
- Conducted meetings with student athletes and their parents to promote communication and involvement.
Instructional Assistant
Roosevelt High School
Fresno
04.2008 - 04.2009
- Assisted instructional personnel in developing and presenting learning materials and instructional exercises; provided tailored instructional and behavioral assistance to individuals or groups, supporting special instructional programs and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEP).
- Tutors individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher, provides academic support and tutors individual students one-on-one; monitors and oversees student drills, practices and assignments in various subjects; assists in the implementation of lesson plans.
- Communicated with teachers and certified personnel to support students' needs and progress.
- Maintained a safe and organized learning environment to support student well-being.
- Escorted students to designated locations and accompanied them on public transportation while ensuring safety in educational, vocational, and community-based settings.
- Performed clerical and supportive duties for classroom activities, including preparing, typing, duplicating, and distributing instructional materials; collected and recorded data while maintaining attendance, grades, progress, behavior records, and student files.
Instructional Assistant
Kratt Elementary School
Fresno
08.2007 - 03.2008
- Assists instructional personnel with the development and presentation of learning materials and instructional exercises; provide a variety of instructional and behavior assistance to individual or groups of students in support of special instructional programs; assists in the implementation of the Individual Education Plans (IEP).
- Tutors individual or small groups of students, reinforcing instruction as directed by the teacher, provided academic support and tutor individual students one-on-one; monitor and oversee student drills, practices and assignments in various subjects; assist in the implementation of lesson plans.
- Communicated with teachers and certified personnel to support students needs and progress.
- Assured the health and safety of students by following established practices and procedures; maintains learning environment in a safe, orderly, and clean manner.
- Accompanied students to designated locations; ensured safety during public transportation; supervised students in various educational and community-based settings.
- Performs a variety of clerical and supportive duties related to classroom activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating, filing and distributing instructional materials; collects and records data; maintains records, charts, observation logs, and student files related to attendance, grades, progress, behavior and assigned activities.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Performance and Wellness, Human Movement, Adaptive Physical Activity
California State University Monterey Bay
05-2007
Single Subject Credential - Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA03-2026
Some College (No Degree) - Sports Administration
California State University Fresno
Fresno, CASkills
- Program development
- Recreational facilitation
- Crisis management
- Compliance assurance
- Safety protocols
- Team coordination
- Event planning
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Community engagement
- Health and wellness
- Supply maintenance
- Recreational program planning
Awards
- California State University Monterey Bay Dean’s List Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.
- Most valuable Cross Country Runner Cal State Monterey Bay 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
- Valley Runner of the Year Series Champion Fresno, California 2006 and 2007.
- Third best All time record holder in the 1600 meter run Roosevelt High School 2003.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
English
Full Professional
Certification
Federal Bureau of Prisons Staff Training Academy
Timeline
Recreation Specialist
Federal Correctional Institution
08.2024 - Current
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Correctional Institution Mendota
11.2023 - Current
Senior Officer Specialist
Federal Bureau of Prisons
07.2021 - 11.2023
Early Childhood Specialist
Exceptional Parents Unlimited
04.2014 - 03.2021
Behaviorist
Maxim Health Care Services
03.2013 - 05.2015
Behaviorist
Behavioral Intervention Association
10.2011 - 03.2014
Student Teacher
McLane High School
09.2009 - 06.2010
Instructional Assistant
Roosevelt High School
04.2008 - 04.2009
Instructional Assistant
Kratt Elementary School
08.2007 - 03.2008
Assistant Coach
Roosevelt High School
06.2007 - 05.2010
Bachelor of Science - Human Performance and Wellness, Human Movement, Adaptive Physical Activity
California State University Monterey Bay
Single Subject Credential - Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
California State University Fresno
Some College (No Degree) - Sports Administration
California State University Fresno