Rachel Rivas-Walker
My Skills & Experience
I’m thrilled to invite you to explore my professional portfolio so you can get to know a bit more about me. I am a driven and responsible manager with over twenty years of leadership experience. It’s my firm belief that a good challenge is a great way to develop and improve, which is why I make a point of seeking out challenges in the professional realm as well as in my personal life. I have developed a passion for building teams and focus on collaboration, communication, and mentoring others to be their best. I strive to build my reputation as an authentic leader by being approachable, transparent, and honest.
My Bio
I began my professional journey in 2000 working as a deputy for a county jail. In this role, I quickly learned that human beings experience trauma and stressors. My career path was forever set for a lifetime of passion to help others. Even when I took a position with a technology company 2009, I had the pleasure of assisting in disaster relief efforts for almost ten years. My current role has me supporting male juvenile offenders, their families, and staff in an intensive secure treatment program.
I take pride in all that I do and in the long-term relationships I’ve fostered in the process. I firmly believe that hard work eventually pays off, and I know that each day brings me closer to reaching my goals.
Past Experience
Past Roles
October 2019Â - Present
Youth Service Specialist Supervisor III (YSSIII) also YSSI and YSSII, Department of Human Services, Division on Youth Services
Overseeing and providing supervision to direct care staff. Routinely manages unit scheduling, movement of clients, oversees admissions/releases, orientation/onboarding, performance management, develops action plans, determines appropriate level of documentation, ensures subordinate staff
compliance with policies, procedures, standards, and programming. Other duties as assigned. (Youth Services YSSI from 10/19-7/20 promoted to YSSII 7/20 then promoted to YSSIII 9/20)
November 2018- August 2019
Program Manager and Senior Business Operations, Dish
Served as a team leader and a project manager. I was responsible and expected to provide updates and reports to our beta community, stakeholders, internal teams, and partners. The role required support to a team of approximately eight in a high stress environment. I provided a high level of assistance to the team and regularly conveyed changes and program expectations. (Promoted to Program Manager 7/19)
September 2019 - November 2018
Operations Manager and Business Operations Specialist, Dish
Managing high-profile accounts and team operations. Build relationships with teams and clients displaying exceptional customer service. Prepare and present monthly reports and for enterprise teams and leadership utilizing Microsoft Office Suite. Developed and implemented standard operating procedures and processes. Collaboration, data entry, call center, website management, training, coaching, mentoring, and team support. (Promoted to Operations Manager 11/16)
December 1999Â - May 2009
Deputy, Routt County Sheriff
Administrative oversight of the detention center which includes jail operations, records, offender registration, personnel/professional standards, and the training. Work closely with all divisions and departments within the sheriff’s office, plus coordinate with other county personnel, in addition with state, federal, municipal agencies, as well as vendors and the general public. Supervise and maintain control over inmates in transit between jail, courtroom, prisons, or other appointments, traveling by automobile or public transportation as required. Responsible for the safety, custody and care of inmates and overall security for the facility.
Education
My Schooling
October 2018 - October 2021
B.S. Organizational Leadership Magna Cum Laude, Colorado State University System
As an organizational leader there is a responsibility to build and lead innovative, successful, and thriving teams. I lead by applying my organization's mission, vision, and strategies. Application of effective communication and research skills, strategic development, ethics, critical thinking skills, and analysis in decision-making.
May 2003Â - May 2004
Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)Â Certificate, Colorado Mountain College
P.O.S.T. academy completed to become a certified peace officer in Colorado. Soft skills, such as communication including interrogations, confessions, and de-escalation techniques, introduction to the criminal justice system and judicial process, law enforcement ethics and anti-bias policing, basic law, rules of evidence, Colorado Criminal Code and federal statutes, Children's Code, legal liability, Liquor Code, controlled substances, court testimony, human and victim rights, domestic violence, bias motivated hate crimes, interactions with special populations, risk assessment, community interactions, patrol procedures, officer survival, searches, civil disputes, contacts, hazmat, crowd control, Traffic Code, investigations, major case, report writing, and court appearances.
My Skillset
My skills have been developed up over years of professional work experience as well as research and simple observation. I have a great balance between industry-specific skills and soft skills, which means I have what it takes to do brilliant work and make a contribution to any team.
Interpersonal Skills
Having developed interpersonal skills has helped me interact with others. I am able to use emotional and social intelligence when negotiating, problem solving, and communicating. I engage in active listening, understand verbal and non-verbal signals, and use this skill to express appreciation and display empathy. This skill allows for more efficiency and productivity. I value teamwork, am dependable and responsible, have self-awareness and am trustworthy.
Stong Work Ethic
A strong work ethic is working consistently, with purpose and systematically while focused on the goal. I make a point to understand the purpose and have the determination to complete each task. I have intrinsic motivation and value my role. I strive to improve my personal growth and development, always wanting to learn more. I value honesty, responsibility, respect, and humility.
"Don't Wish for It, Work for It."
W.R. Day and Co. Inc
