Public Safety Secret Clearance

Cheryl A. Joseffy

*** *********** *****, ******, ** 06037 U.S. Citizen Top Secret Clearance

Day/Evening Phone: 860-***-**** Email: ******@*****.***

Linkedin.com/in/Cheryl-joseffy-194bb619a

Savvy former national-level retail sales executive with strong business acumen making a career pivot to homeland security and public safety domain. Entrusted to conduct background investigations for Department of Defense and to provide public safety for several private sector organizations. Proven ability to think critically and make complex decisions in high-pressure situations. Poised to leverage academic background, extensive certifications, and relevant work experience in safety, security, and investigations to support federal programs and priorities.

~ Selected Areas of Expertise ~

Supervisory Experience – Performance Management – Physical Security

Negotiations – Conflict Resolution – FEMA Certifications – Forensics Photography

Incident Response – Emergency Operations & Management – Investigative Report Writing

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

04/2024 – Present, Background Investigator (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency), Contract with CACI International, Inc., Chantilly, VA; 50 hours per week; Salary: $23.50 hourly; Supervisor: Tracey Balanca, Phone: 202-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Provide support to the Secret and Top Secret Clearance investigation vetting program for the Department of Defense. Conduct in-person and telephonic interviews, review records, analyze information, write case file reports, and adhere to standards. Maintain professionalism during in-person interviews, which encompass the New England geographic area and nationwide telephonic interviews.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Completed all assigned background investigations within established suspense dates while

meeting the standards for comprehensive security assessments.

10/2022 – 04/2024, Public Safety Officer, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT; 55–60 hours per week; Salary: $50,000 per year; Supervisor: Joe Willis, Phone: 860-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

PHYSICAL SECURTY & ACCESS CONTROL: Conducted access control operations, physical security and badging, and foot patrols within the 185-bed hospital, with five entrances. Maintained law and order, crime prevention, and workplace violence protection under potentially stressful or dangerous conditions. Provided support to entering police and emergency medical services personnel.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE & REPORT WRITING: Responded to medical emergencies, security breaches, evacuations, and assisted other first responders. Secured and recorded evidence and developed detailed records and reports of incidents, accidents, and other notable occurrences during shifts. Notified other agencies and first responders as required by policies and procedures and, where required, disseminated investigation results or reports.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Rewrote the policy and procedure handbook for the security division of the hospital, staffed draft through hospital management, and published approved document as the new standard.

* Developed the training handbook for a 30-member public safety staff, including a specialized course in de-escalation developed in accordance with the Marcus Center crisis prevention standards for children and adolescents.

04/2022 – 10/2023, Police Security Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Administration Medical Center, West Haven, CT; 40 hours per week; Salary: $45,000 per year; Supervisor: Linus Snell, Phone: 203-***-****, ext. 8807; Okay to contact: Yes

PHYSICAL SECURTY & ACCESS CONTROL: Conducted vehicle and foot patrols over the 40-acre campus of the 500-bed West Haven VA Medical Center. Maintained law and order, crime prevention, traffic control, search and seizure, and workplace violence protection over the physical campus. Provided protection for employees, staff, and patients as well as emergency telecommunications services on an as-needed basis.

INCIDENT REPORTING & MANAGEMENT: Served on the center’s Incident Command Team. Performed incident investigations and developed associated reports in compliance with the agency’s investigative techniques. Collaborated with local law enforcement on incident response. Conducted witness interviews, physical evidence gathering, and perpetrator detention. Executed procedures for contingencies such as active shooter, bomb threat, and hazardous material remediation, as needed, and maintained readiness training in these areas. Served as a member of the deployable Disaster Emergency Personnel Medical System team for addressing incident response at nationwide VA facilities, as needed.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Designated as lead trainer for emergency operations and trained over 35 staff members on

approved protocols and procedures for handling major incidents.

* Managed the external entry portal at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, processed thousands of entries per week with efficiency and without incident, thus enabling normal operations.

* Partnered with local law enforcement to successful investigate and mitigate an organized

ring of car prowls and catalytic converter thefts in the VA facility parking areas.

06/2021 – 09/2021, Public Safety Intern, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington, DC and Dallas, TX; 40+ hours per week; Salary: $1,500 per week; Supervisor: Georgia Baione, Phone 540-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

INCIDENT & EMERGENCY REPORTING: Developed strong competencies with the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System for situational awareness and management of emergencies during hands-on internship. Utilized the agency’s transportation and commodities management systems for resource acquisition, delivery, tracking, and transportation coordination for real-time mission support to incidents, emergencies, natural disasters, and other catastrophes. Met with leadership of the Texas distribution center and Washington, DC headquarters to discuss and analyze strategic planning initiatives.

TRAINING MANAGEMENT: Deployed as an evaluator of FEMA employee training programs. Evaluated distributed and remote training modules offered in asynchronous mode, as well as onsite instructor-led training at various FEMA locations. Identified several areas for improvement and formulated reports and recommendations for optimizing the training based on budgets and needs-based projections for the agency’s personnel.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Initiated several training recommendations for FEMA’s Logistics Supply Chain Management System that were adopted, enabling staff to better use the system for scheduling the movement of materiel during emergency operations.

* Developed total asset management recommendations that were adopted by FEMA that used

tracking devices on deployed supply trailers for location and payload status.

01/2020 – 04/2020, Emergency Operations Staff (Internship), Town of Glastonbury, CT; 20 hours per week; Salary: College credits; Supervisor: Bobby DiBella, Phone: 860-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING: Conducted training at the local level for emergency operations personnel. Developed lesson plans and provided classes in shelter operations, life saving techniques, and emergency rescue operations. Utilized a train-the-trainer approach to develop depth and institutional knowledge in the subject areas.

INTERAGENCY COORDINATION: Represented the emergency operations team at state meetings. Developed preparedness strategies and programs for state civil servants at various state facility locations for rapid response during emergencies. Integrated state and local activities to improve communications and situational awareness.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Implemented a monthly stakeholder meeting that improved participation of key players by nearly 50% and aided in the real-time dissemination of operational information.

* Developed the staff’s approved emergency response communications protocols for expediting communications with the public, government officials, and the media during incidents.

06/2019 – 12/2020, Independent Sales Director, Northeastern States, Jaffe Bridal, New York, NY; 50 hours per week; Salary: $75,000 per year, plus performance bonuses; Supervisor: Sumay Bhansali, Phone: 347-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Maintained existing business accounts and developed new accounts for the northeastern region of the U.S. Managed four staff members as well as a marketing budget of $2.5 million. Developed marketing targets, promotional campaigns, and pricing strategies for the company’s offerings. Increased brand awareness by attending shows, industry events, and networking functions.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Attained a 25% increase in customer accounts by growing 65 initial accounts to over 80 in the

northeast region of the U.S.

* Achieved a 275% increase in sales from an average of $2M annually prior to arrival to an

average of $7.5M annually during tenure with company.

* Assigned the company’s sought-after “Top 10” customer listings as the result of building

strong customer relationships.

01/2016 – 12/2019 Independent National Sales Director (US + Canada), Chimento, Miami, FL; 50 hours per week; Salary: $80,000 per year; Supervisor: Federica Chimento, Phone: 305-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Developed and grew new wholesale business accounts. Conducted market research, product selection, and pricing strategies. Developed sales channels and buyers for over 50 major accounts. Launched new product line in the U.S. and Canada.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Designed and marketed the launch of a major first-of-its-kind broker-to-broker product line for Chimento International that expedited time to market for the company’s high-end jewelry lines.

09/2011 – 01/2016; Sales Director, Gumuchian, New York, NY; 50 hours per week; Salary: $85,000 per year, plus performance bonuses; Supervisor: Miriam Gumuchian, Phone: 212-***-****; Okay to contact: Yes

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Managed six staff and developed relationships with national and emerging accounts across the U.S. Participated in the design and selection of new product lines consistent with current style and market trends. Partnered with retailers in the development and execution of retail trunk shows and other special events to maintain the growth of product lines.

SPECIAL EVENTS & TRAINING: Conducted onsite product training and education to client team members. Managed all aspects of national trade shows and special events, establishing meetings and business development opportunities for the company concurrent with these events.

Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

* Expanded annual territory revenues by over 250%, from $1.8M to $6.5M, during five-year tenure with the company.

* Selected, hired, and trained two corporate-level managers for key management positions.

EDUCATION:

-Bachelor of Science, Public Safety & Security, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT, 2020

Received the Goodwin University 2020 Excellence in Internship Award

Graduation/Commencement Speaker for Class of 2020

President Goodwin University Public Safety & Security Club, 2019–2020

- Associate of Science, Homeland Security, Goodwin University, East Hartford, CT, 2019

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

-Certified Incident Commander and Emergency Rescue Team, State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Hartford, CT, 2023–present

-Concealed Carry Permit, CT State Police, Special Licensing and Firearms Unit, 2021–Present

-Emergency Preparedness, CT State Emergency Operations Center, Hartford, CT, 2019–2023

-Completed 23 FEMA specialized training certificates/courses (Safety, Security, Response Frameworks, Risk Management, Telecommunications, Command Center Operations, Counterintelligence, Incident Management, Disaster Assistance, other related topics), FEMA, Washington, DC, 2020–2021

-Basic Life Saving, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, CT, 2021

-Security Officer, State of Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Hartford, CT, 2021

-Shelter Fundamentals, American Red Cross, Hartford, CT, 2020

-K-9 Bomb Training Course, Connecticut State Police/U.S. Transportation Security Administration, Bradley Airport, Windsor Locks, CT, 2019

VOLUNTEER WORK:

-Serve as mentor and guide for youth ages 1–16, helping with activities of daily living, and as a staff trainer in de-escalation techniques, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Newington, CT, 2022–Present

-Volunteer for the Hartford-area Police Memorial Fund for Connecticut’s Bereaved Officers in twice-annual memorial running events, Hartford, CT, 2022–Present

-CT Emergency Rescue Team Hartford Fire Department 2022–Present

-Solicit donations for fashion shows and auctions to support special needs adults in Middletown, CT, 2021–Present

-Volunteer, Futures Inc., Hiring of handicapped children program, Middletown, CT, 2018–2021

LANGUAGES:

-Italian and Spanish

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