GINA SHORT

Wandering Social Worker

UNPAID AND PAID WORK EXPERIENCE

HELPLINE INFORMATION AND RESOURCE REFERRAL SPECIALIST     9/22 to 8/23

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)  

• Provided guidance to individuals affected by serious mental health conditions, establishing productive rapport.  
• Offered nationwide access to mental health community resources.

CHIEF, CITIZENSHIP BRANCH   11/14 to 3/20

Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Field Operations Directorate         Washington, DC

• Supervised seven Adjudications Officers; performance management, training, and coaching.
• Established and updated citizenship and naturalization adjudication process for the public, and USCIS field offices domestically and abroad.
• Oversaw staff who advised high profile government offices on naturalization matters and technological improvements.
• Supported military naturalization efforts by establishing USCIS presence on domestic military bases and coordinating with DOD on military related citizenship and naturalization matters.
• Interacted with various congressional representatives and foreign government agencies.

OVERSEAS ADJUDICATIONS OFFICER   2/13 to 11/14

DHS, USCIS, FOD           Moscow, Russia

• Oversaw the USCIS refugee application process across multiple countries.  Conducted sensitive, complex case investigations.
• Collaborated with DOS, UNHCR, and other international organizations.

ADJUDICATIONS OFFICER     7/09 to 2/13

DHS, USCIS, FOD         Washington, DC

• Led multi-year national project to centralize various citizenship and naturalization adjudications into a modern case management system.
• Managed multi-year naturalization and citizenship form revision of all citizenship and naturalization forms.
• Served as subject matter expert on naturalization medical disability process including conducting trainings and information sessions.

REFUGEE OFFICER   11/07 to 7/09

DHS, USCIS, FOD         Various International Locations

• Adjudicated complex refugee applications; conducted field adjudictions in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
• Liaised with DOS, UNHCR, and other organization on U.S. refugee resettlement matters.

PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOW (PMF) – REFUGEE OFFICER   4/07 to 11/07

DHS, USCIS, Refugee Affairs and International Operations Directorate (RAIO)         Washington, DC

• Researched and implemented best USCIS adjudication practices to enhance performance.
• Updating procedures for refugee fraud determinations using statistic analysis.

PMF – MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYST     9/05 to 4/07

DHS, USCIS, Service Center Operations Directorate (SCOPs)         Washington, DC

• Coordinated USCIS adjudicator access to DOS systems ti improve review and determination accuracy.
• Managed transfer of refugee Employment Authorization responsibilities from CBP to USCIS.

ENGLISH TEACHER AND LIBRARIAN     7/96 to 6/98

U.S. Peace Corps Eritrea, Africa

• Taught English over 55 middle school students aged 10 to 21 years old.
• Established a middle school library in collaboration with the ministerial government and international organizations.

EDUCATION

• Management Concepts – Certificates in Leadership, Supervision, and Project Management
• University of Maryland, School of Social Work - Masters of Social Work, Social Action and Community Development Certificate
• Western Oregon State College - Bachelor of Science History (Psychology Minor)

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

• Mental Health Association of Montgomery County
• Friendly Visitor
• International Rescue Committee
• Program Assistant
• American Red Cross
• Disaster Action Team Leader
• 9/11 Fund
• International Social Services
• Graduate Intern
• Co-Authored Children’s Support Best Practices publication
• Villa Maria/Catholic Charities
• Project PrePARE Graduat Intern
• Center for Multucultural Human Services
• Immigrant Mentor
• DC Rape Crisis Center
• Hotline Counselor and Hospital Advocate
• Whitman-Walker Health Clinic
• HIV/AIDS Buddy
• Hospice Caring, Inc.
• Caregiver
• Newcomer Community Service Center
• Program Assistan