Venita Bocage has over 15 years of experience in career development, employment services, and corrections. She has helped hundreds of ex-offenders and veterans transition back into the community and secure employment. Her background includes case management, counseling, program management, and she has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Law. She has outstanding communication, organization, and leadership skills developed through roles in both the public and private sectors.

1. Venita R. Bocage
Cell: (410) 446-2402 • Email: vrbocage@hotmail.com
EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Career Development Professional and Military Veteran with years of a proven ability to be a corporate steward interacting
and collaborating with multiple levels of management and diverse cultural audiences. Consistently achieved exceptional and
measurable results in a fast-paced environment in both civilian and military capacities. Possess a comprehensive
background in Case Management and counseling derived from conducting years of operations in the industry and extensive
knowledge in Program Management and service organizations, supported by specialized technical training, multiple
industry certifications, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Law.
• Career Coaching/Development • Employment Specialist • Workforce Development
• Team Leadership/Supervision • Training and Facilitation • Organization/Communication
• Outreach/Case Management • Resume Writing/Interviewing • Event Planner/Public Relations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation - Workforce Development 2007 – 2016
Re-entry Transition Specialist, Baltimore, MD
Provide comprehensive one-stop services to offenders as they transition from prison back into the community via training
and/or assistance in securing and retaining employment with livable wages; conducted job development workshops and
job fairs at various community organizations, State prisons, and County correctional facilities throughout the State of
Maryland.
• Planned and organized the first Re-entry Annual Career Fair in Baltimore County, MD with 25 employers and
approximately 250 job seekers in attendance, resulting in employment for several ex-offenders.
• Developed a re-entry information orientation/workshop and created an in-service re-entry training program for
staff, community partners and other professionals.
• Interview and assess ex-offenders to determine educational level; job skills and employment readiness; address
barriers; and identify support services needed in the community to attain success and not recidivate.
• Schedule and conduct outreach contacts to local employers and businesses, advocating the use of Federal
Bonding, Work Opportunity Tax Credit, and other incentives for hiring individuals with criminal backgrounds.
• Complete and submit reports, recommendations, and monthly statistics to the Director of Maryland Re-entry
Initiative Program.
• Established and implemented vision, goals, community engagement, public relations and branding strategy as
employment committee chair and facilitator.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Glen Burnie, MD 2005 – 2007
Provided case management services to Veterans by following established procedures as promulgated by the National
Veterans’ Training Institute in accordance with Department of Labor standards; conducted community outreach
and individual group and group orientations to provide an overview of available services and veteran benefits.
• Interviewed over 300 veterans one-on-one to assess skills and needs, and made referrals to training, employment,
vocational rehabilitation, Veteran Administration and Service Organizations for eligible benefits.
• Promoted agency services, job fairs, federal and state veterans’ incentive training programs, and positive
recruitment efforts, increasing employment opportunities by 10% for eligible veterans.
• Selected to assist with the coordination of the Fort Meade Job Fair that hosted 85 employers and serviced
approximately 1400 job seekers.
• Coordinated with office administration, staff, moving company and service providers to effect a smooth transition
of office equipment and furniture from one location to another.
• Assessed various functions and professional evaluations of veterans for career advancement opportunities; assisted
veterans with professional development goals and developed strategic timelines for completion.

2. • Developed and nurtured effective relationships with more than 100 local and regional corporations, non-profits,
government and community partners to identify employment opportunities and reduce veterans’ barriers.
Venita R. Bocage, (410) 446-2402, vrbocage@hotmail.com Page
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Ordnance Road Correctional Center, Glen Burnie, MD 2000 – 2005
Correctional Program Specialist II
Coordinated inmate referrals to substance abuse treatment, educational, vocational, mental health, and therapeutic
programs according to individual needs and/or as ordered by the courts.
• Awarded the appointment of Program Chairperson for the Maryland Criminal Justice Association; successfully
planned, coordinated and solicited speakers to facilitate professional development workshops and conferences for
approximately 200 members throughout the State of Maryland.
• Assessed the suitability of over 300 inmates for outside clearances, home monitoring programs, and placement in
community jobs that were vital to public safety.
• Scheduled home visits, drug tests, and assessments for placement in educational programs.
• Reported orally and in writing on the conduct and status of inmates to facility Administrator, Circuit/District
Court Judges, State’s Attorney Office, and other government agencies.
• Developed liaisons and networks with 29 employers, treatment facilities and social agencies.
• Oversaw the implementation of management strategies creating efficiency results by more than 10% and
enhancing organizational goal completion rates.
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Central Home Detention, Baltimore, MD 1998 – 2000
Correctional Case Management Specialist
Maintained and supervised pretrial and sentenced inmates released to house arrest. Ensured compliance with court ordered
curfew, avoidance of further criminal behavior, attendance at all future court hearings, and other conditions of release.
• Consistently exercised discretion and judgment to analyze, interpret, and then decide what actions were necessary
based on the varying facts and circumstances of each individual case.
• Presented court cases on reasons why personnel would be best suited advancement in programs and should be
relinquished from further probationary periods assigned by the State reducing costs by $150K.
• Maintained an average of 30 active caseloads, providing intervention as needed in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations; coordinated Criminal Justice Information System, National Crime Information Center, and
Maryland Interagency Law Enforcement System reports to ensure an inmate's continued eligibility on house
arrest.
• Conducted biweekly, direct contact with inmates to monitor their continued suitability on house arrest by
determining if they presented any threat to the general public by being in the community.
EDUCATION and PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Law, Governors State University, Chicago, IL
Global Career Development Facilitator Certification – Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc.
Job and Career Transition Coach – The Career Planning and Adult Development Network
Offender Workforce Development Specialist Instructor – National Institute of Corrections
Certified Professional Résumé Writer – Professional Association of Resume Writing
Grant Writing – Baltimore County Community College
Notary Public – State of Maryland
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Chairperson, Partners in Employment, Maryland Re-entry Initiative (2013 – present) • Member, Alumni Association,
National Veterans Training Institute (2005 – present) • President, Cohansey Courts Townhouse/Condo Association
(2005 – 2010) • Member, American Correctional Association (2002 – 2008) • Conference Program Chair/Coordinator,
Maryland Criminal Justice Association (2003 – 2005) • Employer/Employee Partnership Representative, Teamster Local
103 (2003 – 2005) • Mentor, Youth Rites of Passage (2003 – 2004)
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
Network Controller - United States Army (Sergeant) – Holland, Netherlands

3. TECHNICAL SKILLS
Software: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook), Adobe
Operating Systems: Mac / Microsoft Windows (95, 98, XP, Vista), Windows 10