Thomas Grinton
Pontiac
Summary
Dedicated and experienced correctional officer with strong skills in emergency response, effective communication with both staff and offenders, and attention to detail. Proven ability to maintain a secure environment and enforce regulations, ensuring the safety of both offenders and staff, and to maintain and keep the functionality of the institution to benefit not only the community it protects, but also the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Correctional Officer
Illinois Department Of Corrections
Pontiac
01.2018 - Current
- Supervised offender activities and maintained safety within correctional facilities.
- Enforced facility rules and regulations to ensure a secure environment.
- Inspected locks, window bars, doors, and security systems to support escape prevention.
- Supervised offender work assignments and evaluated performance for compliance with standard regulations.
- Served meals and assisted medical staff with giving medications to offenders.
- Transported offenders between facilities, medical writs, and court hearings using secure vehicles equipped with restraints.
- Assisted in training new correctional officers in proper safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
- Interacted with offenders in an effort to reduce tension between them and maintain a peaceful atmosphere within the facility.
- Employed de-escalation techniques, verbal commands, and physical and mechanical restraints to address unruly offenders
- Inspected cells and conducted random searches of common areas.
- Documented incidents and prepared reports for management review.
EMT-Basic
Eastern McLean County Ambulance Association
Colfax
07.2015 - 07.2020
- Responded promptly to emergency calls and assessed patient conditions.
- Administered first aid and basic life support to injured individuals.
- Communicated effectively with patients to provide reassurance and guidance.
- Participated in training sessions on emergency response protocols and procedures.
- Operated emergency vehicles with caution to keep patients, public, and first responders safe.
- Remained level-headed and proactive during emergency situations.
- Documented calls in reports detailing incident type and course of treatment.
- Performed CPR and used cardiac defibrillator to revive patients in cardiac arrest or arrythmia.
Kitchen Worker
Caseys Genral Store
Colfax
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Prepared food items following health and safety standards.
- Maintained cleanliness of kitchen equipment and work areas.
- Assisted in inventory management, restocking supplies as needed.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
- Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Helped in setting up and cleaning up before and after service, ensuring a ready-to-use kitchen.
- Coordinated with other kitchen staff to ensure smooth operation and timely preparation of food.
- Washed and sanitized plates using industrial dishwashers according to manufacturer instructions.
- Carried out basic baking tasks such as making breads, rolls and pastries.
Landscaper
Getty Lawncare
Colfax
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Operated lawn maintenance equipment including mowers, trimmers, and blowers.
- Implemented weed control measures to maintain healthy lawns and gardens.
- Operated machinery such as bobcats or tractors when necessary.
- Participated in snow removal services during winter months.
- Repaired walkways with pavers or concrete blocks when needed.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of work areas, tools, and equipment.
Farm Hand
Kieffer Farms
La Fontaine
03.2015 - 10.2015
- Operated heavy machinery and equipment such as semi-truck, backhoe, excavator, skid steer, tiling machine, forklift, dump truck, fertilizer spreader and boom lift.
- Operated tractors and farm equipment for planting and harvesting crops.
- Maintained farm tools, machinery, and equipment ensuring proper functionality and safety.
- Cared for livestock, including feeding, watering, and providing medical attention when necessary.
- Organized storage areas for harvested crops.
- Prepared soil for planting, employing tillage, and fertilization techniques.
- Harvested crops manually and with machinery, minimizing loss and damage.
- Loaded and unloaded trucks with supplies or products from the farm.
- Collaborated with team members to complete daily tasks efficiently and safely.
- Transported materials around construction sites to work locations.
Farm hand and Cook
Young Acres Farm and Catering
Saybrook
02.2008 - 03.2015
- Assisted with daily farm operations, including planting, harvesting crops, and raising livestock.
- Monitored animal health, identifying and reporting any signs of illness.
- Cared for livestock, including feeding, watering, and providing medical attention when necessary.
- Operated farm machinery for efficient tilling and field preparation.
- Monitored crop health and reported issues to farm management.
- Maintained farm equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and other machinery.
- Cleaned out barns, stalls, pens, and other animal enclosures on a regular basis.
- Assisted in the management and disposal of farm waste, adhering to environmental regulations.
- Prepared fresh ingredients for daily meal service at a local farm-based catering company.
- Cleaned kitchen equipment, surfaces, utensils and dishes.
- Operated grills, fryers and broilers to cook items to quality guidelines.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
Education
High School Diploma -
Ridgeview High School
Colfax, IL05-2012
Some College (No Degree) - Gender Studies
Heartland Community College
Normal, ILSkills
- Report writing
- Effective communication
- Weapons training
- Emergency response
- Attention to detail
- Safety and security enforcement
- First aid and CPR certified
- Restraint techniques
- Correctional facility procedures
- Self-defense techniques
- Search procedures
- Radio communication
- Contraband detection
Affiliations
- Colfax Fire Department (Volunteer Firefighter) 2013 to present
- McLean County 4H Alumni (Horse Superintendent) 2013 to present
- The Peppered Pig family business (Kitchen Help) 2025
Certification
- EMT-B - Emergency Medical Technician Basic 7/31/2015
- Pontiac Correctional Center 80 Hour Basic Tact Training
- Pepper Ball Operator
Accomplishments
- Colfax Fire Department Firefighter of the year 2017
- McLean County Fair Steve White Memorial Golden Shovel Award 2016
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Correctional Officer
Illinois Department Of Corrections
01.2018 - Current
EMT-Basic
Eastern McLean County Ambulance Association
07.2015 - 07.2020
Farm Hand
Kieffer Farms
03.2015 - 10.2015
Kitchen Worker
Caseys Genral Store
01.2015 - 12.2018
Landscaper
Getty Lawncare
01.2015 - 01.2018
Farm hand and Cook
Young Acres Farm and Catering
02.2008 - 03.2015
High School Diploma -
Ridgeview High School
Some College (No Degree) - Gender Studies
Heartland Community College
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