Aletha Johnson

- Responsible for accurate documentation of each family/child that comes into Illinois State custody. Develop spreadsheets in Excel to track and chart information pertaining to child custody, placement, and legal statuses.

- Collaborates with co-workers and assignment teams to document information that will allow for the successful placement and/or movement of youth within the DCFS system. Collection of this data also facilitates the creation and delivery of various statistical reports and presentations that aid in decision-making regarding staffing needs and budgets.

- Create daily, bi-weekly, and monthly reports that detail the number of new cases and reflect case type, placement, and pay status.

- Process payment authorization forms, change of status forms, and case registrations. Document account changes and corrections to ensure proper payment to private agencies and in-home providers.

- Produce high-quality documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for internal and external needs.

- Interact with Caseworkers, Supervisors, and Investigators to extract information relative to emergency placements and assign appropriate staff for processing.

EEO Specialist - GS-0260-13/7 - Washington, DC - July 1996 to November 2017

Monday - Friday 6:00AM to 4:30PM ET (40 hrs/wk) - 4/10 Schedule

- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to interpret, explain, and apply relevant EEO law, 29 CFR 1614, Affirmative Action guidelines, ADEA law, and agency policies where appropriate. Ensured that all parties were able to understand their responsibilities within the EEO process.

- Conducted fact-finding inquiries into employment complaints of discrimination and workplace disputes. Demonstrated ability to maintain neutrality while obtaining the trust and confidence of individuals at all organizational levels.

- Assessed conflicts by analyzing all aspects and sides of the situation with impartial viewpoint and consideration of applicable laws.

- Facilitated discussion and offered useful feedback during mediation to successfully communicate complex issues, risks, and opportunities in an easily understood and concise manner. Analyzed the appropriate alternative dispute resolution style needed for the given situation.

- With a sense of calm, tactfully demonstrated ability to diffuse critical and/or volatile situations that led to parties mutually respecting the other’s viewpoint, thus devising innovative and targeted resolutions.

- Coordinated with contract EEO investigators to ensure witness cooperation and timely submission of all statements and supporting documentation.

- Resolved inquiries and concerns quickly, which averted the filing of formal complaints

- Collaborated with staff and managers to establish and implement programs and administer procedures to aid in meeting the six essential elements of a model EEO program in accordance with Management Directive 715.

-Analyzed management practices, organizational structures, and employment patterns to determine their impact on EEO groups and recommend solutions to address any barriers or potential barriers to equal employment opportunity in accordance with MD-715. Performed comparative analysis of agency workforce data and civilian labor statistics to determine index levels for protected groups and assess whether underrepresentation exists.

- Conducted barrier analysis to determine if agency policies and practices contributed to disparities in employment opportunities for particular demographic/affinity groups (race, sex, age, disability, etc.). Met with supervisors and senior leaders to discuss deficiencies and collaborated to create action items/corrective measures, as well as benchmarks to remedy any identified disparities, as appropriate.

- Maintained workforce data to analyze areas of low participation rates/underrepresentation in areas of hiring, terminations, training, awards, etc.

- Coordinated site visits to USDA Rural Development state and local offices to conduct compliance reviews, ensure mandated regulatory postings, complete employee interviews, conduct accessibility checks, and produce reports detailing findings.

- Drafted and disseminated surveys that were sent to employees for feedback to assist with identifying problems and/or barriers to employment.

- Researched and maintained knowledge of EEO principles, laws, regulations and policies, utilizing them to make recommendations and providing guidance to management and aggrieved parties.

- Fostered relationships with union stewards that facilitated early resolution of employee conflicts.

Special Emphasis Programs - 2013 to 2015

- Managed Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) for the National Office to include the Black Employment Program, Disability Employment Program, Federal Women's Program, Hispanic Employment Program, Native American, Hispanic Employee and Asian American/Pacific Islander programs. Provided oversight and guidance for SEPs in the state and local offices. Evaluated Headquarters and field activities to assess program effectiveness and make recommendations when needed.

- Composed announcements for Agency heads to distribute in order to promote awareness of observances, training opportunities, events, and programs.

- Solicited input from employees by developing surveys regarding interests and ideas for observance awareness and activities.

- Collaborated with other agency representatives to promote special emphasis programming and framework use across all USDA agencies and offices.

- Coordinated engaging outside events and learning opportunities, including tours of relevant exhibits at local monuments and museums, such as an in-depth Civil Rights movement exhibit at the NEWSEUM for Black History Month and a tour of the National Museum of the American Indian for American Indian/Alaska Native month.

- Highlight: Secured former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young for an agency-wide Black History Month celebration program that took place on February 19, 2015 in the Jefferson Auditorium of the USDA South Building, titled “A Conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young: Scaling the Mountains of Civil Rights, Then and Now”.

- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to interpret, explain, and apply relevant EEO law, 29 CFR 1614, Affirmative Action guidelines, ADEA law, and agency policies where appropriate. Ensured that all parties were able to understand their responsibilities within the EEO process.

- Conducted fact-finding inquiries into employment complaints of discrimination and workplace disputes. Demonstrated ability to maintain neutrality while obtaining the trust and confidence of individuals at all organizational levels.

- Assessed conflicts by analyzing all aspects and sides of the situation with impartial viewpoint and consideration of applicable laws.

- Facilitated discussion and offered useful feedback during mediation to successfully communicate complex issues, risks, and opportunities in an easily understood and concise manner. Analyzed the appropriate alternative dispute resolution style needed for the given situation.

- With a sense of calm, tactfully demonstrated ability to diffuse critical and/or volatile situations that led to parties mutually respecting the other’s viewpoint, thus devising innovative and targeted resolutions.

- Coordinated with contract EEO investigators to ensure witness cooperation and timely submission of all statements and supporting documentation.

- Resolved inquiries and concerns quickly, which averted the filing of formal complaints

- Collaborated with staff and managers to establish and implement programs and administer procedures to aid in meeting the six essential elements of a model EEO program in accordance with Management Directive 715.

-Analyzed management practices, organizational structures, and employment patterns to determine their impact on EEO groups and recommend solutions to address any barriers or potential barriers to equal employment opportunity in accordance with MD-715. Performed comparative analysis of agency workforce data and civilian labor statistics to determine index levels for protected groups and assess whether underrepresentation exists.

- Conducted barrier analysis to determine if agency policies and practices contributed to disparities in employment opportunities for particular demographic/affinity groups (race, sex, age, disability, etc.). Met with supervisors and senior leaders to discuss deficiencies and collaborated to create action items/corrective measures, as well as benchmarks to remedy any identified disparities, as appropriate.

- Maintained workforce data to analyze areas of low participation rates/underrepresentation in areas of hiring, terminations, training, awards, etc.

- Coordinated site visits to USDA Rural Development state and local offices to conduct compliance reviews, ensure mandated regulatory postings, complete employee interviews, conduct accessibility checks, and produce reports detailing findings.

- Drafted and disseminated surveys that were sent to employees for feedback to assist with identifying problems and/or barriers to employment.

- Researched and maintained knowledge of EEO principles, laws, regulations and policies, utilizing them to make recommendations and providing guidance to management and aggrieved parties.

- Fostered relationships with union stewards that facilitated early resolution of employee conflicts.

Special Emphasis Programs - 2013 to 2015

- Managed Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) for the National Office to include the Black Employment Program, Disability Employment Program, Federal Women's Program, Hispanic Employment Program, Native American, Hispanic Employee and Asian American/Pacific Islander programs. Provided oversight and guidance for SEPs in the state and local offices. Evaluated Headquarters and field activities to assess program effectiveness and make recommendations when needed.

- Composed announcements for Agency heads to distribute in order to promote awareness of observances, training opportunities, events, and programs.

- Solicited input from employees by developing surveys regarding interests and ideas for observance awareness and activities.

- Collaborated with other agency representatives to promote special emphasis programming and framework use across all USDA agencies and offices.

- Coordinated engaging outside events and learning opportunities, including tours of relevant exhibits at local monuments and museums, such as an in-depth Civil Rights movement exhibit at the NEWSEUM for Black History Month and a tour of the National Museum of the American Indian for American Indian/Alaska Native month.

- Highlight: Secured former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young for an agency-wide Black History Month celebration program that took place on February 19, 2015 in the Jefferson Auditorium of the USDA South Building, titled “A Conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young: Scaling the Mountains of Civil Rights, Then and Now”.