Alicia Kohler
Maryland,USA
Summary
A results-driven professional with a proven track record in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development. Combines in-depth HR expertise with a strong background in intelligence analysis, utilizing data-driven insights to optimize recruitment strategies and foster a high-performing work environment. Acts as a key liaison between executive leadership and organizational success, providing strategic guidance and actionable recommendations that influence critical decision-making processes. Demonstrates exceptional communication, negotiation, and diplomacy skills, coupled with unwavering integrity, to effectively represent agency interests and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Officer, Hiring & Onboarding Lead
U.S. Department of Defense
08.2021 - Current
- STRATEGIC AND TEAM LEADERSHIP: As the External Hiring Lead for one of six major Directorates within a U.S Federal Agency, worked closely with the Chief of Staff and Organizational leaders to identify and fulfill Directorate Hiring Needs. Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data and regularly briefed senior leaders on hiring progress. Led a team of 8 Organizational-level hiring leads. Established strong cross-functional relationships with subordinate organizations, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Managed $1.4 million hiring budget for FY25.
- RECRUITMENT STRATEGY: Optimized resource allocation through careful analysis of staffing needs versus skillsets available within existing personnel pool; conducted targeted talent searches when necessary to fill gaps efficiently. Guided team in effective sourcing, screening, and candidate selection to meet organizational staffing requirements. Leveraged deep understanding of required skills for each vacancy to craft compelling external advertisements and attract qualified candidates. Educated hiring managers on best practices to optimize candidate engagement from job offer to entrance.
- MARKETING: Planned in person and virtual career fair that attracted 500 internal personnel. Worked with video team to create a video inviting current employees to "share their story." Rebranded Directorate Hiring Page to highlight in demand positions and recruitment events. Also represented the Agency at In-Person and Virtual College Career Fairs, targeting top-tier technical talent. Increased candidate understanding of Agency application portal, hiring time lines, background investigation process, and benefits.
- CANDIDATE EVALUATION: Provided strategic support to hiring managers by developing tailored interview questions for each role to ensure equitable candidate evaluation. Meticulously reviewed thousands of resumes and skillfully matched candidates to specific job requirements. Oversaw the successful selection, interview, and onboarding of over 30 employees.
- TAILORED ONBOARDING: Organized and hosted quarterly Directorate New Hire Orientation, providing a platform for Organizational Leaders and Resource Managers to introduce their missions and key achievements. Developed and implemented specialized onboarding training for Directorate Supervisors, emphasizing best practices for the first 90 days. Created tools and resources to facilitate constructive conversations between supervisors and employees.
- CONTINUING EDUCATION: Utilized agency crafted training to bolster skills in Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), enterprise and Intelligence Community Engagement as Tradecraft, and Human Resource initiatives
Corporate Action Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
11.2018 - 08.2021
- ACTION MANAGEMENT: Enabled executive decision-making through the accurate and timely flow of information and thousands of actionable items to agency senior leaders. Demonstrated understanding of multiple directorate mission lines involving finance, technical capabilities, human resource management, and policy through effective action management. Managed multiple high-priority actions simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality or accuracy.
- TOOL ADOPTION AND TRAINING: Critical beta tester and trainer for an agency action tracking tool. Provided critical feedback on must-have features for the tool during its development phase acting as a liaison between developers and users. Suggested tool corrections helped to streamline coordination processes and reduce response times. Trained 400 personnel on a web-based tool to create and track agency actions. Efforts save thousands of manhours by reducing process redundancies and reducing burdens on senior leaders.
- SYSTEM AND PROCESS AUDITING: Audited several action teams to ensure proper use of tracking tools, agency standard forms, and file storage. Provided guidance, skill training, and strategies to improve performance and increase accountability. Ensured proper data maintenance by closing thousands of records in legacy systems. Analyzed data from various sources to identify trends and develop actionable insights for improved performance.
Target Analyst & Reporter
Leidos Inc / Entergra Systems
03.2014 - 09.2018
- INNOVATION: Spearheaded project to socialize the benefits of a new analytics software, boosting data analysis capabilities. Pioneered process to disseminate large quantities of analytic data from an agency tool to internal customers in clear and concise reports. Liaised with graphic design and marketing team to ensure proper representation of data in finished intelligence products. Authored standard operating procedures for this process.
- INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS AND REPORTING: Analyzed and synthesized data to produce actionable intelligence reports, providing critical insights on cyber threats, geopolitical developments, emerging threats and adversary activities to inform strategic operations and policy formulation. Developed comprehensive intelligence products (daily, weekly, and ad-hoc reports) for senior decision-makers, leveraging intelligence data to support national security objectives. Integrated data with other intelligence sources to create clear, concise, and actionable reports for military, law enforcement, and policy stakeholders.
- BREIFING AND PARTNERSHIP: Delivered briefings and intelligence summaries to senior military and intelligence officials, presenting complex findings in a clear, actionable format. Collaborated with external agencies to verify and validate reporting, ensuring consistency and accuracy across intelligence channels. Mentored and trained junior analysts, enhancing team capabilities in analysis and reporting processes.
Cryptologic Technician Collection
United States Navy
09.2010 - 03.2014
- MILITARY SERVICE: Operated advanced collection systems to intercept and analyze data providing actionable intelligence to support military and national security operations. Conducted real-time analysis and reporting of intercepted signals, contributing to mission planning and operational success in high-threat environments. Ensured continuous intelligence collection and reporting during deployment, supporting counterterrorism and military missions with critical intelligence. Produced detailed reports for senior leadership, offering key insights into adversary capabilities and activities to inform operational decisions. Collaborated with joint and coalition forces to share intelligence, enhance operational coordination, and improve mission effectiveness. Trained and mentored junior analysts in collection techniques and operational procedures, improving team readiness and proficiency in high-stakes environments. Utilized cryptographic tools to securely process and exploit collected data, safeguarding classified information during operations. Maintained strict operational security protocols during deployments, ensuring the protection of sensitive intelligence and compliance with Navy regulations. Honorable discharge with 30% service connected disability rating -10 veterans preference hiring points.
Education
Master of Arts - Public Administration
American Military University
02.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Homeland Security
American Military University
06.2016
Associate of Arts - Counter-Terrorism Studies
American Military University
02.2015
Skills
- Remote hiring
- Recruitment advertising
- Job posting optimization
- Resume screening
- Competency-based interviewing
- Recruitment strategy
- Workforce planning
- Career fairs/Virtual career events
- Onboarding program design
- Research and analysis
- Report writing/Intelligence products
- Senior Leadership Engagement
Timeline
Staff Officer, Hiring & Onboarding Lead
U.S. Department of Defense
08.2021 - Current
Corporate Action Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
11.2018 - 08.2021
Target Analyst & Reporter
Leidos Inc / Entergra Systems
03.2014 - 09.2018
Cryptologic Technician Collection
United States Navy
09.2010 - 03.2014
Master of Arts - Public Administration
American Military University
Bachelor of Arts - Homeland Security
American Military University
Associate of Arts - Counter-Terrorism Studies
American Military University
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