ALYSSA CRUZ
Phoenix,AZ
Summary
GS-12 Federal Civil Rights Investigator handling a high-volume caseload of complex discrimination matters under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, EPA, and GINA. Recognized for the district’s highest case closure rate, with work centered on witness interviews, evidence analysis, determination writing, and community outreach.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Federal Civil Rights Investigator GS-12
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Phoenix, AZ
08.2022 - Current
- Independently manage an annual caseload of 85-115 complex civil rights investigations from intake through final determination, consistently meeting statutory deadlines.
- Conducted interviews with respondents, witnesses, and management officials to obtain sworn statements, develop leads, and establish factual timelines, enhancing investigation accuracy.
- Collect, organize, and analyze documentary and electronic evidence, including personnel records, internal communications, employment policies, and payroll records.
- Identify patterns of conduct, systemic issues, and recurring employment practices relevant to allegations of discrimination.
- Prepare investigative memoranda, case summaries, and determination findings supported by evidentiary analysis.
- Handle highly sensitive and confidential information; including medical, personnel, and employment records in strict compliance with federal confidentiality requirements.
- Facilitated settlement discussions and conciliations, supporting resolution processes and promoting negotiated agreements for potential monetary relief.
- Led 3-5 annual community outreach initiatives, representing EEOC to educate diverse audiences on workplace discrimination protections and federal civil rights law.
- Deliver presentations to EEOC law student interns regarding EEOC processes and federal civil rights enforcement.
Legal Assistant
Kercsmar, Feltus & Collins Law Offices
Scottsdale, AZ
02.2022 - 08.2022
- Drafted, formatted, and proofread court filings, discovery materials, and legal correspondence for submission in federal and state courts.
- Managed attorney litigation calendars and calculated court deadlines per federal, state, and bankruptcy court rules to ensure procedural compliance.
- Coordinated subpoenas in federal and state court matters, liaising with process servers, court reporters, and videographers to facilitate depositions.
- Tracked incoming and outgoing filings, evidentiary materials, and legal correspondence across active litigation files to ensure organized case management.
Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Law Offices of Sternberg and Singer
Phoenix, AZ
05.2021 - 02.2022
- Managed court schedules across active case files; coordinated hearings, trials, mediations, and depositions in compliance with court rules and procedural deadlines.
- Drafted litigation documents, including disclosures, notices of deposition, affidavits, and legal correspondence, to support attorney review and case preparation.
- Filed pleadings electronically through state court e-filing systems and reviewed deposition transcripts to prepare comprehensive testimony summaries that informed case strategy.
- Prepared clients and witnesses for depositions and trial proceedings by reviewing case materials and outlining relevant facts.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Arizona State University
Phoenix, AZ04-2019
Skills
- Federal Investigations
- Investigative Techniques
- Case investigation
- Evidence Collection & Analysis
- Pattern & Systemic Analysis
- Legal Report Writing
- Interviewing
- Mediation Techniques
- Case management
- Federal compliance
Certification
- Office of the Arizona Attorney General: Conflict Resolution & Mediation Certificate
- Whistleblower Protection Policy Training EEOC (2024)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Training EEOC (2024)
- Federal Employee Rights Training EEOC (2025)
- No FEAR Act Training (Antidiscrimination & Retaliation) EEOC (2022)
- Government Ethics Training EEOC (2022)
- Information Security Awareness Training EEOC (2023)
- U.S. Constitution Overview Federal Government Training (2022)
Accomplishments
- Recognized by the EEOC Phoenix District Director for achieving the highest case closure rate in the district; the only investigator in the district to receive this recognition multiple times in a single year.
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Executive Board Member; Mujer Inc. (Non-Profit Organization), Phoenix, AZ
- College Student Mentor; Los Diablos Alumni Network, Arizona State University
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Federal Civil Rights Investigator GS-12
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
08.2022 - Current
Legal Assistant
Kercsmar, Feltus & Collins Law Offices
02.2022 - 08.2022
Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Law Offices of Sternberg and Singer
05.2021 - 02.2022
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Arizona State University