Brittany Patterson
Houston,TX
Summary
Dedicated professional with over 10 years of combined experience specializing in administrative and HR policy development, employee experience development and improvement, leave & workplace flexibilities programs, compensation, recruiting operations, learning & development, and driving compliance excellence. Currently serving as the Chief of the Administrative Compliance Branch at ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health).
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief, Workforce, Recruitment, Awards, and Performance Management (WRAP) Branch
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Strategic Resources Office (SRO)
2024.06 - Current
- Serving 120-Day temporary promotion to role, not-to-exceed September 2024
- Supervise and oversee work of 8 staff members, including federal employees and contractors
- Ensure effective team performance and professional development
- Consult on or be kept informed of tasks and activities such as organizational chart development and updates, position description development and maintenance, and General Schedule (GS) recruitments and selections
- Oversee Administratively Determined (AD) selections, new hire incentives, AAAS and PIF Fellowship Program management, GS and AD reassignments, onboarding and offboarding staff, and performance management for GS, AD, and Senior Executive Services (SES) employees
- Manage ARPA-H Awards Program, ensuring proper recognition of employee achievements and contributions
- Lead various workforce, recruitment, awards, and performance management tasks to support organizational objectives.
- Evaluate existing systems and processes, identifying inefficiencies and recommending modifications for optimal performance
Senior Administrative Officer
Administrative For Children And Families (ACF), Immediate Office Of The Assistant Secretary (IOAS)
2024.03 - Current
- Serving 120-Day detail to role, not-to-exceed July 2024
- Lead and oversee human resources, travel, organizational development, space management, emergency planning, time and attendance, and property management functions
- Implement strategic administrative management practices to ensure all operations align with organizational objectives and enhance overall efficiency
- Provide administrative support to multiple offices, including Immediate Office of Assistant Secretary, Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, Office of Trafficking in Persons, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, Office of Communications, and Executive Secretariat
- Administer wide range of services such as human resources, financial management, travel planning and coordination, time and attendance, property management, and space management to ensure smooth office operations.
Chief, Administrative Compliance Branch (Supvy Management Analyst)
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), SRO, Mission and Administrative Resource Support (MARS)
2023.01 - Current
- Develop, write, and interpret administrative policies that guide agency’s operations using Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Directives
- Craft guidance and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that ensure adherence to administrative regulations and standards on topics like federal travel regulations, time & attendance, leave, workplace flexibilities (telework, remote work, and alternative work schedules), and other administrative/HR related topics for internal SRO and agency-wide distribution
- Serve as advisor to SRO and MARS Directors, participating in planning sessions for new agency initiatives
- Influence managers and other members of leadership team to accept and implement new policies and procedures
- Mentor and train staff on creation of SOPs and other guidance
- Provide technical advice on existing and new policies and procedures to internal SRO staff
- Assist with development of ARPA-H Total Awards program establishing 9 awards for which staff can be recognized under
- Lead establishment of electronic workflow for ARPA-H Peer-to-Peer Award Program in collaboration with other offices in and outside of agency
- Oversee administrative programs ensuring compliance with regulations and policies
- Led establishment of ARPA-H's inaugural policy framework, creating comprehensive guidelines for policy creation, including practical templates for consistency and structured review process
- Led team to establish inaugural ARPA-H Swag Store, partnering with HHS Office of General Counsel (OGC) to ensure compliance with various governmental regulations, advising leadership on path forward, drafting Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ARPA-H and FAES, and launching store for staff to purchase ARPA-H apparel and gifts.
Compensation and Leave Program Manager
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Operations and Strategic Programs Division
2021.11 - 2023.01
- Served as member on NIST Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act team where primary responsibility was navigating, interpreting and advising on complex compensation and leave policies that were specific to employees hired under this new authority; these policies include topics such as potential use of Administratively Determined (AD) Pay Plan, process for requesting extension of higher annual leave accrual rates from Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and exploring other innovative and discretionary flexibilities that agency may be able to offer to recruit and retain top talent needed for these roles
- Managed NIST Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS) that required yearly updates to pay tables based on annual cost of living increases and as needed creation of new pay tables because of remote work assignments
- Conducted various audits and spot checks for compliance, ensuring NIST employees were following various compensation and leave policies; issued corrective action plans to those found non-compliant
- Researched and resolved complex employee grievances and claims involving pay and leave entitlements
- Developed and delivered training on pay and leave topics as needed
- Managed, created, and distributed policy and guidance for novel leave categories such as Parental Bereavement Leave for Employees and other workplace flexibilities such as Alternative Work Schedules
- Researched, interpreted, and applied full range of pay and leave administration laws, regulations, policies, and practices to provide authoritative advice and guidance to managers
- Trained and mentored other HR staff
- Co-Led NIST Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Implementation Team responsible for examining, enhancing, and/or educating on pay, performance, promotion, and personnel policies, processes, programs, and practices across NIST Federal workforce to drive DEIA goals
- Created and implemented innovative process improvement for creation of pay tables, resulting in 40% decline in level of effort needed for efficient completion and submission of pay tables.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
Supervisory Human Resource Specialist
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Workforce Relations Division (WRD) Leave, Payroll, & Workforce Support Branch
2017.09 - 2021.11
- Supervised and supported HR Specialists in Payroll and Leave and Workplace Flexibilities Policy Administration Division
- Developed and provided training for supervisors and employees to educate them on different work life programs offered by NIH
- Successfully led development and implementation of Administrative Leave Act of 2016 from National Defense Authorization Act
- Demonstrated a working knowledge of Title 5 USC & CFR, Office of Personnel Management (OPM), United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and NIH’s policies and procedures for leave, work schedules, and hours of work
- Evaluated and implemented Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act
- Served as subject matter expert; advised supervisors and managers as well as provided Sr
- Leadership with suggested solutions for all leave and schedule related issues
- Partnered with Employee and Labor Relations Staff to analyze and resolve complex cases related to leave and work schedules
- Developed, updated, and provided policy on work schedules, leave, and dismissal & closure procedures during changes in an OPM operating status
- Served as point of contact for all leave and workplace flexibility questions from employees and managers on topics such as annual leave, sick leave, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave, Disabled Veteran Leave, Emergency Paid Sick Leave, Weather & Safety Leave, Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP), telework, overtime and compensatory time off, and various work schedules to include alternative work schedules such as compressed, flexible, and maxiflex
- Advised on impacts of pay differentials and premium pay entitlements partnered with various alternative work schedules
- Contributed to efforts to update all NIH Manual Chapters (policy) and OHR Delegations of Authority (DOA) that were outdated
- Worked proactively to develop and/or revise manual chapters and DOAs based on new/updated federal laws, rules, regulations, and HHS guidance
- Developed NIH guidance, such as toolkits, fact sheets, FAQs, quick reference guides, and tutorials, as necessary to support and clarify information contained in manual chapters or delegated authorities
- Informed senior NIH managers of external initiatives potentially impacting critical program areas
- Collaborated with senior NIH officials to develop advisory memoranda and data to respond to new laws, directives, and Human Capital activities
- Attended and participated in strategic recruitment meetings to assess hiring needs of customers
- Utilized applicant tracking systems, such as USA Staffing, to perform internal and external staffing and placement work that included generating job analyses, vacancy announcements, and referral lists
- Reviewed and completed qualifications for applicants applying to job announcements while adhering to OPM’s Guidance, Merit System Principles, and Prohibited Personnel Practices
- Determined pay category, occupational series, title, grade level, and competitive level for assigned positions
- Provided managers, employees, and job applicants with specific and directly applicable information on organizations’ recruitment and placement procedures, practices, policies, and guidelines
- Made job offers to applicants who had been selected off referral lists by selecting officials
- Onboarded new hires using systems such as Onboarding Manager, CapHR, and WiTS while partnering with their administrative officer and new hire orientation team to ensure smooth entrance-on-duty (EOD)
- Used Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, provided by OPM, to process actions such as supervisor changes, awards, entry on duty, career ladder promotions, pay changes, and separations
- Received multiple awards to include 2021 OHR Director’s Award for leadership and resourcefulness in guiding NIH through pandemic-related HR policy issues and transitioning significant amount of NIH workforce to 100% telework during global pandemic.
Recent Graduate Pathways Human Resource Specialist
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2016.09 - 2017.09
- Rotated through divisions in the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to include HR Systems, Analytics & Information Division (HR SAID), Workforce Relations Division (WRD), and Client Services Division – Recruiting & Staffing (CSD)
- Cultivated interoffice relationships by hosting social events for department
- Refined, edited, and created standard operating procedures for centralized knowledge base in SharePoint
- Optimized, updated, and organized templates for database used by employees
- Created usability reports for OHR Web Interfaces by using data collected from focus groups
- Assisted with implementation of New Hire Orientation of roughly 400+ new hires
- Reviewed and completed qualifications for employees while adhering to Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Guidance, Merit System Principles, and Prohibited Personnel Practices
- Constructed several informational presentations that required research in specific subjects
- Created decision trees for Title 5 and Title 38 pay as well as when to use overtime vs Compensatory time
- Participated in development of manual chapter reviews
- Researched and interpreted Administrative Leave Act of 2016
- Attended and participated in strategic recruitment meetings
- Crafted vacancy announcements in applicant tracking system, USA Staffing
- Reviewed and completed qualifications for applicants applying to job announcements
- Generated certificates, reviewed for accuracy, and sent to selecting officials
- Made job offers to applicants who had been selected off certificates by selecting officials
- Onboarded new hires using systems such as Onboarding Manager, CapHR, and WiTS
- Used Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, provided by OPM, to process actions such as supervisor changes, awards, entry on duty, career ladder promotions, pay changes, and separations
- Received recognition OHR Director’s Award ceremony with Award.
Human Resource Manager – Full-Time
Omni Hotels & Resorts
2014.05 - 2016.09
- Recruited and staffed hotel for all open non-exempt positions
- Administered on-boarding training for all new hires
- Updated and implemented Leave of Absence policy
- Maintained employee Personal Time Off Program and Policy
- Ensured employees had legal identification and up to date I-9 forms
- Possessed and demonstrated excellent knowledge of Benefits Administration, Benefit and Employment Law, FMLA, ADA, and Workers Compensation Law
- Coordinated salary administration and performance review process
- Developed and administered monthly trainings for managers and supervisors
- Contributed to increase in Associate Engagement Scores
- Participated in planning and execution of associate events
- Developed associate communications network within hotel
- Maintained all associate and benefit files
- Conducted exit interviews
- Assumed role & responsibility for Human Resources Department in absence of Director.
- Collaborated with department heads to identify staffing requirements, resulting in improved workforce planning and reduced turnover rates.
- Enhanced team productivity with regular performance evaluations and targeted training programs.
Executive Team Leader – Full-Time
Target Stores
2012.08 - 2013.08
- Assisted with recruitment process
- Initiated investigations within department
- Used business, leadership, and people skills to inspire exceptional performance
- Acted as leader on duty, supervising 15-20 staff, while maintaining operations of entire store
- Led team of employees and other supervisors to rollout store’s designer campaigns
- Frequently received recognition by store manager for preparing, setting, and ensuring teams were ready for various launches
- Regional office recognized store for having best performance and increased sales during personally led campaigns
- Built relationships with team members to encourage willingness to address concerns and issues.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with exceptional service delivery and timely issue resolution.
Human Resource Generalist – Full-Time
Omni Hotels & Resorts
2010.08 - 2012.08
- Played key role in opening of 4-Diamond, 1,001 room, luxury hotel
- Ensured employees had legal identification and up to date I-9 forms
- Extensively used HRIS-Ultipro
- Responsible for hotel newsletter and Ambassador program
- Scheduled interviews
- Host Hotel for 2011 Super Bowl
- Delivered impressive cost savings to organization by leveraging video conferencing technology
- Improved communication between departments by creating centralized information-sharing platform
- Managed multiple priorities successfully, meeting tight deadlines without sacrificing quality of work
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX05.2016
Bachelor of Science – Human Resources Management -
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA11.2009
Skills
- Team Leadership & Staff Mentorship
- Implementing Employee Experience Initiatives
- Strategic Planning
- HR Policy Development & Implementation
- Process Improvement
- Applicant Tracking Systems (HR Smart, iCims, & USA Staffing)
- Time and Attendance Systems (Kronos, Integrated Time and Attendance System (ITAS) and Web-based Time and Attendance Program (webTA))
- Learning Management System (LMS)
- Service-Now (SNOW) Online Ticketing System
- MS Applications Proficient
- Payroll Administration
- Employee Relations & Engagement
- Federal Employee Compensation
- Orientation & Onboarding
- Staff Recruitment & Retention
- Training & Development
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Excellent Communication (Oral & Written)
- Resiliency
- Self Motivation
Affiliations
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Timeline
Chief, Workforce, Recruitment, Awards, and Performance Management (WRAP) Branch
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Strategic Resources Office (SRO)
2024.06 - Current
Senior Administrative Officer
Administrative For Children And Families (ACF), Immediate Office Of The Assistant Secretary (IOAS)
2024.03 - Current
Chief, Administrative Compliance Branch (Supvy Management Analyst)
Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), SRO, Mission and Administrative Resource Support (MARS)
2023.01 - Current
Compensation and Leave Program Manager
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Operations and Strategic Programs Division
2021.11 - 2023.01
Supervisory Human Resource Specialist
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Workforce Relations Division (WRD) Leave, Payroll, & Workforce Support Branch
2017.09 - 2021.11
Recent Graduate Pathways Human Resource Specialist
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2016.09 - 2017.09
Human Resource Manager – Full-Time
Omni Hotels & Resorts
2014.05 - 2016.09
Executive Team Leader – Full-Time
Target Stores
2012.08 - 2013.08
Human Resource Generalist – Full-Time
Omni Hotels & Resorts
2010.08 - 2012.08
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Texas Southern University
Bachelor of Science – Human Resources Management -
Louisiana Tech University
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