Chester Williams
Arlington,TN
Summary
Dynamic professional with strong proficiency in civil rights laws and a commitment to remaining current with equal opportunity guidelines. Expertise in employee relations, complemented by a proven ability to design and deliver impactful employee training programs. Adept at fostering inclusive environments that promote diversity and equity in the workplace. Passionate advocate for rights and ensuring compliance with legal standards to support organizational success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Equal Opportunity Specialist/Compliance Officer
United States Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
01.2008 - Current
- Assists federal contractors and subcontractors in understanding basic coverage and compliance information on equal employment opportunity laws and regulations enforced by OFCCP, as well as ensures strategic alignment with requirements under the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Ensures contractors submit compliance reporting, EEO-1, and VETS-4212 filings across business units
- Conducts Impact Ratio Analysis (IRA) during the AAP Desk Audit to ensure no systemic discrimination exists (i.e., minorities and women, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities) – hiring (selection process), promotion, and terminations
- Completes an average of 20 successful AAP Desk Audits per fiscal year
- Community Outreach and Education Coordinator for Memphis Area OFCCP, forming partnerships with federal contractors, the Armed Forces, colleges, universities, veterans’ groups, advocate groups for individuals with disabilities, and minority and female advocacy affinity groups.
- Conducts periodic Compliance Assistance (CA) seminars and workshops for contractors and their human resource managers/EEO officers
- Investigates systemic discrimination and complaints filed by individuals alleging discrimination by federal contractors and subcontractors based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or as a protected veteran
- Reviews Collective Bargaining Agreements to ensure they do not impede OFCCP EEO/AA laws
- Examines the contractor's affirmative action program (AAP) to ensure the contractor has performed compensation equity, good-faith staffing, availability, and utilization analyses.
- Inspects employment and selection practices (application flow log: hiring, promotion, and voluntary and involuntary terminations)
- Drafts contractor Notice of Violation and Conciliation Agreement documents, as well as direct conciliation meetings
- Professional working knowledge of Title VII, EO 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), FMLA, Employee Relations, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, Regulations at 41 CFR 60, the Federal Contract Compliance Manual (FCCM), Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the affirmative action provisions (Section 4212) of the Vietnam Era, and other EO policy directives and guidance documents
Equal Opportunity Program Manager
United States Department of the Navy, Equal Opportunity Office
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Served over 120,000 Navy civilians and 600,000 Navy active duty/reserve component personnel
- Responsible for recruiting, screening, managing, training, and developing over 5000 collateral duty Command Managed Equal Opportunity Managers (CMEOs)
- Developed progressive diversity programs within the Navy
- Experienced equal opportunity, mentorship, diversity trainer, and facilitator
- Managed 114 command-level/regional full-time Equal Opportunity Advisors (EOAs)
- Monitored compliance and proper enforcement of Navy EO/EEO human resources programs and practices
- Operated as a strategic partner with Navy's executive leadership to optimize the use of human capital and mission effectiveness
- Coached, counseled, and supported business unit leaders building strong, credible relationships across the organization
- Routinely assisted the Navy Inspector General investigative teams with EO/EEO related investigations and reviewed congressional inquiries/responses
- Processed both informal and formal EO/EEO discrimination complaints referring employees to other appeal systems when necessary, advised the aggrieved and the accused during the pre-complaint stage
- Prepared EO Position Statements to justify the outcome of an EO issue related investigation.
- Organized, assisted, or coordinated a minimum of 5 Navy and combined Department of Defense nation-wide diversity conferences per year as well as encouraged Navy participation with affinity groups or community-based organizations (CBOs) (e.g., League of United Latin-American Citizens (LULAC), IMAGE, NAACP, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Blacks in Government (BIG))
- Formulated, reviewed, and revised Navy equal opportunity directives
- Trained in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) and have mediated disputes in the equal opportunity/leadership areas
- Provided advice and guidance on Navy employee relations programs, operations, and case management
- Provided command employee relations advice to management and employees regarding controversial, serious, or sensitive issues
- Identified key policy and regulatory employee relations issues, evaluated alternatives, and recommended policy and procedures regarding such
Strike Group Equal Opportunity Advisor
USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Served over 8500 Strike Group personnel
- Experienced equal opportunity, mentorship, diversity trainer, and facilitator
- Conducted focus groups, conducted investigative interviews, and collected fleet demographic data
- Adept at fact-finding, investigative techniques, and possess solid interpersonal and communication skills
- Provided consultation services to approximately 350 senior staff members, partners, and middle management on all personnel relations issues related to equal opportunity command policies and practices
- Provided advice and guidance on Navy employee relations programs, operations, and case management
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Belhaven University/Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies
Memphis, TN01.2014
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
Webster University
St. Louis, MO01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Development/Management
Park University
Parkville, MO01.2003
Skills
- Evaluation of course effectiveness and student learning improvement
- Skilled in facilitating learning for varied backgrounds
- Expert in military training programs
- Adjunct instructor in diversity and organizational behavior
Timeline
Equal Opportunity Specialist/Compliance Officer
United States Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
01.2008 - Current
Equal Opportunity Program Manager
United States Department of the Navy, Equal Opportunity Office
01.2006 - 01.2008
Strike Group Equal Opportunity Advisor
USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)
01.2004 - 01.2006
Master of Arts - Human Resources Management
Webster University
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Development/Management
Park University
Bachelor of Arts - Theology
Belhaven University/Memphis Center for Urban Theological Studies
Training
- Department of Defense (DoD) Equal Opportunity Advisor Course
- DoD Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Counselor Course
- DoD Mediation Course/Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- DoD Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Special Emphasis Program Manager (SEPM) Course
- Total Quality Leadership/Management (TQL/TQM) Course
Awards
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) National, SHRM-Memphis Chapter, The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) National, Toastmasters International (Qualified: Competent Communicator (CC) Nov 06, Competent Leader (CL) Mar 09, Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) Apr 09, Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB) May 09, Advanced Communicator Silver (ALS) Dec 09, and Advanced Communicator Gold (ACG) Feb 10; (Awarded: Toastmasters International Leadership Excellence Award (May 09)), Secretary of the Navy Retiree Council Member (Jan 10), Former President, Downtown Memphis Toastmasters Club (2013), Former Sergeant-at-Arms, VA Memphis Toastmasters Club (2014), Former President, Webster University, Memphis Chapter Alumni (2014), Board of Directors, Memphis Artists for Change, Delegate/Steward, AFGE Local 2519, Chief Executive Officer, Always Giving Back Memphis, Inc., Chapter Leader, Greater Memphis Parents of Murdered Children