CYNTHIA ROMERO
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Dedicated HR professional eager to create and implement successful strategies to improve organizational efficiency. Adept at utilizing data analysis to provide insights into HR initiatives. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and committed to pursuing best practices related to employee development and retention.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Assistant
DOI-National Parks Service
04.2023 - Current
- Series: 0203, Pay Plan: GS, Grade: 8
- Hours per week: 40
- Salary: $60,919.00 USD Per Year
- Conducted new hire orientation to verify completion of appropriate paperwork, recording information on human resources database
- Delivered friendly assistance with new hires throughout hiring process
- Organized new employee orientation schedules for new hires
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding benefits and other HR topics
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines
- Participated in team projects, demonstrate ability to work collaboratively and effectively
- Automated multiple reporting tasks through creation of reporting tools through Oracle OBIEE
- Converted employee status from temporary to permanent
- Studied research and trends on best practices in HR field
- Liaised with hiring managers to develop and implement strategies to source and recruit top talent
- Maintained thorough understanding and knowledge of hiring practices, recruitment strategies and staffing trends
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes
- Reviewed and screened applicant resumes to identify qualified candidates
- Observed strict procedures to maintain employee confidentiality
- Collaborated with personnel security to ensure background checks and suitability are adjudicated successfully
- Enhanced professional human resources expertise through active participation in educational workshops, diligent review of pertinent professional publications, and remaining attuned to shifts in federal laws and internal updates
Human Resources Assistant
USDA-Forest Service
06.2016 - 04.2023
- 0203, Pay Plan: GS, Grade: 05-00
- Hours per week: 40
- Salary: $59,794.00 USD Per Year
- Managed full-cycle personnel staffing actions, including reassignments, permanent promotions, details, temporary promotions, and recruit/fill actions
- Attended job fairs to attract and recruit qualified candidates.
- Collaborated with hiring managers to determine appropriate hiring path for critical staffing needs, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
- Provided expert advisory services on recruitment processes, clarified procedures, policies, and addressed inquiries
- Coordinated with classification to revise complex position descriptions and organizational structures
- Reviewed and updated Hiring Manager profile access within USA Staffing
- Ensured accurate representation of position duties and competencies for advertisement
- Processed various recruitment authorities, such as VRA, VEOA, DHA, and more
- Prepared Open Continuous Register (OCR) announcements and managed applicant tracking
- Adhered to OPM Standards, Forest Service Policies, Merit Promotion Plan, OPM guides for personnel actions
- Reviewed candidate qualifications, adjudicated Veterans' preference, and processed recruitment incentives
- Generated certificates of eligible candidates, facilitated background investigations, and set appropriate pay levels
- Executed proper coding for SF-52 requests with legal authority and appointment types
- Managed onboarding procedures for new, transferred, and promoted employees
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance recruitment processes for greater efficiency
- Serviced as liaison, supervising retirement code corrections, calculating deductions for diverse retirement plans, and subsequently relaying these outcomes to HR leadership
- Participating annually in Southwestern Region's involvement at New Mexico's State Fair, engagement extended invitations to visitors, encouraging them to share their expressions of gratitude for National Forests and Grasslands through stewardship. Moreover, valuable insights into wide-ranging benefits derived from forests and grasslands were offered, along with information about imminent hiring opportunities
- Ensured compliance with Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act, and maintained employees confidentiality
Human Resources Specialist
USDA-Forest Service
03.2009 - 06.2016
- Series: 0201, Pay Plan: GS, Grade: 09 Step 6
- Hours per week: 40
- Salary: $57,137.00 USD Per Year
- Provided comprehensive guidance, information, counseling, and assistance to Forest Service managers, employees, retirees, and family members regarding complex benefits and retirement program coverage
- Drafted written communications on retirement and insurance programs
- Offered guidance and assistance to supervisors and employees concerning workers' compensation claims
- Interpreted laws, regulations, and policies to optimize benefits plans, including Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VERA/VSIP), Disability Retirements, Death and Survivor Benefits, Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers (FF/LEO) Special Retirements, and more
- Provided individual counseling options, appropriateness, and potential problems of various benefit options, including FEHB, Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA), Federal Long Term Care Program (FLTCIP), BENEFEDS Dental and Vision plans, FEGLI, TSP/Roth, etc
- Arranged and provided information during Open Season periods for all benefit programs
- Counseled employees going on LWOP-US/military duty and ensured their smooth return to pay status upon rejoining active duty
- Possessed full legal authority to review, authorize, and validate SF-52 forms within HR domain, signifying pivotal role in decision-making aligned with established regulations and policies
- Analyzed retirement applications for accuracy, identified trends, and provided feedback on discrepancies to lower graded employees
- Conducted audits of Official Personnel Folders (OPF) to ensure complete accuracy of service computation dates, retirement coverage codes, FEGLI elections, and military/re-deposit information
- Collaborated closely with Staffing on new hires, reinstatements, NAF employees, and reemployed annuitants to ensure correct retirement plan placements and prevent erroneous assignments
- Assisted Employee Relations with disability retirement inquiries as an alternative to removal
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of human resources rules, procedures, and operations related to employee benefits
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of human resources rules, procedures, and operations related to employee benefits
- Researched benefit-related problems and analyzed individual circumstances as needed
- Utilized foundational knowledge of USDA Forest Service principles from U.S Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidelines, retirement and benefits protocols, health and life insurance regulations, and Thrift Savings Plan legislation
- Effectively applied frameworks, relevant policies, procedures, and legislative updates, to deliver expert advisory services to management and employees across the organization
- Skillfully addressed complex scenarios, including eligibility disputes and sensitive matters resulting from legal actions, while rectifying historical errors in retirement, service duration, and benefits
- Actions aimed at ensuring equitable outcomes for employees
- Researched problems by obtaining relevant facts pertaining to individual employee circumstances
- Assessed the sufficiency of pertinent information, established precedents, and elucidated potential choices accessible to employees, drawing from a thorough analysis of their unique situations
- Provided quarterly webinars, in-person orientations, briefings, and training for supervisors, managers, new employees, and those scheduled for retirement, covering employee benefits and retirement concerns
- Enriched website content with informative details on employee benefits
- Collaborated with Lead Human Resources Specialist (Employee Benefits) and management to develop agency positions, proposals, and strategies on complex benefit and retirement issues requiring modification of guidelines where no clear precedent exists
- Communicated with active employees and retirees to inform them about outcomes of their FF/LEO Special Retirement claims
- Collaborated closely with National Finance Center (NFC) to invoice employees for any newly applicable deposits owed
- Oversaw case progress until employee/retiree completes their deposit payments and ensures that both NFC and OPM update retirement record to reflect approved claim and grant full service credit
- Crafted comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for execution of crucial benefits programs as subject-matter expert (SME)
- Conducted training and developmental sessions for staff members at lower grades, ensuring adherence to proper interpretations of laws, regulations, and policies concerning retirements and benefits
- Evaluated forms, documents, and letters produced by fellow team members for thoroughness, precision, and accurate coding on SF-52 forms; subsequently granted approval and affixed signature for further processing
- Volunteered to assist with special projects of varying complexity
- Diligently verified and endorsed SF-8 unemployment claims forms, concurrently serving as agency representative throughout unemployment process within human resources domain
- Briefed job applicants regarding responsibilities, benefits and schedules to provide information regarding job specifications and logistics
Human Resources Assistant
USDA-Forest Service
01.2007 - 03.2009
- Series: 0203, Pay Plan: GS, Grade: 07 Step 8
- Hours per week: 40
- Salary: $47,012.00 USD Per Year
- Provided comprehensive federal benefits guidance to employees, covering basic benefits and complex retirement options such as CSRS, CSRS-Offset, FERS, Phased Retirement, FICA, VERA/VSIP, disability benefits, death benefits, FF/LEO Special Retirements, mandatory retirements, deferred and postponed retirements, FF/LEO Individual Rulings, health insurance, life insurance, leave benefits, Social Security, and Thrift Savings Plan.
- Assisted employees in registering for benefits programs using online portals
- Trained new team members in policies and procedures, offering insights into effective task management
- Offered individual counseling to new and existing employees, managers, and family members on various benefit options' legality, timeliness, requirements, appropriateness, potential problems, including FEHB, FSA, LTC, FEGLI, TSP, etc.
- Managed and administered employee benefits programs, contributing to open enrollment processes
- Counseled seasonal employees entering Leave Without Pay (LWOP) or those retiring or resigning
- Simplified benefit plan explanations for participants, ensuring comprehension of available options
- Conducted OPF reviews to verify proper service computation dates, retirement coverage, FEGLI, service history, and deposit information
- Utilized extensive knowledge of human resources rules, procedures, and operations related to employee benefits to address benefit-related issues requiring individualized analysis
- Conducted research by gathering relevant facts pertinent to individual employee circumstances
- Evaluated facts considering established precedents and explained available options based on individual circumstance analysis
- Ensured human resources regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws
- Strictly adhered to procedures to maintain data and plan participant confidentiality
- Managed time effectively to meet all task deadlines
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments
Contact Representative
Social Security Administration
04.2003 - 01.2007
- Series: 0962, Pay Plan: GS, Grade: 08 Step 2
- Hours per week: 40
- Salary: $40187.00 USD Per Year
- Counseled beneficiaries inquiring by telephone regarding programs administered by Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Interviewed beneficiaries, inquirers, and their representatives to determine nature of their problems or interest
- Explained technical provisions, elicits relevant facts, and resolved problems with payment eligibility
- Provide beneficiaries with information, advice or instructions about eligibility and benefits being paid under retirement, survivors, disability and Medicare insurances programs, for Black Lung program, and Supplemental Security income
- Assist callers with earning discrepancies using earning modernization system by either making correction or reinstate it myself or by transferring request to field office payment center
- Inform claimants of pertinent documentation needed when filing claims for benefits or to obtain other SSA services
- Advised callers of federal laws and obligations regarding disruptions of benefits for failure to report changes
- Explained Cessation, Representative Payee accounting forms, Beneficiary reports, Student Conversion forms and Continuing Disability Review forms
- Defuse irate callers due to interruption of benefits
- Provide callers with information regarding dedicated accounts for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Consulted with individuals requesting retirement estimates and provided extensive information to help callers make informed decisions on early retirement
- Communicated legal ramifications for filing at maximum retirement age full retirement age and earning delayed retirement credits
- Provide callers with public information booklets, forms, and benefit verification
- Advised recipients on federal policies on appeals process to ensure appeals are filed timely
- Positively identified callers and completed post entitlement inputs such as direct deposit, change of address, death reports, annual wage reports, disability work reports and name corrections
- Established debt resolution by setting up installments, changing rate of withholding, stop recovery action pending appeals, processed administrative waivers for Title II and Title XVI as well as full development waivers requiring research and evidence of allegations before decisions are made
- Explained Medicare provisions, eligibility requirements and various enrollment periods
- Assisted callers with discrepancies pertaining to Social Security benefits.
- Developed highly empathetic client relationships and earned reputation for exceeding service standard goals
- Stayed informed about legislation like Part D to simplify explanations for new prescription drug plan offered under Part D Medicare
- Worked productively in fast-paced work environment to process large volumes of retirement and disability claims
Enrollment/eligibility Specialist II
Presbyterian Health Plan
10.2002 - 04.2003
- Hours per week: 40
- Process new enrollment applications for large group health plans
- Entered contract and member files for all lines of health plan coverage
- Administered eligible/enrollment guidelines including multiple groups waiting period
- Responsible for acquiring comprehensive understanding of federal and state regulatory prerequisites concerning enrollment and eligibility.
- Tracked all pending health plan enrollments to ensure deadlines are followed
- Generated all required enrollment letters
- Performed monthly and semi-annual student certification.
- Prioritized/monitored workload for team members
- Interviewed candidates for vacant positions, process assessments, making final selections of quality candidates
- Deliver weekly updates on Service Level Agreements to Leadership, achieving targeted accuracy and turnaround performance objectives, boasting 98% accuracy success rate
- Maintained current and accurate membership records
- Mentored and assisted with training and development of new employees by department
- Interviewed applicants and explained scope of different available benefits.
- Reviewed applications for different aid programs and determined which qualification criteria for individuals
- Interviewed candidates and conducted background checks and verification
- Monitored changes in health insurance laws and regulations to verify continuous compliance
- Negotiated with insurers to secure industry-leading health insurance coverage for clients
Education
Certification Program Society for Human Resources - Pending Exam Certification
UNM Anderson School of Management (SHRM)
Albuquerque, NMHigh School Diploma -
New Mexico Department of Education
Albuquerque, NM12.1995
Skills
- Human Resources Policies Expertise
- Retirement and Benefits
- New Hire Orientation
- Employee Counseling and Support
- Confidentiality and Data Protection
- Recruitment and Selection
- SharePoint
- Excel
- DOI Access
- Oracle Datamart/OBIEE
- Government Retirement & Benefits (GRB)
- Microsoft Office
- Federal Personnel and Payroll System (FPPS)
- Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF)
Additional Information
- Delegated Examining Training (Exam date pending) - OPM 8/2023
- USA Staffing OPM - 8/2023
- USA Staffing Cognos OPM - 8/2023
Graduate School USA:
- Federal Staffing and Placement 8/2023
- Pay Setting: General Schedule (Virtual Instruction) STAF9002A001 5/2023
- Processing Federal Personnel Actions (Virtual Instruction) STAF7010A001 5/2023
- USERRA DOI Talent 5/2023
- Federal Benefits Seminar OPM 6//2015
- Disability Legislation & Reasonable Accommodation - A Practical Guide OPM - 12/2014
- Federal Erroneous Retirement Coverage Corrections Act (FERCCA) OPM - 6/2014
- Benefits Training OPM - 06/2014
- Effective Presentation 03/2011 Workers Compensation and Disability Training 07/2010
- Crediting Service Performed Under Another Retirement System for Federal Employees OPM- 05/2010
- Death in Service OPM-05/2010
- Benefits for Survivor of Deceased Federal Employee if Annuitants OPM 05/2010
- TSP Eligibility Agency Training 05/2010
- Benefits Across The Ages OPM 05/2010
Timeline
Human Resources Assistant
DOI-National Parks Service
04.2023 - Current
Human Resources Assistant
USDA-Forest Service
06.2016 - 04.2023
Human Resources Specialist
USDA-Forest Service
03.2009 - 06.2016
Human Resources Assistant
USDA-Forest Service
01.2007 - 03.2009
Contact Representative
Social Security Administration
04.2003 - 01.2007
Enrollment/eligibility Specialist II
Presbyterian Health Plan
10.2002 - 04.2003
Certification Program Society for Human Resources - Pending Exam Certification
UNM Anderson School of Management (SHRM)
High School Diploma -
New Mexico Department of Education
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