Danielle Cotton
Spring Lake,NC
Summary
Conscientious and compassionate human resources professional with drive for helping employers recruit, develop and retain qualified candidates. Skilled at partnering with management teams to build employee-centric cultures promoting positive morale and optimizing productivity. Motivating and positive with excellent interpersonal, coaching and communication skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Manager
North Carolina National Guard
Raleigh, NC
05.2019 - Current
- Maintained payroll and benefits for 835 employees in various locations and diminished financial discrepancies through expert program management.
- Maintained organizational compliance with local, state and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
- Organized and led onboarding sessions and on-the-job training for new hires, bolstering employee job position knowledge and skillset.
- Coordinated with senior leadership and handled managerial needs by implementing fresh solutions into business strategies.
- Led and strategically directed team of 12 human resources professionals.
- Enhanced staff knowledge and awareness on drug abuse and prevention programs as the Unit Prevention Leader
- Monitored and handled employee claims involving performance-based and harassment incidents as the Equal Opportunity Leader for the Human Resource Office
- Coordinated activities of human resources team, distributing resources and personnel effectively across organization to meet HR needs.
- Maintained consistent knowledge of multi-state and local tax regulations.
- Served as backup for payroll supervisor to process pay transactions
- Managed leave system
Recruiter and Retention NCO
North Carolina National Guard
Fayetteville, NC
04.2018 - 04.2019
- Evaluated strengths and weaknesses of 115 candidates through effective screening processes.
- Generated specific candidate pool for career opportunities through strategic placement of advertisements, evaluation of applicant credentials, and conducting initial interviews and pre-screening assessments.
- Followed up with notable applicants sourced via industry-specific pipelines, events and job fairs.
- Leveraged social media platforms to advertise open positions and engage with potential candidates.
- Verified applicant references and employment details.
- Developed and deepened relationships with high school and college campus representatives to meet with graduating seniors for recruitment.
- Collected and analyzed information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.
- Conducted three recruiting events per quarter to grow passive talent pipeline to prepare for future hiring needs.
Human Resources Assistant
North Carolina National Guard
Raleigh, NC
01.2016 - 03.2018
- 7Forecasted expected personnel demands and developed forward-thinking approaches to achieve objectives.
- Helped leaders devise ways to fairly assess employee performance and develop improvement plans for promotion
- Created programs to reduce turnover and improve employee engagement in daily business process.
- Scanned and maintained confidential employee information and records.
- Understood, interpreted and mediated human resources inquiries to support administration of human resources policies, procedures and programs for 800 employees
- Managed employee awards programs.
- Improved operational processes resulting in statewide productivity increase in 7 HR departments.
Operations Manager for Multi-National Organization
North Carolina National Guard
Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
11.2014 - 12.2015
- Oversaw 5 multi-national teams planning, implementing training and base operational strategies.
- Developed and implemented effective lesson plans to cover necessary material.
- Identified training needs and planned classes accordingly
- Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
- Adjusted instructional strategies according to student needs and understanding of material due to multi-national audience
- Acted as training subject matter expert and provided extensive technical support two different Department of the Army agencies
- Appropriately allocated resourced, budgets, inventories, training support and team building materials to increase overall productivity.
- Bolstered retention while serving as the Retention NCO for over 2,000 employees, creating and offering incentives options and inspiring interest in continuing employment with the Army National Guard and Army Reserves
Master Resilience Trainer
North Carolina National Guard
Clinton, NC
10.2013 - 10.2014
- Kept abreast of new and developing information in mental health field by attending professional conferences and workshops.
- Encouraged team members to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
- Led educational training at state level to expand awareness of coping skills and different workplace issues that effect the work environment
- Educated employees on preventive care, nutrition, fitness, and stress management
- Increased total wellbeing by encouraging members to improve nutrition, weight control and lifestyle
- Established strategies based on individuals' goals and strengths and offered each positive reinforcement to continue progress against goals.
- Helped members to identify challenges and set goals.
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
North Carolina National Guard
Clinton, NC
09.2012 - 09.2013
- Supported victims, family members and witnesses through law enforcement, healthcare, and social services.
- Constructed referral list of agencies and community resources for victims' to provide aftercare services.
- Provided comprehensive assessment, goal setting, and service plans.
- Attended interagency meetings and networked to create community partnerships.
- Developed safety plans to meet victims' assessment of need.
- Spearheaded awareness through training over 4,000 service members on sexual assault
- Wrote reports on clients and maintained required paperwork.
Training Manager
North Carolina National Guard
Clinton, NC
08.2009 - 08.2012
- Reviewed and edited all training materials for accuracy and company policy compliance.
- Analyzed effectiveness of training programs at all levels and recommended updates.
- Coordinated ongoing technical training and personal development classes for members.
- Planned corporate annual summer and holiday events and team building-based training initiatives.
- Managed payroll for organization 350 personnel.
- Created and managed spreadsheets for leave calculations.
- Served as backup for payroll supervisor to process open record requests.
Career Counsler
North Carolina National Guard
Clinton, NC
07.2008 - 07.2009
- Developed career and education plans based on individual needs.
- Counseled members one-on-one regarding current situation, desires, aptitudes, education and employment history.
- Connected with business and recruiters to build relationships and increase opportunities for members
- Managed over 100 detailed records of individual histories, scores and document inquiries and resolved problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites.
- Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
- Communicated closely with other counselors to devise programs and activities based on developmental and academic levels.
Paralegal
North Carolina National Guard
Clinton, NC
06.2007 - 06.2008
- Conferred with clients and other involved parties to gather and track case information.
- Prepared legal briefs
- Researched state statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes and documents.
- Prepared and filed non-judicial punishment and other legal documents for military justice system.
- Maintained law and administrative library, as well as department files and records.
- Assisted with separation board proceedings and duty determinations.
- Supported family law proceedings by managing documents such as wills, separation degrees and powers of attorney.
- Drafted responses for exceptions on foreclosure procedural errors.
Personal Security Specialist
North Carolina National Guard
Raleigh, NC
09.2005 - 05.2007
- Investigated incidents and wrote reports.
- Developed contingency plans to ensure correct security clearances were maintained for state employees of North Carolina National Guard
- Supplied security rosters for state leaders for all positions and security clearance levels
- submitted and reviewed all applications for security clearances
Military Instructor
North Carolina National Guard
Fort Bragg, NC
08.2004 - 08.2005
- Evaluated and supervised student activities and performance levels to provide reports on academic progress.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Increased and fostered diverse student population by employing various learning styles and abilities.
- Created lesson plans for courses, modifying throughout year to meet time constraints and specific interests of class.
- Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
- Reviewed program materials and coordinated updates to keep military materials relevant and accurate.
Human Resources Specialist
US Army
Fort Bragg, NC
07.2003 - 07.2004
- Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
- Answered customer telephone calls promptly to avoid on-hold wait times.
- Collected customer feedback and made process changes to exceed customer satisfaction goals.
- Cultivated customer loyalty, promoted repeat business and improved sales.
- Responded proactively and positively to rapid change.
- Responded to customer requests, offering excellent support and tailored recommendations to address needs.
Platoon Sergeant
US Army
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
06.2002 - 06.2003
- Maintained health, welfare and combat readiness of personnel within platoon.
- Trained, supervised and organized over 218 soldiers and personnel.
- Enforced technical and tactical training standards to accomplish unit mission objectives.
- Conducted personal and professional counseling, routine inspections and physical fitness tests.
- Served as principal advisor to First Sergeant and Commander.
- Handled administrative requirements, maintained records and submitted operational reports.
- Oversaw teams planning, implementing and realigning field and base operational strategies.
Military Nuclear Biological & Chemical Instructor
US Army
Heidelberg, Germany
05.1998 - 05.2002
- Evaluated and supervised student activities and performance levels to provide reports on academic progress.
- Graded quizzes, tests, homework and projects to provide students with timely academic progress information and feedback.
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
- Created monthly lesson plans for 7 courses, modifying throughout year to meet time constraints and specific interests of class.
- Created positive and safe learning environment for students by setting and enforcing classroom code of conduct.
- Assisted and identified at-risk students to eliminate student barriers to learning.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC05.2024
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Central Texas College
Killeen, TX08.2005
Skills
- Financial Management
- Legal Research
- Compensation and Benefits Administration
- Accident Investigations
- Training Needs Analysis
- Administering Disciplinary Procedures
- Policy Improvement Recommendations
- Microsoft Office
- Hiring and Firing
- Forecasting Employment Needs
- Microsoft Excel
- Advising Department Managers
- Employee Relations Oversight
- Hiring Trends and Analysis
- Microsoft Access
- Judgment and Decision-Making
Affiliations
- Society of Human Resource Management
Timeline
Human Resources Manager
North Carolina National Guard
05.2019 - Current
Recruiter and Retention NCO
North Carolina National Guard
04.2018 - 04.2019
Human Resources Assistant
North Carolina National Guard
01.2016 - 03.2018
Operations Manager for Multi-National Organization
North Carolina National Guard
11.2014 - 12.2015
Master Resilience Trainer
North Carolina National Guard
10.2013 - 10.2014
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
North Carolina National Guard
09.2012 - 09.2013
Training Manager
North Carolina National Guard
08.2009 - 08.2012
Career Counsler
North Carolina National Guard
07.2008 - 07.2009
Paralegal
North Carolina National Guard
06.2007 - 06.2008
Personal Security Specialist
North Carolina National Guard
09.2005 - 05.2007
Military Instructor
North Carolina National Guard
08.2004 - 08.2005
Human Resources Specialist
US Army
07.2003 - 07.2004
Platoon Sergeant
US Army
06.2002 - 06.2003
Military Nuclear Biological & Chemical Instructor
US Army
05.1998 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Campbell University
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Central Texas College
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