Dawn Smiley
Dublin,GA
Summary
Hardworking team leader offering 20+ years of food service experience. Dedicated to food safety and top-notch customer service. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Food Service Supervisor
Department of Veterans Affairs
Dublin, GA
07.2023 - Current
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations in all areas of the kitchen.
- Scheduled staff shifts, monitored attendance, and managed payroll records.
- Supervised and coordinated activities of food service personnel to ensure efficient operation of the facility.
- Provided direction to staff on proper preparation techniques for menu items.
- Reviewed customer feedback forms to identify areas needing improvement in quality or customer service.
- Monitored portion sizes and plate presentation to ensure consistency across all dishes served.
- Investigated complaints regarding food quality or customer service issues promptly and effectively resolved them.
- Performed regular inspections of kitchen equipment and storage areas for cleanliness and functionality.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding new employees when needed.
- Oversaw work and guest areas to provide clean, tidy and properly sanitized facilities according to established guidelines.
- Performed continuous evaluations of employee performance and service levels.
- Reviewed daily task list with employees and assigned tasks for completion.
Tax Preparer
HR Block
Dublin, GA
08.2022 - Current
- Prepared and reviewed tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations and trusts.
- Compiled data from clients to accurately complete tax forms.
- Identified potential deductions to minimize clients' tax liabilities.
- Researched federal, state, and local laws to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Provided guidance on financial decisions related to taxes.
- Assisted clients in responding to IRS notices of deficiency or audit findings.
- Analyzed financial information such as income statements and balance sheets to calculate tax liability.
- Explained complex tax regulations in an easy-to-understand manner for clients' understanding.
- Maintained accurate records of all client transactions and filings.
- Conducted research on current trends in taxation law to stay up-to-date with changes.
- Advised clients on the best strategies for filing their taxes efficiently and legally.
- Evaluated financial situations of individual taxpayers and businesses to determine appropriate actions for reducing taxes owed or increasing refunds due.
- Reviewed prior year's returns for accuracy and completeness before submitting them.
- Corresponded with government agencies regarding discrepancies between submitted documents and actual amounts owed and refundable.
- Organized paperwork for efficient review by senior staff members.
- Ensured that all applicable deadlines were met when submitting documents.
- Assisted customers with any questions they had about their taxes or filing status.
- Filed electronically through approved software programs.
- Advised clients to comply with IRS regulations and meet state and federal tax obligations.
- Finalized and processed paperwork with local, state and federal government authorities.
- Supplied detailed tax documentation needed to submit accurate corporate and individual returns.
- Informed clients of potentially beneficial products and services, resulting in additional business opportunities.
- Probed tax situations from different angles to apply maximum tax benefits or resolve tax debts.
- Communicated with federal and state tax agencies to obtain best resolution for clients.
- Produced US and state income, gift tax and estate tax returns for individuals.
- Produced minimum of 30 tax returns weekly to boost firms' filing process.
- Used tax form instructions and tables to complete tax forms.
- Interviewed clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.
- Used appropriate adjustments, deductions and credits to keep clients' taxes to minimum.
- Liaised between clients and tax authorities such as IRS representatives.
- Consulted tax law handbooks or bulletins to determine procedures for preparation of atypical returns.
Food Service Cook
Department of Veterans Affairs
San Antonio, TX
09.2019 - 06.2024
- Prepared and cooked a variety of meats, seafood, poultry, vegetables, and other food items according to recipes or individual requirements.
- Assisted in portioning meals for large groups as needed.
- Maintained cleanliness of work area, including all cooking surfaces, utensils, equipment, and refrigerators.
- Ensured that all dishes were prepared in accordance with established safety and sanitation guidelines.
- Followed proper plate presentation techniques when serving food.
- Checked quality of ingredients used for preparing dishes.
- Kept records of the quantities of food used.
- Stored foods in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Adhered to all company policies regarding food handling procedures and health regulations.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of menu items including ingredients used for preparation.
- Operated ovens, grills, fryers, steamers, choppers and other kitchen equipment as necessary.
- Trained new employees on Food Service Cook duties as assigned by management.
- Communicated effectively with other culinary staff members regarding daily operations.
- Utilized problem solving skills to resolve issues quickly.
- Followed established procedures and requirements for safe food handling, storage and service.
- Wrapped, dated and labeled food items in storage for safety and freshness.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Coordinated orders to expedite food from kitchen according to cook time and delivery time.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Trained, managed and guided kitchen staff to improve overall performance, service quality and productivity.
- Managed portion control using correct utensils during preparation and plating.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator.
- Chopped, diced and sliced vegetables and fruit ahead of rush periods.
- Used standardized recipes and other instructions to prepare food.
- Prepared and served meals by reviewing recipes and combining and cooking ingredients.
Foreman
Army and Air Force Exchange Services
San Antonio, TX
07.2003 - 09.2019
- Developed and implemented safety protocols for the team.
- Maintained daily logs of labor and equipment used on-site.
- Ensured all workers adhered to company policies and procedures.
- Conducted regular performance reviews with crew members.
- Provided guidance, direction, and technical assistance to crew members.
- Monitored job progress and ensured completion within budget constraints.
- Resolved conflicts between workers in a timely manner.
- Identified areas of improvement for increased efficiency and productivity.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations in all areas of the kitchen.
- Scheduled staff shifts, monitored attendance, and managed payroll records.
- Ordered necessary supplies from approved vendors to maintain adequate stock levels.
- Provided direction to staff on proper preparation techniques for menu items.
- Reviewed customer feedback forms to identify areas needing improvement in quality or customer service.
- Conducted weekly training sessions with staff members on food safety practices and standards.
- Monitored portion sizes and plate presentation to ensure consistency across all dishes served.
- Coordinated special events such as banquets or catering requests according to customer specifications.
- Investigated complaints regarding food quality or customer service issues promptly and effectively resolved them.
- Ensured compliance with applicable local laws regarding alcohol sales, sanitation, hygiene.
- Performed regular inspections of kitchen equipment and storage areas for cleanliness and functionality.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding new employees when needed.
- Managed financial aspects such as tracking expenses, calculating costs per meal served.
- Analyzed operational reports to determine trends related to labor costs or customer satisfaction ratings.
- Implemented strategies designed to increase profitability through cost savings initiatives or improved efficiency measures.
- Trained workers in food preparation, money handling and cleaning roles to facilitate restaurant operations.
- Monitored food storage, handling, preparation and delivery to maintain health and safety standards.
- Created and adjusted department schedules and individual shift assignments.
- Purchased food and supplies according to department needs.
- Oversaw work and guest areas to provide clean, tidy and properly sanitized facilities according to established guidelines.
Education
GED -
Savannah Technical College
Savannah, GA12-2013
Skills
- Staff Leadership
- Quality Assurance Policies
- Portioning
- Recipe Creation
- Quality Assurance Understanding
- Employee Scheduling
- Schedule Management
- Employee Development
Certification
- Human Resources Payroll Certification
- Human Resources Foundations Certification
- Administrative Human Resources Certification
- Growing Employees and Leaders Certification
Timeline
Food Service Supervisor
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2023 - Current
Tax Preparer
HR Block
08.2022 - Current
Food Service Cook
Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2019 - 06.2024
Foreman
Army and Air Force Exchange Services
07.2003 - 09.2019
GED -
Savannah Technical College