Fatima Rivers-Myers
Winter Haven,FL
Summary
· Providing comprehensive human resources advisory services and technical assistance to hiring managers regarding the application of staffing principles, concepts, laws, and regulations.
· Processing personnel actions.
· Interpreting and applying the regulations and guidance contained in The Code of Federal Regulations and the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions.
· Providing advisory services on human resource matters.
· Providing human resources advice and assistance and being viewed as an HR consultant and
· strategic partner in resolving key management problems.
· Working with senior management to resolve unique/complex human resources issues in a way that reflects a partnership with management.
· Exploring unique/untried solutions and initiating ongoing contacts with managers to foster strong working relationships.
- Providing consultation and advice that includes exploring unique/untried solutions.
- Educating, advising, and participating in meetings with middle management individually/in groups to address HR issues and problems.
- Communicating orally/making oral presentations at the following events: speeches; conferences; meetings; one-on-one discussions; telephone inquiries; training; technical assistance; briefings.
- Writing the following types of documents: correspondence; technical reports; policy guidance.
- Managing several multiple and long-term projects.
- Participating with other specialists in carrying out various special projects to support human capital strategic objectives.
- Applying pay-setting rules for the following areas: general schedule (GS); pay banding; pay retention; grade retention; special rates.
- Interpreting and applying the regulations and guidance contained in the following documents: Code of Federal Regulations; Guide to Processing Personnel Actions; Delegated Examining Operations Handbook (DEOH); Qualifications Standards Handbook; The Personnel Data Standards Handbook; The United States Code (USC); The Veteran's Guide; Position Classification Standards; Classifier's Handbook, VA Handbooks
- Providing a full range of recruitment and placement services and applying the following procedures: federal merit promotion procedures; delegated examining procedures; special appointing authorities/schedule A, B, and C; veterans preference regulations/veterans employment programs; presidential management fellow program, summer hires, and a variety of student programs.
- Exploring unique/untried solutions and initiating ongoing contacts with managers to foster strong working relationships.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs
Winter Haven, Flo
09.2023 - Current
- Responsible for auditing erroneous personnel actions in various HR program areas such as recruitment, pay administration, performance management and maintenance of e-OPF and providing correction action.
- Provide guidance on Federal statutes, VA policy, and OPM guidance to ensure accuracy in these areas. Provide quality assurance by analyzing complex programs and interpreting existing regulations. Use extensive knowledge of HR legal and regulatory requirements to audit HR programs, identify technical discrepancies, and provide training and intervention strategies.
- Review technical data reports, provide expert advice, and collaborate with supervisors on corrections and internal process improvement measures. Creates standardized HR processes and provide just-in-time training to ensure accurate processing of personnel actions. Analyze proposed changes in operations and advise on effective personnel management programs.
- Reviews daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly technical data reports to assist in determining goals and recommendations to improve the technical function of the VISN HR staff, as well as continuous preparation for, and coordination of, all outside HR audits and reviews. Provides VISN HR managers and VISN HR employees with information, guidance and interpretation related to complex HR policies that require substantial research. Identifies trends and training needs after auditing personnel actions and other HR required processes by composing both quantitative and narrative reports from the audit findings. compiles these periodic and/or special reports, relaying identified deficiencies or procedural short falls. Assists in analyzing proposed changes in operations, assesses the impact on personnel programs, and advises VISN HR manager in the most effective personnel management programs. Briefs upper-level managers over 12 stations on audit findings and required training that should be given to avoid further mistakes.
- Interpreted and explained human resources policies, procedures or regulations.
- Develop Did You Know training materials related to quality assurance topics.
- Reviewed customer requirements and specifications to ensure products met standards.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams across the organization to ensure adherence to quality objectives.
Supervisory Human Resources Specialist
Us Department Of State Global Financial Service
Charleston, SC
02.2023 - 09.2023
- Facilitated conflict resolution sessions and mediated disputes between employees, fostering a positive work environment.
- Provided essential support to address individual HR needs of employees.
- Implemented performance management systems, including performance appraisals and goal setting, to boost productivity.
- Managed recruitment processes, including job postings, candidate screening, and interviews, ensuring timely and efficient hiring.
- Liaised between management and employees by relaying work information, adjustments and grievances.
- Handled employee discipline and termination to address policy infractions.
- Responded to high level inquiries from Senior Level employees as well as Ambassadors that may result in coordinating with Office of Payroll, HR Helpdesk and Bureaus to ensure the inquiries are answered correct and in a timely manner.
- Scheduled meetings with employees to address concerns and grievances. Investigated and responded to negative surveys in a timely manner in order to address customer concerns and implement corrective action.
- Suggested promotions and wage increases according to employee performance.
- Planned and managed projects and workload schedules, advises staff regarding problems affecting timelines. Evaluated the performance and sets performance standards of subordinates.
- Reviewed unusual, complex, and high-priority requests for annuitant services issues and advise management on strategies, sources and special programs which emphasize on annuitant services and call center human resources advisory work.
- Responded to high level inquiries from Senior Level employees as well as Ambassadors that may result in coordinating with Office of Payroll, HR Helpdesk and Bureaus to ensure the inquiries are answered correct and in a timely manner.
- Processed personnel actions such as FEGLI, Awards, Change in SCD, Corrections, Cancellations, ect.
Human Resources Specialist
US Department of State (HRSC)
Charleston, SC
12.2019 - 02.2023
- Leading and advising junior HR specialists and government contractors with assisting customers in diagnosing their needs and proposing solutions while managing resistance/objections.
- Responded to requests and provided expert assistance to customers in the areas of; veterans preference; employee profile; SCD changes; personnel actions; retirement; awards, beneficiaries, and enrollment for benefits such as the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan (FEHB), Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Continuation of Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Federal Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCI);transit benefits and inquires; the Student Loan Repayment Program and Request for Preliminary Employment Data (SF-75).
- Ensured documents were successfully uploaded to employee’s electronic Official Personnel Folder.
- Initiating and Processing personnel actions such FEGLI changes, SCD calculations, awards cancellation, and corrections, in a PeopleSoft database known as the Global Employment Management System (GEMS) using the OPMS's Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and following up to ensure actions are processed in a timely manner, including taking appropriate corrective action when deficiencies are found.
- Reviewing work assignments of contractors and junior HR specialists for accuracy before sending them to both internal and external stakeholders.
- Provides advice, assistance and counseling Foreign Service Annuitants and surviving family members/next of kin on complex and sensitive federal employee benefits and retirement programs to include but not limited to: Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, Federal Employees' Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSAFEDS), and the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
- Interpret and clarify policies, standards, and procedures to all levels of employees and management on all phases of HR, including entrance on duty, qualifying life events for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)/Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), beneficiaries, separations, annual/sick leave, LWOP, awards, transit subsidy, and the Shared Leave Program.
- Advised on the process for determining the amount of retirement contribution, refunds of contributions, payments, and repayments needed for service credit and whether the requirements for payment of a survivor annuity/lump sum are satisfied.
- Troubleshooting issues associated with employee pay resulting from changes in employment status, grade level, and duty station, Thrift Savings Plan contributions, federal/state tax withholding, health/life insurance plans, and other matters that affect employee pay.
- Collaborated with the Office of Retirement (GTM/RET), the Annuity Pay Processing Division (ANP) of the Charleston Global Financial Center, and Federal Employee Health Benefit insurance carriers to better assist annuitants on death benefits.
- · Independently processed SF-75s, CMS-L564 forms, and other benefits forms as assigned, reviewed veteran's preference, recalculated service computation dates, processed personnel actions, and handle report of deaths for annuitants and survivors.
- Independently provides accurate advice and guidance to areas of assignment such as FEHB, FEGLI, Death Benefits, Military Buyback, change in SCDs, ect.
- Maintained compliance with applicable laws including HIPAA Privacy regulations, COBRA requirements, FMLA regulations and ERISA guidelines.
- Developed communications related to open enrollment periods or changes in benefits packages.
- Managed employee enrollments and terminations for all benefit plans.
- Conducted research on various benefit options for employees.
- Conducted audits of payroll deductions to ensure accuracy of contribution amounts into retirement plans.
- Communicated effectively via email, phone and face-to-face with plan participants to resolve issues pertaining to health and welfare benefits.
- Coordinated benefits processing, including enrollments and terminations.
- Provided training and support to HR team members on benefits administration best practices.
Human Resources Specialist
US Department of State (CGFS)
Charleston, SC
10.2008 - 12.2019
- Analyzed employment-related data and prepared reports.
- Developed or implemented recruiting strategies to meet current or anticipated staffing needs.
- Maintained current knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action guidelines and laws.
- Informed job applicants of duties and responsibilities, compensation, and benefits.
- Maintained and updated organizational charts, employee handbooks or performance evaluation forms.
- Assisted with budget preparation for HR-related expenses, including training, benefits, and employee programs.
- Coordinated with external vendors for the provision of employee services, such as training and benefits administration.
- Conducted background checks and orientation, coordinating new employee onboarding process.
- Managed HR information systems (HRIS) to ensure efficient data management and accurate reporting.
- Provided essential support to address individual HR needs of employees.
- Assisted candidates with application processes by answering questions about application, performing background checks, providing I-9 forms and handling drug screening paperwork.
- Maintained employee records in compliance with federal and state laws, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
- Worked with HR department to devise and update policies as needed for corporate accountability and workplace health.
- Developed metrics and reports to analyze HR effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Coordinated employee recognition programs to boost morale and reward outstanding performance.
- Administered employee benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Established and maintained trusted relationships around organization to optimize business and employee experience.
- Served as the Benefits Officer for the Bureau of the CGFS and providing information to employees concerning, but not limited to, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, Thrift Savings Plan, flexible spending accounts, and beneficiary changes.
- Proactively researched Department of State regulations, Foreign Service Manuals and various Handbooks on HR programs, operations, policies, procedures to effectively provide guidance to Civil and Foreign Service employees as well as contactors on many areas of HR, to include, but not limited to, benefits, classification, position management and staffing.
- Processed various health/life insurance documents with 2 days of receipt as required by Key Metrics.
- Advised and assisted on various employee programs such as health, pay and benefits, leave, insurance and intern programs.
- Conducted FEHB Open Season Health Fairs for 3 consecutive years. This process involved reaching out to various FEHB carriers for participation, coordinating access to base, ensuring information were disseminated to over 1000 employees over 5 agencies/bureaus in Charleston, SC to include the passport agency.
- Independently provide client bureaus with services in position management, performance management, compensation management, benefits management, and separation.
- Processed personnels actions to include, but not limited to, new hire actions, promotions, reassignments, corrections, cancelations, FEGLI changes and retroactive processing.
- Met with managers and prepared recruitment request packages for submission the HR Shared Service Provider (HR/SSP) to publicize vacancies.
- Tracked and monitored recruitment request packages for the three Bureaus, Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS), Bureau of Budget and Planning (BP) and the Secretary’s Office of Global Partnership, (S/GP).
- Updated the weekly Vacancy Status Report with clear and concise information in anticipation of. for submission to Senior Management for all serviced Bureaus. The document that was prepared ensured that the chronological recruitment process was clearly documented.
- Provided On-the-Job training two senior HR Specialists on the myriad of steps required for the full-cycle, cradle to grave, Staffing and Classification procedures including the security clearance process through e-QIP that backed by regulatory references.
- Lead a project with HR/SSP to review position descriptions in the automated classification system, ACRS. This project required the review of 50+ positions for accuracy.
- Provided recruitment strategy recommendations to managers that produced enough high-quality candidates for 90% of the vacancies to include advising on proper procedures to make selections, annotate certificates, job offer and security clearance process after coordination with HR/SC.
- On a monthly basis, prepared and reconciled the FTE Staffing Charts to advise management on the status of their FTE utilization with no more 3 discrepancies. This included verification of FTE usage with HR/RMA. Responsible for properly monitoring the attrition and internal movements of the workforce.
- Assisted management in developing position descriptions that accurately describe duties being performed and is properly graded 95% of the time.
- Assisted the Lead HR Specialist in the development of organizational charts, mission and function statements, position descriptions, etc. to support management's request to realign organizations within 2-weeks of receipt of all paperwork.
- · Developed of the monthly ISO Time-to-Fill key metrics for three Bureaus, CGFS, BP, and S/GP that accurately tracked the time to fill from the beginning to EOD of employee.
- Wrote work instructions and reference documents for Human Resource Division within Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services for Washington, DC and Charleston offices resulting in ISO-9001 certification. Ensured work instructions and reference documents remained updated to reflect all changes to HR processes.
- Audited recruitment and staffing case files to ensure they are correct and compliant with ISO guidelines.
- Mentored and provided advice to employees and managers on developing effective job applications, career development, and various hiring flexibilities, including for veterans, internships, and Schedule A. Assisting managers and supervisors with developing position descriptions that accurately reflect the duties of the position, using the proper factor.
- Conducted New Employee Orientation briefings and preparing offer letters to new employees. Maintained continuous communication with coworkers, management, employees, and future employees.
- Set pay for all new incoming employees to the Bureau of the CGFS, whether brand new to the federal government or transferring from another federal agency. Initiating personnel actions such as promotions, LWOP, FEGLI changes, and transfers in a PeopleSoft database known as the Global Employment Management System (GEMS) using the OPMS's Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and following up to ensure actions are processed in a timely manner, including taking appropriate corrective action when deficiencies are found.
- Prepared reports related to HR activities such as turnover rate analysis, absenteeism rate.
- Assisted in developing policies and procedures for the Human Resources Department.
- Created training materials for new hires and provided orientation sessions.
- Maintained confidential personnel files in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Reviewed job descriptions, identified necessary changes and updated accordingly.
- Analyzed workforce data to develop strategies that address recruitment needs.
- Ensured compliance with all federal and state labor laws regarding wages and hours worked.
Education
Master of Science - Information Technology
Webster University
Charleston03-2013
Master of Arts - Human Resource Management
Webster University
Charleston08-2012
Skills
- Organizational Development
- Pre-Employment Screening
- Personnel engagement
- Project Management
- Training development
- Management Development
- Employee Retention
- HR policy/procedure development
- Compensation and benefits
- HR program development
- Benefits Administration
- Recruitment
- Recruitment Strategies
- PeopleSoft HRMS
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Workforce Planning
- Recruitment planning
- Confidential Document Control
Accomplishments
- 12/25/2022 Meritorious Honor Award (Group)
- 11/29/2018 - Meritorious Honor Award (Group)
- 12/29/2015 - Extra Mile Awards
- 12/02/2014 - Superior Honor Award (Individual)
- 01/17/2013 - Franklin Award (Group)
- 07/17/2012 - Recommendation for Step/Service Increase
- 12/09/2011 - Meritorious Honor Award (Individual)
- 11/19/2009 - Franklin Award (Individual)
Job Related Training
- 2023 - Title 38 Appointing Authorities
- 2022 - HR Smart New Hire Training
- 2019 - Federal Employee Relations (Intermediate)
- 2019 - Federal Employee Relations (Basic)
- 2019 - PA302- Veteran Employment Training
- 2016 - PT230- Fundamentals of Supervision
- 2014 - PA193 Basic Knowledge Center Reporting Tool (Person and Position Universe) 2014 - Fair Labor Standards Act 2013 - Employee Relations Seminar 2013 - PA447- Disability and Reasonable Accommodations
- 2013 - PA495- Civil Service Performance Management and Evaluation
- 2010 - Federal Staffing and Placement
- 2009 - Basic Processing Personnel Actions
- 2009 - PA190- Basic Global Employment System Processing
- 2008 - PA192 Position Management in Global Employment Management System;
Timeline
Human Resources Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2023 - Current
Supervisory Human Resources Specialist
Us Department Of State Global Financial Service
02.2023 - 09.2023
Human Resources Specialist
US Department of State (HRSC)
12.2019 - 02.2023
Human Resources Specialist
US Department of State (CGFS)
10.2008 - 12.2019
Master of Science - Information Technology
Webster University
Master of Arts - Human Resource Management
Webster University
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