Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

James Cowan

Seattle, ,Washington

Summary

Dynamic human resources and investigations professional with a distinguished track record of exceptional leadership and operational success, consistently driving efficiency through streamlined processes. Renowned for strong analytical abilities and an unwavering commitment to achieving results, leveraging effective communication and organizational skills to meet project objectives. Expertise in developing protocols, leading teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance in high-stakes environments positions this professional as a valuable asset to any organization. Passionate about fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within teams.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Manager, Labor and Employee Relations

Seattle Public Schools
Seattle, Washington
09.2025 - Current
  • Serving as integral member of small team of LER managers; charged with direct support to the northeast regional schools.
  • Directing multiple dozen, concurrent HR complaint cases and grievances — which includes researching relevant bylaws, statutes, and related collective bargaining agreements; drafting all correspondence for school supervisors and Central Office district management.
  • Developing new protocols for more efficient processing of LER-managed programs.
  • Completed 120 HR cases during first nine months in service.

Employee Relations Specialist and FOIA Coordinator

US Forest Service, US Department of State
Seattle, Washington
03.2022 - 09.2025
  • Imparted inimitable employee relations support to supervisors in multiple national forests within the largest and busiest region in the agency.
  • Processed numerous disciplinary and human resources support cases to ensure integrity of the Forest Service mission, while adhering to agency policies and procedures and maintaining the protection of agency assets and people.
  • Independently exercised authority to manage a multitude of HR projects and programs related to the training and support for Forest Service leadership and supervisors.
  • Provided guidance and advice to regional and forest leadership on matters pertaining to the Privacy Act (PA) and FOIA, continuing distinguished record of demonstrating expert liaison abilities through establishing effective communication between regional and FOIA office staff, subject matter experts in the field, and requestors.
  • Conducted extensive research and clarification of Office of Information Policy (OIP) and statutory updates, relevant case law, historical precedents and legal interpretations regarding the handling of similar FOIA/PA requests for information, clarification and analysis of guidelines and government directives to ensure FOIA/PA compliance.
  • Over first year in role, managed FOIA program which processed 250 requests, including a thorough review of over 250,000 responsive pages — honored with the 2024 Pacific Northwest Region Regional Forester’s Special Recognition Award.

Civil Rights & Human Resources District Investigator

Seattle Public Schools
Seattle, Washington
08.2019 - 02.2022
  • Conducted over 50 investigations—ensuring the overall safety, wellbeing, and equal treatment of over 50,000 Seattle-area students, emphasizing the protection of student data in accordance with the Washington State and federal PAs.
  • Developed and continuously refined process and procedures for the timely completion of thorough, independent investigations in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and policy while maintaining the trust of counterparts, integrity of the process, and student privacy.

Senior Criminal Investigator

Office of Inspector General, Government Publishing Office
Washington, District Of Columbia
04.2017 - 07.2019
  • Conducted comprehensive investigations into allegations of misappropriation of government funds, procurement fraud, bribery, embezzlement, false statements, theft of government property, mishandling of sensitive information, and employee misconduct.
  • Cultivated and sustained strategic relationships with congressional counterparts, US Department of Justice officials, and law enforcement and OIG community members.

English Teacher

St. Anthony High School
San Antonio, Texas
07.2015 - 07.2016
  • Taught 115 students in three English III classes, two AP English III classes, and one Creative Writing elective course — Developed an advanced, progressive English curriculum based on critical theory foundations and congruent with Common Core standards.
  • Employed daily writing activities and subsequent discussion focused on personal narrative writing and articulation, assigning multiple complex writing projects based on a college-level writing proficiencies, facilitating an environment conducive to free and open expression.

Senior Technical Investigative Specialist

Bureau of Diplomatic Security, US Department of State
Washington, District Of Columbia
12.2009 - 07.2011
  • Oversaw HQ-level technical operations support as Deputy Program Manager, managing department-level procurement of investigative equipment.
  • Spearheaded bureau-wide enhancements to agency technical surveillance training programs and conducted multiple training seminars on technical operations and equipment.

Computer Systems Operator / Criminal Investigator

Office of Special Investigations, US Air Force
Multiple US Locations
02.1999 - 12.2009

Computer Systems Administrator

  • Deployed to Tuzla Air Base in support of SFOR/KFOR multinational forces.
  • Provided the 437th Airlift Wing (AW), 315th AW and 17 tenant organizations with record communications and data automation service and Tier II help desk support and served as focal point for emergency action functions.

Criminal Investigations Special Agent

  • Served as expert criminal investigator in directing, planning, and executing complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations—including international terrorism and related federal offenses, contract and procurement fraud, abuse of official funds, narcotics violations, counterintelligence, and violent crimes; managed multi-agent team providing operational and investigative support to USAF and DoD counterparts.
  • Composed detailed reports of investigations for USAF commanders as well as federal and state prosecutors.

Security Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF)

  • Ensured CSAF and family safety and security at all times; planned, developed, and executed OSI’s worldwide Protective Service Operations (PSO) for CSAF; provided PSO assistance to the US Secret Service in direct support to the President of the United States, Vice President, First Lady, and foreign heads of state, as well as selected Secretary of Defense sponsored foreign counterparts.
  • Wrote complex and detailed vulnerability and threat assessments; briefed senior officials on current threat data.

Technical Services Operations Agent

  • Served as Positive Technical Operations Program Manager for 3rd Field Investigations Squadron/TSO.
  • Managed, developed, and directed technical surveillance operations in response to criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations occurring within the United States under assigned federal authority.

Education

Master of Arts - English Literature and Language

St. Mary's University
San Antonio, Texas
01-2016

Master of Science - Kinesiology

University of The Incarnate Word
San Antonio, Texas
05-2013

Bachelor of Science - Occupational Education

Wayland Baptist University
San Antonio, Texas
10-2010

Skills

  • Customer service
  • Team leadership
  • Time management
  • Decision-making
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Complex Problem-solving
  • Staff training and development
  • Staff management
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Operations management
  • Cross-functional teamwork
  • Policy and procedure development

Timeline

Manager, Labor and Employee Relations

Seattle Public Schools
09.2025 - Current

Employee Relations Specialist and FOIA Coordinator

US Forest Service, US Department of State
03.2022 - 09.2025

Civil Rights & Human Resources District Investigator

Seattle Public Schools
08.2019 - 02.2022

Senior Criminal Investigator

Office of Inspector General, Government Publishing Office
04.2017 - 07.2019

English Teacher

St. Anthony High School
07.2015 - 07.2016

Senior Technical Investigative Specialist

Bureau of Diplomatic Security, US Department of State
12.2009 - 07.2011

Computer Systems Operator / Criminal Investigator

Office of Special Investigations, US Air Force
02.1999 - 12.2009

Master of Arts - English Literature and Language

St. Mary's University

Master of Science - Kinesiology

University of The Incarnate Word

Bachelor of Science - Occupational Education

Wayland Baptist University

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