KARA ENGLISH
Denver,CO
Summary
Self-motivated public service professional brings proven leadership, organizational, and customer relations skills. Independently solves problems and keeps teams on task to handle diverse project requirements. Passionate about writing, public service, and social justice. Seeking to build a career in grants management.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
SNAP Payment Accuracy Coordinator
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
07.2023 - Current
- Provide analysis of eight individual States' top payment error causes identified in quality control reviews throughout the fiscal year
- Lead technical assistance efforts including corrective action plans that assist States in reducing their payment error rates
SNAP Program Specialist
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
03.2022 - Current
- Research and interpret federal regulations and issue guidance to State partners to assist them in correctly implementing their SNAP programs
- Conduct management evaluation reviews to ensure State agencies are adhering to federal regulations regarding access to and issuance of SNAP benefits to eligible participants
- Write reports detailing findings from management evaluations to identify which laws and regulations are not being followed by the State agency, as well as identify best practices to share with other stakeholders
- Received an award for creating and implementing a new Excel tool to track State compliance issues
Claims Specialist
Social Security Administration
05.2020 - 03.2022
- Analyzed and implemented Supplemental Security Income policy to correctly pay claimants’ monthly benefits and ensure compliance with policy
- Provided excellent customer service to callers asking about their eligibility for Social Security programs
- Received an Exemplary Contribution of Service Award for independently managing a difficult workload as a new employee
ESOL Teacher
International Institute of New England
12.2019 - 02.2020
- Managed and trained a team of 25 volunteers and interns for two English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs
- Inputted and maintained detailed records of client data in Apricot and Excel
- Administered standardized ESOL tests to evaluate student progress and used data to modify teaching methods
- Taught English and Cultural Orientation classes to clients with differing levels of English, formal education, and literacy.
ESOL Intern
International Institute of New England
09.2019 - 11.2019
- Led conversations and grammar exercises with ESOL students in small groups to improve their English conversation skills
- Developed resources and curricula to be used by ESOL teacher in 3x weekly classes for 15-20 students of varying literacy levels
Secondary Education EFL Teacher
Peace Corps
07.2017 - 09.2019
- Awarded a Peace Corps Partnership Program Grant of $2,500 to rebuild a computer lab and train teachers in Computer Literacy
- Completed community research, grant writing, budgeting, fundraising, committee oversight, construction, finance reports, donor communications, and skills training for local partners
- Worked on a four-person team to research and develop a nation-wide 300-page Computer Literacy curriculum and lesson plans in French
- Worked independently to compile and edit this new resource for national distribution
- Served on the Gender and Development Subcommittee to plan trainings and create resources for other volunteers
- Taught English as a Foreign Language to high school students in classes of 20-100 students.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - French And Francophone Studies
Villanova University
Villanova, PA05.2017
Skills
- Policy Analysis
- Policy Compliance
- Small Grant Implementation
- Technical and Narrative Writing
- Administrative Leadership
- Teaching
- Customer Service
Websites
Languages
French
Full Professional
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
SNAP Payment Accuracy Coordinator
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
07.2023 - Current
SNAP Program Specialist
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
03.2022 - Current
Claims Specialist
Social Security Administration
05.2020 - 03.2022
ESOL Teacher
International Institute of New England
12.2019 - 02.2020
ESOL Intern
International Institute of New England
09.2019 - 11.2019
Secondary Education EFL Teacher
Peace Corps
07.2017 - 09.2019
Bachelor of Arts - French And Francophone Studies
Villanova University
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