Kelsie Lee
Belgrade,USA
Summary
Compliance professional with thorough understanding of regulatory requirements and history of implementing effective compliance programs. Known for fostering team collaboration and achieving results in dynamic environments. Key skills include risk management and regulatory analysis, coupled with adaptability and reliability.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Compliance
State of Maine Bureau of Human Resources
09.2021 - Current
- Oversee Labor Relations activities for the State of Maine Executive Branch, including a team of labor relations specialists who hear grievances put forth by the State employee unions, an administrative support professional, an attorney, and the State’s Equal Employment Expert.
- Oversee the State’s Compensation and Classification unit, a Civil Service expert and an attorney who represents the State in reclassification arbitrations.
- Provide guidance and expertise to Departments on labor matters, hiring and the interpretation of the State’s seven collective bargaining agreements
Labor Program Specialist, Program Integrity and Compliance
Maine Department of Labor
04.2013 - Current
- Serve as the project lead to modernize and build a system for blocked unemployment claims. Work closely with the executive sponsor to establish goals, work with the team of contractors on a daily basis to explain processes and draft requirements. Coordinate and manage subject matter experts in detailing business needs. Present product demonstrations to managers and staff in both large and small group settings. Draft training manual and conduct in house training for staff throughout the state.
- Serve as the director for the marketing of SIDES E-response for employers. Create marketing brochures and coordinate mailings to all employers in the State of Maine. Schedule, attend and speak at conferences to promote the employer use of SIDES.
- Draft Supplemental Budget requests for federal grant funding for program integrity projects within the department. (review budgets for the Reemployment Assistance Grant that funds Career Center services-put together the federal 424 request)
Lead Senior Labor Relations Specialist
Office of Employee Relations, Bureau of Human Resources, State of Maine
06.2014 - 09.2021
- Listen to grievances at the step 3 level of the grievance process, gather facts, mediate resolutions, settle grievances and/or draft complex decisions
- Represent all Departments at the State of Maine in the mediation and arbitration process.
- Represent Management as the Chief Negotiator in contract negotiations against the Maine State Troopers Association, the Maine State Law Enforcement Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and Military Firefighters.
- Serve as labor relations representative in the negotiations against the largest state employee union, Maine State Employees Association.
- Provide guidance and expertise to Departments on labor matters, hiring and the interpretation of the State’s seven collective bargaining agreements
- Examine Departmental policies and procedures for accuracy and compliance
- Serve as Project Manager for the planning and delivery of the 2016 & 2017 Maine Management Training Summit
Unemployment Tax Field Advisor & Examiner
Maine Department of Labor
06.2008 - 04.2013
- Advise employers, CPAs, attorneys and personal representatives on employment security tax law.
- Audit and examine at least 60 business’s payroll & tax records to determine the correct amount of wages previously reported in regards to unemployment law and misclassification rules.
- Interview and investigate both employers and claimants to make liability determinations regarding employer vs. contractor situations.
- Deal effectively and advise all appropriate contacts at state agencies regarding state unemployment claims and direct reimbursement charges. Meet with the controller’s office monthly to streamline filing procedures.
- Contact employers regarding missing quarterly reports and assist them in getting caught up to date and advise them on future filings.
- Train new employees on audits, collections, misclassification of the ABC test, blocked claims, etc.
- Act as the tax subject matter expert on an ongoing three state consortium project to update our benefit and tax systems.
Tax Examiner
Maine Revenue Service
03.2005 - 06.2008
- Explain state tax laws, rules and regulations to attorneys, CPAs, and taxpayers in order to explain proper procedures to be used in determining tax liabilities and filing requirements.
- Review Federal and State 1040 Individual Income tax return filings for timeliness, completeness and accuracy.
- Collect, review and compile information and prepare in-depth memos based abatement requests and present those findings to upper management and the appellate division.
- Enforce filing and compliance of Maine Individual Income tax per MRSA Title 36.
- Calculate the amount of adjusted gross income and taxes due to make assessments against non-compliant taxpayers.
Senior Payroll Specialist
Paychex Inc. (Formerly Advantage Payroll)
09.2003 - 03.2005
- Examine and assess new client’s taxes and identify any previous unpaid debts to tax agencies in order to get them processing payroll smoothly.
- Prepared weekly payroll, biweekly, quarterly and annual Payroll Journals, W2s, W3s, 941s & 940 Federal and State of Maine tax filings and payments.
- Appointed as the team leader to ensure the timely preparation and mailing of quarterly and annual tax reports.
Education
Bachelors of Science Degree - Business Administration
University of Maine
Orono12.2001
High School Diploma -
Fort Kent Community High School
Fort Kent, Maine05.1997
Skills
- Quality management processes
- Regulatory expertise
- Legal research
- Team Building
- Leadership
Accomplishments
Successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements with the State's five employee unions
Department of Administrative and Financial Service's Manager of the Year for 2022 for managing 100% turnover on a team to building a team of eight compensation and classification experts who are still working together today.
Led the State's first internal Market Pay study in 2024
Certification
Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources - International Public Management Association (IPMA)
Timeline
Director of Compliance
State of Maine Bureau of Human Resources
09.2021 - Current
Lead Senior Labor Relations Specialist
Office of Employee Relations, Bureau of Human Resources, State of Maine
06.2014 - 09.2021
Labor Program Specialist, Program Integrity and Compliance
Maine Department of Labor
04.2013 - Current
Unemployment Tax Field Advisor & Examiner
Maine Department of Labor
06.2008 - 04.2013
Tax Examiner
Maine Revenue Service
03.2005 - 06.2008
Senior Payroll Specialist
Paychex Inc. (Formerly Advantage Payroll)
09.2003 - 03.2005
Bachelors of Science Degree - Business Administration
University of Maine
High School Diploma -
Fort Kent Community High School
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Kenneth Workman Youth Sports Program, Secretary and Board Member, 2016, current
- Waterville Area Women’s Contemporary Club, President, 2015, 2017
2022 DAFS Manager of the Year
In recognition of dedicated and distinguished state service in building a new team of experts to face the compensation and classification changes post pandemic.