Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Compassionate DVOP and Veterans Program Manager with over 7 years of experience coordinating community programs and allocating resources. Dedicated to excellent care through an empathetic approach. Thrives in team-based or independently motivated settings.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Management Consultant II/ Veterans Program Manager
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
Fort Walton Beach, FL
08.2022 - Current
Reviews Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP)/Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) Grant and Career Center Veterans' Program administrative policies, procedures, guidelines and related directives to be implemented; evaluates impact on Career Center operations; identifies potential problems and recommends appropriate action
Coordinates and provides guidance to internal and external staff related to the program operations, monitoring plans and implementation activities
Provides Veterans Program information and guidance to management and Veterans team
Maintains close communication with DEO Veterans Program administrators and Federal Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans Program Administrators and Career Source corporate management team
DEO Jobs and Benefits Supervisor/ Veterans Program Manager
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
Fort Walton Beach, FL
03.2022 - 08.2022
Provided Veterans Program information and guidance to management and Veterans team
Maintained close communication with DEO Veterans Program administrators and Federal Department of Labor (DOL) Veterans Program Administrators and Career Source corporate management team
Provided resource information to the communities
Maintained regular contact with community leaders of veterans’ programs to identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
Established relationships and originates Memorandums of Understandings (MOU) and other agreements relating and pertaining to veterans’ services
Negotiated and initiates contract modifications as necessary
Ensured that performance is documented and addresses programmatic deficiencies
Reviewed and monitored programmatic compliance with federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and policies
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
Fort Walton Beach, FL
06.2018 - 03.2022
Performed career counseling for Veterans with significant barriers to employment (SBE)
Created job development services for Veterans
Referred Veterans to employment/training opportunities and assist Veterans with other workforce services (resume assistance, labor market information, job search workshops, one-stop career center orientation, etc.)
Coordinated with Department of Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment counselors to provide case management assistance to VR&E (Chapter 31) special disabled Veterans and other Veterans with SBEs
Provided outreach to local organizations such as but not limited to local colleges, technical training centers, apprenticeship programs, and community based (non-profit - including faith-based) to educate organizations serving Veterans
Employment Security Representative
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
Fort Walton Beach, FL
07.2016 - 06.2018
Facilitated programmatic orientations to customer groups, providing accurate and complete information on employment and training opportunities and services available through all programs
Counseled over 100 job seekers during employment search process, i.e Resume preparation, interview skills, etc
Provided work search and placement assistance including referrals and follow-up to job seekers
Advised and assist clients on filing, appealing, and claiming reemployment assistance
Administered intensive counseling services to veterans with severe employment barriers
Provided initial and comprehensive assessment services for customers including assessment of academic skills
Screened Veterans for barriers to success, vocational interests, and vocational aptitudes to determine job related needs and provide referrals to appropriate services
Performed data entry, maintenance of accurate files and required documentation for all programmatic activity in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines and policy
VA Work Study
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
Fort Walton Beach, FL
05.2015 - 07.2016
Prepared and maintained over 200 + records and case files, including documentation such as veterans’ clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, and relevant correspondence
Developed rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals
Monitored and recorded over 95% of veteran clients progress to ensure that goals and objectives were met
Conferred with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed veteran services were developed
Maintained close contact with clients during job searches and placements and evaluated placement adequacy
Administrative Coordinator
Marton Technologies
Eglin AFB, Florida
04.2012 - 09.2014
Provided administrative support for Detachment Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
Maintained records of training activities, participant progress and program effectiveness
Updated course documentation on a regular basis to ensure timely effectiveness
Conducted research into new training for the detachment, educational and multimedia technologies
Assisted the detachment S-3 OIC and medical personnel in devising MEDPROS (Medical Protection System) report to Brigade S-3 on a weekly basis
Education
Information Technology -
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ
08.2018
Accomplishments
Recorded 32 hires, second highest of 47 Florida DVOPs recording placement.
Recipient of the State Veteran Incentive Award 2021 and 2022 Small Center – CareerSource Okaloosa Walton.
Case Managed 85% of clients for the program year.
Provided Individualized Career Services to 96% of clients.
Timeline
Operations Management Consultant II/ Veterans Program Manager
Career Source Okaloosa Walton
08.2022 - Current
DEO Jobs and Benefits Supervisor/ Veterans Program Manager
<ul>
<li>Spearhead the management and oversight of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, a pivotal national asset developed in partnership with the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Homeland Security (DHS)</li>
<li>Collaborate with USDA and DHS stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition of operations and mission capabilities from the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) to NBAF, ensuring uninterrupted research, diagnostics, and training essential to national security</li>
<li>Lead the operational endurance phase, validating work processes and laboratory setups to guarantee compliance with the highest safety and biocontainment standards, particularly in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) environments</li>
<li>Act as the hiring manager, conducting interviews and selecting high-quality employees to ensure the success of both DCA and NBAF</li>
<li>Serve as a subject matter expert pert for the payroll system Paychex, overseeing and approving payroll for 63 officers biweekly while managing paid time off and leave requests to maintain the security posture for the facility</li>
<li>Monitor project milestones, providing critical updates to senior management and stakeholders while ensuring alignment with USDA's mission objectives and federal guidelines</li>
<li>Direct the development and execution of strategic initiatives to facilitate efficient collaboration with federal partners, ensuring all laboratory operations adhere to regulatory requirements set forth by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP)</li>
<li>Foster a culture of excellence and professionalism within the team, emphasizing rigorous training, safety compliance, and operational integrity as key components of NBAF's mission to safeguard public health and the nation's food supply</li>
<li>Monitored budgeting activities by tracking expenditures and providing regular updates to management.</li>
<li>Analyzed existing processes within a department or organization in order to identify areas for improvement or increased efficiency.</li>
<li>Implemented quality control measures throughout each stage of a project's lifecycle.</li>
<li>Worked closely with senior managers to ensure that all projects were completed according to schedule.</li>
<li>Conducted research on potential vendors, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors for projects.</li>
<li>Provided administrative support to the Project Manager in order to facilitate successful project outcomes.</li>
<li>Prepared monthly progress reports summarizing key accomplishments achieved since the last report.</li>
<li>Trained junior staff on best practices for managing multiple projects simultaneously.</li>
</ul> at Defense Contracting Activity, LLC<ul>
<li>Spearhead the management and oversight of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) project, a pivotal national asset developed in partnership with the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S</li>
<li>Department of Homeland Security (DHS)</li>
<li>Collaborate with USDA and DHS stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition of operations and mission capabilities from the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) to NBAF, ensuring uninterrupted research, diagnostics, and training essential to national security</li>
<li>Lead the operational endurance phase, validating work processes and laboratory setups to guarantee compliance with the highest safety and biocontainment standards, particularly in biosafety level-4 (BSL-4) environments</li>
<li>Act as the hiring manager, conducting interviews and selecting high-quality employees to ensure the success of both DCA and NBAF</li>
<li>Serve as a subject matter expert pert for the payroll system Paychex, overseeing and approving payroll for 63 officers biweekly while managing paid time off and leave requests to maintain the security posture for the facility</li>
<li>Monitor project milestones, providing critical updates to senior management and stakeholders while ensuring alignment with USDA's mission objectives and federal guidelines</li>
<li>Direct the development and execution of strategic initiatives to facilitate efficient collaboration with federal partners, ensuring all laboratory operations adhere to regulatory requirements set forth by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP)</li>
<li>Foster a culture of excellence and professionalism within the team, emphasizing rigorous training, safety compliance, and operational integrity as key components of NBAF's mission to safeguard public health and the nation's food supply</li>
<li>Monitored budgeting activities by tracking expenditures and providing regular updates to management.</li>
<li>Analyzed existing processes within a department or organization in order to identify areas for improvement or increased efficiency.</li>
<li>Implemented quality control measures throughout each stage of a project's lifecycle.</li>
<li>Worked closely with senior managers to ensure that all projects were completed according to schedule.</li>
<li>Conducted research on potential vendors, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors for projects.</li>
<li>Provided administrative support to the Project Manager in order to facilitate successful project outcomes.</li>
<li>Prepared monthly progress reports summarizing key accomplishments achieved since the last report.</li>
<li>Trained junior staff on best practices for managing multiple projects simultaneously.</li>
</ul> at Defense Contracting Activity, LLC
Operations Management Consultant II at Florida Department Of Environmental ProtectionOperations Management Consultant II at Florida Department Of Environmental Protection