LaToya Akins
White Hall,AR
Summary
High-performing dynamic manager with 20+ years of progressive experience in customer service and leadership, contributing to organizational success through high-level strategy and implementation of operational excellence. Confident in collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex, high-stakes problems. Committed to continuous improvement and contributing to team success.
Results-driven Human Resources Specialist known for exceptional productivity and efficiency in managing HR tasks. Specialize in talent acquisition, employee relations, and compliance management. Excel at communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring smooth HR operations and positive workplace environment. Embrace challenges with resilience and strategic thinking to support organizational goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resource Specialist
Southeast Arkansas College
Pine Bluff, AR
01.2023 - Current
- Maintaining accurate record-keeping
- Develop policies, procedures, and processes to ensure proper operating functions
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional employment policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
- Develop and revise Human Resources programs and systems to correct problems and address changing needs
- Monitor the operations of Human Resources, including but not limited to recruiting and selection and employee relations
- Screening and Interviewing job applicants
- Orients new employees by explaining policies and procedures, obtaining required employee information, and providing benefit and compensation explanations
- Process personnel actions such as new hires, re-hires, promotions, demotions, termination, and transfers
- Conduct pre-employment background and reference checks
- Process requisitions
- Prepare spreadsheets and databases to track employee-related information
- Monitor and provide technical assistance by advising and correcting personnel actions keyed to human resource databases
- Respond to inquiries and provide information on state and federal policies to management and staff
- Prepare and submit bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual personnel reports
- Provide information to counsel employees on personnel issues such as benefits, grievances, procedures, leave accrual and usage, wage garnishments, workers' compensation, and labor standards
- Maintain a centrally located employee bulletin board with all Department of Labor required information.
Road Supervisor
MV Transportation
Justin, TX
01.2020 - 01.2020
- Oversaw a fleet of 250 buses,180 routes, and 275 employees, ensuring the effective utilization of vehicles
- Managed employees by promoting and ensuring safe, efficient, and effective operations
- Reviewed reports and performance expectations to provide adequate coaching and development to drivers in areas of improvement, taking corrective actions as needed
- Provided leadership by exhibiting influence and expertise, thus affecting the results within overall operations
- Managed direct reports, systems, and projects to achieve company goals following policies
- Created an effective work environment by setting clear objectives, recognizing outstanding performance, and maintaining open communication
- Developed staff through coaching, providing performance feedback, providing effective performance assessments, and establishing performance development plans.
Trip Coordinator/Dispatcher
MV Transportation
Justin, TX
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Operated buses as a cover driver to complete assigned routes and also assigned other drivers to cover temporary vacant routes daily due to absences
- Monitored and communicated with drivers and mechanics using a two-way radio
- Prepared, analyzed, and maintained an overview of all scheduled routes and field trips
- Maintained daily logs, driver and asset database, and communicated any changes to daily assignments
- Implemented strategic plans to create timely routes and recorded the service center's current bus fleet
- Assisted with routing directions, emergency issues
- Communicated with management and district personnel on bus or route changes and delays
- Coordinated district trips and event transportation needs
- Assessed and processed field trip or event requests ensuring bus and driver assignments
- Maintained trip and shuttle database, logs, reports, and invoicing
- Oversaw driver needs regarding trip assignments.
Driver/Trainer
MV Transportation
Justin, TX
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Operated buses to complete assigned routes administering effective student management while ensuring alignment with policies and procedures
- Performed vehicle inspections following company standards and Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, along with route evaluations providing detailed reports to ensure safety compliance
- Maintained student reports daily to ensure accurate rider counts, communicated any discrepancies, and recommended necessary adjustments
- Provided conflict resolution when needed, recommending disciplinary actions when necessary
- Conducted driver training and evaluations to ensure all employees obtained the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform their assignments safely and effectively according to company expectations and policies
- Maintained open communication with training team members and management on training progress and recommended adjustments when needed
- Prepared detailed training reports daily
- Collaborated with a team to develop/improve training curriculum to enhance the training program.
Driver/Trainer
Durham School Services
Justin, TX
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Performed vehicle inspections in accordance with company standards and Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines
- Operated buses to complete assigned routes administering effective student management while ensuring alignment with company policies and procedures
- Performed route evaluations providing detailed reports to ensure safety compliance
- Maintained student reports daily to ensure accurate rider counts and communicated any discrepancies, and recommended necessary adjustments
- Provided conflict resolution when needed, recommending disciplinary actions when necessary
- Conducted driver training and evaluations to ensure all employees operated safely, efficiently, and effectively according to company expectations and policies
- Maintained open communication with training team members and management on training progress and recommended adjustments when needed
- Prepared detailed training reports daily.
Customer Care/Administration
Neopost USA
Carrollton, TX
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Manage various client accounts by assisting with account inquiries, funding, transfers, and deposits
- Process accounts payables on accounts
- Maintained and reviewed detailed reports on daily activities on various client accounts
- Performed data entry in various systems, developed and processed invoices, and purchasing
- Communicate with clients regarding collections on accounts for balance resolutions
- Conduct new hire training to ensure employees obtain adequate knowledge, skills, and ability to perform their duties effectively in alignment with company rules and regulations.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management -
Strayer University
Fort Worth, TX01.2022
Associates of Arts Degree -
North Central Texas College
Corinth, TX01.2009
Skills
- Communication
- Microsoft Office
- Leadership
- Detail Oriented
- Scheduling
- Project Management
- Decision Making
- Compliance
- Oracle Systems
- Customer Satisfaction
- Data Analysis
- Paycom
- Versatran
- Critical Thinking
- Management
- Problem-Solving
- Employee Training
- Human Resources
- Data Tracking
- Oracle
- JD Edward
- Personnel engagement
- Training development
- Employee Retention
- Policies implementation
- Benefits Administration
- Recruiting
- Pre-Employment Screening
- Management Development
- HR program development
- Staff Management
- Talent management
- Payroll Administration
- Project Planning
- Conflict resolution tactics
- Employee Relations
- Presentation Preparation
- Exit Interviews
- Personnel Recruitment
- Onboarding and Orientation
- HR information systems
- Employee Surveys
- Talent Acquisition
- Diversity and Inclusion
Timeline
Human Resource Specialist
Southeast Arkansas College
01.2023 - Current
Road Supervisor
MV Transportation
01.2020 - 01.2020
Trip Coordinator/Dispatcher
MV Transportation
01.2019 - 01.2020
Driver/Trainer
MV Transportation
01.2018 - 01.2019
Driver/Trainer
Durham School Services
01.2014 - 01.2018
Customer Care/Administration
Neopost USA
01.2009 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resource Management -
Strayer University
Associates of Arts Degree -
North Central Texas College