Maia Fountain
Birmingham,AL
Summary
Seasoned Equal Opportunity Specialist with substantial background in handling discrimination investigations and providing policy guidance. Known for strong interpersonal skills and ability to foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging within organizations. Effectively implemented preventive measures to avoid potential violations while ensuring compliance with all equal opportunity laws and regulations. Committed to promoting workplace fairness, equality, and respect.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Equal Opportunity Specialist/Compliance Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
Birmingham, Alabama
01.2024 - 02.2025
- I served as an Equal Opportunity Specialist in the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO), Center for Compliance Management.
- Provided program expertise for SSA's Center for Compliance Management and all aspects of assigned programs, which include compliance requirements for Equal Opportunity (EO) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
- Facilitated the EEO complaints process to ensure that all SSA offices, not limited to, but including the Offices of Hearing Operations and the State Disability Determination Services, were complying with policy, laws, and procedures.
- Assisted U.S. citizens with 504/Reasonable Accommodation requests.
- Tracked and monitored all compliance functions and worked with other components within SSA to manage and ensure EEO and/or EO compliance for the agency.
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
Birmingham, AL
10.2014 - 01.2024
- Served as the EEO Specialist and DEO Consultant for Disability Programs and Reasonable Accommodation (RA). Served as the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (RAC) for the Atlanta region of SSA. I worked full-time with the RAC lead and assumed the primary backup role in her absence.
- I reviewed RA requests and provided guidance daily on the RA process. I consistently reviewed and researched RA issues, policies, laws, and regulations.
- I communicated with members of management, assisted in determining if an employee was disabled, and researched and discussed accommodation options. I also ensured that the accommodation adopted was reasonable and effective.
- Reviewed RA requests consistently and ensure timely processing of RA requests.
- I worked closely with management to ensure that interactive discussions were completed accurately, that appropriate medical documentation was requested and reviewed, and that all drafted approval decisions were reviewed prior to issuance.
- I provided guidance to management on completing the Recommendation for Denial to the National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (NRAC) review team, uploaded all necessary documents in RAPIDS for review, and notified the NRAC team when the case was ready for review.
- I conducted Reasonable Accommodation training for management staff in the Atlanta region.
- I provided reports to the CREO Director concerning pending RA requests, and maintained RA logs and files for accurate record-keeping purposes.
- I provided an authoritative interpretation of EEO laws, policies, and regulations.
Education
Master of Arts - Masters of Public And Private Management
Birmingham Southern College
Birmingham, AL05-2010
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Alabama A&M University
Normal, AL05-1998
Skills
- Compliance management
- EEO regulations
- Reasonable accommodation
- Complaint resolution
- Policy development
- Case tracking
Accomplishments
- 2008-2024 Recognition of Contribution Performance Award
- 2020 & 2023 Regional Commissioners Citation Team Award
- 2016 Federal Employee of the Year
- 2018 Deputy Commissioner's Citation Award and Quality Step Increase Award
- 2016 &2020 Exemplary Contribution Award
- mulitple other awards and recognitions
Affiliations
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc - active member
Timeline
Equal Opportunity Specialist/Compliance Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
01.2024 - 02.2025
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Social Security Administration, SSA
10.2014 - 01.2024
Master of Arts - Masters of Public And Private Management
Birmingham Southern College
Bachelor of Science - Elementary Education
Alabama A&M University