Melissa Carter-Chambers
Program Analyst
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Versatile Policy and Interagency Analyst with advanced knowledge of administrative, communicative, research and reporting skills. Adept at performing both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Talented, enthusiastic problem-solver with over 15 years of experience in the Federal Government.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
45
45
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Program Analyst
United States Department Of Veterans Affairs
Washington, DC
04.2013 - Current
- Proactively leads and manages correspondence for the Office of Policy and Interagency Collaboration (OPIC).
- Procures weekly staff note updates from colleagues and reviews, consolidates and edits for submission to senior leadership.
- Facilitates and leads the VIEWS process and correspondence for OPIC by managing and analyzing over 40 cases assigned to the Policy and Interagency team at a time.
- Curates weekly analysis of all VIEWS assignments, communicates findings to colleagues and Senior Leaders and provides recommendations based on existing outcomes.
- Collaboratively created a VIEWS Dashboard specific to OPIC that provides up-to-date information on all assignments in real time.
- Contributes to the preparation of the Joint Executive Committee Annual Report and the Joint Strategic Plan to Congress by conducting research, gathering, consolidating and editing input from VA and DoD officials, formatting documents, and ensuring 508 compliances.
- Drafts memos, forms, and other pertinent paperwork to prepare correspondence between VA offices and outside agencies.
- Performs yearly analysis of Legislative Proposals and provides recommendations for their respective submissions to Congress.
- Leads coordinator of logistics for the quarterly VA-DoD Joint Executive Committee Meeting with the Deputy Secretary and the Under Secretary for Defense.
- Participates in the monthly VA-DoD Sexual Trauma Working Group Meetings by taking meeting minutes and building/maintaining subject matter expertise related to VA and DoD joint efforts.
- Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans via the OPIC Standard Operating Procedures.
- Collaborates with staff to develop and implement best practices in order to accomplish team goals.
- Produces detailed and relevant reports for use in making business decisions.
- Creates and optimizes records management strategies to coordinate and protect information.
- Analyzes program data to provide input for key decision making and strategic planning.
- Helps solve diverse program problems with in-depth analysis.
- Performs research into Policy and Interagency related topics to increase knowledge and to provide valuable contributions.
Analyst/Program Support
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Policy
Washington, DC
03.2011 - 04.2013
- Managed overall workflow for the three divisions (Policy Analysis Service, Strategic Planning Service, and Strategic Studies Group) within the Office of Policy and Planning’s Office of Policy.
- Conducted project tracking, database file management, travel, and scheduling.
- Executed/facilitated time management for the Deputy Assistant Secretary.
- Optimized role as the Office of Policy’s Strategic Communications Officer by coordinating with SES and GS-15 level managers to create weekly executive leadership reports on the progress of VA assignments.
- Facilitated the Office of Policy mission by communicating and tracking policy efforts between the Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Policy team.
- Expedited the continued execution of tasks for upper management in the event of absences.
- Implemented communicative sessions between the Deputy Assistant Secretary and VA personnel to further the vision of the Secretary
- Communicated the needs of the Deputy Assistant Secretary to the public as well as the Policy group to ensure successful outcomes.
- Coordinated offsite events between the Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Policy team to boost morale, facilitate productive discussions and further the VA mission.
- Broadened VA relations with the public by arranging opportunities for outside travel.
- Supported room reservations, agenda preparation and calendar maintenance for programs, meetings and events.
- Provided general program information and assistance.
- Performed clerical organization, answered phones and filed documentation for program manager.
- Participated in marketing, outreach and other visibility efforts.
- Communicated clearly with program staff and participants through written and digital correspondence.
- Completed daily logs for management review.
- Drafted common document templates for use by executives and employees.
- Followed detailed directions from management to complete daily paperwork and computer data entry.
- Maintained clean reception area to promote positive, professional environment for clients.
- Planned and coordinated logistics and materials for board meetings, committee meetings and staff events.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
- Ordered and distributed office supplies while adhering to fixed office budget.
- Remained solutions-oriented in face of complex problems to assist management and overall business direction.
- Oversaw automated tracking and documentation of data, client correspondence and office operations.
- Opened and properly distributed incoming mail to promote quicker response to client inquiries.
- Assessed urgency and priorities before accepting or declining appointments and meetings with the Deputy Assistant Secretary.
- Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
- Scheduled conference rooms, prepared agendas and maintained calendars to prepare for meetings and events.
- Assisted in gathering of program data to compose thorough monthly reports.
Program Support Assistant
National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute
Rockville, MD
02.2009 - 03.2011
- Facilitated time management and the submission of scientific data for six principals.
- Tracked, screened and procured grant applications for scientist’s perusal.
- Facilitated productive communication between NIH officials and other scientific institutions by coordinating council meetings and travel, both foreign and domestic.
- Heightened the awareness of scientific officials by disseminating daily, weekly and bi-weekly reports concerning project proposals for scientific research and their respective costs.
- Furthered the NIH mission by procuring the latest research proposals for principals.
- Facilitated communicative practices between NIH employees, its customers and the public by coordinating, updating and maintaining a viable schedule for the office receptionists.
- Assisted in maintaining the organization, timeliness and smoothness of the office by successfully executing daily administrative tasks.
- Exhibited leadership by mentoring and training new employees.
Education
Mass Communications, Broadcast Journalism
Towson University
08.2005 - 05.2008
High School Diploma - undefined
Magruder High School
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
University of Maryland University College
Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Written Communication
Planning and Coordination
Decision Making
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Training and Development
Excellent Communication
MS Office
Organization and Time Management
Dependable and Responsible
Flexible and Adaptable
Attention to Detail
Multitasking Abilities
Risk Assessments
Feasibility studies
Timeline
Program Analyst
United States Department Of Veterans Affairs
04.2013 - Current
Analyst/Program Support
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Policy
03.2011 - 04.2013
Program Support Assistant
National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute
02.2009 - 03.2011
Mass Communications, Broadcast Journalism
Towson University
08.2005 - 05.2008
High School Diploma - undefined
Magruder High School
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies
University of Maryland University College