Michaela Cornis
Portland,OR
Summary
Resourceful Human Resources Associate with expertise in managing complex leave processes and improving team productivity. Proficient in PeopleSoft and Excel, excels in fast-paced environments while effectively supporting employee needs through strong communication and collaboration. Focused on compliance and operational efficiency to deliver impactful results.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Associate I
Portland Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
- Lead for Paid Leave Oregon Employer Statements, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
- Lead on preparation and submission of the Standard Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Death Claim Employer Statements.
- Collaborate closely with the ADA accommodations team by observing ADA processes and delegating accommodation requests to the designated ADA specialists.
- Facilitated prompt processing of Workforce Management Benefit Impact requests, ensuring timely responses to inquiries.
- Review Sick Leave Bank applications, verify medical documentation, maintain tracking logs, and refer requests to Associate II for processing.
- Provide benefit premium support, including drafting and mailing collection letters under direction of Associate II and III.
- Uploads the Standard absence reporting to AbsenceResources on a daily basis.
- Prepares and mails Benefit Health Exchange letters twice monthly.
- Distributes weekly Return-to-Work inquiries.
- Serve as Customer Service Lead, managing shared email inbox and phone tree; and escalate inquiries to appropriate leave specialists.
- Responded to Long-Term Disability (LTD) information requests that came directly from The Standard.
- Maintains Medical Waiver and LTD tracking reports, uploads Waiver report bi-weekly to the Trust Office.
- Provided front desk coverage during breaks and absences.
- Served as a backup for WPP referral statements.
- Assisted with signing off on Loan Forgiveness requests
- Assisted with special projects and ad-hoc assignments, contributing to overall team productivity.
Human Resources Associate I (Contract)
Portland Public Schools via VanderHouwen
04.2024 - 08.2024
- Provided administrative support for HR functions, facilitating smooth operations and employee assistance.
- Managed shared email inbox; triaged and responded to inquiries to ensure prompt resolution.
- Answered phone calls and efficiently redirected to appropriate departments for effective communication.
- Support data entry, records maintenance, and filing.
Recruiter Coordinator
VanderHouwen
07.2022 - 03.2024
- Coordinated and documented candidate interview appointments to streamline scheduling process.
- Conducted reference checks and recorded findings in applicant tracking system to support informed hiring decisions.
- Work closely with the internal recruiting team and candidates to provide an excellent customer service experience.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with professionals at a variety of levels, both internally and externally.
- Collaborate with the internal team to continually optimize processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Adapt to a fast-paced workflow, prioritize levels of urgency for all tasks, and ensure fluid communication with candidates and internal staff.
- Manage and meet multiple competing deadlines.
- Managed administrative duties to ensure efficient recruitment operations.
Client Services Specialist (Contract)
Umpqua via VanderHouwen
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Resolved client inquiries and requests via phone and email, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
- Processed transactions and payment requests, maintaining compliance with regulations.
- Collaborated with Senior Specialists to address complex issues.
- Ensure processes are compliant and follow regulations.
- Trained team members on processes and best practices to enhance service delivery.
Call Center Representative
XPO Logistics
10.2021 - 02.2022
- Assisting customers and drivers with orders via phone and email.
- Called drivers and customers to confirm timely delivery of orders.
- Provided accurate information to customers, improving their understanding of services offered.
- Monitoring routes and updating drivers.
- Performed data entry using Excel and Microsoft applications, maintaining organized records.
Education
High School Diploma -
Sisters High School
Sisters, OR05-2013
Skills
- AbsenceResources
- Google Meet
- The Standard
- PeopleSoft
- Excel
- Smartsheet
- MS Office Suite
- Google Sheets
- Excel
- Zoom
- Cisco Finesse
- Cisco Jabber
- Google Chat
- MS Teams
- Docuware
- Organized, detail oriented, and able to handle competing deadlines
- Adapts to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Maintains composure under pressure, handling complex situations calmly and professionally
- Excellent phone etiquette and internal communication skills
- Collaborative team player, capable of working independently or in a team environment
- Strong empathy and active listening, ensuring employees feel supported and understood
- Indeed
- Google Meet
- Zoom
- Docuware
Certification
- Customer Service Training - 2025
Timeline
Human Resources Associate I
Portland Public Schools
08.2024 - Current
Human Resources Associate I (Contract)
Portland Public Schools via VanderHouwen
04.2024 - 08.2024
Recruiter Coordinator
VanderHouwen
07.2022 - 03.2024
Client Services Specialist (Contract)
Umpqua via VanderHouwen
02.2022 - 07.2022
Call Center Representative
XPO Logistics
10.2021 - 02.2022
High School Diploma -
Sisters High School