Richard E. Watts
Layton,UT
Summary
Vision-driven IT Specialist with a distinguished career in administrative operations, strategic planning, and team management for leading organizations. Proven ability to align business strategies with team leadership and administrative management to achieve significant operational impacts while minimizing resource expenditures. Growth-focused thought leader with expertise in administrative support, program and operations management, data analysis, procurement, network security, and technology solutions. Recognized for exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, along with proficiency in budget management, policy development, and resource allocation.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
IT Specialist, IT Operations and Services
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2019 - Current
- Ensured Help Desk tracking and IT asset Information is accurate
- Ensured organized data closets when adding or removing patch cabling
- Supported telecommunications systems configurations related to Moves, Adds, and Changes (MAC)
- Diagnosed and resolved problems in response to customer reported incidents
- Investigated and recommended purchases of tools and technologies to improve responsiveness to customer requirements
- Managed moves and/installations of IT equipment to assure coordination of IT support and customer service
- Provided feedback on problematic trends and patterns in technical support to team leads and/or supervisor
- Developed and maintaining problem tracking and resolution databases ensuring accurate records are filed
- Installed and configured VA approved software applications
- Applied customer support concepts and methods.
- Managed troubleshooting and resolution of hardware and software issues for diverse user environments.
- Developed and implemented IT policies to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
- GS-2210-11/10 $101,792 40 hours per week
Purchasing Agent, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Reviewed and analyzed purchasing requests for completeness and conformance with established procedures.
- Examined clinical health records to determine legal eligibility and medical entitlements for prosthetic items and services based on adopted criteria and Advised Veteran of the same.
- Reviewed complex prosthetic requests for a wide variety of prosthetic or orthotic devices, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment prior to purchasing.
- Studied the use of prosthetic appliances and services and recommends changes based on patient care needs, in such a way to provide proper prosthetic appliances and services to eligible and entitled beneficiaries.
- Advised physicians on procedures for providing prosthetic appliances and services to patients based on federal, state, and local laws.
- Measures and fits Veterans for orthotic soft goods such as elastic braces, elastic hose, diabetic socks, stump shrinkers, shoes, etc.
- Operated software packages to maintain a detailed and accurate accounting of all actions taken for Veterans and documents their records showing items or services provided.
- Attended clinical and administrative staff conferences to provide information on all matters relating to the prosthetic program, to discuss problems of mutual interest, with a view towards improving services to patients, and to resolve problems related to the prosthetic program.
- Advised physicians and other professional staff on the availability, selection, and acquisition of prosthetic devices or services and furnishes information concerning new developments in the prosthetic field and sources of supply for each item.
- Practiced cost containment through efficient purchasing.
- Maintained current catalogs, brochures, and vendor files to advise on readily available items of lesser costs that will achieve the intended rehabilitative or therapeutic goals; and
- Performed other duties as assigned.
- GS-1105-7/2 $43,251 40 hours per week
Transportation Security Officer
Department of Homeland Security
05.2017 - 10.2018
- Performed a variety of duties related to providing security and protection of air travelers, airports and aircraft.
- Responsible for identifying dangerous objects in baggage, cargo and/or on passengers; and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft.
- Required to perform various tasks such as: using portable metal detector, pat down searches, operation of x-ray machines, lift and carry baggage (weighing up to 70 pounds), and screening and ticket review using electronic and imaging equipment.
- Performed passenger screening, baggage screening or both.
- Continuously and effectively interact with the public, giving directions and responding to inquiries in a reasonable tone and manner.
- Maintain focus and awareness within an environment containing numerous distractions, people, and noise.
- Work within a stressful environment, which includes noise from alarms, machinery, and people, distractions, time pressure, disruptive and angry passengers, and the requirement to identify and locate potentially life-threatening devices and devices intended on creating massive destruction. Make effective decisions in both crisis and routine situations
- SV-1802-5 $27,882 40+ hours per week
Private Networking Contractor
Self Employed
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Cooperate with independent, small size companies strategically on networking issues and furnish recommendations on solutions to meet their needs.
- Determine Support Best Practices, processes, and procedures by adhering to ITIL methodologies. Execute hardware support and installation.
- Install, configure, and manage LAN equipment including routers, switches, and PC’s.
- Administer multiple projects and successfully achieve milestones, ensuring projects comply with all cost and scope specifications and heading procurement and policy development.
- Assess frequent problems and consult with the customer to design and offer solutions to address the issues.
- Utilize software including Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Sun Open Office, E-mail, and the Internet.
- Project Management, Equipment Purchases & Installing and Upgrading Routers
Telecommunications Engineer
Mehl Communications
06.2011 - 12.2011
- Assisted in set up and installation of new UBS data center in Weehawken, NJ and performed hardware support and installation.
- Supported field installations, engineering and customer support including documentation and instruction of installation procedures and operation of equipment after installation.
- Aided in special projects such as network cabling, design alterations and last-minute changes as well as participated in the installation, configuration, and management of a LAN.
Telecommunications Project Manager/Engineer
NTT America
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Oversaw design, implementation, maintenance, and analysis of all infrastructure systems including LANs, WANs, Internet, and security of Fortune 500 Companies.
- Ideated, planned, and managed all networking projects, configuration, installations, and support. Configured and maintained Cisco routers and switches.
NOC Level 2 Engineer
OSI Layer 1,2,3 NOC Level 2 Engineer
01.2005 - 01.2005
- Handled escalations from Level 1 NOC Engineers.
- Allocated daily workload of Level 1 NOC engineers (3-7) by assigning priority to incoming issues.
- Coordinated 2nd level escalations with outside carriers’ operation centers and technicians as part of trouble resolution.
- Collaborated with Cisco technical support teams and Lucent DACS support teams to troubleshoot equipment faults or errors.
NOC Level 1 Engineer
OSI Layer 1,2,3 NOC Level 1 Engineer
01.2001 - 01.2005
- GUI and text software remote interfacing with multiple format data circuits/PVC’s for monitoring and trouble point resolution.
- Assisted customers with troubleshooting OSS integrations.
- Organized multiple outside carriers’ operation centers and technicians as part of trouble resolution.
- Manipulated Cisco Routers, Lucent DACS, HSSI, etc., for data gathering and administration and trouble resolution.
- Conducted provisioning and testing of IPVPN, Frame, ATM and Channelized PVC for new customer turn up (Mainstreet 5620 GUI Based).
INOC Engineer for Switching and Fiber
Viatel, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Directed a shift in a supervisory position and led a team of site techs to complete over-the-phone resolution reports.
- Pinpointed and rectified single points of failure in the voice network.
- Executed remote monitoring for both POTS Switching sites and Sonet SDH/Circe Fiber Rings in Europe and USA. Utilized remote diagnostic and informational software to troubleshoot problems at multiple sites.
- Created backups of billing files from local switch and assured all switches sent files remotely. Assessed and diagnosed Cisco Routers (12000, 2500, 5200).
- Investigated Netrac Switch & Platform to resolve problems.
Telecommunications Site Switch Manager
SKB Telecom
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Administered Siemens DCO/CS Voice Switch and installed and tested Fractional T1's, T1's, DS3's.
- Utilized knowledge of: SS7, ISDN (DSS1) protocols, and GSM. Created the new DLC, Route, Links, and E1 augmentation as well as the signaling link and trunk group.
- Carried out daily health checks of MSU and attending faults observed. Maintained 99.99% uptime. Guaranteed proper routing of calls to other exchanges and destination.
- Evaluated and tested subscriber features such as call completion to a busy subscriber. Managed Call Waiting, Clip, Call forwarding and routing features, Charging, Traffic, Hunting, Centrex, etc.
- Led troubleshooting, analysis, and problem resolution for Analog Subscribers & ISDN (BRA). Examined and corrected the Slip error and downstream problems of the Analog Line. Monitoring of alarms and escalation asper the process.
- Drove routine Tests, Backup and handling of CP.
- Evaluated call failure causes and thereby maintained and improved CCR Signal tracing and Message analysis using protocol analyzer.
Sergeant E-5 (P) VFW
Military Service, U.S. Army
01.1985 - 01.1991
- Facilitated diversity training for overseas deployment during the 1st Gulf War.
- Awarded 2 Army Achievement Medals for scoring in the 99% in job aptitude testing.
- Commanded a squad of 7 to 10 Soldiers and supervised them in their daily tasks.
- Attended Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDT).
- Cultivated rapport with people of all ages, cultures, and beliefs easily to maintain effective leadership in stressful situations.
- Collected, compiled, and analyzed information from many different sources.
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) - Computer Science and Info Systems
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT, USAAssociate of Science (A.S.) - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH, USA01.2001
Skills
- Infrastructure system management
- Network integration for remote sites
- Coordinated engineers for cabling projects
- Policy formulation and execution
- Developed ITIL-aligned support practices
- Managed data center design and relocation projects
- Technical leadership and oversight
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Technical troubleshooting
- Information security
- IT documentation
- IT troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting
Accomplishments
- Increased number of resolved job tickets by 20% over previous year.
- Recipient of individual and departmental awards for providing stellar client service.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop Cisco Phone tracking spreadsheets.
- Documented and resolved SLV Cisco Phone Issues which led to implementing a 6 digit dialing plan.
Affiliations
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8307
Certification
- ITIL V3, IT Infrastructure Library Foundation, 2011 (No Expiration)
- CCNA, Cisco, 2003 to 2006
- CCNA Training, Cisco, 2003
- Multiple FEMA Certifications (Available upon request)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Professional Working
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
IT Specialist, IT Operations and Services
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2019 - Current
Purchasing Agent, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2018 - 10.2019
Transportation Security Officer
Department of Homeland Security
05.2017 - 10.2018
Private Networking Contractor
Self Employed
01.2012 - 01.2018
Telecommunications Engineer
Mehl Communications
06.2011 - 12.2011
Telecommunications Project Manager/Engineer
NTT America
01.2005 - 01.2010
NOC Level 2 Engineer
OSI Layer 1,2,3 NOC Level 2 Engineer
01.2005 - 01.2005
NOC Level 1 Engineer
OSI Layer 1,2,3 NOC Level 1 Engineer
01.2001 - 01.2005
INOC Engineer for Switching and Fiber
Viatel, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2001
Telecommunications Site Switch Manager
SKB Telecom
01.1998 - 01.2000
Sergeant E-5 (P) VFW
Military Service, U.S. Army
01.1985 - 01.1991
Associate of Science (A.S.) - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Shawnee State University
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) - Computer Science and Info Systems
Salt Lake Community College
Interests
Programming, Astronomy, Strategic Games, Reading
AWARDS AND HONORS
Awarded 2 Army Achievement Medals for scoring in the 99% in job aptitude testing for entire Army.
Software
Microsoft Suite
Linux
Unix
Visa Status
- Brazilian CPF (SSN) can be presented upon request.
- References available upon request