Sandy McClelland
Seguin
Summary
Dynamic Program Analyst with the Department of Veterans Affairs, skilled in strategic planning and complex problem-solving. Successfully enhanced program efficiency through data-driven improvements and streamlined processes. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, ensuring timely project completion while fostering collaboration and innovation. Committed to achieving organizational goals and optimizing performance.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2019 - Current
- Facilitated effective communication between team members, fostering a positive work environment conducive to collaboration.
- Monitored program performance against established benchmarks, taking corrective action as needed to realign with desired outcomes.
- Trained team members on new software tools, improving overall productivity and efficiency.
- Developed detailed project plans outlining tasks, timelines, dependencies, and resource requirements for successful execution of complex initiatives.
- Managed cross-functional teams, resulting in successful completion of program objectives.
- Led change management initiatives to ensure smooth transitions during periods of organizational growth or restructuring.
- Helped solve diverse program problems with in-depth analysis.
- Enhanced program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing data-driven improvements.
- Led cross-functional teams in execution of program initiatives, ensuring projects were completed on time and within budget.
- Oversaw recruitment and training of new team members, ensuring high level of competence and commitment to program objectives.
- Evaluated program performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to increase effectiveness.
- Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
- Submitting and overseeing a full range of Human Resources actions to the office of Human Capital Management (HCM). I provide advice and assistance to managers and staff concerning Federal and agency personnel processes and procedures.
- Share information with all Management and Senior Leadership concerning resources and ensure that information is received by all essential parties within It Specialist (InfoSec) arena. Ensure that this information shared is within network security policy.
- Ensure system security measures comply with multiple regulatory requirements.
- Provide advice and assistance to managers and staffing. Projecting Recruitment needs, staffing advice, and provide assistance with Performance Appraisals and SCA deadlines and completion. I review, analyze, and interpret incoming requests, make recommendations, Give alternatives based on knowledge of internal operations, agency personnel policies, budgetary constraints and work priorities. I provide managers with a daily status of pending Recruitments via the LEAF SharePoint, so they have a current update as HR provides updates.
- Process all email requests (Retirement, LWOP, T&L requests, Military leave, Tenure, Conversion questions to HCM, HR, and any other questions that require HR assistance).
- Advance knowledge on a wide range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of HR (Classification, Security, Recruitment, ELR) and ESO programs. Including knowledge of VA, OPM and program goals and objectives, that I feel I could bring a lot of knowledge to any team. Explain to management options available for recruitment processes, rules, and laws available when working with HR staff and managers when develop rating factors.
- Work collaboratively with all branches of the VA to ensure controls are in place to protect the integrity of systems and devices through various auditing procedures that ensure compliance an accountability with Federal and VA regulations such as Federal Information Security Modernization act (FISMA)
- Manage/review OMNI issues and coordinate with Administrator to work out any issues by providing alternative solutions.
- Manage and update LEAF for EUO/ESO for all areas including Special Contribution Award's (SCA), and Staffing.
- Identify complex issues; resolve critical problems and assist ESO IT Specialist (InfoSec) Directors/Supervisors; and ISOs developed strategies or alternatives to ensure issues are corrected in a timely manner and meet VA policy.
- Provide ESO Director advice on all IT Specialist (InfoSec) standards and VA Policy as needed, keeping in mind current privacy principles.
- Understand cyber threats and vulnerabilities and the impact that a threat can cause.
- Prepare budget packages for submission to the budget office and respond to all questions from HR/Budget office concerning SCA’s or Performance Appraisal funds. Prepare VA4659 and tracking devices to eliminate overpayment to employees. I upload all VA4659s to LEAF so that Austin Human Resources may process actions. Monitoring of balances continues as needed until payment has been made and finalized at the end of all Fiscal Years. Justifications for external awards or processes are reviewed with Budget office for accuracy and signature. Organization and direct team studies are conducted to effectively manage and implement recommendations that involve agency resources, and procedures.
- Ensure all employees are up to date with ITWD and provide monthly reports to Management.
- Provide administrative management functions including discussing policy, developing, implementing, or interpreting local policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing management the best advice on how to handle the current situation. Also, apply new policies, maintain administrative systems, and repair administrative paperwork.
Administrative Officer
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2019 - 10.2019
- Maintained accurate records, ensuring timely processing of invoices, payments, and financial reports.
- Managed files and records for clients and adhered to safety procedures to prevent breaches and data misuse.
- Updated reports, managed accounts, and generated reports for company database.
- Enhanced overall office productivity through effective staff management and coordination of daily tasks.
- Managed sensitive data securely by establishing strict access controls and implementing proper storage protocols.
- Improved communication within the organization through regular updates on policies, procedures, and key events.
- Supervised and guided new employees and responded quickly to questions to improve understanding of job responsibilities.
- Created, prepared, and delivered reports to various departments.
- Boosted employee morale by addressing concerns promptly and fostering a positive work environment.
- Assisted in achieving company objectives through active participation in strategic planning sessions and goal setting initiatives.
- Streamlined office processes by implementing efficient administrative systems and procedures.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration by acting as a liaison between departments for task coordination and information sharing.
- Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
- Performed wide-ranging administrative, financial and service-related functions.
- Proofread and edited documents for accuracy and grammar.
- Trained and supervised employees on office policies and procedures.
- Directed automation of office procedures such as correspondence management, recordkeeping and online communications.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2013 - 10.2019
- As a Program Analyst I am responsible for submitting, overseeing a full range of Human Resources requirements acting as the liaison with the human resources office concerning personnel-related matters; I provide advice and assistance to managers and staff concerning Federal and agency personnel processes and procedures.
- Ensured successful delivery of critical projects by closely monitoring timelines, budgets, resources, and stakeholder expectations.
- Balanced competing priorities and resource constraints to ensure timely completion of all assigned tasks, maintaining a high level of performance under pressure.
- Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting finds and recommended optimizations.
- Reviewed internal systems and organized training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
- Provided training to team members on new processes or tools, promoting a culture of continuous learning within the organization.
- Share information with all Management and Senior Leadership concerning resources and ensure that information is received by all essential parties within It Specialist (InfoSec) arena. Ensure that this information shared is within network security policy.
- Ensure system security measures comply with multiple regulatory requirements.
- Provide advice and assistance to managers and staffing. Projecting Recruitment needs, staffing advice, and provide assistance with Performance Appraisals and SCA deadlines and completion. I review, analyze and interpret incoming requests, make recommendations and give alternatives based on knowledge of internal operations, agency personnel policies, budgetary constraints and work priorities. I provide managers with a daily status of pending Recruitments via the FSS SharePoint, so they have a live status as HR provides an update. Process all SF52 requests (Retirement, LWOP, T&L requests, Military leave, Tenure, Conversion questions to HR, and any other questions that require HR assistance).
- Advance knowledge on a wide range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of HR (Classification, Security, Recruitment, ELR) and FSS programs - Including knowledge of VA, OPM and program goals and objectives, that I feel I could bring a lot of knowledge to any team. Explain to management options available for recruitment processes, rules and laws available when working with HR staff and managers when develop rating factors.
- Work collaboratively with all branches of the VA to ensure controls are in place to protect the integrity of systems and devices through various auditing procedures that ensure compliance an accountability with Federal and VA regulations such as Federal Information Security Modernization act (FISMA), VA Handbook 6500 and National Institute of Standard and Technology (INIST)
- Manage/review OMNI issues and coordinate with Administrator to work out any issues by providing alternative solutions.
- Manage and update LEAF for EUO/ESO for all areas including SCA’s; and Staffing.
- Identify complex issues; resolve critical problems and assist ESO IT Specialist (InfoSec) Directors/Supervisors; and ISOs developed strategies or alternatives to ensure issues are corrected in a timely manner and meet VA policy.
- Provide ESO Director advice on all IT Specialist (InfoSec) standards and VA Policy as needed. Keeping in mind current privacy principles.
- Understand cyber threats and vulnerabilities and the impact that a threat can cause.
- Prepare budget packages for submission to the budget office and respond to all questions from HR/Budget office concerning SCA’s or Performance Appraisal funds. Prepare VA4659 and tracking devices in order to eliminate overpayment to employees. I upload all VA4659s to WebHR so that Austin Human Resources may process actions. Monitoring of balances continues as needed until payment has been made and finalized at the end of all Fiscal Years. Justifications for external awards or processes are reviewed with Budget office for accuracy and signature. Organization and direct team studies are conducted in order to effectively manage and implement recommendations that involve agency resources, and procedures.
- Ensure all employees are up to date with ITWD and provide monthly reports to Management.
- Developed comprehensive reports to inform senior management of program progress and areas for improvement.
- Provide administrative management functions including discussing policy, developing, implementing or interpreting local policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing management the best advice on how to handle the current situation. Also, apply new policies, maintain administrative systems and repair administrative paperwork.
- Optimized project management practices, leading to increased success rates and timely completion of projects.
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2012 - 01.2013
- Responsible for submitting overseeing the full range of Human Resources requirements acting as the liaison with the human resources office concerning personnel-related matters; Provide advice and assistance to managers and staff concerning Federal and agency personnel processes and procedures. As HR Liaison I provide advice and assistance to managers and staff in projecting Recruitment needs, staffing advice, and aid with Performance Appraisals and SCA deadlines and completion. As Liaison, I review, analyze and interpret incoming requests, make recommendations and make give alternatives based on knowledge of internal operations, agency personnel policies, budgetary constraints and work priorities. I provide managers with a daily status of pending Recruitments via the FSS SharePoint, so they have a live status as HR provides an update. Process all SF52 requests (Retirement, LWOP, T&L requests, Military leave, Tenure, Conversion questions to HR, and any other questions that require HR assistance)
- Prepare budget packages for submission to the budget office and respond to all questions from HR/Budget office concerning SCA’s or Performance Appraisal funds. Prepare VA4659 and tracking devices in order to eliminate overpayment to employees - Upload all VA4659 to WebHR so that Austin Human Resources may process action. Monitoring of balances continues as needed until payment has been made and finalized at the end of Fiscal Year. Justifications for external awards or processes are reviewed with Budget office for accuracy and signature.
- Provide administrative management functions including discussing policy, developing, implementing or interpreting local policies, defining administrative requirements, and providing management the best advice on how to handle the current situation. Also, apply new policies, maintain administrative systems and repair administrative paperwork
Human Resource Specialist (Staffing & Recruitment)
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2011 - 09.2012
- Enhanced resource allocation efficiency by streamlining the procurement process and implementing inventory management strategies.
- Identified useful resources and coordinated referrals.
- Designed robust contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted supply chain flow during unforeseen events or disruptions.
- Responsible for submitting overseeing the full range of Human Resources requirements maintain administrative systems and repair administrative paperwork. Provide staff leadership and guidance and preform administrative, evaluation, analytical, consultative and technical work in the areas of recruitment, staffing, placement, employee benefits, classification and employee and labor relations. Responsible for interpreting CFR, OPM policy and interacting with management daily to make sure that all questions laws were executed.
- Responsible for over 7000 employees, ensuring records are accurate and secured. Updated WedHR records by verifying background investigations via the PIPS systems, extended job offers to all applicants. Provide operations, guidance, processes, and expertise in a wide variety of human Staffing Service Office, Specifically, Austin Human Resource. Processed requests recruitment requests to post jobs to USA Staffing – posting jobs via Selection Manager daily.
- Utilize USA Staffing automated system to announce internal and external vacancies, create assessment tolls to accurately evaluate, rate and rank applicants and create and issue merit promotion and delegated examining certificates to refer qualified candidates. Advise management officials on various types of appointments and their appropriate applications in both the competitive and excepted services. Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and practices to provide advice and guidance to officials, supervisors, and employees. Provide management with flexible alternatives for problem resolution. Provide internal and external placement solutions to recruit for highly specialized hard to fill positions that result from requests in these fields.
- Provide standard and related guidance to interpret and apply position classification standards to positions and determine the correct pay category, occupational series, title and a grade level and prepare evaluation reports. Explain and interpret Federal and VA regulations and policy regulations relating competitive or non-competitive staffing. I also prepare or edit final announcement drafts, research and evaluate the need for nationwide and advertise for each of assigned occupations, develops ideas, identify appropriate media and frequency of advertising. Carry to completion developmental, special, and project assignments in major activity areas of staffing and DEU. This includes all announcements whether posting to the public or Federal Agencies.
Human Resource Assistant (Classification/Security)
Department of Veterans Affairs
08.2008 - 12.2009
- Enhanced office organization with effective filing systems and document storage solutions.
- Served as a liaison between various stakeholders, fostering collaboration towards shared goals and objectives.
- Participated in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing overall organizational performance.
- Conducted thorough research on industry trends to inform strategic decisions within the organization.
- Provided support across multiple departments as needed to maintain operational efficiency during peak periods.
- Streamlined administrative processes for improved team efficiency and productivity.
- Provide Classification Support, Administrative Support, customer Service and SDP Security in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, VA0710 Handbook, and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Guidelines and the September 2008 Suitability Processing Handbook. As A human Resource Assistant, I was responsible for the following: Planning, initiating, and tracking of Personal Identification Verification (PIV) Ensuring that all VA full time employees had current Public Trust Clearances; Verifying Information in PAID system; Timekeeper via IFCAP/VISTA; Fingerprinting new and existing employees; Uploading various documents (VA2280s, Certificates of Investigation, VA4236’s, etc.) into the eOPF system; Tracking Public Trust Clearance by logging, maintaining, formatting, and verifying Security logs against PAID, OPM PIPS System, and eOPF. Provide tracking accountability for employees(s) security investigation paperwork and forward to other HR offices nationwide. Extensive range of HR Staffing, recruitment laws, regulations, guidelines, principles, concepts, laws, regulations, techniques, and can draw conclusions and recommend appropriate course of action for a difficult and complex assignment.
- Notify, prepare, and initiate proper paperwork via Fed Traveler for training (TDY. Assist with Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Carry out, achieve, VA Missions and goals. Protect all printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the Privacy Act. And Compete required training via Learning Management System (LMS).
Education
BBA - Marketing
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX08-2008
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Business process improvement
- Requirements gathering
- Risk assessments
- Innovation and creativity
- Policy analysis
- Goal setting
- Complex Problem-solving
- Verbal and written communication
References
- Irving Morales, Program Analyst (512) 922-3941
- Michael Salazar, Program Analyst (512) 736-7386
- Rose Burns, Program Specialist, Data Migration & Management (205) 281-1969
Timeline
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
10.2019 - Current
Administrative Officer
Department of Veterans Affairs
07.2019 - 10.2019
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2013 - 10.2019
Program Analyst
Department of Veterans Affairs
09.2012 - 01.2013
Human Resource Specialist (Staffing & Recruitment)
Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2011 - 09.2012
Human Resource Assistant (Classification/Security)
Department of Veterans Affairs
08.2008 - 12.2009
BBA - Marketing
Texas State University
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