Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Militaryaffiliatedawards
Timeline
Generic

Sarah G Foster

Shenandoah,VA

Summary

Adept at spearheading library operations and training programs, I significantly enhanced resource accessibility and literacy outreach at Raytheon/Jacobs, serving over 100 patrons daily. My expertise in copyright law and faculty assistance, coupled with a talent for creating engaging reading groups, underscores my ability to innovate and drive educational excellence. Adept at assisting students, faculty and members of public with conducting research using reference materials. Familiar with operating databases and computer systems to perform digital research. Keeps books, periodicals, maps and other collection items well-organized and professionally displayed.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience

Work History

Librarian/Senior Training Specialist and Unit Historian; Development Specialist

Raytheon/Jacobs
01.2014 - Current
  • Development Specialist, specializing in the training of HUMINT and Counterintelligence Soldiers in research and educational resources
  • Subject Matter Expert (SME) in library operations
  • As the sole librarian for Human Intelligence Training Joint Center of Excellence (HT-JCOE), I develop current and relevant resources and research instrumental in training students in a fast-paced environment
  • Developed complete library collection consisting of print books, research articles, maps and a variety of audiovisual and electronic materials
  • Liaison with course directors and course content staff for collection development
  • Designed and created a library from the 'ground up' for student and staff use
  • Created an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) via an online library program (LibraryWorld), developed accountability for library holdings and allowing efficient and organized circulation
  • Maintain a circulation of over 1,700 items monthly and serving over 100 library patrons daily
  • Created resource guides on a wide variety of topics, developed reading lists on intelligence subjects, and served as HT-JCOE historian
  • Developed METRICS program for tracking circulation records
  • Brief staff and students on library holdings, library programs, and library services
  • Work with external partners and vendors to provide access and resolve issues with electronic resources and services
  • Manage online databases, OPAC, computer issues, software issues and supplies
  • Participate with federal and public library information networks nationally, fostering strong working relationships with other libraries
  • Evaluate library practices and techniques to address library problems, questions, and situations
  • Complete scholarly research in a variety of topics for student assistance and update material often to ensure relevant research is available
  • Serve as the SME in highly specialized research operations within HT-JCOE
  • Maintains strong command of library database research methodologies and teach research techniques to students and staff
  • Unit Historian Appointment Responsibilities
  • Responsible for the collection of artifacts such as uniforms, insignia, flags and other non-print materials related to Auxiliary history
  • Evaluate items and send to the Command Historian
  • Gather historical data from various sources, including archives, books, and artifacts
  • Analyze and interpret historical information to determine its authenticity and significance
  • Trace historical developments in a particular field
  • Engage with the public through educational programs and presentations
  • Archive or preserve materials and artifacts in museums, visitor centers, and historic sites
  • Provide advice or guidance on historical topics and preservation issues
  • Write reports, articles, and books on findings and theories

Library Technician

General Dynamics Information Technology
01.2012 - 01.2014
  • Company Overview: Military Intelligence Library, specializing in patron assistance and library operations
  • Assisted military students in support of military intelligence training - Advanced Individual Training, Advanced Leadership Training, Senior Leadership Course, Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leadership Course, Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, Weapons Intelligence Course, Reserve Component Military Intelligence Captains Career Course
  • Instructed patrons on usage of library search catalog, reference, and research materials, and resources/research guides on topics supporting both academic and training requirements
  • Maintained library's social media outreaches, ensured accuracy of library holdings, troubleshot information technology issues
  • Chief of Operations for the Interlibrary Loan program
  • Military Intelligence Library, specializing in patron assistance and library operations
  • Exceptional Performance Award, GDIT, 2014

Merchandiser

Premium Retail Services Inc
Chesterfield, MT
10.2010 - 10.2012
  • Regularly monitored store shelves to ensure product availability, restocking and rotating merchandise as needed.
  • Created merchandising plans based on customer buying habits and trends in the industry.
  • Developed promotional strategies to increase sales of featured products.
  • Researched new products to determine potential success in assigned stores.
  • Organized displays according to company standards and specifications.
  • Analyzed inventory levels and made adjustments accordingly for maximum profitability.
  • Collaborated with vendors to negotiate pricing, delivery dates, and other terms of sale.
  • Assisted customers with locating desired items within store locations.
  • Maintained accurate records of all merchandise transactions including receipts, invoices, orders, discounts.
  • Provided feedback from customers regarding product selection, display, and pricing.
  • Maintained a clean and organized work environment at all times.
  • Set up attractive window displays that encouraged customers to enter the store.
  • Performed regular price checks on select items throughout the store location.
  • Worked closely with store managers to ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures related to merchandising activities.
  • Inspected shipments for quality control purposes prior to stocking shelves or racks with merchandise.
  • Developed effective relationships with suppliers in order to secure competitive pricing for products purchased by the company.
  • Generated reports detailing current stock levels, sales figures, markdown information.
  • Established processes for tracking damaged goods returns from retail outlets.
  • Coordinated promotional events such as special sales or clearance items.
  • Provided training and support for new staff members in regards to merchandising operations.
  • Participated in weekly meetings regarding upcoming promotions or changes in product lines.
  • Stocked and rotated shelves and built displays to deliver results for stores and suppliers.
  • Monitored stock to maintain sufficient quantity of featured product.
  • Arranged items in favorable positions and areas of store to attract customers and optimize sales.
  • Built product displays and placed appropriate signage for merchandise.
  • Assisted in gathering and moving materials and equipment for assigned displays.
  • Scanned shelves and product cases for expired stock to discard outdated items.
  • Organized engaging front-facing displays to capture customer interest and drive revenue growth.
  • Printed labels and tags for for-sale merchandise.
  • Communicated and coordinated planogram execution with store management.
  • Followed prepared sketches and planograms to arrange consistent shelves, racks and bins across various locations.
  • Collaborated with suppliers, manufacturers and retailers to properly execute merchandising plans.
  • Kept work areas clean, neat and organized for optimal productivity and worker safety.
  • Restocked shelves with current merchandise in attractive displays to promote sales.
  • Cleaned and organized display cases, shelves and aisles.
  • Helped customers locate desired items and assisted with carrying heavy loads.
  • Placed prices and descriptive signage to enhance displays and promote items.
  • Demonstrated great teamwork skills with staff members involved in production and transport.
  • Built effective partner store relationships to improve customer satisfaction.
  • Created retail displays to highlight particular products and drive sales according to corporate strategy.
  • Enhanced store and display appearance utilizing seasonal promotions and trends to drive strategy.
  • Established and maintained proper high-traffic displays, resulting in increased sales.
  • Monitored and reordered inventory items to fulfill displays and executed design changes to align with available inventory.
  • Monitored weekly, monthly and quarterly achievement goals.
  • Planned commercial displays to entice and appeal to customers.
  • Restructured merchandising strategy to promote high value and products.
  • Developed creative visual merchandising campaigns to focus on selling older inventory.
  • Presented updated floor plans and design strategy to store management.
  • Managed purchasing process for entire department.

Role-player for 309th Military Intelligence Battalion

Chickasaw National Industries
01.2004 - 01.2011
  • Trained military intelligence students in areas of Interrogation, Force Protection Walk-ins, Local National Screenings, Traffic Control Points, and Forward Collection Points
  • Graded students on performance and offered feedback on improvement

Store Manager

Children's Place At The Plaza
Sierra Vista, AZ
10.2009 - 10.2010
  • Conducted daily store operations, including opening and closing procedures and cash handling.
  • Monitored inventory levels and placed orders to restock shelves.
  • Developed strategies to maximize sales and profitability.
  • Established customer service standards and monitored staff compliance.
  • Organized promotional events to increase product awareness.
  • Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner.
  • Recruited, trained and supervised new employees.
  • Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
  • Analyzed financial data to identify areas of improvement.
  • Implemented efficient systems for tracking stock movement.
  • Maintained accurate records of employee performance reviews.
  • Created weekly work schedules for store personnel.
  • Performed regular price checks to ensure competitive pricing.
  • Assessed operational efficiency of the store's departments.
  • Managed daily banking activities such as deposits and withdrawals.
  • Identified opportunities for cost savings through waste reduction initiatives.
  • Prepared monthly reports on sales figures, expenses, profits.
  • Developed relationships with suppliers to negotiate better prices.
  • Planned special promotions or discounts based on market trends.
  • Updated POS system with new products and promotional offers.
  • Provided feedback on marketing campaigns to improve effectiveness.
  • Trained and mentored associates to teach daily tasks and procedures.
  • Balanced sales, reconciled cash and made bank deposits to facilitate opening and closing duties.
  • Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
  • Managed inventory tracking and physical inventory counts to minimize loss.
  • Monitored employee performance and identified performance gaps for corrective action.
  • Prepared weekly schedules to verify proper floor coverage within fiscal guidelines.
  • Delivered excellent customer service and adhered to standard practices to maximize sales and minimize shrinkage.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction and store operations through relationship building and daily problem-solving.
  • Oversaw inventory management through cycle counts, audits and shrinkage control.
  • Built customer confidence by actively listening to concerns and complaints and quickly resolving issues.
  • Strengthened work flow productivity by hiring, managing and developing top talent.
  • Updated and maintained store signage and displays.
  • Oversaw storewide merchandising benchmarks to maintain operational excellence.
  • Showcased and built visually appealing displays and signs to encourage customers to buy specific products.
  • Built relationships with key customers and stakeholders to grow business networks and locate new opportunities.
  • Established store tactics and strategies to achieve operational performance and sales goals.
  • Evaluated store performance and incorporated feedback to implement improvement plans.
  • Identified operational issues and implemented appropriate process improvements to promote workplace safety and productivity.
  • Generated repeat business by responding to customer concerns with friendly and knowledgeable service.
  • Preserved product quality by maintaining stockrooms and disposing of damaged items.

Education

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
11.2024

High School -

Spotswood High School
Penn Laird, VA
01.1995

Skills

  • Faculty assistance
  • Interlibrary loaning
  • Copyright law
  • Literacy outreach
  • Reading groups
  • Managing reference catalog

Accomplishments

  • Certificate of Appreciation, Defense Strategic Debriefing Course, 01/2023
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Defense Strategic Debriefing Course, 05/2022
  • Contract Employee of the Quarter, 01/2017
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Warfighter FOCUS Program, 01/2016
  • Designed HT-JCOE's first Online Public Access Catalog, 01/2015
  • HT-JCOE Commander's Reading List, 01/2015
  • HT-JCOE Historian, Current
  • Continually receive accolades by all members of HT-JCOE, Ongoing

Militaryaffiliatedawards

  • Contract Employee of the Quarter
  • Exceptional Performance Award (GDIT)

Timeline

Librarian/Senior Training Specialist and Unit Historian; Development Specialist

Raytheon/Jacobs
01.2014 - Current

Library Technician

General Dynamics Information Technology
01.2012 - 01.2014

Merchandiser

Premium Retail Services Inc
10.2010 - 10.2012

Store Manager

Children's Place At The Plaza
10.2009 - 10.2010

Role-player for 309th Military Intelligence Battalion

Chickasaw National Industries
01.2004 - 01.2011

Cochise College

High School -

Spotswood High School

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Sarah G Foster