Sarah Jimenez
Yuma,USA
Summary
As a Supervisory Mission Support Specialist at Yuma Sector with over 21 years of dedicated government service and over two years of supervisory experience, I have a strong background in leading a team of Mission Support Specialists who perform a wide variety of administrative management services essential to the operation of the Workforce Management Department. Key accomplishments include: Successfully lead a team to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality. Oversight of and assisted a mission support specialist in building a new Honorary Awards routing process at the request of the Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent. Mentored and encouraged mission support specialists regarding career development; one of the five mentored and encouraged promoted to another branch of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Improved the timing and completion of time and attendance sheets to meet payroll deadlines. Oversee the processing and entering of Mid-Year and End of Year Performance awards in the EPIC awards system for over 1,000 employees.
Experienced with mission support operations, ensuring seamless execution of tasks. Utilizes effective communication and organizational skills to enhance team performance. Track record of adapting to evolving mission requirements and delivering reliable solutions.
Mission support professional, prepared to drive operational success. Extensive background in facilitating mission-critical tasks and improving workflow efficiency. Known for strong team collaboration and adaptability, consistently delivering reliable support and optimized solutions.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisory Mission Support Specialist
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
Yuma, AZ
04.2023 - Current
- Supervise and lead a team of Mission Support Specialists who perform a wide variety of administrative management services essential to the operations of the Human Resources Department.
- Serve as point of contact for all matters pertaining to personnel.
- Ensure Human Resources programs supervised are managed and executed in compliance with rules, regulations and instructions for consistent and appropriate delivery of Human Resources services provided to internal and external customers.
- Balance workload amongst our mission support team in accordance with established workflow.
- Develop individual development plans for employees that enable them to satisfactorily complete assignments and foster career development.
- Provide sound interpretation and guidance to upper-level management regarding the application of Human Resources staffing, recruitment, employee benefits, Office of Workers’ Compensation Program policies, performance management, on-boarding processes, and organizational issues.
- Manage allocated resources (staff, equipment) to accomplish work and objectives of the component program or project.
- Handle difficult issues surrounding advice and assistance to employees and management.
- Oversee all functions of Human Resources including Staffing, Payroll, Awards, Performance Management, Correspondence, Detail Solicitations, Table of Organization, Retirement/Benefits, and Personnel Parts Actions.
- Work with Hiring Specialist in creating agency vacancy announcements and utilize an assessment builder to create and write questionnaires in recruitment and staffing systems.
- Process personnel actions in automated Human Resources system per guidance provided in the Office of Personnel Management’s guide to Processing Personnel Actions.
- Assist the Finance Branch Chief with travel and purchasing as needed.
- Serve as Treasurer for the Yuma Executive Staff Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Committee.
- Serve as WebTele Administrator.
- Series: 0301 Pay Plan: GS Grade: 13/4
- Salary: 113,751 USD Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: Gabriela Rios, (928) 341-6534
Special Assistant to the Chief Patrol Agent
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
Yuma, AZ
12.2013 - 04.2023
- Serve as the primary point of administrative support for the highest-level Senior Executive Service position of Chief Patrol Agent.
- Oversee the administrative operations of the office including, but not limited to: budget, procurement, human resources, information technology, property management, security, travel management, time keeper and health and safety. Independently plan, schedule, and carry out processes and projects.
- Exposed to and control highly sensitive information relevant to operations to include equal employment opportunity information. Maintain the integrity of information.
- Highly organized and understand prioritization when managing and resolving conflict with respect to the Chief’s schedule. Respond to and coordinate correspondence, track and follow-up on project deadlines, arrange for briefing materials, and organize meetings and conferences. Maintain the Chief's calendar of events and arrange travel and lodging. Recommend and advise on specific changes that have improved my work unit's efficiency and quality of work.
- Assist with developing internal administrative policies and procedures, coordinate and monitor transactions, ensure that deadlines are met, prepare various types of correspondence, and make recommendations for problem resolution.
- Serve as the personal liaison officer for the Chief. This involves discussing a variety of matters with individuals who report to the Chief or who have business dealings with him/her. Independently handle a wide range of issues and speak authoritatively based on an in-depth knowledge of the Chief's policies, commitments, and interests. Entrusted to manage the office in the Chief’s absence.
- Series: 0301 Pay Plan: GS Grade: 12/6
- Salary: 96,636 USD Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: Patricia D. McGurke-Daniel, (619) 210-9175
Mission Support Specialist Payroll Coordinator and Budget
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
Yuma, AZ
03.2009 - 11.2013
- Possess thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, regulations, and policies related to Human Resources Management (HRM) in the Department of Homeland Security. Proven analytical ability to review, interpret, and evaluate information, precedent cases, and regulations in order to identify pertinent concerns, recommend actions, and carry out procedures. Served as Payroll Coordinator for Yuma Sector. Resolved payroll issues by utilizing information from staffing databases such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Finance Center (NFC) personnel/payroll system and Time and Attendance (TAMS) system.
- Provided guidance regarding the COSS pay system to include types of compensation: AUO, FLSA, Comp Time for Travel. Maintained payroll files.
- Researched and answered inquiries regarding compensation, employee benefits, equal employment opportunity, selection and hiring, labor and employee relations, employee assistance programs, and employee retention/programs.
- Conducted independent evaluations on the payroll program and procedures and provided advice on creating an improved process for resolving payroll issues.
- Reported any abuse/misuse to management officials to maintain the integrity of the travel card program. Empowered to suspend or cancel accounts that were delinquent or that had been abused/misused.
- Conducted staff training on the process and importance of using a government travel card. Resolved travel card issues. Conducted training on the Sector's travel management system FedTraveler. Provided advice to management using Federal Travel Regulations and Agency manuals and policies. Served as Alternate Prepare and Reviewer for travel authorizations and vouchers, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Wrote desk procedures and developed Standard Operating Procedures / Policy for Travel and created a flowchart for the travel process. Saved Yuma Sector time and money in regard to travel arrangements, flights, rental cars, and other travel costs.
- Suggested effective ways to accomplish Sector budget, procurement, purchase card, and travel objectives. Provided guidance to various Sector employees in the use of proper funding codes, travel and purchase card matters. Applied skill to the policies, goals, objectives, regulations, and guidelines for financial oversight, budget execution. Assist in managing, formulating, and planning the Border Patrol Yuma Sector Budget and its Specialty Programs.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to provide guidance regarding financial management and implementation of budgetary plans.
- Performed cost analysis for purchase card purchases and monitored obligations incurred and actual expenditures of the budget with certain types of funding. Examined budget needs.
- Managed the Self-Inspection Program and performed self-assessments on the purchase card and travel card program to ensure compliance. Reported self-assessment results to auditors and recorded audit trail notes in webSIRS; reported the cause and Corrective Action Plan for any deficient conditions. Worked with management to resolve issues.
- Provided leadership and management information regarding budget, purchasing, and travel procedures.
- Led a team of other Mission Support Specialists to collect and analyze data for various purchases such as Detention Supplies.
- Assisted with close-out of the fiscal year and the set-up of the new fiscal year. Ensured that all levels of authority were informed of budgetary spending and recommended best practices. In addition, conducted or participated in the evaluation of administrative programs, systems and methods and identified ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services at the local level.
- Series: 0301 Pay Plan: GS Grade: 9
- Salary: 52,192 USD Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: Debra Hash, (928) 246-5809
Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
Yuma, AZ
06.2007 - 02.2009
- Served as subject matter expert in performing the full range of labor and employee relations activities in support of management’s goal to establish and maintain effective relationships with labor organizations that represent agency employees and improve the performance and efficiency of the organization. Skill in applying fact finding and investigative techniques to gather factual evidence of administrative matters.
- Modified guidelines to resolve complex, precedent-setting labor and employee relations issues; conducting extensive research into labor and employee relations cases to identify trends, patterns, or aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
- Served as management's representative in grievances, arbitration cases, and unfair labor practice/impasse hearings.
- Provided guidance and consultation to management on administration of the negotiated agreement(s) and a variety of labor relations issues and applied a wide range of labor and employee relations methods and techniques sufficient to address precedent setting issues or problems such as reasonable accommodation and ascertained their impact on the labor and employee relations program.
- Conducted training for supervisors and management on employee and labor relations issues that included leave administration, performance management, disciplinary matters, medical issues, and union related issues.
- Representing Human Resources Management, developed and delivered briefings, reports, and correspondence that pertained to issues including leave administration, performance, disciplinary matters, medical issues, and union related issues. Proposed employee disciplinary actions.
- During the course of duties, compiled information for attorneys relevant to labor and employee relations and equal employment opportunity issues. Gained a working knowledge of equal employment opportunity regulations as they apply to the workplace. Provided advisory and technical services on organizational functions and work practices pertaining to human resources, to include worker's compensation, policy, benefits, workforce selection and hiring.
- Investigated and researched medical cases that involved worker's compensation, thus, gained a working knowledge of the worker's compensation program and the process of Border Patrol's procedures.
- Reviewed the work of others and completed entire, final documents on disciplinary matters.
- Communicated with external agencies assisting in answering questions and ensuring compliance with the privacy act and any other regulations such as equal employment opportunity. Worked with various groups and individuals in HRM HQ and nationwide.
- Series: 0201 Pay Plan: GS Grade: 7
- Salary: 41,729 USD Per Year
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: John McCabe, Retired
- Current: Julie Brown, (619) 597-9646
Contact Representative
Social Security Administration
Yuma, AZ
09.2003 - 06.2007
- As part of my regular job duties, I dealt daily with highly stressful situations, heavy workloads and meeting deadlines.
- Accurately explained individual rights, alternatives, and responsibilities in a clear and concise manner, using language tailored to the individual's level of understanding. Provided information and assistance about related services available in the local area.
- Took action to resolve discrepancies that were causing problems in receipt of payment or benefits.
- Correctly developed required documentation to make determinations of continuing entitlement or reinstatement to social security benefits. Resolved problems involving interpretation of the law and department policy.
- Explained the impact of any policy or procedure changes to internal/external stakeholders and ensured that the changes were implemented.
- Assisted and provided input to my superiors concerning the application of a new policy to specific programs and facilitated teamwork.
- Series: 0962 Pay Plan: GS Grade: 8
- Salary: 16.83 USD Hour
- Hours per week: 40
- Supervisor: Sherry McIntire, (800) 474-6700
Education
Master of Business Administration - Global Management
University of Phoenix
Yuma, AZ10.2003
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Yuma, AZ05.2001
Skills
- Office Skills: Office Management, Spreadsheets/Reports, Front-Desk Reception, Records Management, Event Management, Executive Support, Database Administration, Calendaring, Travel Coordination, Budget Execution, Payroll, Leadership, Labor & Employee Relations, Self-Inspection Program
- Computer Skills: MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Publisher, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Powerpoint, Visio, Windows, CPRO, COSS, SAP, JICMS, eOPF, BPETS, Travel Management, USDA/TAMS/NFC, WebTA, USA Staffing, Performance Plan System, E-Verify, SF-52 Tracking
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Collaborated with team of four in the development of the Workforce Management Department website.
- Supervised team of five staff members.
Training
- 2023 Federal Position Descriptions Training
- 2023 Performance Plan System Policy Training
- 2015 GSA SmartPay Travel Card Training / A/OPC
- 2014 Records Management Training
- 2011 DHS Purchase Card Training
- 2011 Systems, Applications, Products (SAP) Training
- 2010 Federal Travel Regulations Online Course
- 2010 Customs Automated Travel System (CATS) Training
- 2009 Systems Applications Product (SAP) and Business Warehouse Reporting
- 2009 SAP Budget Execution and Reporting
- 2008 Adverse and Performance Based Actions - 32 hours
- 2008 Merit Systems Protection Board Law Week - 40 hours
- 2007 Employee Relations - 32 hours
- 2007 Labor Relations - 32 hours
Awards
Yearly Cash Awards, Performance Based, Non-Traditional Awards, Time-Off Award, March 2010, Employee of the Month, Certificates of Recognition, Commendable Act or Service Award
Timeline
Supervisory Mission Support Specialist
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
04.2023 - Current
Special Assistant to the Chief Patrol Agent
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
12.2013 - 04.2023
Mission Support Specialist Payroll Coordinator and Budget
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
03.2009 - 11.2013
Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
U.S. Border Patrol, Yuma Sector
06.2007 - 02.2009
Contact Representative
Social Security Administration
09.2003 - 06.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Master of Business Administration - Global Management
University of Phoenix