Tara N. McAdoo
Workforce Strategist
Toano,VA
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience as a U.S. Army Officer and Civil Service employee, specializing in human resources project and program management. Expertise in human capital resource management and data interpretation, with a proven ability to navigate complex legislative and regulatory frameworks. Demonstrated success in planning, tracking, and evaluating projects while delivering exceptional customer service and fostering team collaboration. Committed to process redesign and change management, with a focus on developing effective policies and engaging stakeholders to drive organizational success.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Training Delivery Branch Chief (DETAIL)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Richmond, VA
07.2024 - Current
- Branch supervisor responsible for providing leadership, management, evaluation, and technical direction to subordinate staff.
- Oversee the execution of training opportunities, products, policies, procedures within the Technical Training and Development Division (TTDD), Training Delivery Branch.
- Responsible for staff management, coordination, and execution of mission support programs that support Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) strategic goals.
- Develops uniform management policies and staff management principles and guidance for the Management and Strategy mission area programs, regarding program execution, scope, cost and budget, interfacing and consulting with agency internal and external customers, issuance of program authorities and reporting procedures for NRCS.
- Provides subordinate staff with guidance and procedures designed to effectively meet the mission requirements.
- Led a team of highly experienced training specialists responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs to enhance employee skills and leadership capabilities.
- Represented TTDD at meetings, conferences and work groups consisting of internal and external stakeholders to justify, defend, or negotiate, in obtaining or committing fiduciary and human capital resources, and in gaining compliance with established policies, and regulations.
- Provided comprehensive, programmatic advice and assistance in the management of financial, operational, and personnel resources.
- Currently managing multiple multimillion-dollar contribution agreements aimed at providing course instruction to NRCS employees, partners, producers and to the public, to enrich their skills and understanding of conservation planning and how to address our nation’s natural resource concerns.
- Proactively took steps to address deficiencies in an existing agreement in order to salvage deliverables for a multimillion-dollar project.
Management and Program Analyst (Human Capital)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Richmond, VA
09.2023 - Current
- Partners Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) senior leadership and executives regarding workforce strategies at the broadest levels within the Agency, encompassing the full human capital portfolio of forecasting, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, development, performance management, engagement and retention.
- Provides feedback to management throughout the Agency to improve and strengthen communication and collaborative efforts.
- Advises NRCS leadership on forecasted and changing workforce needs and works with the Agency’s financial manager to determine the overall availability of funds, including projected salary lapse, to support the needs.
- Strategizes with NRCS leadership team by using workforce data and forecasted workforce trends to establish the overall annual bandwidth for hiring, incorporating previous year’s workforce challenges and potential budgetary changes.
- Ensures Agency recruitment strategies and hiring align with NRCS recruitment and hiring goals to support the Agency in meeting the hiring goals.
- Led a team in the development of the Hiring Ratio Dashboard; a Power BI visual planning tool designed to help identify the impacts of attrition and direct hiring efforts.
- Delivered Human Capital brief and live demonstration at the National Leadership Team conference.
- Selected to serve as the Management and Strategy representative on several Agency level working groups established to improve operational efficiency, reduce redundancy, and increase employee retention.
- Led a cross-functional team organized to operationalize the NRCS Strategic Plan, align agency performance plans, and uncover gaps in performance, reporting and processes.
- Developed the leadership framework to be used as the source for the NRCS succession plan.
Human Resources Specialist (Workforce Development)
Installation Management Command Directorate – Training
Fort Eustis, VA
06.2019 - 09.2023
- Served as a senior staff-level civilian Human Resources (HR) Specialist with responsibility for providing technical advice and guidance regarding a wide variety of HR programs to all levels of management officials within the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Directorate (ID) - Training.
- Managed the development, execution, evaluation, and direct oversight of HR programs for 16 subordinate organizations, serving a workforce of over 11,000 Soldier and Civilians.
- Provided leadership and technical assistance in such areas as strategic and operational planning, program design, organization and staffing, management information and internal assessment system, development of plans, workforce and leader development programs, and additionally, developed and executed accession and succession plans across the enterprise.
- Obtained critical information through routine stakeholder engagements, reports, and review of known or suspected problem areas, translating findings into specific corrective action including new or revised program requirements, guidance, standards, training or other appropriate measures.
- Prepared reports, charts and briefings on accomplishment of workforce development goals and objectives adjusting to align to Human Resources strategic plans.
- Reviewed, analyzed, interpreted and administered Department of Defense (DoD) directives and policies.
- Led workforce planning and analysis by developing key metrics to assess program effectiveness; created a dashboard for easy visualization of data that provided support and insights for strategic planning.
- Served as project manager for a cross-functional Operational Planning Team (OPT) of 30 personnel, developing and monitoring project timelines, budget and project action plan to design and deploy a centralized workforce development website for career planning and professional development.
- Developed the curriculum, lesson plans, instructional materials, and assignments for the LEAN FORWARD: Professional Development Programs Preparation Course; an 11-month leadership campaign that marketed professional development opportunities and assisted interested candidates with developing competitive applications for various career broadening opportunities.
- Provided strategic consultive support to management senior leaders on a variety of personnel tools and processes (e.g., career planning, succession planning, career guidance, identification of high-value employees, competency mapping, and recognition of performance etc.).
- Routinely briefed recommendations and proposals to Executive leadership regarding workforce development initiatives, status, and program concerns.
- Conducted training needs assessments and gap analysis that established a baseline for the organization’s training budgets, hiring needs, and succession planning.
Management and Program Analyst
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Alexandria, VA
08.2017 - 03.2019
- Provided exceptional support for Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Information Technology (IT) workforce management and development programs, and Human Capital Resource Management initiatives of the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
- Expertly applied multiple analytical/evaluative methodologies to workforce management activities to develop new processes/procedures for resolving an array of issues/problems.
- Analyzed data/reports to identify trends and areas requiring improvement and regularly utilized expertise in Federal/USPTO Human Resources policies/procedures involving staffing, performance management, employee development and training, succession planning, employee and labor relations, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Oversaw and executed a $1M training budget for professional development and recognition of OCIO employees.
- Established a formal approach to review and process performance appraisals and calculate performance bonuses for all OCIO with accuracy.
- The new process resulted in a 'first time' acceptance of all appraisals by the Office of Human Resources, which led to the timely pay out of performance bonuses; a first in OCIO history.
- Led the Skills Development Training Plan (SDTP) project to document the skills and training needs for primary OCIO functional roles at each level of expertise.
- The project's results assisted OCIO in developing and acquiring a highly skilled workforce in alignment with the Strategic Information Technology and Strategic Human Capital Plans.
- Successfully implemented performance appraisal guidelines and tracking and facilitated related training sessions resulting in a 100% increase in timeliness, and 95% employee satisfaction record; guidelines adopted as the best practice by other business units.
- Collaborated with developers to design a new Performance Appraisal Plan resource library for managers to retrieve specific elements and objectives for all positions within OCIO.
- The new design simplifies a complex system allowing easy retrieval of appraisal information and led to a 75% increase in appraisal timeliness.
- Created multiple high-impact briefings and presentations designed to inform and engage leaders and employees on a myriad of Human Resources related topics.
Human Resources Specialist
Regional Health Command – Atlantic
Fort Belvoir, VA
12.2015 - 08.2017
- Developed, researched, analyzed and reported on special projects/studies supporting mission as related to Human Resources (HR), ensuring alignment with Strategic and Evaluation Plans for Regional Health Command – Atlantic.
- Recommended strategies to identify efficiencies/effectiveness/productivity of HR procedures for systemic/regulatory application and assessed variety of factors impacting future agency requirements.
- Facilitated multiple innovative programs designed to develop the highest quality of civilian healthcare and conducted in-depth analysis of existing and proposed business practices to develop recommendations for subordinates as well as leadership on implementing requirements affecting HR programs.
- Conducted audits in subordinate hospital’s employee relations program, documenting application of appropriate/consistent disciplinary actions and provided advisement to leadership on performance-related issues.
- Awarded the Army Achievement Award for delivering on-site training to assist with correcting deficient areas.
- Effectively managed the organization’s talent, leading regional recruitment, retention, and relocation incentives.
- Conducted business case analysis of market data to justify renewal or termination of incentives across the region yielding more than a $300K cost savings to the government.
- Managed the region’s force management human capital restructure models and expertly employed reduction in force (RIF) mitigation strategies to ensure over 2500 displaced employees and impacted positions were accounted for and properly dispositioned prior to RIF.
- Implemented the region’s first child background check program. The streamlined procedures reduced hiring timelines by 45% as well as the number of critical vacancies.
US Army Medical Service Corps Officer
United States Army
Various Duty Stations
05.2004 - 02.2016
- Accomplished U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Officer culminating at the rank of Major.
- Extensive experience in military and civilian human resources management, overseeing HR functions across multiple levels, including personnel management, recruitment, and operational readiness for medical facilities.
- As Chief of the Military Human Resources Department, successfully led a team to eliminate a significant backlog in awards, improving processing times and organizational morale.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing strategic recruitment initiatives, conducting comprehensive manpower studies, and managing multi-million dollar healthcare contracts.
- Proven ability to enhance operational efficiency and support for thousands of military and civilian personnel, while maintaining compliance with policies and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Recognized for seamless execution of HR services in combat environments and awarded the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding performance.
Education
Master of Science - Public Administration
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI01.2018
Post Graduate Certificate - Leadership
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI01.2017
Post Graduate Certificate - Human Resources Administration
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI01.2017
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Studies
Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC01.2004
Skills
- Compliance management
- Financial management
- Effective problem resolution
- Collaborative strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Human capital strategy
- Policy formulation
- Training evaluation
- Workforce planning
- Team supervision
Certification
- Consulting Skills Certification, 2018
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, 2013
- Civil Defense Certification, 2013
Additional Information
Commended for superior customer service and oral and written communication., Notable leadership and managerial abilities., Expert in action planning and project management., Technically proficient in Microsoft Office Suite., Progressive experience using Tableau, SharePoint, and Business Objects Tools., Active Secret Security Clearance.
Training
- Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making Series, 2023
- Crucial Conversations, 2019
- The Effective Facilitator: Maximizing Involvement and Results Course, 2018
- Managing Chaos: Tools to Set Priorities and Make Decisions under Pressure Course, 2017
- Critical Thinking Course, 2017
- Basic Healthcare Administration Course, 2013
- Process Improvement/Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training, 2013
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Training Delivery Branch Chief (DETAIL)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
07.2024 - Current
Management and Program Analyst (Human Capital)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
09.2023 - Current
Human Resources Specialist (Workforce Development)
Installation Management Command Directorate – Training
06.2019 - 09.2023
Management and Program Analyst
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
08.2017 - 03.2019
Human Resources Specialist
Regional Health Command – Atlantic
12.2015 - 08.2017
US Army Medical Service Corps Officer
United States Army
05.2004 - 02.2016
Master of Science - Public Administration
Central Michigan University
Post Graduate Certificate - Leadership
Central Michigan University
Post Graduate Certificate - Human Resources Administration
Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Studies
Winston Salem State University
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