Torrese S. B. Junior
Milwaukee
Summary
HR Specialist with extensive experience at Department of Veterans Affairs, specializing in recruitment strategies and compliance. Demonstrated success in managing HR databases and delivering exceptional customer service, enhancing operational efficiency. Skilled in navigating complex regulations while ensuring meticulous attention to detail in high-pressure situations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Fiduciary Accounting Representative/Auditor
Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Benefits Administration)
Milwaukee
02.2024 - Current
- Audit federal accountings, state accountings and estate assets, and conduct fund usage reviews for the fiduciary program for veterans and/or their dependents rated incompetent.
- Maintain workload management reports and work audits to completion for high priority cases.
- Initiate contact by receiving calls, letters and email communication with fiduciaries and beneficiaries to explain the full range of VA benefits and all related programs and entitlements, in addition to, federal, state, and local programs.
- Advise fiduciaries, trust officers, banking officials, attorneys and court officials of regulations, necessary documentation and other factors which impact the VA fiduciary oversight of the beneficiary.
- Conduct in-depth analysis, quasi-legal examinations, investigations, and financial assessments of inquiries pertaining to allegations of misuse.
- Protect VA beneficiaries and their estates by initiating actions to generate payment suspensions, resumptions, or terminations for appropriate situations.
- Initiate appropriate actions/steps for misuse allegations, request field examinations, complete the misuse investigation) and forward misuse determination for management concurrence.
- Refer information regarding misuse of funds to the appropriate agency to include the court of jurisdiction, Office of Inspector General (OIG) and/or District Counsel.
- Maintains system databases and records to include establishing and updating beneficiary and fiduciary profiles, changes of fiduciaries, changes of name, address, or direct deposit information.
Contract Specialist – Research & Development
Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health Administration)
Milwaukee
10.2022 - 09.2023
- Coordinate contract management and administrative activities through pre-award, award, and post award phases of contracts up to $250k.
- Perform market research, contract records retention, compliance monitoring, reviewing specifications and statements of work, and approving acquisition milestone plans.
- Ensure specifications and statements of work are prepared in a manner which adequately describes the Government's requirements without restricting competition.
- Advise technical personnel as to inadequate, ambiguous, or vague specifications to avoid Government liability.
- Research/select the appropriate method of procurement i.e., simplified acquisition procedures, sealed bidding, negotiations.
- Negotiate required changes to contract conditions to protect the agency; Resolves problems of delivery, production, quality, differing site conditions, inspection, and other pertinent matters.
- Administer payment provisions of the contract for partial payments, progress payments and final payments using the VA Online Certification system.
- Utilize contract writing system (i.e., Electronic Contract Management System), contract reporting system (i.e., Federal Procurement Data System), financial management system (i.e., Integrated Funds Distribution, Control Point Activity, Accounting, and Procurement), and prosthetics application suite (i.e., Graphical User Interface), in accordance with VA policy.
Customer Service Representative
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Milwaukee
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Conduct 25-35 interviews daily with the public to process leads for initial and post-entitlement eligibility SSA benefits.
- Interact and network with clients of all socioeconomic backgrounds; explain social programs such as Medicare.
- Certified on interviewing claimants for Retirement, Disability, SSI, Medicare and all SSA programs, scoring a 93.3% average.
- Apply interpersonal skills and tact in interviews claimants reluctant to answer questions about financial condition.
- Investigate possible suspect and/or fraud cases concerning social security numbers.
- Forecast retirement benefit payments to clients approaching retirement age using computation software.
- Interact with claimants’ representatives, lawyers and family members on status of claims.
- Process Representative Payee Accounting forms for accountability of how monthly benefits are used for claimant.
- Use state of-the-art database applications, complex computation software and research technology.
- Determine eligibility and process social security number applications for domestic and international applicants.
Human Resources Specialist
USDA – U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Milwaukee
01.2017 - 08.2017
- First point of contact on employee questions, guiding them to appropriate resources for solutions.
- Provide staffing needs in all stages of the recruitment process; screen applicants and create referral list.
- Apply HR standards to determine job title, series, and pay band levels; create position descriptions.
- Conduct job analysis, create crediting plans, prepare promotion and placement announcements; issue referral list.
- Manage the staffing process to ensure positions are filled in a timely manner and to recruit the best pool of applicants.
- Maintain data integrity of HR systems and electronic filing processes.
- Prepare promotion and placement announcements and issue referral certificates by using the GPPA or Guide to Personnel Actions along with CFR/Code of Federal Regulation Title 5.
- Respond to questions about vacancies and procedures from applicants and supervisors.
- Complete personnel actions in an automated system assuring accurate coding and proper supporting documentation.
- Apply classification standards and supplemental guidance to determine title, series, and grade level for all General Schedule and Federal Wage System positions.
- Determine pay grade, starting salaries, travel, relocation and other expense reimbursement, length of training, probationary status of selected candidates.
- Advise management on non-competitive staffing strategies such as status/internal candidates, Veteran’s Recruitment Appointments (VRA), reinstatements, and Schedule-A/disability appointment authorities using the GPPA as a resource.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the National Federation of Federal Employee (NFFE) Collective Bargaining Agreement to provide advice to the Forest Service Managers when processing human resource actions on Union represented Forests.
- Utilize various HRM-related databases and software to perform and process work assignments.
- Inventory job tasks and identify the supporting skills and knowledge required to perform each job.
- Stay abreast of Contract Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for employees eligible for union positions.
- Create permanent, temporary, and limited term vacant positions posted on USAJobs.gov in compliance with regulations.
- Evaluate transcripts, resumes, education, and experience of applicants.
- Demonstrate knowledge of federal pay setting in accordance with federal and USDA guidelines. Prepare ad hoc reports.
Human Resources Specialist
VETERANS AFFAIRS – VBA- REGIONAL OFFICE
Milwaukee
09.2016 - 11.2016
- Advise management on recruitment strategies to include special hiring programs that support disabled veterans.
- Review results of selection process for compliance with regulatory selection rules, laws and regulations.
- Research complex information from a variety of sources; analyze information to provide guidance to management officials.
- Initiate/conduct new employee orientations, background investigation; manage/input data into ATS and generate reports.
- Research and interpret new or updated policy that impact existing benefit programs/entitlements for employees.
- Analyze and implement the latest changes as issued by the Department of Labor on OWCP or other committees.
Management Assistant/Local HR Representative
DOD – DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY (DCMA)
Milwaukee
01.2014 - 09.2016
- Supervise all daily administrative and human resource operations to support over 90 employees.
- Act as liaison between hiring officials and candidates; schedule candidates for interviews.
- Facilitate new employee orientation; initiate/complete E-Verify process; process new hire on-boarding.
- Protect confidential information and ensure compliance with all state and federal employment laws and regulations.
- Collaborate in creation and implementation of policy for DCMA Payroll Instruction 705.
- Create and implement interactive Diversity & Inclusion programs as Special Emphasis Program Coordinator.
- Process/maintain all payroll activity using Performance Accounting System (PLAS) and Time & Attendance Production System.
- Manage transition from legacy system attendance/time keeping system to new Oracle Time & Attendance (OTL) payroll system.
- Train employees on self-service Employee Benefits; troubleshoot management and employee payroll/benefits’ issues.
- Design local policy and processes to standardize recordkeeping via the new SharePoint system - DCMA 360.
- Volunteer with United Way in 2014/2015 federal fundraising; exceeded previous years’ goal by 45% and 17%, respectively.
Human Resources Assistant
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
11.2012 - 02.2013
- Manage and report personnel actions through HRIS and ensure documents were coded and scanned.
- Manage several hundred personnel actions bi-weekly for over 700 staff using HR information systems.
- Coordinate with HR Specialists to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory policy; maintain Official Personnel Folders.
- Process performance appraisals and employee benefits; audit new employee orientation for accuracy and completeness.
Employee Relations Center (ERC) Intern (Temporary)
MANPOWER GROUP
Milwaukee
05.2012 - 08.2012
- Assist Employee Relations Center Consultants conducting investigations on Title VII issues and corrective action.
- Research federal and state laws on drug testing, background checks, and other pre-employment factors.
- Advise/educate branch managers and staffing specialists on company policy procedural information.
- Identify training needs for employees/managers as my intern project; Observe corrective action briefings conducted by ERC.
- Track/manage inquiries and cases using case management tool; attended meetings to brief manager.
Economic Assistant
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Milwaukee
05.2009 - 01.2012
Sales and Service Associate
US POSTAL SERVICE
Milwaukee
08.2004 - 05.2009
Education
Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Preparation Course -
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI05.2025
Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management
Concordia University of Wisconsin
Mequon, WI01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resources Management
Concordia University of Wisconsin
Mequon, WI01.2013
Skills
- Customer service excellence
- Problem solving
- Verbal and written communication
- Multitasking
- Organizational skills
- Fast-paced adaptability
- HR database management
- Coaching on HR policies
- Collective bargaining expertise
- HR development planning
- HR best practices knowledge
- Public sector policy understanding
- Integrity and ethics
- Responsibility ownership
- Attention to detail
- Active listening
Affiliations
Society for Human Resources Management, SHRM
Profile Snapshot
Results-oriented Human Resources Professional with experience in multiple facets of human resources in the public sector. Four years progressive HR experience that spans recruitment, job placement, classification, benefits, employee relations, training, and payroll. Over 10 years office administration, business acumen and interpersonal skills that allow me to establish rapport and build relationships across organizations. Curiosity and thirst for knowledge has led me to be the “go-to” person as a knowledgeable resource. Savvy technological resource with HRIS for data analysis, data entry, data gathering, and ad hoc reporting. Experience within public-sector, matrixed organizational structure. Ability to adapt to constant change. Management advisory experience in recruitment efforts and outreach. Ability to streamline and improve business processes, adhere to federal regulation and policies, and meet deadlines while ensuring quality and compliance.
Military Service
- U.S. Army (Active Duty), Personnel Specialist & Basic Combat Training, 03/00, 03/03
- U.S. Army Reserves, Administrative/Personnel Specialist, 05/96, 03/00
Timeline
Fiduciary Accounting Representative/Auditor
Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Benefits Administration)
02.2024 - Current
Contract Specialist – Research & Development
Department of Veterans Affairs (Veterans Health Administration)
10.2022 - 09.2023
Customer Service Representative
Social Security Administration (SSA)
07.2018 - 07.2019
Human Resources Specialist
USDA – U.S. FOREST SERVICE
01.2017 - 08.2017
Human Resources Specialist
VETERANS AFFAIRS – VBA- REGIONAL OFFICE
09.2016 - 11.2016
Management Assistant/Local HR Representative
DOD – DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY (DCMA)
01.2014 - 09.2016
Human Resources Assistant
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
11.2012 - 02.2013
Employee Relations Center (ERC) Intern (Temporary)
MANPOWER GROUP
05.2012 - 08.2012
Economic Assistant
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
05.2009 - 01.2012
Sales and Service Associate
US POSTAL SERVICE
08.2004 - 05.2009
Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Preparation Course -
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Master of Business Administration - Human Resources Management
Concordia University of Wisconsin
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resources Management
Concordia University of Wisconsin
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