Wanda M. Jones
Randallstown,MD
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at the Social Security Administration, excelling in policy writing and program management. Proven track record in enhancing diversity training initiatives and conducting statistical analyses to drive strategic HR improvements. Adept at fostering collaboration and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with EEO standards while advancing organizational goals.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Advisor to Management
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Woodlawn, MD
08.2022 - 03.2025
- I provide oversight on the planning and managing of all administrative, financial, and operational activities on behalf of the Deputy and Assistant Deputy Commissioner (DC/ADC) in support of the agency’s equal employment Opportunity (EEO) program.
- Served as principal advisor to the DC and ADC on workloads related to EEO, Human Resources (HR) and diversity and inclusion; participate in agency long-term planning to ensure the integration of OCREO objectives with agency’s initiatives.
- Conducted statistical analyses of various reports on the agency’s HR information as it relates to EEO programs such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, EEO complaints process, and cultural diversity.
- Conducted policy reviews to evaluate effectiveness of current HR policies and practices and develop proposals to change policy.
- Led the development of EEO policies and procedures including standard operating procedures, technical instructions, guidelines, and business process in support of the agency’s EEO program for the agency.
- Directed the planning and developing of training modules for delivery in person or by video in headquarters and in the field on a wide spectrum of EEO principles.
- Provided leadership on special projects or studies of considerable scope and depth critical to the resolution of operating issues and problems.
- Advised and guide quality assurance reviews that evaluate the effectiveness of the agency’s EEO program to meet EEOC’s requirements.
- Advised in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of HR related information contributing to the development of agency wide EEO agenda strategies.
- Assisted senior leadership in developing short- and long-term work plans, including establishing a method for analyzing and tracking results.
Director, Center for Cultural Diversity, and Inclusion; GS-15-260
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Woodlawn, MD
10.2018 - 10.2022
- I led the Center by providing leadership, management oversight and direction to advance SSA’s EEO program with special emphasis on data analytics associated with complaints processing and for improving Diversity and Inclusion efforts.
- Led the Barrier Analysis and Special Emphasis Program Team activities relating to the agency’s eight affinity groups (e.g., Women’s Advisory Council, Black Advisory Council, Disability Council, Island Pacific Council, etc.), conducting barrier analysis associated with underrepresented groups, devising strategies to mitigate barriers, benchmarking with other agencies, and supporting the agency’s recruitment and hiring efforts.
- Led the agency’s commemorative observance and events efforts.
- Led the creation of a new on-line modality titled “Diversity Talks” for the agency’s four commemorative observances (Veterans, Martin Luther King Jr., Holocaust and Memorial) which reaches approximately 62,000 agency employees nationwide (headquarters and regional).
- Oversee monthly website developments, and ongoing updates for all affinity groups and the agency’s commemorative activity.
- Led web-based applications designed to improve EEO reporting efforts to ensure compliance as required by EEOC.
- Implemented two EEO web-based applications (1) EEO Representative Time Tracking, and (2) eFile.
- Management and non-management personnel utilize these applications daily for filing and tracking formal/informal complaints.
- I oversee reporting of these applications to track their use and provide continuous improvement for reporting to drive decision making by senior management.
- Facilitated the development and provided leadership oversight of annual agency EEO reports to Congress, EEOC, and OPM (e.g., MD-715; 462; No Fear; and Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Plan).
- Provided leadership oversight for weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual internal agency reports via the agency’s iComplaints EEO Case Tracking System, ensuring that senior leadership keeps a pulse on timeliness and accuracy according to EEOC guidelines and requirements.
- Conducted Center Meetings, keeping employees abreast of administrative and operational activities, in addition to providing a platform for employees to express concerns, ideas or thoughts associated with work or non-work-related topics.
- Actively participate in daily and bi-weekly managerial meetings to discuss current events within the Center, as well as to gain senior leadership’s insights on work plans, etc.
- Oversaw organizational development by conducting succession planning, identifying training needs and conducting one on one sessions with employees.
Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner/Senior Policy Advisor (LR/ER) GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Labor of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
05.2017 - 10.2018
- I served as “alter ego” to the Associate Commissioner sharing full responsibility with providing oversight for the agency’s LR/ER program.
- These activities included leading and serving as LR/ER representative on various workgroups for planning, formulation, adoption and execution of policies, objectives and goals relating to present and future office operations.
- Facilitated monthly Union/Management Meetings.
- LR/ER Lead for the Human Resources Modernization Workgroup.
- Led the Labor & Employee Relations Strategic Plan Workgroup.
- Served as Co-Lead for the Agency Anti-Harassment Program.
- Led the Tiger Team for implementation of the Presidential Executive Orders on Labor Management.
- Led the Tiger Team for LR/ER’s Security & Suitability Investigations.
- Oversaw training for agency supervisors and managers on the new labor/management agreement.
Agency National Recruitment Coordinator/Chief Operating Officer GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Personnel
10.2015 - 05.2017
- I led the overall management and direction of the office by serving as a consultant and advisor to the Associate and Deputy Associate Commissioner on personnel services relating to the administration, management, and operations of the organization, which included 200+ employees.
- Led the development and implementation of a two-year agency recruitment strategy inclusive of rebuilding relationships with local universities and colleges to have a presence on college campuses to carryout recruitment efforts for succession planning.
- Collaborated with city and state officials to provide internship opportunities for City and County high school students.
- Led marketing efforts by partnering with the Office of Communications to market SSA (e.g., brochures, website, exploration of LinkedIn concept, etc.).
- Developed partnership with agency hiring managers across the organization to assist with their hiring needs.
- Led the development of a recruitment repository to house resumes and pertinent hiring documents for potential hires.
- Facilitated SSA presence at various recruitment events in the Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Virginia area.
- Served as Veteran Coordinator for the agency by attending regularly scheduled in-person meetings at OPM to discuss planning efforts concerning hiring of Veterans.
- Developed and oversaw the implementation of a 5-year plan to investigate all $62,000 SSA employees for Suitability and Security purposes.
- Developed and implemented long-range plans setting goals and objectives and tracking accordingly.
- Counseled personnel employees on training needs, developmental opportunities and worked to resolve issues or complaints that arose.
Deputy Executive Director & Director; GS-15-343
Office of Human Resources; Office of Strategic Human Capital Strategic Management (OSHCM)
01.2014 - 10.2015
- I served as principal advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources and the Office Directors on all matters related to long-range planning to ensure the integration of the various office’s objectives aligned and was carried out according to the agency's initiatives.
- Led the development and implementation of the agency’s two-year strategic plan; established milestones with stakeholders, tracked and reported out regularly to senior management on accomplishments.
- Facilitated the analysis and disbursements of the Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) results agency-wide.
- Oversaw the development and tracking of Deputy Commissioner level action plans to address FEVS areas needing improvement.
- Led an agency wide FEVS workgroup.
- Oversaw the development and brief senior executives on various agency reports (e.g., workforce at a glance, and quarterly HR Stat sessions in collaboration with OPM).
- Led the agency’s development and implementation of “Skills Connect”, the virtual skills matching initiative which provided developmental opportunities for agency employees (60,000 plus) nationwide.
Director of Operational Management; GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
04.2010 - 01.2014
- I provided the Associate Commissioner and Deputy Associate Commissioner with consultative and advisory services on a range of LR/ER matters, as well as services relating to the administration, management, and operations of the LR/ER program and its employees.
- Facilitated Union/Management Meetings.
- Led timely responses for union information requests.
- Oversaw proper payments for arbitrations.
- Led short- and long-term planning efforts for development of LR/ER Specialists.
- Oversaw the execution of employee awards and write-ups.
- Oversaw the timely execution of performance management activities for the Senior Executives in LR/ER and GS employees.
- Executed required personnel actions timely.
- Led the development and amendment of various position descriptions to ensure proper alignment of organizational structure.
- Counseled employees regarding issues and concerns with management.
- Oversaw hiring, reassignment, details, and internships within LR/ER.
Detail - Center Director for Negotiations; GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
12.2009 - 04.2010
- I served as technical advisor to upper-level managers on a full range of labor management and or employee relation issues specific to the Center for Negotiations.
- Oversaw scheduling of arbitrations.
- Facilitated negotiation discussions within the Center prior to proposing to customers or stakeholders (e.g., arbitrators, union, mid level management).
- Facilitated Union/Management Meetings.
- Oversaw training and development of subordinates.
- Oversaw timely responses to the Federal Impasses Panel and Fair Labor Relations Authority on pending cases.
Education
Human Resources Certification -
Catonsville Community College
06.2018
Skills
- Policy writing
- Statistical analysis
- Diversity training
- Program management
- Quality assurance
- Human resources strategy
Awards
- Outstanding Supervisor (Baltimore Federal Executive Board)
- Deputy Commissioner Citations (Human Resources & Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity)
- Associate Commissioner Citations (Labor Relations; Budget & Finance etc.)
- Numerous Recognition of Contribution Cash Awards
- Numerous Special Act Awards
Certification
• Life Coach Certification (International Association of Professionals Career College - 2023)
• Certificate of Achievement (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services) - 2023
• Notary License, State of Maryland - 2021
• Certificate of Achievement (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services) - 2023
• Notary License, State of Maryland - 2021
Accomplishments
Outstanding Supervisor from the Baltimore Federal Executive Board
Numerous Deputy Commissioner Citations in the areas of Human Resources & Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity
Associate Commissioner Citations in the areas of Labor Relations; Budget & Finance
Numerous Recognition of Contribution Awards
Numerous Performance Awards
Numerous Deputy Commissioner Citations in the areas of Human Resources & Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity
Associate Commissioner Citations in the areas of Labor Relations; Budget & Finance
Numerous Recognition of Contribution Awards
Numerous Performance Awards
Timeline
Senior Advisor to Management
Social Security Administration (SSA)
08.2022 - 03.2025
Director, Center for Cultural Diversity, and Inclusion; GS-15-260
Social Security Administration (SSA)
10.2018 - 10.2022
Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner/Senior Policy Advisor (LR/ER) GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Labor of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
05.2017 - 10.2018
Agency National Recruitment Coordinator/Chief Operating Officer GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Personnel
10.2015 - 05.2017
Deputy Executive Director & Director; GS-15-343
Office of Human Resources; Office of Strategic Human Capital Strategic Management (OSHCM)
01.2014 - 10.2015
Director of Operational Management; GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
04.2010 - 01.2014
Detail - Center Director for Negotiations; GS-15-201
Office of Human Resources; Office of Labor Management and Employee Relations (OLMER)
12.2009 - 04.2010
Human Resources Certification -
Catonsville Community College