This position covers the responsibility of the Dallas Regional Administrator for VETS who acts on behalf of the ASVET in planning, directing, coordinating and evaluating the promotion, operation and implementation of all aspects of veterans' employment, reemployment and training programs and services within the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Oversees and directs such significant regional program activities as 1) management and administration of formula grants ($28,000,000) under the Jobs for Veterans State Grants program that supports employees of state agencies that assist veterans to find or prepare for employment or that engage local businesses to hire veterans; 2) management and administration of competitive grants ($4,700.000) such as under the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Project that improve the readiness of veterans to enter employment; 3) management and administration of the Transition Assistance Program Employment Workshops to prepare personnel that are separating from the Armed Forces to enter the civilian job market; 4) investigating, mediating, and referring complaints to the Department of Justice or Office of Special Counsel to enforce the responsibilities and rights of veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act and the Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act; 5) participating in the development and implementation of national employment and training initiatives and special emphasis projects addressing the needs of special groups of veterans; 6) implementing National Office guidance on marketing strategies to employers, veterans and service members at the regional and state level; and 7) coordinating the processing of noncompliance complaints against Federal contractors and subcontractors under the Federal Contractors program.

Responsible for the direct supervision of 15 different federal staff. Functioned as Acting Regional Administrator at the GS 14/15 level. Managed and directed VETS programs in 4 states in the Chicago Region. Assigned work and established priorities and deadlines for staff. Monitored all work projects to ensure timely completion. Make recommendations for awards, promotions, within-grade-increases, training and serious discipline actions. Prepare and discuss performance management plans with assigned staff on a routine basis.Direct, conduct and implement all of VETS programs throughout assigned states. This involves significant coordination with ETA, DVA, State Workforce Agencies, State Department of Veteran Services, Guard and Reserve Military components and key community figures. Evaluate state VETS programs and activities for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, policies, program procedures and their ability meet performance goals and target indicators. Develop annual travel budget and subsequent travel plan to accomplish State and National performance and budget goals.Provide leadership in planning, developing, implementing and modifying VETS State programs and activities to meet requirements and objectives of the VETS Strategic Plan and performance budget. Monitor the effectiveness of all VETS programs in assigned states and act to create strategies to correct deficiencies. Advise the Regional Administrator on the formulation of operating plans, strategies and procedures that will serve to maximize the Agency’s ability to meet annual and long-term performance goals.

Responsible for the supervision of 28 staff in a 29 county area. Principal team member in the establishment of the One Stop Delivery System outlined in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Ensured that One Stops were familiar and compliant with 38 USC Chapter 41 and 42 as they pertain to the roles and responsibilities of DVOP and LVER staff. Performed routine reviews of offices to ensure compliance.Planned and managed the delivery of employment and training services specific to veterans in assigned area. Implemented regional strategies that led to the increased service of veteran customers in the One Stop System. Met routinely, to provide technical assistance/training, with Wagner Peyser, DVOP and LVER, WIA, Unemployment Insurance, and partner staff to ensure they were familiar with all current programs and initiatives available to veterans. This fostered a spirit of teamwork and ownership which had a direct impact on the quality of services provided to veterans.Monitored the effectiveness and performance of all veteran programs in the region. Provided quarterly reports to the state Director as to goal attainment, success stories, opportunities to improve and proposed strategies that would effectuate improvement and quality. Recommended program activity changes, staffing levels and allocation of funding.

Responsible for the administration of Wagner Peyser and Veteran services to the general public. Administered all aspects of the Unemployment Insurance, Trade Readjustment Act, Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker and training programs in Huron county.Directed the work assignments of 13 staff in the aforementioned programs. Developed and monitored work plans for each staff person and ensured expectations were clearly understood. Participated with staff as they formed a Quality Service Through Partnership team to address our workflow and processes pertaining to the processing of unemployment insurance claims. This resulted in increasing our time lapse percentage by nearly 10 percentage points.Established an employment and training council that consisted of Human Services, Private Industry Council, colleges, vocational schools and other pertinent entities to address the skills gaps of job seekers. Solicited employer involvement with the council to ensure training being provided met their needs. Worked with employers such as Norwalk Furniture, Monroe, Pepperidge Farms, R.R. Donnelly and MTD on this project.Developed the first “integrated” employment service team that was co-located in the State of Ohio. Representatives from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, County Department of Job and Family Services, Private Industry Council and education entities all shared space, without cost sharing, in the same location. This location was able to provide employment, training, counseling, unemployment insurance and education assistance from the same location.Participated as a member on many boards to include the Erie/Huron County Economic Development Board, Chamber of Commerce, Educational Outlook and Private Industry Council. Routinely promoted the services available through ODJFS, via presentations, speeches, public service announcements, and radio programs.

Promoted Wagner Peyser and JVSG services provided by the State Workforce Agency to employers, civic organizations, trade organizations and professional groups. Marketed programs and services available to promote economic development for new, existing or expanding businesses in Ohio. Established the Heart of Ohio Job Service Employer Committee. Provided member employers with pertinent training on labor laws and relevant human resource topics. Solicited participation on state level committees to assist with the development of employment policies and strategies for the State Workforce Agency.Co-founded the Heart Of Ohio Job Fair which included marketing to federal contractors and manufacturing employers throughout the Central Ohio area. The success of this job fair resulted in my assignment to the state level job fair committee. In a team environment, developed a job fair technical assistance guide to be utilized by all field offices throughout the state.Established many on-site partnerships with employers such as United Parcel Service, Honda of North America and Whirlpool to expedite their respective hiring processes. These partnerships involved the out-stationing of state staff at their locations to assist with the recruitment and screening portions of the employment process.

Performed all functions of the Local Veteran Employment Representative as outlined in 38 USC §4104, Veteran Program Letters, Training Employment Guidance Letters, and State policies and procedures. Empowered veterans from diverse cultural backgrounds to obtain employment or enter training. Routinely worked with employers and labor unions to employ eligible veterans, provide on the job training and/or enter into apprenticeship programs. Monitored the participation of veterans in federally funded employment and training programs. Interviewed veterans to determine job interests, skill sets and barrier identification to assign the appropriate ONET/JSO/DOT codes for job search.Provided quarterly reports to the State VETS Director that assessed and analyzed the performance of the one stop center as it pertained to federal performance outcomes for veterans. Analyzed trends, proposed and implemented strategies to correct deficiencies, tracked progress and reported on results. Created corrective action plans that resulted in goal achievement at the local level and contributed to statewide success.Performed a variety of public relations and outreach activities within assigned area. Routinely partnered with Human Services, JTPA, labor and veteran organizations, employer and trade groups and schools to seek opportunities for veterans. Worked closely with elected officials, community leaders, veteran interest groups and partner agencies to promote veteran employment and training incentives. Held officer positions with the Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Was often a guest columnist for the Sandusky Register and North Coast Business Journal on topics of interest to veterans or employers seeking veterans to fill vacancies.

Assisted customers with registration for employment services or the filing for unemployment insurance. Explained benefits and appeal rights. Processed unemployment insurance appeals and reconsideration requests. Interviewed customers to record facts relevant to claim issues that pertained to availability, late filing, break in reporting, school issues, etc.Interviewed customers to determine personal and work history in order to assess skills, education, aptitude, physical limitations, job interest and readiness. Assigned customers the appropriate occupational classifications or ONET or JSO codes to ensure their success in the state's automated labor exchange system.Worked with the employer community to assess their staffing needs. Utilized the automated labor exchange system to enter employer's job orders and to refer qualified job seeking candidates. Ensured that veterans priority of service was adhered to by referring all qualified veteran customers to job openings prior to referring non-veterans.

Functioned as the Lead Analyst for the development of a man portable direction finding system with RACAL who was a government contractor. Performed in highly stressful combat situations where accuracy and timeliness were paramount to the success of missions and protection of human life. Briefed senior military leadership on a routine basis pertaining to matters of national security. Possessed a Top Secret/SCI clearance. Responsible for the leadership of squads, shifts, directional support units, or details that ranged from 5 to 50 personnel in size. Received several unit and personal awards. Received fitness report ratings of outstanding throughout service period. Served in theater during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.