Set up Human Resources (HR) Department for the non-profit organization.Consults and works with the President/CEO on developing training sessions to improve performance and professional conduct Completed a variety of tasks to support the daily operations of the HR department.Create, update, and apply all HR policies and the organization guidelines and make sure they adhere to standards and laws initiated by authorities.Compare employment laws to current policies and procedures to ensure the organization is in compliance with current state and federal laws.Prepares and posts jobs on recruiting sites (i.e., indeed, organization website)Assists in talent acquisition and recruitment processes.Screens resumes, schedules, conducts interviews, and gives input on selectee.Oversees the hiring and onboarding process and educating newly hired employees on HR policies, internal procedures, and regulations.Generate official internal documents such as offer letters, appointment letters, writing warnings, and other disciplinary action notifications.Oversees and conducts all investigations.Consults with and advises executive staff and management and makes recommendations on taking the appropriate disciplinary action regarding employees who violate policy, procedures, and guidelines.Prepare and submit Payroll Action Notifications Oversees Open Enrollment for benefits and submits employee paperwork to broker for processing.Creating training sessions for staffSubmitted recommendation and implementation of an Employee Recognition Program

Performed advanced (senior-level) human resources (HR) work for employee relations (ER) activities for the HHSC and the Texas Department of State Health Services.Work involved analysis, problem-solving, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, advising, guidance to all levels of staff to minimize legal risk and ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations and HHSC HR policy and procedures. Coached, consulted, provided guidance, and made recommendations to management on corrective and disciplinary actions related to employee conduct and/or performance issues. Consulted with the Office of Chief Counsel and Civil Rights on employee relations and human resources mattersCoached and consulted agency management and employees on Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), related matters to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and statutes and HHS HR policyInvestigated Disciplinary Actions; worked with Legal and Civil Rights and submitted a recommendation to the managerDeveloped and conducted training presentations to all levels of staff on HHS HR policies and proceduresReviewed criminal history information obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Texas Department of Public Safety; provide guidance to determine employment eligibility to managers.Completed and monitored specific human resources benefit, and compensation actions, death claims, promotions, demotions, temporary assignments, management directed transfers, equity adjustments, merit raises, and reinstatements. Ensures compliance with state and agency eligibility criteria and approvalsCommunicated with managers, employees, and dependents, Employee Retirement System, third-party insurance carrier, Payroll, Leave, and Employee Service Center on various HR related mattersServed as a subject matter expert witness at unemployment hearings, agency grievance proceedings, external litigation

Administered and provided professional technical HR consultation to all levels of staff for the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)Supervised two payroll/benefits coordinators (February 2003 to August 2004)Interpreted agency policy and procedures for all levels of staffConsulted with the Office of General Counsel, Civil Rights and management on performance conduct management, disciplinary actions and reasonable accommodationsCounseled and consulted all staff on benefits, payroll issues, leave, FMLA and compensationScreened, interviewed, selected, hired and on-boarded entry level positionsRepresented HR at Job Fairs and Career Days and assisted with recruitment activitiesPrepared position change requests for submission to budget and processed payroll actionsConducted New Hire OrientationProcessed and entered New Hire/Separation information into PeopleSoftPrepared documentation and letters for new hires, separating employees and supervisors

Administered and provided HR consultation to all levels of staffSupervised the benefits and payroll coordinators.Interpreted agency policy and procedures to all levels of staffConsulted with the Office of General Counsel, Civil Rights and management on performance and conduct management, disciplinary actions and reasonable accommodationsCounseled and advised all staff on benefits and compensationScreened, interviewed, selected, hired and on-boarded direct staff positions for regionFacilitated testing for regional office clerical pool and submitted qualified candidates to managementPrepared documentation and letters for new hires, separating employees and supervisorsConducted New Hire orientation and prepared agency identification badgesActing HR Manager in his absenceHired a staff of 15 for the implementation of the Special Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Children's Health Insurance Programs(CHIP) within a three week period. Screened, interviewed and hired Time Keepers for the creation and centralization of the agency's Time Keeping department.

Supervised and administered the daily operations of agency Benefits and Payroll ProgramInterpreted and provided guidance on agency policy and procedures for Benefits and CompensationPrepared Performance Evaluations for staffTrained statewide agency regional benefits specialistsCoordinated, organized and facilitated Annual Benefits Enrollment Programs (Insurance, Benefit Replacement Pay, Service Buyback, and Texas Legal Protection Plan)Composed notifications of benefits enrollment periods for distribution to all agency staffPrepared monthly report for managementAttended legislative meetings and analyzed bills directly affecting the state benefits programConducted New Hire OrientationComposed correspondence to outside entitiesUpdated Benefits section of HR Policy ManualRevised and streamlined Insurance Adjustment FormAssisted with the centralization of the agency's Benefits Program