Deborah L. Kerestes, PHR, SHRM-CP

*** ***** ****** **********, ** 15211 412-***-**** acsj1o@r.postjobfree.com

Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR and SHRM-CP) offering a 20-year HR career distinguished by commended performance and proven results. Strong work ethics and a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.

Extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in all phases of recruitment and retention; staff development; contract negotiations, mediation, and conflict resolution; benefit, compensation and payroll administration; safety, workers’ compensation and leave of absences; Human Resources records management; and development, implementation and compliance of Human Resources policies and procedures.

Demonstrated success in the development and implementation of teambuilding and safety programs, company handbooks, corporate policies and procedures, job analysis and descriptions, and various management reports.

Thorough knowledge and understanding of all federal, state and local employment related laws and human resources concepts, standards and techniques.

Proficient in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and several human resources/payroll systems (PeopleSoft, ADP Payforce, Ceridian, HR Perspective, Syteline, ADP EZ timekeeping, and Kronos timekeeping system).

HR SKILLS

Employment Law (EEO, FMLA, COBRA, ADA, etc.)

HR Policies and Procedures

Job Analysis, Specifications, Descriptions and Postings

Compensation Administration

Benefit Administration

Employee and Labor Relations

Exempt, Non-Exempt, Executive and Union Recruitment

Collective Bargaining and Grievance Management

Alternative Dispute Resolutions

Payroll Administration

HR Program/Project Management

Orientation and On-Boarding

HRIS Technologies

Health & Safety

Training & Development

Human Resources Department and Staff Management

Implementations and conversions of multiple HR & Payroll systems

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Bacharach, Inc., New Kensington, PA

An ISO-9001 certified company specializing in the design, manufacture, and service of advanced equipment for the measurement and detection of gases and liquids. The company’s extensive product line included instruments that detect, measure and record combustion and environmental gases, temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and other air quality and safety parameters, in addition to refrigerant recovery equipment for residential, industrial and automotive applications.

Human Resources/Payroll Manager, September, 2013 – May, 2015

Managed a full spectrum of human resources operations, systems and programs. Worked with senior management to create human resources policies and procedures; recruited for all levels of positions; expansion of the ADP Payforce system to include position and salary histories, EEO, Veteran status, marital status, FLSA status etc. information; developing wellness programs, new-hire orientation and supervisory training programs; managed leave-of-absences, workers’ compensation and personnel records; administration of benefit enrollments and programs; oversee bi-weekly salaried and hourly payroll; participation in grievances and arbitrations; handled human resources generalist workplace issues.

Key Results:

Developed, implemented and administered employee handbook; Trained supervisory personnel on the administration of policies and procedures pertaining to the employee handbook.

Served as the Employee Relations Manager for employees of all levels. Met with Union officials, to discuss interpretation of the union contract, in order to avoid grievances.

Worked with senior management to set, track and utilize HR metrics to support strategic plans.

Played a key role in fostering a teamwork/open-door environment conducive to positive dialogue across the organization.

Negotiated salary offers and sign-on bonuses for both the exempt and nonexempt levels.

Developed and implemented performance appraisal systems.

Ensured that compensation was comparable to market salary data.

Reviewed exempt and non-exempt positions to insure proper FLSA status and industry compensation rates.

Bloom Engineering Company, Pittsburgh, PA

A combustion oriented company serving basic industry with global energy and environmental solutions, specializing in custom engineering of industrial burners, combustion systems, controls and refractory products.

Human Resources/Payroll Supervisor, September, 2010 – February, 2013

Managed a full spectrum of human resources operations, systems and programs. Worked with senior management to create human resources policies and procedures; recruited for all levels of positions; expansion of the manufacturing software system to include HR/payroll information; developed orientation, training and incentive programs; managed leave-of-absences, workers’ compensation and personnel records; administered benefit enrollments and programs; administered semi-monthly salaried payroll and oversaw administration of weekly hourly (union) payroll; and handled human resources generalist workplace issues.

Key Results:

Served as a representative for management during collective bargaining with union to institute a 5-year contract.

Structured and implemented programs and policies in the areas of safety, training, compensation structures, benefits packages, incentives and new-employee orientation.

Played a key role in fostering a teamwork/open-door environment conducive to positive dialogue across the organization.

Negotiated salary offers, sign-on bonuses/relocation packages for both exempt and nonexempt levels.

Developed and implemented performance appraisal systems.

Managed the workers' compensation program. Revised preferred providers list and trained managers and associates on procedures to follow in case of injury.

Developed, implemented, and administered employee and management handbooks.

Introduced company’s first formal performance appraisal program.

Conducted job analysis, for all non-union positions, by shadowing and interviewing employees, supervisors, managers and respective VP. Developed job descriptions across all non-union levels. "Shadowed" and interviewed employees to construct an accurate picture of the responsibilities and skills required for each position.

Gateway Health Plan, Pittsburgh, PA

A managed-care organization that provides healthcare to a growing number of medical assistance (Medicaid) and Medicare members; offering services such as disease management, health and wellness programs and preventative care.

Human Resources Assistant/Analyst, February, 2007 – September, 2010

Provided assistance to Vice President of Human Resources, in all areas of recruitment and employee relations. Updated and maintained applicant and employee information through PeopleSoft, human resources system. Maintained information and records to assist with statistical report generation. Tracked and utilized HR metrics to support strategic plans.

Key Results:

Served as team leader for the implementation of applicant tracking system (ATS). Developed ATS manual and trained human resources personnel.

Facilitation and administration of all recruitment activities (ensuring position control, CEO’s approval, job description, determining appropriate question sets, post positions, screen resumes, conducted telephone and face-to-face interviews, administered skill testing, negotiated job offers, conducted background and reference checks, scheduled drug screens and start dates) and updating PeopleSoft accordingly.

Ran various queries and reports as needed.

Revised and administered new-hire orientation and on-boarding.

Maintained a sourcing network including agencies, universities and government departments; assisted in the diversity initiatives; and lowered recruitment expenses by reducing reliance on employment agencies.

Maintained recruitment records and ensure compliance with government regulations as it related to employment.

Responded to unemployment, EEO and discrimination charges and hearings.

Trinity Industries, Dallas, TX

Manufacturer of standard couplers and car-connecting systems for rail cars.

Human Resources/Payroll Manager, November, 1999 – March, 2003

Managed a full spectrum of human resources operations, systems and programs. Implemented PeopleSoft, human resources system, interfaced with ADP and Kronos timekeeping system. Oversaw the human resources functions in the Pittsburgh plant, supervising 2.5 employees, and in Kutztown, PA plant, supervising 5 employees. Developed orientation, safety training and executive-bonus programs; managed leave-of-absences, workers’ compensation and personnel records; administered benefit enrollments and programs; administration of the salaried, union and non-union (monthly, bi-weekly and weekly respectively).

Key Results:

Implementation of PeopleSoft system interfaced with ADP payroll and Kronos timekeeping system.

Worked with management, supervisors, corporate and government officials on various audits and certifications (ie: ISO 9000, Department of Labor, etc.) and continuous evaluation and revision of work processes to ensure ISO 9000 accreditation.

Worked with management to establish quality measurement systems to measure progress in continuous quality improvement (some of the tools used included external and internal customer surveys, auditing, organizational self –assessments, and customer complaint and resolution systems).

Managed and coordinated the alternative dispute resolution program; managed progressive disciplinary actions.

Administration of worker’s compensation, safety, and health & wellness programs, for multiple PA plant facilities. Initiated a safety committee and weekly supervisory “tool box” talk training program, which significantly reduced the companies’ worker’s compensation incident rate.

Completion of IRS 5500 for health and welfare benefit plans, AAP and EEO reports.

Housing Authority City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Provide decent, safe and sanitary dwellings for families of low income.

Employment/Benefit Coordinator, July, 1990 – September, 1998

Responsible for all phases of recruitment, resident training/pre-apprentice programs; administration of all mandated and company sponsored benefits; and interpretation of seven (7) collective bargaining unit agreements to management and union members.

Key Results:

Implementation of HR Perspective software. Maintenance of all departmental, applicant, active and non-active employees’ paper and electronic information and files.

Development and administration of resident training and pre-apprenticeship programs. Provide training for public housing residents in the areas of job-readiness, self-sufficiency, work ethics, etc. Entered into partnerships with several of the unions to develop pre-apprenticeship programs for those residents who completed the initial job-readiness training. Entered into partnerships with local businesses to employee resident-program graduates. Development and maintenance of temporary assignments, throughout the Authority, to employee successful graduates of resident programs.

Served as a member of the quality improvement team that restructured the Operations and Maintenance Departments, which produced the efficiency ratings (as rated by the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development). The overall ratings increased from a “C-“ to a “B+”.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA

Associate of Science (AS) in Personnel Management (with honors)

Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelors of Science (BS) in Human Resources Management

Human Resources Certificate Institute (HRCI)

Professional Human Resources (PHR) Certification #220*********

Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)

SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) #00779300

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