Human Resources High School
Resume:
DANA C. HESS
****.****@*****.***
RELEVANT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A Strategic Leader... Deliberate, Sees Opportunities
Accomplished in EEO investigation, developing investigation strategies, and
implementing innovative civil rights diversity training curriculum
. EEO/HUD investigation trained
. Responsible for training curriculum development used for statewide
training
. Lead programs and training facilitation, for various business entities in
the private sector
. Identified key policies issues and procedures and recommended resolutions
. Developed human resources policies and processes, templates, and training
materials
. Strong communicator and mediator: Federal Mediation Trained
. Strong in Interest Based Resolution of employment relation matters
. Experienced in all aspects of human resources employee relations
A Tenacious Results Producer... Intense, Driven, Competitive
A strong record of accomplishment in every field of employment; excellent
at identifying and analyzing needs and strategies to achieve goals
Employment Specialist/EEO Officer, Travis County Human Resources
Management, Austin, TX. March 2009 - present
. In depth analysis and reformation of county policies and standard
operating procedures regarding all tenets of employment law
. Development of business contingency plan, EEO Plan, Affirmative Action
Plan, and recommendation of associated policies
. Recommended/Advised Management of best practices regarding handling
employee relations including resolving a full spectrum of employee
relations issues, including attendance, performance management and
policy violations issues. Specifically:
> evaluations of employees rated by supervisors;
> make or approve selections for subordinate positions; r
> recommend selections for supervisors; review and approve
serious disciplinary actions;
> recommend disciplinary actions;
> exercise significant authority in dealing with officials of
other units/organizations and in advising management
officials of higher rank on operational issues;
> assure reasonable equity of performance standards and ratings
used by supervisors;
> plan, assign and review work; approve leave;
> give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both
work and administrative matters;
> identify developmental training needs of employees, providing
or arranging for needed development and training;
> find ways to improve productivity, promote team building, and
improve business practices
. Represented county on difficult unemployment appeals
. Lead investigation county discrimination claims: Both internal and
external ER, EEO, EEOC, DOL and other regulatory agency complaints.
Conducts effective investigations following investigatory guidelines:
intake, development of investigative plan, interviews, data analysis,
resolution, report writing and record keeping.
. Mediated employee relations concerns
. Lead Grievance hearing and appeal process
. Handled general employee relations inquiries, including but not
limited to wage verifications, FMLA qualification, and discrimination
issues
. Highly skilled trainer in employment law topics such as ADAA
accommodations, diversity, FMLA, Team Building, Management Skills -
Communication, Performance Evaluation, Progressive Discipline, etc.
. Recently assigned additional role of Civil Rights/EEO Officer:
oversees EEO plan development and compliance for the county; Federal
Grant qualification and compliance
Lead Civil Rights Investigator/Lead. Washington State Human Rights
Commission. Seattle, WA. 2005-February 2009
. Investigated, analyzed, concluded, and recommended EEOC discrimination
complaint findings to the Commissioners, as well as Washington State
Attorney General's Office. Heavy focus on mediation of civil
rights/employment claims
. Analyzed complex evidence and determined the legal validity of the
discrimination complaint
. Analyzed antidiscrimination policies and procedures for employers.
. Bargained/mediated settlements between parties
. Collaborated closely/mediated with unions
. Federal mediation and EEO trained
. Conducted statewide public and private civil rights trainings
. Managed EEO case distribution and oversaw less senior investigators
. Cross Group Collaboration:
- Partner with public entities, private employer human resources
departments, and complainants regarding policies and procedures, legal
burdens, and possible early dispute intervention and resolution
. Program Execution:
- Results Oriented: Excellent case production/investigation/closure of
complaints
Contract Counsel Sensitive Data Solutions Seattle, WA. 2006 -August
2008 (part-time)
. Drafted legal documents, including but not limited to non-compete
agreements, non-disclosure agreements, partnership in services
agreements, management agreements, memoranda, vendor agreements, for
software and services technology company
. Cooperated in the development of a business risk assessment enterprise
solution, incorporating legal risk analysis to the overall solution
. Developed positive relationships with external constituencies, including
key academics, legal professionals, industry leaders, customers, and
partners
Legal Intern. Kingman, Peabody, Pierson, & Fitzharris. Seattle, WA. 2002-
2005
. Researched, developed, and wrote legal documents, including but not
limited to interrogatories, summary judgment motions, motions to
reconsider, for a variety of firm clients; primary focus on insurance
defense and plaintiff eminent domain cases
. Action Oriented:
- Independent, Seized appropriate opportunities with initiative and
drive including but not limited to settlement conferences and trial
preparation
. Dealing with Ambiguity:
- Demonstrated exceptional ability to change direction in response to
unpredictable situations and clients
Secondary/High School Teacher/ Women's Basketball Coach/Coordinator
. Texas High Schools 1983-2001
.
. Coordinated/Managed women's basketball program, including budget, for
large school district - coordinated 5A high school and three
supporting middle school programs (total 23 teams with ten or more
players), providing scheduling of games, uniforms/supplies,
transportation, etc.
. Was the "Face" of the women's program, handling media, student issues
such as academic eligibility and NCAA recruiting; administration and
parent issues
EDUCATION
Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
Juris Doctor Degree conferred December 2004
Merit Scholarship
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Bachelor of Science in Education, 1982
Representative, Phi Epsilon Kappa Honor Society
Dean's List/Distinguished Student1980-82
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