Manager Human Resources

Belinda L. Feris

P.O. Box ***, Sharon Springs, NY 13459

H: 518-***-**** E-mail: blferis @ netzero.net

Objective: A position utilizing my Human Resources experience in Management, Labor

Relations, Staffing, Training, Benefits/Compensation, Organizational Development,

Diversity Initiatives and Safety.

Education: Pepperdine University- MA Psychology – Psi Chi National Honor Society

William Paterson University – BA Psychology – Equal Opportunity Fund Academic

Achievement Award

Columbia University, Teachers College – English as a Second Language Instructor

Program

Highlights of Qualifications:

Effectively communicates/works with employees/unions in multi-level/multi-cultural

settings.

Experienced in strategic planning; survey assessments; initiative development &

implementation.

Knowledge/compliant with current labor law and regulatory requirements including

FMLA; ADA;

OSHA, EEO/AA

Experienced in developing/teaching organization driven curriculums & trainings for all

levels of staff

Experienced in new policy development/policy reviews; compliance;

handbooks/supervisor manuals;

Experienced in skills assessment; succession planning

Fluent and Literate in Spanish; intermediate skills in French.

Employment History

10/07 - 5/11 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Services, 920 Lark Drive, Albany NY

Human Resources Director community based Health Center with 200 employees and 6

off sites. Responsible for HR Generalist, Credentialing Specialist/HRIS Coordinator and

oversaw facilities through April of 2010; interface with SEIU 1199 including

mediation/arbitration and contract negotiation/ratification; compliance to Federal, State,

grant requirements; employee relations/investigations; recruitment/orientation/on

boarding/terminations; unemployment hearings; benefits/health inurance/pension (401(k,

403(b), 457), COBRA, FMLA/LOA/STD & LTD, WC, UI & hearings.

Accomplishments include: updated/wrote policies for HR, Safety, Environment of Care

(Facilities) to comply NYSDOH standards; updated/revised and completed Employee

handbook; streamlined new hire orientation/benefit enrollment process; brought to

satisfactory conclusion and closing of grievances filed for arbitration in early 2007 and in

2008; successful in dismissing two separate Division of Human Rights charges against

the Center; won Unemployment Claim Matter filed in the Appellate Division of the NYS

Supreme Court; successfully negotiated the SEIU1199 CBA Agreement for years 2010-

2012; transitioned Center to new broker of record - 2010; developed/presented manager

trainings on “Effective Interviewing”, “Behavior Based Interviewing”; “Conflict

Resolution”; Sexual Harassment/No Harassment training; no citations/recommendations

for HR, Credentialing and Facilites (including Safety & MSDS) in unannounced

NYSDOH audit (3/10); no citations/recommendations in NYS AIDS Institute grant audit

for HR (11/10); no citations/recommendations for HR - Federal Technical Assistance

HRSA Audit (2/24/11); no citations annual audit for Board (BKD auditors) for HR

practices/ grievances/pension (3/11); 5% turnover reduction in 3 yrs (19% currently);

reduced WC claims costs-Safety Group premium reimbursement past 2 consecutive yrs;

reduced EAP cost & implemented a more robust EAP program (1/09); reduced ADD &

& Long Term Insurance rates (1/09); complete redo of Performance Evaluation Tool to

include P&P (1/2011). Member: Performance Improvement Committee; Safety

committee; Regulatory Compliance; Mgmt Lead for SEIU1199 Mgmt-Labor Training

and Labor-Management Committees.

7/06-9/07 Wal-Mart Corp, Logistics Division #6096 Distribution Center, Johnstown,

NY

Human Resources Office Manager for distribution center employing 850+ associates

on a 24/7 operation. Responsible for 5 support staff and general responsibilities

including compliance, orientation, benefits/open enrollments; I-9/EEO records; new

policy formulation/implementation; 30/60/90 day employee face to face; daily safety

walk through; all translations into Spanish; prepared/organized the employee/family

activities. Accomplishments include: Proposed/outlined/organized a management

training on “Diversity and the Changing Workforce” with Ms. Anne Pope of the African

American Institute (SUNY-Albany); streamlined benefits communication/follow up for

new hires; audited and corrected/prepared HR department for Corporate Compliance

Review (scored 100%); at Manager's request, created standards based Associate of the

Month recognition program.

7/00-6/06 New York City Teaching Fellow (First Cohort) – Office of the Chancellor

Teaching Fellow selected from private sector to teach in underperforming South Bronx

public school. Taught Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts/English as a Second

Language; taught 3rd & 4th grades. Accomplishments include: Consistent “Satisfactory”

rating for formal and unannounced observations; passed all NYS

tests/requirements/practicum upon first submission/sitting; proposed/organized/received a

grant for an after school French club.

12/98-8/00 S. Goldberg & Co., Inc. Hackensack, New Jersey

Human Resources Director in a manufacturing setting employing 500 employees in 17

departments working 2 shifts. Performed all generalist responsibilities; hiring/ad

composing/advertising; employee relations/investigations; benefits; payroll;

WC/STD/LTD; FMLA & LOA; employee recognition; English/Spanish translations.

Accomplishments include: complete rewrite of personnel policies; compliance of

medical plan to include summary plan description; benefit analysis and transition to new

health insurance carrier; established grant paid Vocational English as a Second Language

classes for employees through Governor’s office; streamlined seasonal unemployment

process and reduced charges.

11/96-12/98 Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (SUNY), New York City

Director of Personnel/Affirmative Action Officer reporting to the General Counsel in

an academic setting supervising 8 staff providing support services to 1500 academic,

exempt and non-exempt staff. Responsible for staffing; employee

relations/investigations; terminations; unemployment claims; benefits. Interfaced with

United Federation of Teachers (UFT) (1100 members) for grievances, contract

clarifications/collective bargaining preparation for the General Counsel and Public

Employee Relations Board. Engaged in matters with the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission; NYS and NY City Divisions of Human Rights. Accomplishments include:

reorganization of department to address best practices; update/rewrite Sexual

Harassment, Diversity, and Affirmative Action policies/procedures; brought in 3 new

retirement carriers; presented to academic chairs and department staff on best hiring

practice guidelines & protocols for candidate selection; prepared department for Federal

Audit under Title VII - no citations.

9/94-6/96 William Paterson University of New Jersey, Wayne, New Jersey

Human Resources Director in an academic setting supervising 9 providing support

services to1200 academic, exempt, and non-exempt employees. Designated Hearing

Officer interfacing with 3 unions (PBA, CWA, IFPTE) and the Civil Service compliance

Officer to the state. Accomplishments include:

Initiated/developed/taught supervisory training program for Maintenance Department;

updated/taught Worker Compensation reporting/paperwork protocol which improved

timely reporting and informationgathering; developed/presented diversity curriculums

specific to the needs of the Maintenance and Campus Police Departments; appointed to

President’s University Diversity Committee – Developed & wrote institution diversity

initiative plan; initiated/coordinated a Vocational English as a Second Language program

for the Maintenance Department using University resources; streamlined new hire

process; achieved 50% attendance improvement to benefit information sessions; wrote

policies/procedures and coordinated the addition of 5 new retirement carriers; reduced the

number of Step II grievances.

7/90-9/94 Columbia County ARC, Mellenville, New York

Human Resources Director in a not-for-profit multi-site (5) setting supervising 3 staff

and 1 trainer serving 375 employees, 75 consultants, and a 24/5 plastic injection molding

operation. Responsible for all generalist duties; employee relations/investigations; state

and federal compliances/audits; safety training including LOCKOUT/TAGOUT, MSDS,

confined space and OSHA; benefits/disability/Worker Compensation/LTD.

Accomplishments include: Formulated/implemented Affirmative Action plan;

established EAP program at no cost to agency; re-established/chaired Health & Safety

Committee; no citations received for 2 of 2 Federal OSHA surveys; established self-

funded vision and dental plans; established “Middle Managers’ group to identify

training/program managerial needs and succession planning; developed and taught:

“Cultural Diversity”, “Family Medical Leave Act for Managers & Supervisors”, “The

Legal Aspects of Interviewing, Hiring and Firing.” Defeated NYS Aids discrimination

complaint; successful against CSEA organizing attempt; no personnel file audit

exceptions at State and Federal levels for both announced and unannounced visits1991-

1994; developed/wrote Agency Volunteer Orientation Manual; updated/rewrote

Supervisor manual.

3/87-6/90 BRIDGES, Pomona California

Regional Director of multi-site 24/7 residential treatment programs serving chronically

mentally ill adults (21+) and chronically mentally ill homeless young adults (18-21 years

of age). Supervised 5 Residence Managers and 35 staff. Responsible for all staffing,

training, Federal, State, and L.A. County compliance, site safety audits and yearly

licensing review.

3/87-11/88 Program Manager responsible for all staffing, training, regulatory

compliance program activities, resident health and safety, advocacy, and case

management for adult transitional residential home located in the high desert.

5/84-1/86 Independent Living Center, Lancaster, California

Director of Services responsible to provide advocacy, transportation, information &

referral, housing resources and independent living skills to 300 + disabled individuals to

include deaf, hearing impaired and dually diagnosed. Supervised 5 staff, transportation

and deaf interpretor service. Designated EEO officer for the organization.

Accomplishments include: first Center to attain national accreditation under CARF

standards; no citations re: Title VII Federal audit; developed/taught HIV/AIDS

curriculum agency wide; established first social club for the disabled in the Mojave

Desert; organized various workshops/trainings for community social services

professionals on such topics as Sexual Abuse, clinical issues surrounding case

management of the Mentally Ill Chemically Addicted (MICA) population.

Professional Awards/Recognitions

State of New Jersey Economic Opportunity Fund Alumni Award – 1997

Recognition Award – William Paterson University Organization of Latin American

Students – 1997

Columbia–Greene Community College – Chairperson to President’s Multi-Cultural

Advisory Committee

The Philmont Hearth (Residence program serving mentally ill adults) Board Member

(9/92 – 8/94)

SHRM

Dear Professional,

I am submitting my resume for consideration as a candidate regarding the Human

Resources/Safety Manager positon. The areas of responsibilities outlined in your job

description align with my experience in business and public sector settings. I have

interfaced with the following unions throughout my career: SEIU 1199; PBA; CWA;

IFPTE; CSEA; UFT of FIT; Teamsters; AFL-CIO and am well versed in addressing

organization and manager training needs regarding contract management and compliance.

I am experienced in all the general responsibilities of HR to include payroll interface,

compensation, collective bargaining agreements/payroll follow up, related

pension/benefits administration/enrollments and deductions. Additional benefits

experience includes claims analysis/cost management/requests for new proposals, policy

formulations/re-writes and benefit carrier interface. My labor relations experience

includes grievances management from first step through arbitration; successful reduction

of second step hearings through conflict resolution/mediation and arbitration and fact

gathering. I have also developed and presented supervisor focused training on preventing

union organization within the workplace setting. I am an experienced Hearing Officer for

labor relations/hearings and Affirmative Action Officer responsible for allegation

investigations/resolutions and legal follow up when necessary. My compliance

experience includes EEO/AA policy creation/implementation/compliance, OSHA 200

logs, Return to Work follow up and Sexual/No Harassment training in addition to

requirements for Human Resources policies and procedures and practices. Inclusive of

my HR manufacturing experience at the following three companies, I have strong

safety/OSHA experience garnered in California when I was the HR Manager at MGF

Industries (4 years)(100 employee( 24/7) wire processing plant) and Superior Industries

(1.5 years)(5,000 employee (24/7) automotive OEM & after market products with plants

in Puerto Rico and Canada) and at the ARC in Columbia County, NY where I received

zero citations in two separate OSHA audits of the Workshop(assembly/packaging 1/5)

and injection molding department (24/5). At M.G.F. Industries, I wrote a Wire

Processing Trainee manual and the Instructor manual which included a comprehensive

assessment of learned skills as part of the probationary evaluation and thus provided a

clear, unbiased standard of learning and performance. I was the Safety Manager there and

reduced the number of WC accidents in every year of the four I worked there.

I am strongly committed to developing and improving staff and employee skills and have

done so wherever I have worked. I teach best practices to managers/supervisory staff in

the areas of Diversity, interviewing, employee performance assessment/writing corrective

plans of action and termination, conflict resolution. I am sensitive to budgetary

constraints when implementing initiatives and always look to maximize what we can do

as an organization without compromising quality of instruction/presentation. I work

behind the scenes to speak/coach Supervisors and Managers on employee concerns/issues

so that they can resolve these matters effectively and timely. I share my knowledge and

strive to continuously develop staff skillsets. I am confidential, team oriented and lead by

example and consistently treat all employees and the public at large in a fair, non-

judgmental and professional manner.

I am a pro-active professional seeking a position within a work setting that is stable and

provides continued opportunity for challenges and growth.. At this time, I am seeking

employment due to a very recent leadership/CEO change at Whitney and no longer

employed with them. The first reference below, James Sinkoff, is the former Whitney

CEO who hired me, and can speak to my work. Thank you for reviewing my resume. I

am available for interview at your convenience and can relocate. Listed below are my

references.

Very truly yours,

Belinda L. Feris

Professional References

Mr. James Sinkoff, CFO& ED., Health Information Technology for Community Health

was my direct supervisor at Whitney. M. Young in his former position as CEO. He may

be reached at the following numbers:

914-***-**** (office) 914-***-**** (cell)

Mr. Carlos Ortiz, former Director of Albany Medical Practice, Environment of Care and

School Based Programs as of 3/18/11. Assumed Practice Manager position also with

Community Health (see above). I worked with him on HR/Worker’s Comp/Safety and

Union matters. He may be reached at:

914-***-**** (office) 518-***-**** (cell)

Mr. Bryan Goldberger, Esquire is the labor attorney I worked with regarding SEIU 1199

matters, inclusive of grievances, arbitration preparation/settlements and all matters

related to Labor Management. He may be reached at the following numbers:

518-***-**** (cell) 518-***-**** (office)

Contact this candidate