Human Resources Talent Acquisition

Dwight L. Baker, DBA, DEIB, IPMA-SCP, sHRBP

********@*****.*** · 770-***-**** · http://www.linkedin.com/in/dwightbaker1911

Senior Human Resources Professional

Experienced Senior Human Resources Professional with 28 years of success executing multifaceted strategic programs to optimize human capital resources and align capabilities with organizational objectives. Extensive background in robust training, team building, change management, and regulatory compliance. Recognized for cultivating a cohesive and inclusive work environment, enhancing efficiency, reducing attrition, and increasing tenure in critical positions.

Core Competencies

Workforce/Succession Planning

Change Management

Budgetary Oversight

Strategic Planning

Payroll/Benefits

Employee Relations

Recruitment/Retention Programs

Risk Management

Conflict/Issue Resolution

Compensation Administration

Training /Development

HR Policy Administration

Professional Experience

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, College Park, GA

Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, July 2022 to February 2024

Total FTEs: 400 employees

Directed all citywide human resources and risk management programs, evaluating organizational needs to implement programs to attract critical hires and retain tenured staff.

Key Contributions

As designated by the Chief Administrative Officer, oversaw labor relations investigations, negotiated contracts, and interpreted contractual requirements.

Strategically partnered with the City's management team to develop, implement, and administer HR systems, strategic talent acquisition, and workforce planning.

Accomplishments:

Successfully onboarded 85 new employees, incorporating external hires and internal promotions/transfers, including critical positions: City Manager, Public Works Director, City Engineering, Chief Building Official, and Director of Airport and Governmental Affairs. Attended conferences and various job fairs, expanding our network and strengthening relationships with potential candidates.

Conducted a study recommending the Move toward Market (3 Tier) Tenure approach, ensuring fair salary adjustments for all employees from a 3% adjustment to their current salary up to a maximum of 26%.

Successfully implemented a new policy and recruited committee members for the Accident Review Board. Became a Certified Drug-Free Workplace to ensure our commitment to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment within the workplace. Initiated and worked on an ongoing Emergency Action Plan for City Hall, ensuring the safety of employees in critical situations.

Conducted Annual Anti-Harassment/Anti-Discrimination Training for all employees through Trident University Online Training. Participated in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) training sessions to create a more inclusive workplace and completed Defensive & Distracter Driving training, enhancing overall safety awareness for all City employees.

Successfully reduced property/casualty claims citywide by 70%, demonstrating effective risk management. The positive trend is evident, with a significant decrease in claims and associated costs compared to the previous year.

Achieved a notable reduction of 4 claims year-to-date, showcasing a proactive approach to employee well-being. However, there was an increase in the dollar amount of $14,000, indicating a potential need for further analysis or targeted interventions to address the financial aspect of workers' compensation claims.

With the carrier change to AETNA, the City received premium reductions in all benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life, with 62% employee participation. Co-pays for Medical and Pharmacy were lowered for City-insured employees and their families.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO), Atlanta, Georgia

Senior Human Capital Specialist (Compensation), August 2021 to May 2022

Total FTEs: 3,400 employees

Contributed to the overall success of the Performance and Compensation Specialist (PCMC) team by supporting the development, delivery, and execution of compensation programs while ensuring compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures.

Key Contributions:

Led and proactively developed innovative solutions to address problems in GAO’s Pay Administration program that would enhance work quality processes or otherwise offer significant improvements.

Managed 3Rs (Recruitment, Relocation, Retention) program, facilitated annual 3R’s review, and kept tracking spreadsheet

Led Annual Adjustment, Performance-Based Compensation and conducted pay calculations (e.g., Reservist Differential, Comp Time for Travel) and updated locality salary tables, pay calculators, memos, notices, tools, and resources.

Led the development of establishing base pay plus locality for GAO employees, developed a project plan, and implemented ongoing scheduling throughout the year to evaluate the impact of proposed solutions.

Learned and integrated knowledge of compensation strategies into long-term planning to identify potential challenges and limitations and viable approaches for addressing the agency's needs.

Provided policy guidance and technical assistance to employees, managers, and supervisors on Pay Administration for all GAO employees.

Prepared briefings to GAO management and other stakeholders explaining GAO’s Pay Administration process. Identified trends and provided a critical analysis of pressing issues. Made required policy recommendations to inform decisions regarding GAO's compensation program's design, development, and evaluation.

Represented the HCO in dealings with labor unions in consultation and collective bargaining situations concerning compensation programs.

Identified compensation best practices and devised outreach, monitoring, and oversight programs.

CITY OF COLLEGE PARK, College Park, GA

Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, December 2020 to July 2021

Total FTEs: 400 employees

Directed citywide human resources and risk management programs, evaluating organizational needs to implement programs to attract critical hires and retain tenured staff.

Key Contributions:

As designated by the Chief Administrative Officer, oversaw labor relations investigations, negotiated contracts, and interpreted contractual requirements.

Strategically partnered with the City's management team to develop, implement, and administer HR systems, strategic talent acquisition, and workforce planning.

Accomplishments:

Maintained a safe and healthy workplace. As a result, a COVID-19 Policy with guidelines and protocols was created.

Presented the “Spring into Motion” Fitness Challenge sponsored by Kaiser Permanente to encourage employees to get outside and move.

Received approval of a professional services agreement with NFP to provide Broker Services for employee health benefits and workers’ compensation service - new Humana medical plans pay period deduction presents savings to employees over the last Kaiser pay period deductions.

Provided Customer Service Training facilitated by Chick-fil-A.

Preserved the Culture of Integrity; an Employee Ethics Hotline was implemented to promote an ethical culture by offering employees a convenient, anonymous way to report wrongdoing and “SPEAK UP”!

Modernized the Recruitment and Selection processes, enabling the City to use best practices in selecting and hiring the future workforce through the NEOGOV Applicant Tracking System.

Reintroduced the Introduction of New Employees presentation at the City Council Meeting.

Longevity Pay Increase for Police Department/ 2nd Half of Suppression Pay for Police Department.

Increased Minimum Hourly Rate to $15.00 per hour.

Pay Equity Adjustment for Public Works employees.

Received approval of the proposed agreement for a forensic audit of the City’s Payroll Processes.

Filled two critical positions: Public Works Director & Director of Human Resources Management & Risk Management.

CITY OF ALBANY, Albany, GA

Director of Human Resources, September 2016 – December 2020

Total FTEs: 1,500 employees

Developed initiatives to streamline human capital and resource management. Established congruence between capabilities and organizational needs for a diversified workforce to achieve overall workforce goals.

Key Contributions:

Piloted Human Resources Programs citywide, reviewing workforce needs, developing succession planning initiatives, implementing performance metrics, and regulating benefits administration.

Provided comprehensive mentoring, enhancing proficiencies and leadership abilities across all departments. Developed and implemented key initiatives, strategic tasks, new programs, and projects that ensure alignment with desired outcomes.

Served as an integral member of the City's Leadership team, exercising full operational oversight, budget administration, and program planning for all HR programs. Collaborated with Appointed Officials and Leadership team guiding HR change management strategies.

Accomplishments:

Recipient of the United Way Southwest Georgia 2017 Awards for Agency Increased Giving and Campaign Rejuvenation Award.

Developed a Citywide Pay for Performance Plan.

Established guidelines for the operation and administration of the Apprentice Lineworker Training Program.

Revised HR policies and procedures manual. Reviewed existing policies and procedures for substantive changes.

Developed a Citywide Internship Program.

Implemented Albany Works! Initiative with Community partners. Employed 2 Albany Works! Program participants in the Office of Human Resources to teach the participants soft skills required for employment.

Formed a successful partnership with Paxen Learning Service SWGA, a program of Eckerd Kids preparing at-risk youth and out-of-work adults with academic and workforce skills.

Provided Citywide Employee Professional Development training on Customer Service & Sexual Harassment Awareness.

Completed Benefits Open Enrollment with the successful participation of 749 employees.

Enhanced employee benefits offerings should include a buy-up dental plan and AFLAC supplemental benefits.

Administered 101 Flu Shots to employees, dependents, and retirees in partnership with the Dougherty County Health Department.

Hosted an Employee Pre-Retirement Seminar with GEBCorp to prepare employees for retirement.

Additional Experiences

Senior Human Resources Consultant (Contractor), Robert Half Management Resources, Atlanta, GA

Senior Human Resources Consultant, HR Services, Atlanta, GA

Senior Manager/Director of Human Resources, University System of Georgia - System Office, Atlanta, GA

Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, Macon-Bibb County Government, Macon, GA

Director of Human Resources, Superior Courts of Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Council (PAC), Atlanta, GA

Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, City of College Park, College Park, GA

Education

Doctor of Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Capella University

Dissertation Title: “Exploring and Describing the Factors that Influence Emergency Department Nurse Retention”

Master of Science, Human Resource Management, Capella University

Bachelor of Science, Management & Human Resources, Morris Brown College

Conference Presentation

Baker, Dwight L. (2018, April). Exploring and Describing the Factors that Influence Emergency Department Nurse Retention. Paper presented at the 2018 North American Management Society Conference. Chicago, IL.

Specialized Certifications & Industry Recognized Certificates

IPMA-SCP (Public Sector Senior HR Certified Professional) Designation by Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA)

sHRBP (Certified Strategic Human Resources Business Partner) Designation by Human Capital Institute (HCI)

(DE&I) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certification Program through Georgia Municipal Association (GMA)

2024 Public Sector HR Executive Leadership Certificate Program through PSHRA

Webinar: 2024 Trends in Public Sector Human Resources Certificate through PSHRA

Professional Affiliations

Member, Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society for Business

Member, ForbesBLK

Member, National DBA Society

Member, Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA)

Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Member, International City/County Management Association (ICMA)

Member, Georgia Local Government Personnel Association (GLGPA)

Member, Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) – National & Georgia Chapter

Member, Morris Brown College National Alumni Association & DeKalb County Alumni Association for Morris Brown College; Elections Committee Chairperson

Life Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated

Technical Proficiencies

HRIS/ERP Systems: ADP EV5, ADP Workforce Now, New World, MUNIS, Oracle Enterprise, PeopleSoft, PeopleClick, PeopleAdmin, Oracle HRMS, Taleo, Workday, NEOGOV, BANNER SCT

Other Software & Tools: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft SharePoint, ADP ReportSmith, LOGOS.net, HireTouch, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, 1st Class, Nolij, Kronos

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