Talent Coordinator Service Officer

Sara Stryker

Experienced HR Manager in Multicultural Environments

*********@*****.*** – 202-***-**** (through Sept. 17) *********@*****.*** – 301-***-****

GOAL: A second career in Human Resources to help companies attract and retain talent in a tight labor market, applying skills in recruitment, employee relations, communications, and organizational development

SKILLS: Internal communications, recruitment, employee relations, speechwriting, policy analysis, contract administration, communications campaign planning, government affairs campaign planning, management of social media channels, supervision of small teams (3 to 24 employees and contractors).

CURRENT POSITION

Senior Project Manager – Office of the Legal Adviser and Bureau of Legislative Affairs

Providing budget, human resources, logistics support to 470 employees of two Bureaus

U.S. Department of State - Washington, DC – September 2017 to Present

WORK EXPERIENCE

Foreign Service Officer – Management, Public Affairs, Government Relations

U.S. Department of State (DoS) - Washington, DC and overseas - October 1999 to Present

Employee relations, speechwriting, strategic communications, government affairs liaison, congressional hearing coordinator to advance agency objectives.

Directed operations of 3 public affairs sections at U.S. Embassies in East Africa, West Africa, and Central Asia, supervising staffs of 3 to 24.

Managed teams; recruited and counseled employees; oversaw space planning; assisted with compliance and workforce safety, managed contracts for construction and media services.

Led teams to manage social media channels, communicate U.S. policy and achievements in national security, education, and economic development, and advise senior officials on media strategy and internal communications. Was a strategic advisor to three Ambassadors and two Asst. Secretaries.

Managed contracts and grants in compliance with federal law and regulation to implement diplomacy and strengthen women's education and judicial reform for 18 months in Afghanistan.

IMPACT: My work implemented U.S. policy as I explained sensitive policy officials to C-suite officials, government officials, and publics, secured resources from Congress for State Department foreign assistance, and enabled the strategic management of talent. At each Embassy, my work strengthened bilateral relations in several countries and helped Ambassadors manage crises.

Foreign Service Officer (FSO) - Press and Cultural Officer

U.S. Information Agency (USIA) - Washington, DC and overseas

Advanced U.S. policy interests in India, China and Uganda as a Press and Cultural Officer (U.S. diplomat overseas) by explaining or clarifying U.S. foreign policy and values. Coordinated exchanges of students and experts to link with academic institutions and media and build client relationships to strengthen economic, commercial, scientific, and government to government ties. IMPACT: My work helped to build contacts with leaders in the judiciary, academia, media, and education for the Embassies and successor diplomats to tap to build the Embassy’s professional networks, persuading leaders to support or understand U.S. policy. These networks remained vital for at least 20 years. My job migrated from USIA to the DoS after a merger.

Planning and Contracts Officer

Olmsted County, MN - Rochester, MN

Managed 24 contracts for purchase of social services to benefit residents of Olmsted County. Staffed a community services advisory board which elicited input from advocates and service providers on projected needs for future services. Advised strategic planning committee as part of a 20-year visioning process to chart county wide priorities for infrastructure. IMPACT: My effective program management engaged diverse groups of stakeholders and elicited input to improve services and reduce duplication of services in a tri-county area.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees

University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS

Master's in National Security Strategy

Marine Corps University - Quantico, VA

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

SHRM-CP (in process, estimated completion – December, 2021)

Attorney (licensed in Minnesota, candidate for certificate in employment law, member of MSBA construction law and employment law sections)

Human Resources Hiring Official

August 2008 to August 2011 (central HR); January 2000-September 2021

Conducted structured interviews, qualifications reviews, suitability determinations and assisted with investigations to hire generalists and specialists from construction management to visa processing to meet agency workforce needs. Piloted a tool to recruit and hire term-limited consular specialists and recruited candidates for expeditionary roles. In my current role, I advise hiring managers on full employee life-cycle focusing on recruitment, employee relations, resilience and wellness, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

FAC-COR Level III (Contract Officer's Representative)

December 2014 to December 2016

Was a member of the federal acquisitions community as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Oversaw performance on construction and services awards (up to $8.6 million each), ensuring that vendors met their commitments. Level III CORs are often assigned to the most complex, mission critical contracts.

Contracting Officer's Warrant

July 2001 to August 2003

Warranted to commit the U.S. Government in the purchase of goods or services up to $250,000 per transaction. Managed purchase orders, requisitions, solicitations, and post-award contract management.

Grants Officer

April 2016 to April 2019

Managed federal assistance and performance of grantee organizations providing education and media training to Afghan students, teachers, and professionals (managed grants of $3 million per transaction).

PERSONAL

Originally from northeast Kansas; parent of three young professionals, all of whom were born in Kansas.

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