Talent Acquisition Specialist

Cassandra L. “Sandi” Stewart-Wagner, BS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

*******@*****.*** 304-***-****

Results driven recruiter with 20+ years of full life cycle recruiting for executive, IT, technical, DoD/DHS/Intel, healthcare, confidential/proprietary full-time, contract, and proposals positions in both the federal and commercial space. Knowledge of OFCCP requirements. Skilled in communication, analyzing staffing needs, and working throughout all levels of corporate on a consultive and partnership basis.

EXPERIENCE

Cognosante, Part of Accenture Federal Services November 2021 - Present

Falls Church, VA

Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist (Remote)

Highlights:

Recognition in September 2024 for proposal recruiting efforts resulting in the award of the highest valued government contract in company history, over $500M, for work with VA Healthcare.

Closely collaborates with business partners such as hiring managers, administration, and contract teams to construct a recruiting plan for staffing needs.

Leveraging AI and data driven systems to furnish business partners with metrics, market analysis, and other pertinent information to meeting hiring goals.

Recruiting for all levels of security clearances from Secret to TS/SCI FSP. Responsible for clearance verifications.

Recruiting for CONUS and OCONUS positions.

Trusted with recruitment of highly confidential and proprietary positions.

Extensive use of Workday, TalentNeuron, and hireEZ.

Duties:

Conduct intake calls with hiring managers to discuss position details including job duties, soft and hard skills needed, candidate requirements, pay range, and interview specifics.

Develop recruiting strategies including targeting job boards based on technical skills needed and security clearance requirements and posting accordingly.

Vet resumes and applications, contacting qualified candidates to confirm work location, pay requirement, and required qualifications.

Source active and passive candidates, monitoring response rates and changing messages as needed.

Conduct screening calls and verification of certifications and clearances.

Schedule interviews and hold follow-up discussions with hiring managers.

Negotiate pay rates, work hours and work locations.

Develop a directory of active and passive candidates for numerous roles from entry level to SME’s to meet immediate and future recruiting needs. Sourcing techniques included monitoring response rates, AI recruitment and message styling.

Research metrics for pay and potential candidate availability using TalentNeuron.

Led the recruiting efforts for the summer intern program and hired and then trained and mentored the new University Relations Recruiting Specialist.

Mentor program participant, mentoring two newly hired employees.

Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC January 2013 – October 2021

Fairmont, WV

Senior Recruiter January 2014 – October 2021

Duties:

Developed and executed recruiting plans, based on needs for current contracts and proposals, for employees in the West Virginia and Maryland offices, and remote employees across the United States. Recruited for all types of positions with the majority being healthcare professionals.

Created and maintained Affirmative Action Plans and developed and presented solutions for deficiencies.

Conferred with hiring managers and created a recruiting and interviewing plan for each open position.

Created requisitions and job postings.

Posted job openings to external and internal company websites and sent a global email to employees, posted with professional organizations, to State and Veteran websites, to minority websites, to appropriate job boards, and on social media.

Developed a bench of qualified candidates in advance of need.

Built networks to find qualified passive candidates and minority candidates.

Searched job boards for candidates.

Researched and recommended new sources for active and passive candidate recruiting.

Negotiated contract terms and services with internet recruiting sites and job boards.

Maintained regular contact with probable future candidates.

Vetted resumes to determine qualifications in regard to position applied to and determine if applicant should be screened and/or resume sent to hiring manager(s) for review.

Screened candidates and provided feedback and/or made recommendations to hiring manager(s).

Created and executed employment and contingent employment offer letters and sent to candidates along with required forms.

Conducted background checks and references.

Conducted regular follow-up with managers to determine the effectiveness of recruiting plans and implementation.

Created position descriptions.

Onboarded new hires, including completion of I-9’s, review of benefits, overview of policies, and time keeping.

Tracked employee referrals and bonus payments.

Assisted employees with benefits questions as needed.

Associate Human Resources Generalist January 2013 - January 2014 Duties:

Performed recruitment activities including candidate sourcing, pre-screens, interviews, reference checking, and evaluation of candidates for select positions.

Attracted applicants by placing job advertisements, contacting recruiters, using newsgroups and job sites. Built applicant sources by researching and contacting community services, colleges, employment agencies, recruiters, media, and internet sites; providing organization information, opportunities, and benefits; making presentations; maintaining rapport.

Conducted new-employee orientations to ensure employees understanding of HMS policies, processes, and benefit plans.

Administered various human resources policies, plans, and procedures for all company personnel. Assisted in development, implementation, and maintenance of personnel policies and procedures.

Maintained accurate records and complied with federal and state regulations.

Participated in developing department goals, objectives, and systems.

Worked on special projects as assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Kelly Services, Inc. Senior Staffing Supervisor

EDUCATION

Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV

BS, Business Administration

CERTIFICATION

SPHR – Senior Professional in Human Resources certification

SHRM-SCP – Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional

TRAINING

FAM – Federal Acquisition Management, graduating first in my class.

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