Benefits Enrollment Process Improvement
Resume:
Tonia L. Simmons
District Heights MD ****
SUMMARY
DE Certified Federal HR Consultant with 19 years of experience delivering comprehensive staffing, benefits, and retirement support across multiple government agencies. Adept at guiding employees and managers through the complexities of federal benefits including FERS, CSRS, TSP, FEHB, and FEGLI and resolving retirement case issues. Proven ability to manage high-volume staffing actions while ensuring accurate retirement computations, benefits enrollment, and regulatory compliance using systems such as GRB, EOPF, and NFC Payroll. Recognized for process improvement, team leadership, and exceptional advisory services in mission- critical HR operations.
KEY SKILLS & SYSTEMS
• Federal HR Systems: Modern DCPDS, HR Connect, CHRIS, GRB Platform, EOPF, NFC Payroll, Resumix, USA Staffing, Monster, PAWS, PD Library, FasClass I & II
• Benefits & Retirement Tools: FEGLI Calculator (web-based), GRB for retirement processing, USA Staffing for benefits enrollment
• Core HR Functions: Staffing (DE/MP), Position Management, Classification, Retirement Counseling, Benefits Administration, Records Management
• Technical Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Business Objects, CareerConnector
• Leadership & Management: Team Supervision, Quality Control, Process Improvement, Performance Appraisals
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Business Management Associates (Client: Department of Energy (DOE), Washington, DC) DE Certified Senior HR Staffing Lead – Contractor
February 2023 – February 2025
• Key Responsibilities:
o Managed records team workload, tracking daily attendance and ensuring efficient operations during surge periods.
o Reviewed and updated position descriptions to reflect accurate supervisory ratios, career paths, and classification standards.
o Provided support for DOE's Pathways Program by preparing vacancy announcements and applying DE/MP procedures using Monster and USA Staffing.
• Benefits & Retirement Focus:
o Provided specialized retirement counseling and benefits support, advising federal employees on FERS/CSRS retirement options, TSP contributions, and FEGLI/FEHB enrollments. o Processed retirement packages using GRB and EOPF, ensuring accurate service computations, deposits/redeposits, and benefit adjustments.
o Collaborated with payroll and benefits teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues affecting employee retirement and benefit plans.
Business Management Associates (Client: Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration
DE Certified Senior Staffing Specialist – Short-Term Contractor April 2022 – February 2023
• Benefits & Retirement Coordination:
o Supported hiring processes with an emphasis on verifying eligibility requirements for benefits, including retirement options and veteran’s preference considerations. o Reviewed documentation to ensure smooth transitions and benefits enrollment upon hire.
• Staffing & Recruitment Duties:
o Prepared and reviewed vacancy announcements for competitive and excepted service positions, ensuring compliance with delegated examining and merit promotion procedures. o Managed applicant rating and selection certificate issuance while tracking progress in line with the 80-day hiring model.
Contractor – HR Consulting Firm (Client: Department of Commerce, Census Bureau) DE Certified Supervisory Human Resources Specialist – Staffing, & Benefits Support October 2018 – May 2020
• Benefits & Retirement Oversight:
o Advised senior management on complex HR matters with a special focus on benefits administration and retirement-related policies.
o Ensured that all benefits-related documentation for new hires and retirements (including FEGLI and FEHB enrollment) was complete and compliant.
• Staffing & Operational Leader:
o Led a team of 24 staffing professionals overseeing high-volume delegated examining and merit promotion initiatives.
o Conducted job analyses, facilitated onboarding processes, and provided quality control and performance feedback to ensure efficient HR operations. Business Management Associates (Client: Department of the Treasury – Bureau of the Fiscal Service) DE Certified Human Resources Specialist (Team Leader – Staffing & Benefits) May 2015 – September 2015
• Benefits & Retirement Contributions:
o Coordinated and quality control for accurate recording of benefits-related data to support retirement eligibility and pay-setting processes.
o Oversaw job analysis and certification processes that integrated benefits considerations for Title 5 positions.
• Quality and Process Management:
o Facilitated daily meetings to monitor vacancy status, track workforce metrics, and support timely job offer issuance.
Department of Energy – Contractor (Headquarters Human Resources Operation Division HC-32) DE Certified Senior Human Resources Consultant – Staffing, & Benefits July 2013 – May 2015
• Benefits & Retirement Support:
o Advised on retirement policies and benefits documentation as part of classification and staffing projects.
o Reviewed case files for retirement eligibility and ensured accurate application of veterans’ preference and benefits adjustments using the GRB system.
• Staffing & Compliance:
o Provided strategic guidance on merit promotion and delegated examining procedures. o Led quality and compliance reviews to validate that recruitment and classification practices adhered to OPM standards.
Department of Justice – Justice Management Division (OBD HR) DE Certified Human Resources Specialist, GS-201-14 April 2006 – June 2013
• Comprehensive Benefits & Retirement Counseling:
o Offered expert retirement benefits counseling, clarifying complex issues related to CSRS, CSRS Offset, and FERS programs.
o Supported employees in combining federal service credits from multiple programs to optimize retirement benefits.
• Staffing Advisory Responsibilities:
o Provided advisory services on job analysis, recruitment strategies, and selection procedures while ensuring adherence to federal regulations.
o Coordinated benefits enrollment and ensured the proper application of veterans’ preference during candidate evaluation.
EDUCATION
George Town School of Science and Art, Washington DC (1983) CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
• Delegated Examining Certification (OPM DEU)
• Veterans' Preference Adjudication Training
• HR Systems & Technology Training (various agency-led courses)
• Modern DCPDS Train-the-Trainer, HR Connect Training, USA Staffing Training, and additional specialized courses in classification, benefits, and project management.
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