ROBERT VARGAS
**** **** *** ** #** Hickory , NC 28601 Home: 828-***-**** Cell: 703-***-**** ********@***.***
SENIOR RECRUITING PROFESSIONAL
Lowering Cost per Hire Improving Retention Developing Employees
Highly accomplished HR and Recruiting professional seeks my next challenge. Expert in recruiting strategies, consistently reduced cost per hire as much as 58%. Particular expertise in acquisition and retention of Intelligence, IT and “military” professionals with high-security clearances. Skilled in finding employees at all levels, from administrative to executive management to software testers to EP3 pilots. Superb proven record at filling ANY company needs and save $$$$ as well. Experienced in developing innovative, high-impact employee development and retention programs, which have reduced turnover . Extremely strong interpersonal skills, proven success in sales and business development roles. Comfortable in high-volume, fast paced environment with aggressive deadlines. Skilled at developing strategic partnering relationships with business leaders. Offers “OUT OF THE BOX” thinking.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Kingfisher Systems Inc , Falls Church,Va August 1, 2011 - present
Senior Technical virtual Recruiter / Cleared Specialist
Technical recruiting for Cleared positions (including LS Poly)
Support all Depts. including IT in both proposals and contracts
Respond to all cleared and not cleared requisitions
Support all job fair, trade shows, and military base visits
Utilize my current and my past “ PIPELINES” to create sources and obtain cleared referrals
Develop format for “back door” recruitment systems
Develop and use networking in finding military candidates
Develop and implement recruitment plans for various projects, Sow’s and geographical areas ( both CONUS and OCONUS )
Work closely with Program managers as well as capture managers for both pricing and sourcing
Search for candidate’s resumes and attained Letters of Intent (LOI) for various Intel proposals and task orders.
Develop & cultivated my recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances.
AECOM, Springfield, VA March, 2009- August 1, 2011
Senior Technical Recruiter / Business Development Dept.
$89K Base and Bonus
• Responsible for the full life-cycle recruitment of scientific, military, and IT professionals (all in “Cleared Space”).
• Target key positions required on proposals and focus on finding new sources. Create and maintain growing pipeline of such resumes for use on future proposals..
• Attended various job fairs/and tradeshows to secure new accounts..( such as MOAA in DC and ACAP on FT Bragg )
• Work on Intel and Language Proposals and support operations when needed... Developed out of the box sources and develop relations with military transition offices.
• Acted as problem solver for Recruitment Dept ,participating in negotiation to closing process with candidates on an as needed basis, thus maximizing offer acceptances ( in many cases bringing back lost candidates from competition )
• Expert in Internet recruiting identified passive candidates and produced new source of quality candidates.
• Cultivated recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances during their "terminal leave" period.
• Source and deliver candidates as well as referrals for future and current requisitions and proposals...
• Develop and implement recruitment plans for various projects, Sow’s and geographical areas
• Contact candidates via internal database, networking groups, employee referrals and develop long term sources...
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SBI Technologies Inc, Springfield, VA Feb 2008 to March 2009
Senior Technical Recruiter / Virtual
Aggressively recruited to help SBI acquire quality technical cleared candidates and develop referral pipelines for the intelligence community. Additionally responsible for developing and implementing best practices for Internet recruiting and devising innovative strategies to reduce the time in searches Also source and pre-screen corporate internal positions.
• Responsible for the full life-cycle recruitment of Intelligence, scientific, military, and IT professionals.
• Primarily Hired candidates for Top Secret, TS/SCI, and Polygraph Cleared positions
• Sourced candidates via internal database, networking groups, employee referrals and online job sites.
• Worked closely with Director of National Security Programs to improve search and screening process...
• Search for candidate’s resumes and attained Letters of Intent (LOI) for various Intel proposals and task orders. ( many with short deadlines )
• Selected and researched Internet sites with strongest cleared databases and rotated usage... Significantly improved flow of candidates.
• Conduct telephone interviews to Prescreen potential candidates, Evaluate their Skills, Tech-Screen them, and set interviews.
Adecco USA March 31, 2005- Sept 2007
Senior Technical Recruiter / Cleared Space
$65K Base and Commission
• Responsible for the full life-cycle recruitment of scientific, military, and IT professionals (all in “Cleared Space”).
• Attended various job fairs/and tradeshows to secure new accounts...
• Reduced recruiting expenses by targeting new sources. Developed relations with military transition offices.
• Expert in Internet recruiting identified passive candidates and produced new source of quality candidates.
• Cultivated recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances during their "terminal leave" period.
• Demonstrated ability to staff on short notice, handling multiple events with strict deadlines.
• Source and deliver candidates for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller startup companies.
• Expert in sourcing and developing pipeline of cleared space candidates and referrals.
Kelly FedSecure January 12, 2004- March 2005
Senior Technical Recruiter /Cleared Space
$65K Base and Commission
• Responsible for the full life-cycle recruitment of scientific, military, and IT professionals (all in “Cleared Space”).
• Priced high-volume staffing proposals often within 24 hours of receipt.
• Attended various job fairs/open houses market Fed Secure.
• Excellent at customer retention and expansion
• Expert in Internet recruiting identified passive candidates and produced new source of quality candidates.
• Develop and implement recruitment plans for various projects, SOW’s and geographical areas
• Cultivated recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances during their "terminal leave" period.
• Source and deliver candidates for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller startup companies.
• Expert in sourcing and developing pipeline of cleared space candidates and referrals.
Innovative Employee Solutions (ACS/Lockheed Martin) September 2003- Nov 2003
Senior Contract Recruiter / ACS Defense-
$34.50 Hour
Technical recruiting for lifestyle poly cleared
Support NSA accounts and hiring managers with ample cleared recruits
Respond to all CI and lifestyle poly requisitions
Support all job fair, trade shows, and military base visits
Utilize Recruit Max database and “scrub” all NSA reqs
Develop format for “back door” recruitment system
Develop and use networking in finding military candidates
Develop and implement recruitment plans for various projects, Sow’s and geographical areas
VistaRMS Inc, Herndon VA Sept 2002 to Jan 2003
Director, Security Recruitment
$62k Salary
Developed & cultivated my recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances. Utilize various recruitment strategies to deliver low cost and long term results. Participate in marketing activities, including sales presentations at client sites. Develop new arenas for Sales to pursue. (Re: port & airport security) Provide recruitment on specific requisitions that assigned sales and recruiting staff could not fill. As a non-assigned, floating recruiter I worked on highly –visibility technical accounts. (Including executive retirement)
Emergent Information Technologies, Vienna, VA Dec 2000 to Jan 2002
Director, Recruitment & Training
$82k base and 20% bonus
Responsible for full life cycle of technical recruitment from point of candidate identification to hire. Specialized in full range of IT professionals and variety of government positions. Faced difficult recruiting challenges as all candidates required to have high-level security clearance.
• Managed department budget of $800,000.
• Hired 150 people per year, reaching 150% of goals.
• Reduced annual fees by $1.35 million by eliminating all agencies in first 2 months.
• Reduced relocation costs 60% by targeting new demographic groups.
• Slashed recruitment budget by $200,000 dollars by evaluating effectiveness of recruiting sources.
• Cut cost per hire 58% to $4,100 from $9,800.
• Responded to all Statements of Work from eight geographic locations for resume input.
• Developed standard format for acquiring resumes and consistently met tight deadlines.
• Trained staff to use Internet to find passive candidates, develop networks, and create new sources for candidates.
• Managed all job fairs, tradeshows, college recruiting, military base visits, and employee referral programs.
TRW Systems & Information Technology Group, Fairfax, VA Jan 2000 to Dec 2000
Senior Technical Recruiter
$62,300 base and sign on bonus
Aggressively recruited to help TRW acquire quality technical talent. Additionally responsible for developing and implementing best practices for Internet recruiting and devising innovative strategies to reduce cost per hire.
• Responsible for the full life-cycle recruitment of scientific, military, and IT professionals.
• Worked closely with each manager/director to improve processing and approval times for candidates.
• Selected Internet sites with strongest ROI and managed job postings. Significantly improved flow of candidates.
• Attended various job fairs/open houses both internal and external to TRW.
• Utilized Restrac, Crystal Reports, and Peoplesoft systems to manage applicant progress and resume tracking.
Jun 1998 to Jun 2000 AdeccoTad Technical, Sterling, VA
Regional Technical Recruiter
$48k and commission
Responsible for recruiting all IT, executive, and senior level managers for contract and full-time employment.
Managed staff of 6. Worked with business managers to develop and execute short and long-term strategic staffing plans.
• Consistently achieved 150% of goals.
• Excellent at customer retention and expansion, managed 70+ clients.
• Reduced recruiting expenses by targeting new sources. Developed relations with military transition offices.
• Personally logged sales of $1.5 million, including over $350,000 from new accounts.
• Expert in Internet recruiting identified passive candidates and produced new source of quality candidates.
• Developed and implemented recruitment plans for various geographical areas including development of all direct recruiting, headhunting, referrals, events, and advertising programs.
• Cultivated recruitment niche for finding military candidates with Top Secret clearances during their "terminal leave" period.
• Priced high-volume staffing proposals often within 24 hours of receipt.
• Sourced and delivered candidates for largest Y2K project in the United States.
• Identified as Top Recruiter for 2 years.
Atlantic Valet, Washington DC Oct 1997 to Jun 1998
Director of Recruitment
$75k base and company car
Contracted valet service for high-end events
Provide contracted valet staff for high-visibility events including executive retirement dinners, museum events, and political fundraisers. High volume recruiting and training of over 350 full-time and 2,000+ part-time workers.
• Made Quality Service a standard at company, hired Dale Carnegie organization to produce video to train employees in best practices. Also used video in marketing to client organizations.
• Managed all HR functions, including employee handbook and orientation.
• Developed training program for all employees ensure quality of service.
• Created incentive programs and creative sourcing plans including outreach to local universities.
• Demonstrated ability to staff on short notice, handling multiple events with strict deadlines.
Sapphire, Sterling, VA Apr 1996 to Oct 1997
General Manager of Operations & Recruitment
Managed large independently owned maid service with 125 employees. Administered human resources, customer service, marketing, and office support functions. Responsible for all recruiting, interviewing, and hiring.
• Handled employee relations, benefits, payroll, recruiting.
• Reduced turnover by providing retention benefits.
• Implemented costs controls and set labor and quality standards.
• Developed strong strategic alliances resulting in new major contracts representing $100,000 in new annual revenues.
• Implemented employee orientation program and employee development training to improve productivity and level of service. Trained all staff on customer service skills.
Sugarland Run Homeowner’s Association Mar 1995 to Mar 1996
Covenants Coordinator
Responsible for developing and enforcing regulations, covenants, and bylaws in large community of 2,000 homes. Counseled President of SRHOA on human resource matters. Assisted homeowners in planning and execution of architectural applications.
Automatic Equipment Sales Feb 1994 to Mar 1995
Inside Sales
Inside sales rep for air conditioning and heating equipment. Ranked as one of Top Sales reps. provided outstanding customer service and expanded customer base.
Vargas Consulting Group May 1991 to Feb 1994
Owner
Started company from scratch with funding from prior company. Grew company to 25 regular clients representing over $500,000 in yearly sales.
• Demonstrated strong business development skills. Maintained long-term relationships with retail businesses.
• Advised and evaluated clients on various HR issues to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Managed marketing strategies for corporate clients from conception to delivery.
• Developed and implemented marketing and advertising strategies including community events and tradeshows.
• Setup quality control programs to help clients establish reputation for outstanding customer service.
United States Service Industries, Washington DC Aug 1985 to May 1991
Director of Recruitment
Responsible for all aspects of HR including developing and enforcing HR policies, improving retention and turnover, and administering employee benefits and development programs. High-growth firm grew from 950 to 3,000 exempt and non-exempt employees in just over 5 years. Managed staff of 10 across 5 HR offices and administered budget of $500K.
• Reduced unemployment costs by improving communications with unemployment offices regarding involuntary terminations.
• Improved retention by developing morale boosting programs starting with recognition of strong ethnic makeup of work force. Offered discounted travel and products for in-demand areas. Instituted company picnics and outings during off-season to minimize costs. Reduced turnover by 67%.
• Instituted employee recognition program. Hired multi-lingual recruiters, and developed alliances with similar employers to offer part-time evening employment to their full-time workers.
• Reduced cost per hire by implementing strong referral programs, targeting retiring military and senior citizens and increasing visibility in community, leading to virtually no newspaper advertising in last 2 years.
• Reduced benefits costs by 30%. Evaluated providers and negotiated improved level of services.
• Negotiated discounted rates from child care centers.
Extensive leadership skills utilized in many community organizations
(All are volunteer positions)
President of Sterling Commuter Bus.
Board member of Sterling Foundation.
Business Manager of Sterlingfest.
Treasurer Algongian PTA.
Coached "Girls" basketball teams.
Teacher of 4th and 5th grade evening classes at my church.
Board member of the Sterling Community Center Advisory Board.
Team Leader for HS Youth group retreat.
Volunteer at various community youth functions. (Ex: International Children’s Festival at WolfTrapp, group leader at Father/Son Day and College recruitment functions)