Experience

US Department of Agriculture OIG

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Government Information Officer

  • Feb 2019 - Present

  Washington, District Of Columbia Office of Inspector General Office of Counsel Serves as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) specialist and provides assistance to the FOIA attorney in the analysis of OIG investigative, audit, personnel, and other files in accordance with FOIA and PA rules, accurately invoking the appropriate exemptions in the processing of information or records sought by the public. Reviews, analyzes, and processes extensive requests for disclosure of USDA OIG records… Show more Office of Inspector General Office of Counsel Serves as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) specialist and provides assistance to the FOIA attorney in the analysis of OIG investigative, audit, personnel, and other files in accordance with FOIA and PA rules, accurately invoking the appropriate exemptions in the processing of information or records sought by the public. Reviews, analyzes, and processes extensive requests for disclosure of USDA OIG records pertaining to criminal investigations, audits, administrative inquires, personnel records and actions, administrative actions, and other information. Interprets FOIA/PA regulations to determine which Act may be relevant to the request and what information is appropriately releasable to the requester. Advises the requestor of the legal stipulations under which any records/information was withheld. Works to complete actions under timeliness imposed by statue, regulation, or court order. Participates in special projects as assigned by the Deputy Counsel and FOIA Attorney, and drafts necessary correspondence or other documentation as needed. Show less



USDOT NHTSA

• Correspondence Research Analyst

  • May 2013 - Feb 2019

  Washington, District of Columbia Received, reviewed and drafted controlled and non-controlled consumer correspondence from consumers, motor vehicle manufacturers, Congressional offices, and other parties via hard copy or email. Researched issues addressed in the correspondence using agency databases and contacted consumers via telephone, email or fax. Developed correspondence responses for review and approval by first level supervisor. Following editorial revisions and receipt of approval, sent out the responses and updated… Show more Received, reviewed and drafted controlled and non-controlled consumer correspondence from consumers, motor vehicle manufacturers, Congressional offices, and other parties via hard copy or email. Researched issues addressed in the correspondence using agency databases and contacted consumers via telephone, email or fax. Developed correspondence responses for review and approval by first level supervisor. Following editorial revisions and receipt of approval, sent out the responses and updated the status of the correspondence file in the agency's databases. Answered questions from higher level managers outside of CRD, including the front office regarding correspondence concerns. Have extensive knowledge of automotive terminology, components, and systems and their applications. Have extensive knowledge of NHTSA policies, activities, and programs. Have extensive knowledge of the agency's safety performance standards, including Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) under 49 CFR Part 571 and Compliance Testing (OVSC) standards and procedures under 49 CFR 573, research and development programs, traffic safety programs, safety assurance, and public and consumer affairs, activities and capable of performing basic and ad hoc queries in the NHTSA specific database, ARTEMIS. Served as the primary and only CRD analyst in communicating with consumers or external groups via telephone with regard to motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment issues. Created and maintained a telephone log in Excel spreadsheet format and updated the results of each call with pertinent information from consumers and external groups. Provided consumers and external groups with publicly available complaint, investigation, recall information and recall procedures in regards to their motor vehicle concerns to their satisfaction.

• Safety Defect Engineer/Investigator

  • Aug 2001 - May 2013

  Washington, District of Columbia Responsible for planning and conducting surveys, analysis of safety defect information and investigation work concerning motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and demonstrated engineering skills and services in the conduct of investigations. Evaluated areas where patterns of safety defects are discovered, and, if warranted, initiated surveys or recommended research projects and revisions to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) under 49 CFR Part 571. Collated results from… Show more Responsible for planning and conducting surveys, analysis of safety defect information and investigation work concerning motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and demonstrated engineering skills and services in the conduct of investigations. Evaluated areas where patterns of safety defects are discovered, and, if warranted, initiated surveys or recommended research projects and revisions to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) under 49 CFR Part 571. Collated results from analysis of each source to assure coverage of all possible inputs. Participated in the design and implementation of specific engineering test requirements conducted by manufacturers, independent contractors or at Government facilities as required, provided support for active investigations. Prepared contract work statements and evaluated engineering and technical results. Completed, reviewed and analyzed Defect Petitions under 49 CFR Part 552 sent by consumers for review to management for publishing in the Federal Register. Completed over 40 safety defect vehicle investigations in regards to vehicle safety components such as power steering, vehicle interior and exterior lighting, vehicle structure, vehicle powertrain systems, vehicle emissions systems and CRS (Child Restraint Systems) such as child seats. Provided complex analysis in support of safety defect vehicle investigations by analyzing investigation data, including vehicle owner complaints via Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ’s), manufacturer data (Complaint, Field Report and Warranty) in Excel and Access format, Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data and Recall data, documents and procedures as appropriate to either close investigations or recommend recalls under 49 CFR Part 573 to ODI Management. The investigations led to 17 safety recalls totaling over 5.8 million pieces of vehicle and child seat safety equipment.



US DOT NHTSA

• FOIA Specialist (Detail)

  • Oct 2014 - Oct 2015

  Washington, District Of Columbia Examines and evaluates Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, obtains and reviews records, and recommends determinations. Ensures that recommended determinations, many of which address sensitive and controversial issues of national significance, are legally sound, technically correct, and contain proper citations. Reviews and evaluates case law, statues, regulatons, legislative history, and commerical and government materials appilcable to the work of the office. Keeps FOIA Staff… Show more Examines and evaluates Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, obtains and reviews records, and recommends determinations. Ensures that recommended determinations, many of which address sensitive and controversial issues of national significance, are legally sound, technically correct, and contain proper citations. Reviews and evaluates case law, statues, regulatons, legislative history, and commerical and government materials appilcable to the work of the office. Keeps FOIA Staff Attorney advised of updated and new information. Works on asssignments to research specific case law and provides factual analyses on assigned questions. Consults with other Program Offices and other Federal Agencies regarding FOIA regulations and related requests. Reports results of consultations to FOIA staff attorney as appropriate. Assists the Senior FOIA Specalist and FOIA Staff Attorney by reviewing records and consulting with principals involved in FOIA cases in DOT client offices. Interprets and defines the scope of the requests and contacts requesters to clarify or modify requests as appropriate. In consultation with agency attorneys, as appropriate, personally handles FOIA requests of particular complexity, urgency, and sensitivity. Coordinates the resolution of FOIA issues, such as the interpretation of FOIA exemptions, between the affected program offices and the Office of the Chief Counsel. Prepares comprehensive responses to FOIA requests for the signature of the Senior FOIA Specialist and or FOIA Staff Attorney as appropriate. Oversees administrative details concerned with assigned FOIA cases, including database administration thru the use of FOIAXpress software and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Provides directions to Executive Secretariat staff and administrative staff engaged in reproduction of records to ensure that only releaseable materials are sent with determination letters. Particpates in Department-wide studies regarding FOIA implementation. Show less



Gesac Inc

• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

• Engineer I

  • Nov 2000 - Aug 2001

  Boonsboro, Maryland Contractor for the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Crashworthiness Standards. Developed a test procedure to incorporate Child Restraint Systems (CRS) with Lower Anchorage and Tether for Children (LATCH) and Non-LATCH CRS with three year old Hybrid III dummy for frontal crash testing under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Wrote a vehicle compatibility report explaining the relationship between LATCH CRS and… Show more Contractor for the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Crashworthiness Standards. Developed a test procedure to incorporate Child Restraint Systems (CRS) with Lower Anchorage and Tether for Children (LATCH) and Non-LATCH CRS with three year old Hybrid III dummy for frontal crash testing under the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Wrote a vehicle compatibility report explaining the relationship between LATCH CRS and vehicle manufacturer back seats. Compiled crash test data into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and made a comparison between LATCH and Non-LATCH CRS. Created a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation for NHTSA officials to report the progress on incorporating LATCH CRS in NCAP. Conducted a literature research on European, Japanese and Australian NCAP programs for any information on CRS. Performed kinematic analysis on vehicle crash tests by viewing high speed film of the testing. Performed quality control on NCAP frontal and side impact crash test data using Head Injury Criteria (HIC), Chest Displacement, (CLIP), Upper and Lower Neck Injury Criteria (Nij) and Plot Browser Software. Show less