Experience

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  Calibre Systems

  • Va Benefits Advisor / Transition Support Specialist

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  CALIBRE Systems, Inc.

  • Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, United States

  • VA Benefits Advisor / Transition Support Specialist

    • Jan 2021 - Present
    • Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, United States

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  Patriot Enterprises, LLC

  • Baltimore, Maryland Area

  • Career Readiness Counselor, Maryland Army National Guard

    • Jul 2019 - Jun 2020
    • Baltimore, Maryland Area

    • Provide one-on-one assistance to Maryland Army National Guard members and their families including resume review, interview skills, job search assistance and personal contact with local employers.• Brief and support soldiers at Maryland Army National Guard drills to include Financial Literacy training, 12 month budget/spend plan.• Capture data on Career Readiness Standards requirements to include Individual Assessment, Self-Assessment, Annual Review, Individual Development Plan overview, MOS Crosswalk, Gap analysis, resume guidance and job interview guidance.• Conduct program briefings at local armories and Yellow Ribbon events.• Design, plan, organize and offer specific training programs or workshops based on needs and interests of participants and schedule classes based on availability of classrooms, equipment, and instructor.• Refer Soldiers to appropriate military family readiness support representatives if warranted and coordinate support services from other agencies.• Update database with case notes, updated resumes and participant information.• Maintain a comprehensive resource database and contact list.• Maintain appropriate and positive relationship with National Guard Military leadership at parent and Recruit Sustainment Program sites.• Attend job fairs, special networking events and local chamber of commerce meetings to help build community awareness and support of Citizen Soldier For Life (CSFL).• Develop relationships with local employers and other stakeholders to provide job opportunities for CSFL participants and promote incentives and services available to employers and disseminate information detailing benefits.• Report weekly metrics and activities.

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  Kent, Campa, and Kate Inc.

  • United States
  • Business Consulting and Services
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Site Lead, VA Benefits Advisor

    • May 2019 - Jul 2019

    • Lead a team of four VA Benefits Advisors who provide VA Benefits and Services briefings during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) workshops.• Maintained stakeholder relationships with transition assistance program managers, financial counselors, military service coordinators, installation leadership and education center specialists to manage event schedule and coordinate outreach activities and initiatives at two Primary Sites and eight Itinerant Sites.• Maintained and manage schedule of events, event reporting, material inventory and travel requests.• Counseled transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their families regarding eligibility for Department of Veterans’ Affairs benefits.• Briefed transitioning service members and spouses on education, health, burial, and employment benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs during VA Benefits and Services workshop.• Counseled and educate service members, veterans, and spouses in the use of the Veterans Employment Center to source and procure gainful employment. Provide one on one follow up, as necessary.• Instructed service members, veterans, and spouses regarding the use of eBenefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).• Maintained a comprehensive database of resources and points of contact.• Evaluated and refer transitioning service members, veterans, and their families to appropriate Department of Veterans’ Affairs services and Veteran Service Organizations with points of contact to address any additional questions or personal challenges.• Provided personal guidance regarding veterans’ benefits available by state and through alternate federal and local agencies.• Managed and track billable hours and personal time off to ensure contract compliance.• Provided program support for the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program.

  • Master VA Benefits Advisor

    • Nov 2017 - May 2019

    • Advised transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, Reservists, their family members and caregivers regarding eligibility for available Department of Veterans’ Affairs benefits.• Briefed transitioning service members and spouses on education, health, burial, and employment benefits given by the Department of Veterans Affairs during VA Benefits I and II training.• Educated service members, veterans, and spouses regarding the use of eBenefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).• Evaluated and refer transitioning service members, veterans, their family members and caregivers to appropriate Department of Veterans’ Affairs services and Veteran Service Organizations with points of contact to address any additional questions or personal challenges.• Provided personal guidance regarding veterans’ benefits available by state and through alternate federal and local agencies.• Engaged in community outreach to educate disconnected veterans regarding available resources and benefits.• Provided program support for the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program, Transition GPS at Fort George G. Meade; Aberdeen Proving Ground; Naval Support Activity Annapolis; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda; Carlisle Barracks; Dover Air Force Base; and Fort Detrick.• Completed annual VA Privacy and HIPAA training.• Completed annual VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training.

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  DuraBante, LLC

  • Ft. Meade, MD

  • Analyst/VA Benefits Advisor

    • Feb 2014 - Nov 2017
    • Ft. Meade, MD

    • Advised transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard, Reservists, and their families regarding eligibility for available Department of Veterans’ Affairs benefits.• Briefed transitioning service members and spouses on education, health, burial, and employment benefits given by the Department of Veterans Affairs during VA Benefits I and II training.• Assisted service members in understanding and enrolling in VA Health Care system.• Trained service members, veterans, and spouses in the use of the Veterans Employment Center to source and procure gainful employment.• Educated service members, veterans, and spouses regarding the use of eBenefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).• Evaluated and referred transitioning service members, veterans, and their families to appropriate Department of Veterans’ Affairs services and Veteran Service Organizations with points of contact to address any additional questions or personal challenges.• Provided personal guidance regarding veterans’ benefits available by state and through alternate federal and local agencies.• Engaged in community outreach to educate disconnected veterans regarding available resources and benefits.• Provided program support for the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program, Transition GPS at Fort George G. Meade; Aberdeen Proving Ground; Naval Support Activity Annapolis; Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda; Carlisle Barracks; Dover Air Force Base; and Fort Detrick.• Conducted document review and analysis on contract project with the US Department of Labor.• Established work site wellness program.• Developed website and social media content in conjunction with IT department.• Completed annual VA Privacy and HIPAA training.• Completed annual VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior training.

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  Ctgroup Environmental, LLC

  • Senior Environmental Analyst

    • Jul 2013 - Feb 2014

    • Managed all aspects of demolition project of three abandoned properties. Ensured compliance with permits necessary to complete project.• Conducted and drafted Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Environmental Transaction Screenings on commercial properties financed by local banks.

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  University of Phoenix

  • Maryland and District of Columbia

  • National Defense Liaison

    • Nov 2011 - Jun 2013
    • Maryland and District of Columbia

    • Developed business relationships with local military installations and veterans’ organizations.• Conducted outreach to prospective students within the local military and veteran communities. • Counseled students as to program selection; financial aid; and admissions requirements.• To achieve these objectives the following competencies were developed and executed: strategic planning; business acumen; problem solving; strategic agility; time management; conflict management; political savvy; presentation skills; comfort around higher management; interpersonal savvy; customer/student focus; negotiation; integrity and trust; listening; and monthly summary and analysis of field activities.• Subject matter expertise: Higher education policies and procedures. Military and Veteran education benefits. • Accomplishments: planned and coordinated successful Start Strong Veterans Day events at two campus locations where approximately 50 veterans attended and participated in panel discussion on transitioning from military; job search workshops; and employer networking sessions. Selected to collaborate with a small team to develop and draft standard operating procedures (SOP) for onboarding new hires for National Defense Liaison position.

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  Semper Fidelis Health & Wellness

  • Member, Board of Directors

    • Jan 2012 - May 2013

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  Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

  • Deputy Director, Outreach & Advocacy

    • Nov 2008 - Nov 2011

    • Developed and implemented policies and procedures for effective management of Outreach & Advocacy (O&A) division of Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).• Researched and analyzed veteran demographic data to coordinate, plan and execute Veterans Muster Outreach Program. • Counseled veterans with regard to benefits available from federal, state and local agencies and non-profit organizations.• Managed and maintained agency website and social media accounts. Manage and monitor social media relating to veterans issues and benefits. Update website using Adobe Contribute software.• Edited, published and distributed agency’s bi-annual newsletter. • Served as MDVA Public Information Officer (PIO) – drafted speeches and talking points for MDVA Secretary and senior staff; handled all press inquiries. Provided Governor’s communications staff talking points for speeches to veteran audiences.• Drafted responses to constituent and stakeholder inquiries.• Coordinated outreach efforts and events with local, state and federal stakeholders and non-profit and veteran service organizations. • As acting director of O&A from May 2010 – February 20111 - Drafted and submited MDVA Annual Report. Managed O&A budget. Drafted and submited weekly O&A reports to MDVA Secretary and Chief of Staff.• Drafted and published regulations as necessary to comply with legislation enacted by the Maryland General Assembly.• Provided staff support for Maryland Veterans Commission, Governor’s Commission on Military Monuments and Commission on the Establishment of a Maryland Women in Military Service Monument. • Accomplishments: Conducted a direct mail campaign to over 100,000 of Maryland’s veterans and received a 20% response leading to the development of a database of veteran contact information. This database increased department email distribution from ~1500 to ~6,000 and increased newsletter distribution by ~20,000. Social media interactions increased by ~15%.

  • Acting Director, Outreach & Advocacy

    • May 2010 - Feb 2011

    • Developed and implemented policies and procedures for effective management of Outreach & Advocacy (O&A) division of Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).• Researched and analyzed veteran demographic data to coordinate, plan and execute Veterans Muster Outreach Program. • Counseled veterans with regard to benefits available from federal, state and local agencies and non-profit organizations.• Managed and maintained agency website and social media accounts. Managed and monitored social media relating to veterans issues and benefits. Updated website using Adobe Contribute software.• Edited, published and distributed agency’s bi-annual newsletter. • Served as MDVA Public Information Officer (PIO) – drafted speeches and talking points for MDVA Secretary and senior staff; handled all press inquiries. Provided Governor’s communications staff talking points for speeches to veteran audiences.• Drafted responses to constituent and stakeholder inquiries.• Coordinated outreach efforts and events with local, state and federal stakeholders and non-profit and veteran service organizations. • As acting director of O&A from May 2010 – February 20111 - Drafted and submited MDVA Annual Report. Managed O&A budget. Drafted and submited weekly O&A reports to MDVA Secretary and Chief of Staff.• Drafted and published regulations as necessary to comply with legislation enacted by the Maryland General Assembly.• Collaborated with Workforce Development staff to coordinate and supervise outreach efforts regarding veterans’ employment benefits.• Accomplishments: Conducted a direct mail campaign to over 100,000 of Maryland’s veterans and received a 20% response leading to the development of a database of veteran contact information. This database increased department email distribution from ~1500 to ~6,000 and increased newsletter distribution by ~20,000. Social media interactions increased by ~15%.

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  Office of the Public Defender for Baltimore City

  • Baltimore, MD

  • Legal Support Staff

    • Feb 1998 - Nov 2008
    • Baltimore, MD

    • Draft and file motions, subpoenas and summonses in Circuit Court for Baltimore City in accordance with Court rules and regulations.• Interview clients and witnesses.• Assist in investigations. • Research and analyze legal issues for trial preparation. • Draft correspondence. • Attend court proceedings with attorneys. • Assist attorneys with all aspects of criminal and civil contempt trial preparation. • Train new law clerks and interns. • Update and maintain case information in ProLaw database. Troubleshoot minor computer software/network problems for co-workers.• Supervise law clerks and interns. • Manage schedules of law clerks and interns. • Assign law clerks and interns to specific attorneys within the felony trial division. • Compile and edit law clerk manual (SOP) as reference for new hires.

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  United States Geological Survey

  • Intern

    • May 1995 - Sep 1995

    Registered and recitified Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery for Primary Investigator studying the Big Bend Region of Florida.

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  Pinellas County Park Department

  • Park Ranger

    • Mar 1994 - Oct 1994

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  US Army

  • Fort Riley, KS

  • Aircraft Crewman

    • Jan 1989 - Mar 1992
    • Fort Riley, KS

    • Performed intermediate level maintenance on AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache helicopters.• Responsible for inspecting and maintaining Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) for unit.• Deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.• Honorably discharged.