Shelley Austin

I am a federal retiree, retiring in 2016, after 28 years with the federal government. My goal now is to begin a second career outside of the government. Most of my federal career was in Employment Opportunity (EEO).

I began as an EEO Assistant, promoted to an EEO Intake Specialist position, I was later promoted to EEO Specialist, and retired as an EEO Complaints Manager. After retirement, I worked with a federal contractor as an EEO Investigator and later received a Virginia life insurance license with an insurance company. I also completed a course in wedding planning from the NY Institute of Art and Design, before deciding to continue my pursuit of a college degree in Business Administration, concentrating in management.

I returned to Strayer University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and member of Alpha Sigma Lambda academic sorority, in May 2021. I consider myself a very focused and self-disciplined individual and feel that I have exemplary work ethics. I believe that my extensive background in the federal government, experience as an EEO professional, and my accomplishments after retirement makes me a valuable candidate as I seek opportunities within the private sector.

Federal Contractor EEO Investigator at Draughn and Associates, Inc. (2016-02 – 2016-09)

As a contract EEO Investigator, I conducted EEO investigations on complaints of employment discrimination within the federal sector. I worked closely with and was in constant contact with the government agencies involved. I prepared an Investigative Plan, which detailed the complete line of potential questions that I planned to ask each person involved in the case.

I then scheduled and conducted interviews with each person obtaining their sworn affidavits. From the affidavits, I prepared a report of investigation and forwarded my report to the government agency where the complaint initiated.

• Conducted EEO investigations on employment discrimination complaints
• Prepared Investigative Plans with detailed questioning strategies
• Scheduled and conducted interviews with sworn affidavits
• Prepared Reports of Investigation forwarded to government agencies
• Maintained constant contact with government agencies involved

EEO Complaints Manager, GS-0260-12/5 at Defense Logistics Agency, Aviation (2014-03 – 2016-03)

In my position as EEO Complaints Manager, I was the Team Lead for six EEO Specialists. In this role I was responsible for case assignments to the Specialists, reviewed and analyzed their Counseling Reports and case Accept/Dismiss recommendations for accuracy and substance or wrote my own accept/dismiss letters based on my review of their recommendations, formal complaint, and the complainant's supporting documents. Presented monthly meetings with department heads to review and analyze status of outstanding complaints.

I assisted in conducting the New Employee Orientation classes every month, informing them of the EEO process. I prepared and conducted a presentation to all DLA Aviation employees and managers explaining the details and timelines involved within EEO complaints process. My presentation was conducted twice daily for a specific period, to reach all of DLA Aviation's several hundred employees.

I reviewed, analyzed, and revised when needed, all Investigative Plans and Reports of Investigations submitted by the contracted EEO Investigators and monitored the timeliness of the investigative process.

• Served as Team Lead for six EEO Specialists
• Assigned cases and reviewed Counseling Reports for accuracy
• Prepared Accept/Dismiss letters based on case analysis
• Conducted monthly meetings with department heads on complaint status
• Assisted with New Employee Orientation classes monthly
• Presented EEO process details to several hundred employees
• Reviewed and revised Investigative Plans and Reports of Investigation
• Monitored timeliness of investigative process

Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, GS-0260-12/4 at Department of Housing and Urban Development (2010-07 – 2014-03)

Processed EEO complaints in accordance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations and guidelines. Reviewed employee complaints to determine issues and timeliness and prepared Accept/Dismiss letters accordingly. Analyzed formal complaints with supporting documents, Counseling Reports, Investigation Plans, and Reports of Investigation (ROI) to compose Final Agency Decisions (FAD) based on precise findings, pursuant to EEOC regulations.

Participated in the planning and implementation of several of HUD's Special Emphasis observances. I was also tasked to manage, coordinate, and implement an observance during Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage month.

• Processed EEO complaints per EEOC regulations and guidelines
• Reviewed complaints to determine issues and timeliness
• Prepared Accept/Dismiss letters
• Composed Final Agency Decisions based on precise findings
• Participated in planning and implementation of Special Emphasis observances
• Managed Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage month observance

Equal Employment Opportunity Intake Specialist, GS-0260-11 at Department of Housing and Urban Development (2005-12 – 2010-07)

Prepared Accept/Dismiss letters; processed all accepted complaint requests for hearings before the EEOC Administrative Judges (AJ); prepared appeal requests of EEOC Administrative Judges decisions and Final Orders. Maintained tracking of the numbers and status of EEO Specialists' cases and met with Director to assign cases according to each Specialists' caseload.

• Prepared Accept/Dismiss letters
• Processed complaint requests for EEOC Administrative Judges hearings
• Prepared appeal requests of EEOC decisions and Final Orders
• Tracked numbers and status of EEO Specialists' cases
• Assigned cases based on each Specialist's caseload

Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant, GS-0361-07/08/09 at Department of Housing and Urban Development (2000-08 – 2005-12)

Established and maintained efficient procedures for filing and retrieving formal complaints, maintained electronic records to ascertain the EEO Specialists' complaint assignments and timeliness of processing. Compiled, recorded, and maintained statistical data of the cases in the complaint process for the division's quarterly reports, in preparation for the agency's submission of the annual EEOC Management Directive 715 Report.

• Established and maintained filing and retrieval procedures
• Maintained electronic records for complaint assignments
• Compiled and recorded statistical data for quarterly reports
• Prepared data for annual EEOC Management Directive 715 Report submission

Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant, GS-0361-07/8 at Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) (1997-06 – 2000-08)

Tracked all incoming complaints, wrote Notice of Receipt letters and request for appeal letters. Tracked EEOC AJ Decisions and Agency FADs. Processed and tracked all requests for investigations, counseling services, and routinely hired contract Investigators and counseling services through negotiations of lowest prices and best service.

• Tracked incoming complaints
• Wrote Notice of Receipt and appeal request letters
• Tracked EEOC AJ Decisions and Agency FADs
• Processed requests for investigations and counseling services
• Negotiated contracts for Investigators and counseling services

Executive Secretary, GS-0318-07/08 at Defense Finance and Accounting Service (1991-11 – 1997-06)

Lead Executive Secretary to the Director - Supervised clerk typists and temporary employees; typed, reviewed, or revised all outgoing correspondence from the Director and office staff. Maintained a suspense tracking system to ensure timely responses to requests for action; prepared routine replies to requests as necessary; recorded and transcribed minutes of all weekly staff meetings between Director and staff.

• Supervised clerk typists and temporary employees
• Typed, reviewed, and revised outgoing correspondence
• Maintained suspense tracking system
• Prepared routine replies to requests
• Recorded and transcribed weekly staff meeting minutesPlase

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration/Management – Strayer University (2021-05)

Certificate in Event and Wedding Planning – New York Institute of Art and Design (2018)

Degree Pending in Business Administration/Management – Strayer University

Associate Degree (Equivalency) in Electronics and Computer Technology – Kee Business College