Raven Buford
Midlothian
Summary
Experienced leader with over 10 years of military service, known for clear and impactful communication as well as strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrates exceptional organizational abilities, excels in decision-making under pressure, and easily adapts to swiftly changing priorities. Forward-thinking operations specialist with a decade of expertise in operations and human resources for both military and civilian sector businesses. Builds rapport with individuals to optimize project goals and output, effectively resolves complex problems, and delivers innovative improvement strategies. Proficient in Excel, Microsoft Suite, and Microsoft 365.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
HR Operations/ HR Specialist
Army Guard Reserves 80th Training Command TASS HQ
11.2022 - Current
- Produced management with HR task suggestions pertaining to recruiting, assignment, and retention after analyzing and interpreting rules
- Provided top executives and junior components with technical assistance and direction on HR-related issues
- Combined civilian HR consulting services for hiring and placement
- Played a crucial part in choosing and educating new hires and team members
- Contributed to the creation of rules and procedures both inside and outside the company
- Planned, produced, and delivered program status reports and briefings, as well as suggested actions to management officials at all levels for ongoing guidance and the resolution of mission-critical issues
- Coordinated, integrated, and evaluated the work of HR components in charge of mission analysis and accountability to assist supervisors in their present and future operations
- Served as the 80th Training Command (TASS) Primary Retirement Services Officer directing 3 divisions, 13 brigades, and 63 battalions for over 6,300 Soldiers to assist within their units and ensure maximum understanding of retirement and resources
- HR System Administrator for many Army systems, such as IPPSA, CSMM, RLAS, EPAT, IPERMS helped several Division and Brigade HR Professionals manage soldiers effectively while guaranteeing competence in vital HR tasks
- Processed more than 1000 requests to provide access to those systems
- Oversaw a variety of tasks, including operations, training, logistics, and people management, for more than 80 mission-critical assignments per year using the Task Management Tool
- Processed over 500 personal actions for service members such as transfers, controllable losses, retirements by meticulously ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and proper documentation
- Maintained accountability and safety by adhering to standard authorization procedures and policies, which enhanced operational efficiency and safeguarded sensitive information
- Organized and oversaw the G1 Symposium, which brought together more than 120 HR experts and improved cooperation among the HR community
- Successfully processed over 150 awards after completing 24 award boards, honoring troops' accomplishments
- Offered direction and support in areas including medical programs and services, information activities, personnel record production and upkeep, and legal services as required
- Provided expert technical and policy expertise regarding benefits programs
- Interpreted and applied regulations relevant to classification, training, personnel management evaluations, and recruitment and placement
- Coordinated annual training, cultural events, and celebrations in support of federally recognized observances
HR Sergeant/Supervisory
Army Guard Reserves, 646th Regional Support Group
08.2019 - 11.2022
- Advised senior management, managers, supervisors, and employees on complex employee/labor relations situations which involve performance management, grievances, complaints, appeals, and adverse/disciplinary actions
- Gave advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters
- Reviewed and developed performance standards as well as reviewed classification standards to assist in recruiting efforts
- Developed performance standards, provided periodic formal and informal performance feedback to employees, and issued end of year evaluations for each direct report
- Reviewed and analyzed Human Resources policies, procedures, and guidelines regulations on all aspects of the equal employment opportunity program and the goals and the Agency
- Provided comprehensive HR SharePoint site to address the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) of employees and provide useful references and resources
- Served as Lead HR Liaison to assign work to HR team based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capability of employee
- Provided technical advice and assistance on the operation of the Human Resources automated systems and reporting tools
- Managed day to day operations for multiple administrative and counseling office staffs with up to five direct reports
- Managed military and civilian human resources operations within a military organization
- Developed new training instruments to identify trends in training needs of administrative staff
- Initiated casualty reporting, awards and decorations, performance evaluations, and basic legal placement procedures, practices, policies, and guidelines
- Formulated, developed, and implemented long range plans, policies, and objectives for increasing the United States Army Reserves progress towards equal opportunity, to include sexual harassment prevention
- Conducted formal training classes for managerial, supervisory, and non-supervisory personnel
Senior Human Resources Sergeant/Supervisory
Army Guard Reserves, 1-100th BN, 1 BDE (EN)
11.2017 - 08.2019
- Formulated, developed, and implemented long range plans, policies, and objectives for increasing the United States Army Reserves progress towards equal opportunity, to include sexual harassment prevention
- As the senior human resources conducted formal training classes for managerial, supervisory, and non-supervisory personnel
- Supervised human resources administrative support staff of five service members as structure and Manpower NCO as additional duty
- Provided oral and written performance evaluations for members of the administrative staff
- Collaborated with senior leadership, administrative staff, subject matter experts and others to develop, classify and establish new and revised position descriptions, using appropriate position classification standards, practices, and methodologies
- Created a database to determine training needs by providing statistical analysis of trends for data entry team
- Administered organization Equal Opportunity climate assessment and provided annual reports to higher agencies as required
- Assisted with investigations into allegations of discrimination and sexual harassment as directed
- Assigned work to ensure proper staffing of all required administrative tasks
- Maintained personnel physical and electronic service records accountability
- Implemented plans of action and milestones (POAMs) for retirement and benefits as well as staff training and development
- Provided technical advice to the Director and other senior managers concerning the resolution of equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Maryland GC
01.2023
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- Access
- Outlook
- Microsoft Teams
- OneDrive
- Visio
- IPPS-A HR Pro Course
- Reserve Component Manpower System
- Force Management System Website
- Tour of Duty
- Evaluation Reporting System
- Electronic Personnel Actions Tracker
- Electronic Military Personnel Office
- Interactive Personnel Electronic Records
- Soldier Management System
- Regional Level Application Software
- Command Strength Management Module
- Army Training Requirements and Resources System
- EEO Anti-Harassment & No Fear
- MEDCHARTS
- HIPPA
Certification
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR), Human Resources Certification Institute, 2024
- VHA Workforce Management & Consulting/Human Resources Development, 2023
- Identifying Six Sigma Projects, 2023
- Professional in Human Resources: Organizational Relations, 2023
- Deep Dive into Project Costs and Estimates (2021 Update), 2023
- Artificial Intelligence: Types of Artificial Intelligence, 2023
- Choosing and Using the Best Solution, 2023
- Thinking Strategically as a Manager, 2023
- Building Career Development and Succession Planning, 2023
- Getting Started with Acrobat Pro DC, 2023
- Clearance - Secret, 2013
Awardsanddecorations
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal (3 Awards)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Militarycourses
- Operating Health and Medical Readiness, New Orleans, LA
- Retirement Services Officer (RSO), Fort Knox, KY
- Human Resource Manager’s Qualification Course, Fort Jackson, SC
- Common Faculty Development Instructor, Fort Knox, KY
- Fiscal Law
- Postal Operations
Timeline
HR Operations/ HR Specialist
Army Guard Reserves 80th Training Command TASS HQ
11.2022 - Current
HR Sergeant/Supervisory
Army Guard Reserves, 646th Regional Support Group
08.2019 - 11.2022
Senior Human Resources Sergeant/Supervisory
Army Guard Reserves, 1-100th BN, 1 BDE (EN)
11.2017 - 08.2019
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR), Human Resources Certification Institute, 2024
- VHA Workforce Management & Consulting/Human Resources Development, 2023
- Identifying Six Sigma Projects, 2023
- Professional in Human Resources: Organizational Relations, 2023
- Deep Dive into Project Costs and Estimates (2021 Update), 2023
- Artificial Intelligence: Types of Artificial Intelligence, 2023
- Choosing and Using the Best Solution, 2023
- Thinking Strategically as a Manager, 2023
- Building Career Development and Succession Planning, 2023
- Getting Started with Acrobat Pro DC, 2023
- Clearance - Secret, 2013
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of Maryland GC
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