#hrthings

i am an HR professional in the greater Twin Cities area committed to operational excellence and modernization in public service. i have a sharp eye and particular passion for work-capacity optimization, process improvement, and organizational communications. here's my resume. and here's my invitation to connect!

Alexis Baker

St. Paul, MN | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisstewartbaker/

PROFILE

HR professional in dynamic, successful environments across disciplines of progressive HR focus-areas looking to bring considerable skill and energy to an organization or team

SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Recognized team leader and high-performer. Strategic in: recruiting, talent development, onboarding, performance management, organizational succession planning, employee relations, labor relations, benefits and payroll administration. Proficient in PC/Mac; Microsoft Office Suite, and ACT; Bullhorn, UltiPro, PeopleSoft, Jobvite, Jenzabar, OU Campus, Mainframe (HRIS), BrassRing, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Audition, Acrobat Reader; CBAs found in Iowa, Minnesota

EMPLOYMENT

ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT         November 2015  – Present

Human Resources Consultant, Full-time (40+ hours/week)

• Reporting to Assistant Director of Labor Relations, works directly with District senior leadership to support 16+ building managers (principals) on all matters of employee relations, labor relations, contract and rule interpretation and application, benefits and federal protections, performance development and management, and workforce management for 600+ employees
• Receives complaints, allegations, and grievances related to employees at the District. Analyzes risk and determines action plan; leads investigations, makes recommendations for final action, closes out investigations
• Represents employer in grievance proceedings and negotiations
• Hears grievances and disputed personnel cases, analyzes arguments for just cause and contractual standards, writes answers, communicates to Management.
• Consults, studies workforce to determine performance deficiencies, develops performance improvement plans, supports management through the plan
• Coach managers through all matters of employment; works directly with supervisors and employees to reach solutions
• Prepares communication, reports for Board of Education, elected officials in the city of St. Paul

STATE OF IOWA - DEPT. OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - Des Moines, IA         

Personnel Officer, Full-time (40+ hours/week) - July 2014 - November 2015

Human Resources Associate, Full-time (40 hours/week) - June 2013 - July 2014

• As a Personnel Officer, reported to Bureau Chief and serves on a team of 12+; primary point-of-contact and HR agency partner for 8-10 agencies, supporting over 2,000 employees and 100s of managers and leaders; aligned closely with assigned Labor Relations attorneys and Assistant Attorney Generals to analyze and evaluate agencies’ risk
• Provided 360-support to managers on issues including: collective bargaining administration and compliance (AFSCME and IUP), employee relations, training and development, succession planning, organizational development, job design, classification, total compensation, adherence to/best practices of the FMLA/ADA/FLSA/EEOC/AA, leave management, performance management,  grievances, arbitrations, litigations, appeals, civil rights and EEOC filings, recruiting, OSHA, Worker’s Compensation, employee benefits, internal communications and operations, policy administration, and more
• Served as panel member on classification appeals and Grievance Resolution Improvement Process panels; supported Management during grievance hearings, arbitrations, civil litigation
• Mad recommendations to Management on organizational design and classifies positions; responded to classification appeals as defined in Iowa Code
• Created and applied scoring tools to follow merit system and principles; recruited candidates to FLSA and merit system exempt and non-exempt, contract-covered and non-contract positions; explains compensation structure, package, benefits, and perks to current and new employees and managers

• Regularly supported internal team and managers by drafting communication, writing policies, leading special projects, and motivating teams
• As an HR Associate, reported to Risk and Benefits Manager amongst a team of 10+. Worked directly with supervisors, agency leaders, and immediate team, focusing on delivery integrity and customer service. Provided comprehensive HR support to groups within the Department of Human Services, serving over 650 employees, as a shared services delivery model
• Responsible for the accurate and efficient administrative execution on issues such as FMLA, payroll, leave administration, contract interpretation, Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment, benefits and Open Enrollment, systems (HRIS) management, contract administration of employment and hiring, requisition process, onboarding, offboarding, retirement planning, records management for supported employee groups across the State of Iowa
• Completed sponsored trainings such as FMLA; ADA; Discipline, Contracts, and Grievances; Investigating Employee Misconduct; Advanced Principles of Communication; Crucial Conversations.
• In July 2015, winner of Division’s first Exceptional Service Award for exceptional service to partner agencies across Executive Branch

IOWA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Marshalltown, IA                                   April 2013 – June 2013

HR Generalist (Contract Position through The Palmer Group, Full-time, 40+ hours/week)

• HR, Recruiting, and Payroll support to district's 200+ full-time and 200+ part-time admin, faculty, hourly, and student workers
• Reported directly to the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services and provides direction to HR Assistant; creates and implements strategies and best practices to provide efficient and compassionate administration
• Manages requisition process: job descriptions, internal and external posting, processing new hires
• Administers all new hire paperwork, including offer letters, contracts and agreements, payroll schedules, benefits cost analysis and paperwork, orientation, and campus-site items
• Team collaborator on projects to improve operations such as revamping onboarding procedures, audits on IPERS and TIAA-CREF retirement plans, and internal communications
• With Vice Chancellor, manages evaluations of all employees
• Calculates and administers annual salary increase, to include proration calculation, benefits change reporting, policy updates, and employee communication

GROUPON -  Chicago, IL                                                                             March 2011 – February 2013

Human Resources Coordinator, Full-time (40+ hours/week)

• Reported directly to HR Business Partner as part of HR Operations group in shared services team
• Executed offer letters for entry to senior-level employees and M&A groups in the US and Canada
• Responsible for onboarding, provisioning and orientation of new hire classes of 200+ employees over 24 months
• Lead exit interviews for terminated employees to provide pay, benefits, and general support. Collects pulse survey responses, analyzes, and reports to HR Business Partner and managers
• Created and maintained job descriptions to ensure compliancy and candidate engagement
• Responsible for monitoring performance management, career-pathing, and employee relations counseling for US and Canada groups
• Administration of employee history and SOX regulations, auditing, reporting, and analysis
• Planning and coordination, deliverables and support, and extensive follow-up with business groups and employees in RIFs
• Handled sensitive employee relations issues such as investigations, FMLA, LOA, etc.
• Various ad-hoc projects such as organizational development support, compensation reviews, and reporting
• Awarded with first-ever departmental recognition for operational excellence

EDUCATION

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY                                                                                                           

Masters of Science, Communications - Principles and practices to promote an organization’s success

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA                                                                                                                        

Bachelors of Arts, English and French - Post-Colonial literature and culture focus

INTERESTS

Food, calligraphy, discovering cities near and far, swimming, and yoga.

References available upon request