GWEN DRAGO
Colorado Springs
Summary
Senior Human Resources Specialist with 19 years of experience, including 4 years focused on HR functions. Expertise in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management, driving productivity and efficiency. Proven ability to lead projects in employee development and compliance, enhancing organizational effectiveness. Committed to creating positive work environments and facilitating staff growth.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior HR Specialist
UDR, Inc.
Highlands Ranch
02.2022 - 03.2025
- Advised associates on Life Spending Account benefits and created comprehensive Q&A document.
- Tracked vacation payouts and assisted associates on leave of absence policies and Covid-related inquiries.
- Processed invoices, reconciled company credit cards, and maintained contracts and documentation.
- Created and maintained spreadsheets for tracking unemployment, Covid-19 compliance, and various accounts.
- Conducted weekly termination reporting and managed metrics reports for HR Score Card.
- Researched legal updates across 14 states and facilitated monthly meetings with the legal team.
- Coordinated implementation of data conversion projects and compliance regulations, including Miya's Law.
- Performed candidate screening and maintained job advertisements across multiple platforms.
HR Specialist
Robert Half Temp Agency (UDR, Inc.)
Highlands Ranch
09.2021 - 02.2022
- Assist with all HR communication, processing invoices, reconciliation of company credit cards, updates and maintains HR posters for new and existing properties, updates/maintains covid cases by auditing/tracking them, helps with recruiting (creating flyers, posting jobs, handling reference checks) prepares presentations for management.
Office Coordinator/HR Admin Assistant
Kolbe Striping, Inc.
Castle Rock
11.2019 - 09.2021
- Streamlined processing of employee paperwork and I9 forms for HR Director.
Managed background checks and drug screenings for new hires efficiently.
Prepared and organized job packets for new employees, activating security badges.
Executed front desk duties, greeting guests and directing visitors promptly.
Answered and routed phone calls, providing accurate information in-person and via email.
Sorted, distributed daily mail and deliveries to ensure timely communication.
Maintained office security by controlling access and issuing visitor badges.
Coordinated travel arrangements, including hotel bookings and expense tracking.
Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)
United States Postal Services
Golden
11.2018 - 08.2019
- Sorted and delivered all mail, packages, and parcels to USPS customers in both residential and commercial areas, handled and secured all restricted, registered, and certified US mail.
Centralized Intake Support Staff II
Burke Center
Lufkin
06.2015 - 03.2017
- Managed public interactions and visitor engagement at Burke Center.
Typed correspondence, memos, reports, and dictation efficiently.
Received and distributed office mail and packages in a timely manner.
Answered phone calls and scheduled client appointments accurately.
Updated schedules for counselors and doctors to optimize workflow.
Maintained files manually and electronically using EHR system.
Processed coding and billing for telemedicine services accurately.
Operated office equipment, maintained inventory, and ordered supplies as needed.
Mobile Crisis Department Support Staff I
Burke Center
Lufkin
06.2015 - 03.2017
- Managed crisis call responses by entering data into the system and distributing emails to counselors.
Scanned contracts and emergency assessments while maintaining confidentiality of all information.
Entered insurance details, fee contracts, and doctor billing information accurately.
Received and processed all emails to ensure effective communication with stakeholders.
Compiled and filed reports and documents systematically for easy retrieval.
Operated office equipment efficiently to support daily operations.
Received, distributed medications from in-house pharmacy, and maintained inventory levels.
Handled incoming and outgoing office mail to ensure timely delivery.
Office Coordinator/Admin Assistant
Intellitec College
Colorado Springs
01.2012 - 06.2012
- 1st point of contact for students/parents, operated all office equipment, answered/transferred calls, data entry for online inquiries, scanned/filed documents, made/distributed student IDs, coordinated/lead for student orientations, coordinated all meetings/events/luncheons, etc.
Executive Admin Assistant
ETBHN/Burke Center
Lufkin
04.2009 - 05.2011
- Admin support for 11 CEOs from each MHMR Center, coordinated/facilitated all board/committee meetings, special events/conferences/trainings, coordinated all transportation and hotel reservations, prepared minutes for all meetings, managed all center contracts for services, handled all scheduling for Executive Director, answered all calls, received/responded to all emails, scanned/filed documents, updated and sent out billing for all MHMR Centers, created/maintained regular reports/special reports/presentations/letters, ordered office supplies, etc.
PAP Specialist
ETBHN/Burke Center
Lufkin
04.2009 - 05.2011
- Entered all applications for MHMR Centers of East TX for medication assistance through ETBHN, updated/maintained data/reporting, refilled call-in prescriptions, received/mailed out all medication packages, inventory, distributed mail, operated office equipment, managed calls/emails, etc.
Education
Associates Degree - Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX05.2000
Skills
- Understanding of employment laws
- Written and verbal communication
- Legal issue analysis
- Attention to detail
- Independent and collaborative work
- Employee relations principles
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Problem-solving abilities
- Onboarding expertise
- Interpersonal skills and rapport building
- Multi-priority management
- Recruitment assistance
- Project management proficiency
- Simultaneous project prioritization
- Collaborative project management approach
- Proficient in UKG, HireRight, ServiceNow, ImageNow, Qualtrics, Adobe, SharePoint, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs, ATS
References
References are available upon request.
Websites
Timeline
Senior HR Specialist
UDR, Inc.
02.2022 - 03.2025
HR Specialist
Robert Half Temp Agency (UDR, Inc.)
09.2021 - 02.2022
Office Coordinator/HR Admin Assistant
Kolbe Striping, Inc.
11.2019 - 09.2021
Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)
United States Postal Services
11.2018 - 08.2019
Centralized Intake Support Staff II
Burke Center
06.2015 - 03.2017
Mobile Crisis Department Support Staff I
Burke Center
06.2015 - 03.2017
Office Coordinator/Admin Assistant
Intellitec College
01.2012 - 06.2012
Executive Admin Assistant
ETBHN/Burke Center
04.2009 - 05.2011
PAP Specialist
ETBHN/Burke Center
04.2009 - 05.2011
Associates Degree - Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Angelina College
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