Jennifer Harrington

JENNIFER HARRINGTON Hayden, ID 83835 - Phone:- --Schedule A Disability Eligible EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Strategic and results-driven leader with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence, leading crossfunctional teams, and advising senior executives on organizational strategy and process improvements. Adept at synthesizing complex information, fostering collaboration, and enhancing efficiency across diverse functions. A proven leader in strategic planning, governance, and high-impact decision-making, with expertise in finance, compliance, and IT oversight. Recipient of the 2024 Department of Secretary award for Attracting, Inspiring, and Retaining an Engaged and Motivated USDA Workforce as part of the AgWrite Correspondence Project Team. AREAS OF EXPERTISE      Strategic Planning & Execution Organizational Leadership & Governance Financial & Operational Oversight Cross-Functional Team Leadership Board & Executive Engagement TRAINING & EDUCATION  NOVA, Chief of Staff Certification  National New Leader Cohort 2  Contract Officers Representative II (FAC-COR2)     Process Optimization & Change Management Compliance & Risk Management IT Systems & Security Strategy High Stakes Decision Support   Project/Program Manager Mid-Level (FAC-P/PM) American University, Aspiring Leader LEADERSHIP & AFFILIATIONS  Board & Governance Advisor, U.S. Forest Service Covid Re-entry and Employee Advisory Team | Provided strategic guidance for high-level governance decisions across multiple federal agencies.  National Ambassador, U.S. Forest Service “This is Who We Are” Initiative | Led cultural transformation and workforce engagement efforts.  Chair, U.S. Forest Service Region 6 Employee Advisory Group | Facilitated executive-employee engagement to enhance workplace morale and inclusion.  Department-wide, USDA AgWrite Correspondence Team | Led communication transformation and congressional engagement efforts. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Rural Development, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) December 2024 – Current Administrative Management Specialist GS-0301, Full Time Supervisor: Dr. Sharese Paylor;- Serves as senior strategic advisor to Senior Executives, Directors, and Branch Chiefs providing high-level coordination and oversight of national initiatives.  Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination: o Coordinates with stakeholders and internal/external partners to support agency priorities. Works directly with key personnel on priority issues and agendas for the White House, Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s Office, and agency guidance. Initiates, prepares, and coordinates responses for sensitive and complex inquiries from the White House, Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s Office, Members of Congress, and various external partners.  Program Advisory and Policy Guidance o Provides expert advice on administrative management functions, business operations, and management initiatives to the Director. Conducts intensive analysis of operational problems and developed comprehensive background information and supporting documentation. o Interprets, evaluates, and informs management of new or revised administrative policies, regulations, and procedures affecting the organization and OCR program. 1 Serves as a representative on interagency task forces and explored solutions to problems based on studies, surveys, and interviews. Maintains productive working relationships with policy makers, inter-organizational teams, and counterparts to resolve mutual problems. Program/Project Planning, Analysis and Management: o Plans and manages special projects supporting significant administrative and OCR program operations and initiatives. o Develops, implements, and evaluates decision support matrices, databases, data analysis, and other initiatives for the Civil Rights Office. Assists with Program and Employment Civil Rights Impact Analysis and ensures compliance with applicable congressional legislation and Federal, USDA requirements. o Developed and implemented Office of Civil Rights Directors Council Charter for Department Wide dissemination to 30+ Civil Rights Directors. o  Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary September 2023 – December 2024 Administrative Management Specialist GS-0301, Full Time Supervisor: Gloria (Susie) Cammarata;- Led reorganization efforts to establish new staff office and operational branch which aligned with Departmental, White House, and Congressional priorities.  Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination: o Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align departmental goals and streamline processes, enhancing overall operational efficiency. o Prepared comprehensive reports and presentations for executive leadership, effectively communicating key findings, recommendations, and action plans for sensitive and complex inquiries from the White House, Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s Office, Members of Congress, and various external partners. o Coordinated, trained, and produced Department-wide events and training offered to over 100,000+ employees.  Program Advisory and Policy Guidance o Served as principal advisor to the Director and Deputy Directors, providing expert advice on administrative management, business operations, and management initiatives. Conducted comprehensive analysis of operational problems and developed detailed background information and supporting documentation. o Developed and implemented internal operation procedures (SOPs) and roles and responsibilities for administrative support.  Strategic Planning and Implementation: o Served as a representative on interagency and interdepartmental workgroups and explored solutions to administrative problems through studies, surveys, and interviews. o Provided high level of leadership, representation, consultation, liaison, staffing, and/or coordination to support a broad scope of the agency mission and related special program responsibilities and initiatives assigned with cross-collaboration from other Departments, Staff Offices, Mission Areas, and Agencies.  Data Management and Policy Development: o Managed the capture, reporting, and analysis of statistical data related to program operations. Identified and mitigated gaps in policies by developing and implementing succession plan for operations branch. Participated in determining long-range plans for the staff office which included initiating new programmatic efforts, changing and establishing priorities, and eliminating or modifying programs.  Budget, Financial, and Acquisition Management: o Managed a $4+ million budget. Prepared and briefed senior executives and directors on budget-related information for high-level senior executive meetings. Identified shortfalls and trade-offs, recommending refunding distribution for programs. o Coordinated with Chief Financial Officer budget staff to reduced oversight time on enabling real-time budget tracking. o Provided technical assistance to stakeholders on purchasing and contracting guidelines, statutes and regulations. Ensured department contracts are procured, created and managed appropriately. Established and maintained department service contracts and associated records. Certified Contract Officer Representative (COR) on multiple multi-million-dollar contracts. U.S. Forest Service, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Administrative Operations Specialist (AOS) GS-0301, Full Time 2 June 2021 – September 2023 Supervisor: Anzanette Randall;- Provided strategic counsel to Senior Executives, Directors, and Branch Chiefs by exchanging information, providing advice, and resolving problems. Exercised tact and diplomacy in persuading senior leaders, managers and other officials regarding highly sensitive matters.  Administrative Management: o Advised management officials on a full range of administrative management functions and effective utilization of financial, logistical, and workforce management resources. Planned, developed, and executed the unit’s administrative functions, overseeing programs for correspondence, records management, and internal controls. o Kept management informed of new or revised administrative policies, regulations, and procedures impacting the organization. Explored solutions to administrative problems and recommended actions based on studies, surveys, and interviews. o Coordinated, scheduled, and facilitated meetings with key partners, agency leadership, and stakeholders, providing briefings and presentations on project timelines and accomplishments.  Operational Efficiency: o Oversaw complex analytical studies to identify problems and improve resource utilization, administrative support, and management effectiveness. o Coordinated organizational needs with office requirements, directed personnel actions, and facilitated workforce programs. Analyzed and advised on the implications of management decisions and administrative aspects of workforce management. o Created and developed organizational SOPs for various administrative tasks, collaborating with key stakeholders and senior executives to ensure productive processes.  Budget and Financial Management: o Balanced costs, benefits, productivity, and effectiveness by ensuring internal systems and procedures meet organizational requirements. Managed $15+ million-dollar budget. Tracked spending plans and allocations to ensure balanced budget. o COR on contract with minimum valuation of $2 million dollars. Provided coordination, policy interpretation, and guidance for budget preparation, monitoring, and evaluation. Identified financial and budgetary trends and patterns, directing the monitoring and tracking of obligations and expenditures. Ensured compliance with financial plans and regulatory controls, reporting variations and recommending corrective actions.  Supervisory and Mentor Duties: o Facilitated and implemented a succession plan for the Operations and Support Services Branch in OCR, conducting needs analysis and creating career path proposals for administrative branch employees. o Served as a mentor to employees and helped with the development of training paths, career goals, and timelines for mission objectives. OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Project/Program Manager (Special Project), U.S. Forest Service, Office of Civil Rights -) Led, developed, and implemented strategic Agency-wide contract and project and program management multi-milliondollar national initiatives. Administrative Operations Specialist (Special Project), U.S. Forest Service Work Environment -) Special assignment to lead reorganization and realignment for Chief priority on the creation of a new organization called the Work Environment and Performance Office with a workforce of over 60 employees. Grants Management Specialist, U.S. Forest Service, Grants and Agreements -) Performed the full range of grant and agreement management processes, such as announcing programs, soliciting, analyzing, and evaluating grant and agreement applications/proposals; and making sure the partner meets program requirements. Executive Assistant, U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest -) Provided high-level operational support to Forest Supervisor (FS), Deputy Forest Supervisor (DFS), and Forest Leadership Tea, (FLT) for a 4-million-acre forest overseeing seven districts, five key staff areas, and six national resources. Managed critical assignments, projects, communications, and studies. Administrative Assistant, U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (2017) Operationally supported Forest Engineer for a 4M-acre national forest, managing engineering priority projects and supporting a workforce of over 30 employees on administrative priorities. 3 Financial Services Specialist II, WA State Social and Health -) - Aided the public on applying for public assistance programs and correctly determine eligibility and delivered services to qualified individuals. Customer Service Support II, WA State Social and Health -) - Served as a trusted liaison while maintaining confidentiality for families and clients applying for state medical assistance. Office Automation, Department of Defense Education -) - Provided high-level operational support to Principal and Assistant Principal for an overseas elementary school, managing strategic initiatives and executive communications. Supervised a team of 30+ substitute teachers. Overseas Committee Chair, Camp Courtney Girl Scouts (2011 – 2013) - Led efforts on delivering base wide activities for military children in coordination with Base Commander and local national delegates. Oversaw an $11K portfolio and supervised a team of 15+ volunteers. 4