Experience

Sept 1998 to Present  DISPUTE INTERVENTION SERVICES

Mediator/Arbitrator (Sole Practitioner)

Objective: To assist disputing parties in resolving conflict through mediation, arbitration, factfinding and facilitation. Have specialized experience in labor (collective bargaining) and employment (EEO) mediation and arbitration in the private, public and federal sectors.

-   Currently serves as a mediator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) RESOLVE program mediating complaints filed against that agency internally.

-   Additionally, serves as a mediator on the EEOC’s private sector mediation panels in Atlanta, GA, San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

-   Also serves as a mediator for the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) REDRESS program mediating labor and employment disputes within the postal service.

-   Mediates disputes for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Region.

-   Serves on the arbitration and mediation panels for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in the commercial, contract, labor and employment areas.

-   Serves on the mediation panels for the United States District Courts for both the Northern District of California and the Western District of North Carolina.

-   Have also mediated disputes for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California.

-   Have additionally mediated employment disputes involving Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (ARC Program).

-   Also served as a Claim Administrator/Special Master in a class action housing settlement.

-   Currently serves as a mediator and arbitrator for housing disputes in the City of Los Gatos, CA (Project Sentinel).

-   Have also mediated disputes between City/County agencies, a public utility and Native American tribes regarding the preservation of known archaeological sites (i.e., Native American burial grounds) and the protection of traditional Native American resources.

-   Investigates EEO Complaints and alleged commissions of prohibited personnel practices. Have specifically conducted investigations in these areas for private sector employers and for the USDA, DHS and DOJ.

-   Available also to train employers and employees in EEO law and in the resolution of conflicts and the development of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.

Mar 1997 to Sept 1998  FEDERAL MEDIATION & CONCILIATION SERVICE

Commissioner (Federal Mediator)

Assisted both organized labor and management in reaching negotiated settlement agreements (i.e., collective bargaining agreements). Conducted Boards of Adjustment and grievance mediations relating to labor disputes. Provided training in: alternative dispute resolution, interest based bargaining, partnership, facilitation and labor/management committee development and effectiveness. Duties also included mediating federal sector EEO complaints.

May 1995 to Mar 1997  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS - Sacramento, CA)

Equal Employment Specialist (Mediator)

Conciliated and mediated disputes involving allegations of civil rights violations between contending parties (i.e., Management and Employees). Duties included formal investigation of allegations of discrimination before conducting mediation. Also responsible for providing EEO counseling at the informal stage of the federal sector EEO process. During mediation developed and recommended options to the parties to facilitate their reaching an amicable resolution. Position required: expert knowledge of civil rights laws, technical, legal and negotiation skills.

Nov 1994 to May 1995  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (APHIS - Washington, D.C.)

Personnel Management Specialist

Advised and counseled APHIS/M&B on matters relating to equal employment, employee relations and other related personnel matters. Attempted informal settlement prior to formal investigation of EEO complaints. Prepared informal and formal settlement agreements. Also prepared cases for hearings and served as the Agency representative at the hearings.

Aug 1993 to Nov 1994  EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (Washington Field Office - Washington, D.C.)

Administrative Judge (Hearing Examiner)

Adjudicated cases involving allegations of employment discrimination within federal agencies. Responsibilities included enforcing Title VII, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and all other federal anti-discrimination statutes. Responsibilities also included ruling on various motions, approving witnesses and writing recommended decisions. Also negotiated settlement agreement during settlement conferences and served as a facilitator and/or mediator in the resolution of complaints.

Mar 1993 to Aug 1993    DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Equal Opportunity Specialist (EEO Investigator)

Responsible for the enforcement of the District's Human Rights Act, which included investigating claims of discrimination in employment and in housing (Title VIII). Primary responsibility was to review appeals of the Department's decisions of probable and no probable cause brought by complainants and employers. Continued in this capacity on a contractual basis upon leaving the Department until January 1994.