Sarah Mesmer 4775 South Plum Creek Meadows a Sedalia, Colorado 80135

* 303.681.2993
www.BakosGroup.com/resumes/smesmer.pdf smf3694a@westpost.net
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HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL
aSuccess is not a matter of desire, but the product of hard work.a
Hands-on, motivational leader with years of progressively challenging experience
achieving or exceeding desired business outcomes. Exceptional ability to clearl
y translate complex issues into actionable plans aligned to short and long-term
requirements. Establish quick rapport with co-workers, professionals and staff.
Exercise diplomacy and tact; enjoy a reputation of relational excellence, and ov
ercoming obstacles critical to performance metrics. Effectively evaluate and pro
actively manage performance against relevant benchmarks. Adapt leadership style
to situations and people; empower, motivate and guide others to reach their goal
s.
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KNOWLEDGE AREAS
RECRUITING & HIRING a WORKERSa COMPENSATION a COACHING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMEN
T a LABOR RELATIONS a ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT a COMPLIANCE a COUNSELING a NEG
OTIATING / MEDIATING a RISK MANAGEMENT a ADA a FLMA a EEO a DIVERSITY
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CAREER TRACK & PERFORMANCE | DRIVING FORCES
DCSD Denver, Colorado
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Since 2003
Effectively manage and oversee routine HR functions to maximize organizational
effectiveness, lower costs, and ensure that staffing meets varied goals for prof
essional and administrative / support requirements. Collaborate with department
members and with senior management to identify needs and to formulate strategies
and approaches to achieve desired outcomes. Develop HR policies and practices a
ligned to both short and long-term requirements. Monitor activities, and resolve
issues in a timely manner as required. Design skills training to bolster employ
ee performance, and coach managers in resolving complex labor relations and othe
r issues.
* Reversed a trend of legal non-compliance issues among management through the c
reation, development, implementation, and management of a Leadership Academy for
mid-level managers. As a result, reduced non-compliance in areas of employee di
sputes, as well as improved overall personnel management actions.
* Improved recruitment through facilitation and revision of compensation perform
ance pay structure. Formed multi-level, multi-discipline review team utilizing v
ariety of assessment formats to determine efficacy of the current program and de
velop appropriate revisions based upon need.
* Upon advent of a new employee labor association, directed key aspects of the c
ontract writing process. Selected to facilitate annual labor negotiations, and d
eftly managed potential conflicts to ensure process completed smoothly and to th
e satisfaction of all affected parties.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES 2001 - 2003
 Closely assisted with general HR planning and execution. Authored and implement
ed a wide variety of programs and policies, and developed training awareness pro
grams. Liaised effectively with upper management, departmental heads, administra
tive staff and individual employees to effectuate cost-savings programs and proc
edures while improving organizational efficiencies.
* Revamped the Classified Employee compensation system based upon input from var
ious job-specific focus groups and an extensive market analysis, thereby improvi
ng recruitment of classified employees.
* Planned and spearheaded a complete revision of the classified staff evaluation
process. Implemented an improved job-specific evaluation process resulting in v
astly improved ability to identify employee strengths and weaknesses and focus o
n performance improvement. Coupled new process with a performance pay system boo
sting organizational effectiveness.
* Improved employee relations through the design and implementation of job-speci
fic teams that monitored and maintained open communication regarding employee sa
tisfaction and workplace conditions.
LPS Littleton, Colorado
HUMAN RESOURCES & STAFF DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR 1995 - 2001
Provided highly effective HR support and guidance, with strong focus on improvi
ng employee and manager performance through customized training, coaching, and m
entoring.
* Managed a $200 thousand grant for an extensive staff development project. Proj
ect teams selected at individual sites, trained, and came away with program impl
ementation action plans.
* Designed and implemented a 5-level employee development program which strength
ened the culture of continuous improvement.
* Improved overall staff performance through development of a quality improvemen
t program based upon a TQM model.
* Facilitated a team of top-level managers (including CEO, CFO, COO) to monitor
employee satisfaction, improve workplace conditions, develop a succession plan,
and utilize strategic planning to set future direction.
Previous positions include:
Co-Developer a" GO FOR IT! Institute
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LEARNING CREDENTIALS
MASTER OF ARTS 1979
University of Denver Denver, Colorado
BACHELOR OF ARTS 1978
Colorado Womenas College Denver, Colorado
Additional courses, seminars and workshops include:
Budgeting & Finance a EEO a ADA a FMLA a Training of Trainers a Leadership & Adm
inistration a Current Labor Law a Personnel Management a Interest Based Bargaini
ng a Total Quality Management a Compensation Design
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ORGANIZATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS
SHRM a CASPA
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REFERENCES AND FURTHER DATA PROVIDED UPON
ESTABLISHMENT OF MUTUAL INTEREST