Monday, June 25

1 to 5 pm ................ Registration
8 to 5 pm ............... Federal Agency Pre-Conference Meeting

Tuesday, June 26

7 am to 12, 2 to 5 ... Registration

9:00 am – 10:15 am Plenary Session - Navigating a Federal Career – Is there an ideal career path?
Room: Fiesta 5-6
There are at minimum three bodies of knowledge that transcend specific job occupation classification that once acquired generally provide an individual that “extra” quality hiring officials notice. A cautionary note – no amount of knowledge or skill has value without successful performance.
The first is typically a technical knowledge set required for a job.
A second is generally specific to your organization’s operations and culture.
The third is leadership at every grade level – from singularly leading a task force of one, to leading teams, branches, divisions, departments etc. Leadership typically begins with the tactical and with experience; and successful performance rises to the strategic level and typically into leadership positions with high GS grades or Senior Executive Service (SES) positions.
So, if you’ve been in the federal public service family for a month or 20 years, “Where are you on your journey?” As Alice, in the story of Alice in Wonderland, asks the Cheshire cat in a tree, “Where am I?” With a smile, the cat replies, “Where do you want to be?”
Facilitator: Ms. Sara E Clemente Sosa, LULAC Director of Federal Affairs
Presenter: Ms. Kimberly Holden, Deputy Associate Director for Recruitment and Hiring, Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Panelists: Mr. Gilbert Camacho, Associate Director for Human Capital Systems, Human Capital and Resources Management, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Lorena Carrasco, Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Mr. Sean M. Clayton, Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management and Operations Support, Social Security Administration (invited)
Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Social Security Administration
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

9:00 am – 10:15 am Community Briefing: Find and Apply for Employment in the Federal Government
Room: Durango 1-2
It’s a New Day for the Federal Service! Are you interested in pursuing one of the many exciting, challenging and rewarding careers in the Federal Government? Attend this workshop to learn how to get started, as it is designed to highlight the steps to finding and applying for Federal jobs and provide you with an excellent foundation to consider a career with the Federal government. This session will provide participants with information on how to navigate the government’s official jobs website, USAJOBS. Participants will learn how to navigate the site and search for jobs, including tailoring the search to particular types of jobs and specific geographic areas. They will also learn about the various special hiring programs with the Federal Government and what jobs are in high demand, as well as resume and other Federal application process tips.
Facilitator: Ms. Alfrida Coombs, Departmental Hispanic Employment Program Manager, Office of the Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation
Presenter: Ms. Julie Saad, Program Analyst, Student Programs, Recruitment and Hiring Employee Services Division, Office of Personnel Management

10:30 am – 11:45 am Community Briefing: Writing an Effective Resume
Room: Durango 1-2
The Federal Government is streamlining the application process in order to make it easier and faster for candidates to apply for jobs. Job seekers will be able to apply for positions using a resume and an optional over letter. This workshop will provide participants with information on how best to write a resume that highlights strengths and accomplishments. You will learn what information to include on your resume, tips to market yourself how to describe your experience. You will also learn how to communicate veteran-specific information on your resume. Participants will leave this session armed with information to craft an effective resume.
Facilitator: Ms. Julie Saad, Ms. Julie Saad, Program Analyst, Student Programs, Recruitment and Hiring, Employee Services Division, Office of Personnel Management
Presenter: Ms. Monica Butler, Human Resources Specialist, Washington Services Branch, Division of Human Resources Solutions, Office of Personnel Management

10:30 am – 11:45 am Introduction to the Senior Executive Service (SES)
Room: Monterrey 1
Are you interested in becoming an SES? Come and learn first-hand about the many traits needed to become a SES. These traits will be addressed by providing you an overview on the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) define the competencies needed to build a federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization. The Executive Core Qualifications are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service and are used by many departments and agencies in selection, performance management, and leadership development for management and executive positions
Facilitator: Ms. Marisela Rosales, Recruiter/SEPM Manager, U.S. Department of Labor
Presenter(s): Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

10:30 am – 11:45 am Employment of Veterans in the Executive Branch: Agency Roles and Responsibilities
Room: Coronado F-G
This presentation explains the initiative, its goals, and the impact on Federal Agencies, hiring managers and HR professionals. It also addresses the specific roles and responsibilities of the Council on Veterans Employment, Veteran Employment Program Office, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, and the Departments of Labor, Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security.
Facilitator: Mr. Felipe Garcia-Santos, Regional Veterans Employment Coordinator (RVEC) Region 11 (Florida & Puerto Rico), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Presenter: Mr. Hakeem Basheerud-Deen, Deputy Director, Veterans Services U.S. Office of Personnel Management (invited)

10:30 am – 11:45 am Becoming a Trusted Leader
Room: Coronado D-E
Globalization, the pending retirement wave, increased utilization of technology, and a universally accepted mantra of “do more with less – and do it faster, more efficiently and effectively” is causing agencies to fundamentally question how they identify and train their leaders of tomorrow. What got us here won’t get us there; the role of a leader is transforming and strategic leadership is the calling of tomorrow. Involve yourself in this session and gain a greater understanding of the five stages of strategic leadership and learn how to immediately apply them into your daily life. Let this learning engagement help you identify how to transform yourself and unleash you as a forward thinking results-driven strategic leader.
Facilitator: Ms. Cristina Bartolomei, EEO Specialist, Hispanic Employment Program Manager, LEP Initiatives, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Commerce
Presenter (s): Mr. Jeffrey Vargas, Chief Learning Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Mr. Sean M. Clayton, Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management and Operations Support, Social Security Administration (invited)

10:30 am – 11:45 am Leading Change and Achieving Results: EEO Processing
Room: Coronado M-N
The U.S. Postal Service’s EEO department strategically transformed its methodology and approach to EEO complaint processing. In 2004, the agency created the National EEO Investigative Services Office (NEEOISO). NEEOISO successfully operates as the only EEO Shared Service Center in the federal sector implementing aggressive, operational and business objectives to centralize EEO complaint processing. It incorporates tried and true best practice techniques, as it delivers on its self-imposed, high quality standards. This workshop will briefly explain how the Agency streamlined its overall federal EEO complaint and investigative processes.
Facilitator: Ms. Elaine Westley, EEO Manager, Federal Women's Program and Hispanic Employment Program Manager, Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration HQDEA
Speaker (s): Mr. William ‘Randy’ Caldwell, CEBS, SPHR, CCP, Executive Manager, National EEO Services, United States Postal Service
Ms. Vickye R. Byron, SPHR, GCDF, Manager, EEO Services, United States Postal Service

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Community Briefing: Veteran’s Symposium I - Veterans Health Administration
Room: Durango 1-2
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) VHA is home to the United States’ largest integrated health care system consisting of 152 medical centers, nearly 1,400 community-based outpatient clinics, community living centers, Vet Centers and Domiciliary. Veterans attending this session will be provided information on basic eligibility for VA healthcare, how to enroll in VA healthcare (DD214), covered healthcare services, priority groups, co-payments, Operations Iraq Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom benefits, mental health services, Vet Centers, VA special programs, patient education classes, MyHealthyVet, and ChampVA.
Facilitator: Mr. Dwayne E. Campbell, Hispanic Veterans Liaison, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Presenter(s): Mr. Edwin Johnson, Minority Affairs Specialist and the Integrated Health Services Care Representative, Orlando VA Medical Center, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Diversity and Productivity: The Ideal Partnership
Room: Monterrey 1
Until recently, the battle cry on diversity had been limited to recruiting and hiring diverse candidates, analyzing representation rates, and either handling or avoiding EEO complaints. However, that’s not enough. In order to ensure that a diverse workforce is productive, leaders must understand the elements of the diversity their employees bring, as well as the effects of such diversity in today’s workplace culture and in people’s careers. This presentation combines research results, humor, and storytelling to illustrate the consequences of having a diverse workforce and provides food for thought on how to ensure it remains productive.
Facilitator: Ms. Ana Valentin, Survey Statistician, NOAA Fisheries Statistics Division, US Department of Commerce
Presenter: Ms. Maria Mercedes Olivieri, Diversity Consultant & Trainer, Former Assistant Director for Federal Diversity, Office of Personnel Management (confirmed

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Leadership 21-Adding Value
Room: Coronado F-G
Leadership 21 is designed to provide you with the opportunity to examine competencies associated with leadership and to apply those competencies to your current work assignment. In today’s organizations leadership is needed at all levels and by all employees. Gone are the days when leadership was the exclusive domain of a chosen few in executive positions. The constant change and evolving dynamics of the modern organization requires a much different approach. The new leadership approach and demands mean that you and your peers must step up as “corporate citizens,” and be leaders within your own work areas in a variety of ways.
Leadership is everyone’s responsibility. It’s the behavior each of us exerts when we take responsibility for our actions and their consequences. It is through this model that you demonstrate value. You demonstrate more than technical competence - more than traditional skills and abilities. VALUE. Value that enhances your organization's ability to achieve more, to be more effective and to realize mission possibilities that are not possible without leadership at all levels. It challenges you to look at your own capabilities and contributions for the value you are adding to mission accomplishment at your organization.
It can help you become a more confident informal or formal leader, assume greater leadership responsibilities, seize leadership opportunities, and assess your leadership competence and potential. Through this, it is believed that you will increase your personal job satisfaction and value to the organization.
Facilitator: Ms. Cristina Bartolomei, EEO Specialist Hispanic Employment Program Manager, LEP Initiatives, Office of Civil Rights, US Department of Commerce
Presenter: Ms. Vilma Colon, Former Division Director, General Services Administration

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm The DOOR to Hiring & Advancing People with Disabilities in the Federal Government
Room: Coronado D-E

This workshop presented by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Diversity Outreach Opportunities and Recruitment Division (DOOR) representatives will provide valuable information on vehicles you may use to employ people with disabilities and create career paths that may help them advance to leadership positions within the Federal government. The workshop will be an open forum and overview of Schedule A hiring; Reasonable Accommodations and Language Access; Training Resources for Persons with Disabilities; Internship, and Employment Opportunities within the Federal government.
Facilitator: Ms. Virginia Andreu, Attorney, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Presenter(s): Ms. Crystal Williams, Diversity Programs Specialist/Staff Sign Language Interpreter, US Department of Health and Human Services

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm When I Say “Change” You Say “Why?!!!” Managing Change: Understanding your Change Style Preference
Room: Coronado M-N
Do any of these responses resonate? How can you effectively deal with and lead a workforce through change if you get these responses?
During this interactive workshop attendees will learn about personal change style preferences and more importantly shed some light on how others around them approach change. This basic understanding is the foundation for effective change management. As a senior leader in any organization, your ability to effectively lead and manage change is critical to leadership effectiveness. This workshop will give you the tools to build your change management skills.
Facilitator: Ms. Cristina Bartolomei, EEO Specialist Hispanic Employment Program Manager, LEP Initiatives, Office of Civil Rights, US Department of Commerce
Presenter: Ms. Anita Hinton, Leadership Instructor, Central Intelligence Agency/Center for Leadership Development

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Community Briefing: Veteran’s Symposium II - Veterans Benefits Administration
Room: Durango 1-2
This workshop will provide attendees with information on Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). VBA is responsible for administering the VA’s programs that provide financial and other forms of assistance to Veterans, their dependents, and survivors. Major benefits offered to Veterans by VBA include Veterans’ compensation, pension, survivors’ benefits, rehabilitation and employment assistance, education assistance, home loan guaranties, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, life insurance coverage, memorial benefits, markers/headstone, medallion benefit, and burial flag.
Facilitator: Mr. Dwayne E. Campbell, Hispanic Veterans Liaison, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Presenter(s): Ernest Houston, Veterans Service Center, St. Petersburg VA Regional Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Introduction to the Senior Executive Service (SES)
Room: Monterrey 1
Are you interested in becoming an SES? Come and learn first-hand about the many traits needed to become a SES. These traits will be addressed by providing you an overview on the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) define the competencies needed to build a federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization. The Executive Core Qualifications are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service and are used by many departments and agencies in selection, performance management, and leadership development for management and executive positions
Facilitator: Ms. Jacqueline Padrón, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter(s): Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Conflict Resolution
Room: Coronado F-G
The objective of this training session is to improve understanding and awareness of conflict resolution strategies and increase the use of these strategies when feasible and appropriate. Attendees will learn to anticipate and prevent destructive conflict; plan an appropriate strategy and set the plan in motion.
Facilitator: Ms. Glorimar Maldonado, Chief of Staff, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, U.S. Department of Education
Presenter: Mr. Ray Wilson, EEO Specialist, US Army, Fort Gordon

Wednesday, June 27

7 to 12, 2 to 5 ......... Registration

9:00 am – 10:15 am Community Briefing: Veteran’s Symposium III – VA for Vets
Room: Yucatan 1-2
This workshop will provide attendees with information on programs geared to assisting veterans and/or employees charged with informing, and assisting the veterans seeking employment. It will also provide information on the many programs that the United States Department of Veteran’s has offer to veterans. Special emphasis will be given to the following programs:
VA for Vets
VA for Vets facilitates the reintegration, retention and hiring of Veteran employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). At this session, Veterans will learn about VA’s careers, search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for Veterans employed by the VA, military skills translation, career matching services, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Facilitator: Mr. Dwayne E. Campbell, Hispanic Veterans Liaison, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Presenter: Mr. Felipe Garcia-Santos, Regional Veterans Employment Coordinator (RVEC) Region 11 (Florida & Puerto Rico), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

9:00 am – 10:15 am Senior Executive Service 101: Preparing for the Next Step!
Room: Monterrey 1
Interested in becoming a SES member? If so, you are one of many; therefore, we invite you join us in both sessions of a two-part workshop: Preparing for the next Step, sessions (SES 101 & SES 102) to make sure you acquire the knowledge that may help you stand out in a competitive field, in order to be considered for an SES position. One sure way to accomplish this task is by executing successful Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) writing. Well written ECQs can mean the difference of being referred for an interview with a federal review board or not!
This interactive workshop will afford the opportunity to begin crafting ECQ’s and learn how to write the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) qualification statements. To accomplish this, the presenter will provide attendees with expert advice on how to present your qualifications in writing; the do’s and don’ts when addressing the ECQ’s and writing samples of ECQ’s.
Facilitator: Ms. Jacqueline Padrón, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter (s): Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

9:00 am – 10:15 am Conflict Resolution
Room: Coronado F-G
The constructive handling of disagreements is essential to personal satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. Improved skill in managing interpersonal differences will enrich your work relationships and career. In this session attendees will learn to anticipate and prevent destructive conflict; plan an appropriate strategy to address conflict and set the plan in motion.
Presenter: Mr. Ray Wilson, EEO Specialist, US Army, Fort Gordon
Facilitator: Ms. Ana Valentin, Survey Statistician, NOAA Fisheries Statistics Division, US Department of Commerce

9:00 am – 10:15 am EEO and the Special Emphasis Program Manager
Room: Coronado M-N
This workshop will provide a better understanding of the role of SEPMs in providing equal opportunities on the workplace and in creating EEO model agencies. The workshop will focus on varies elements to include: the duties of the SEPMs and specific activities that may be used to identify barriers; develop and implement special program initiatives.
Facilitator: Ms. Alicia Rodriguez, Training Coordinator, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Training Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter: Ms. Virginia Andreu Rosario, Attorney, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

9:00 am – 10:15 am Communication Styles at Work
Room: Baja
Nothing is more important than the ability to successfully interact with others. Your success may depend to a large degree on how well you interact with others on a daily basis. Because each interaction has the potential of working for or against you in achieving the results you desire, knowing how to communicate effectively in your day-to-day interactions with others is the key to increasing a leader’s ability to achieve personal and organizational success.
The overview will show how to identify and understand communication habits. Participants will also gain valuable insight into their interpersonal strengths, then learn and practice individually tailored strategies for more effective communication.
Facilitator: Ms. Sara A. Rosario Nieves, Diversity Programs Coordinator, Human Resources Division, U.S. Census Bureau
Presenter: Ms. Vilma Colon, Former Division Director, General Services Administration

10:30 am – 11:45 am Community Briefing: Veteran’s Symposium IV – National Cemetery Administration
Room: Yucatan 1-3
This workshop will provide attendees with information on the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). NCA is responsible for providing burial benefits to Veterans and eligible dependents. NCA manages 123 cemeteries nationwide and providing grave markers worldwide. The Veterans attending this session will learn about the major benefits offered to Veterans by NCA to include: memorial benefits, markers/headstone, medallion benefit, and burial flag.
Facilitator: Mr. Dwayne E. Campbell, Hispanic Veterans Liaison, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Presenter: Ms. Eugenia L. Simmons, Florida National Cemetery, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

10:30 am – 11:45 am Diversity and Productivity: The Ideal Partnership
Room: Fiesta 7-8
Until recently, the battle cry on diversity had been limited to recruiting and hiring diverse candidates, analyzing representation rates, and either handling or avoiding EEO complaints. However, that’s not enough. In order to ensure that a diverse workforce is productive, leaders must understand the elements of the diversity their employees bring, as well as the effects of such diversity in today’s workplace culture and in people’s careers. This presentation combines research results, humor, and storytelling to illustrate the consequences of having a diverse workforce and provides food for thought on how to ensure it remains productive.
Facilitator: Mr. Ismael Martinez, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, National Archives and Records Administration
Presenter: Ms. Maria. Mercedes Olivieri, Diversity Consultant & Trainer, Former Assistant Director for Federal Diversity, Office of Personnel Management

10:30 am – 11:45 am Senior Executive Service 102: Preparing for the Next Step!
Room: Monterrey 1
This session is the continuation of SES 101. This interactive workshop will afford the opportunity to continue crafting ECQ’s and share them with Presenters and attendees for constructive advice and improvement of the written ECQs presented. Remember, well written ECQs can mean the difference of getting to the interview with a federal review board or not!
To accomplish this, the presenter will recap/summarize what was discussed in the SES 101 and continue providing attendees with expert advice on how to present your qualifications in writing; the do’s and don’ts when addressing the ECQ’s and writing samples of ECQ’s.
Facilitator: Ms. Jacqueline Padrón, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter(s): Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

10:30 am – 11:45 am Generational Truths Every Leader Needs to Know
Room: Monterrey 3
Learn the characteristics of the four generations currently in the workplace. Identify your own strengths and weaknesses in the face of “truths and myths” about each of the four generations, Improve your power to communicate and successfully influence others through understanding motivation techniques in cross-generational communications, Identify strategies on how to navigate organizational culture driven from a generational perspective to improve negotiating skills as well as team productivity.
Facilitator: Ms. Ana Valentin, Survey Statistician, NOAA Fisheries Statistics Division, US Department of Commerce
Presenter (s): Mr. Jeffrey Vargas, Chief Learning Officer, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Mr. Sean M. Clayton, Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Commissioner for Management and Operations Support, Social Security Administration (invited)

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Community Briefing: Find and Apply for Employment in the Federal Government
Room: Yucatan 1-3
It’s a New Day for the Federal Service! Are you interested in pursuing one of the many exciting, challenging and rewarding careers in the Federal Government? Attend this workshop to learn how to get started, as it is designed to highlight the steps to finding and applying for Federal jobs and provide you with an excellent foundation to consider a career with the Federal government. This session will provide participants with information on how to navigate the government’s official jobs website, USAJOBS. Participants will learn how to navigate the site and search for jobs, including tailoring the search to particular types of jobs and specific geographic areas. They will also learn about the various special hiring programs with the Federal Government and what jobs are in high demand, as well as resume and other Federal application process tips.
Facilitator: Ms. Julie Saad, Program Analyst, Student Programs, Recruitment and Hiring Employee Services Division, Office of Personnel Management
Presenter: Mr. Andrew Grebe, Management Analyst, Student Programs, Recruitment and Hiring Employee Services Division, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Senior Executive Service Coaching and Roundtable Discussion
Room: Monterrey 1
This workshop provides employees interested in moving into the SES ranks an opportunity for more direct, give-and-take interaction with experienced managers in leadership positions. The participants will participate in an informal exchange of information with senior managers regarding SES competencies, performance expectations as a senior leader, and maximizing career opportunities to enhance their skills.
This workshop is limited to a small group of attendees and participation will be based on a first come, first serve basis.
Facilitator: Noemi Pizarro-Hyman, Senior Foreign Language Program Specialist Center for Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (HC/HCL-3) Chair, Intelligence Community Hispanic Affinity Group Defense Intelligence Agency
Coaches: Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Social Security Administration
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Gilbert Camacho, Associate Director for Human Capital Systems Human Capital and Resources Management, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Lorena Carrasco, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Commodity Futures Trading Commission

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Management Directive (MD)-715
Room: Coronado D-E
The objective of MD-715 is to ensure that all employees and applicants for employment enjoy equality of opportunity in the federal workplace regardless of race, sex, national origin, color, religion, disability or reprisal for engaging in prior protected activity. MD-715 is a management tool to ensure that policies, practices and procedures are conducted in a discrimination free manner.
This workshop is a hands-on introduction to EEOC Management Directive 715 (MD-715) and an introduction to the tools provided to complete the MD 715. Participants will become familiar with the six essential elements of a model EEO program and learn to identify and eliminate program deficiencies. Participants will also be introduced to the Barrier Analysis process. Course topics include: Six Essential Elements of a Model EEO Program, Identifying and Eliminating EEO Program Deficiencies, Using MD-715 Parts G & H, and Introduction to the Barrier Analysis Process (Trigger Identification, Barrier Identification, Action Plan Development and Follow-Up).
Facilitator: Ms. Crystal Williams, Departmental Hispanic Employment Program Manager, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Presenter: Mr. Dexter Brooks, Director, Federal Sector Programs, Office of Federal Operations, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Branding Yourself: How to Create a Professional Portfolio
Coronado F-G
The workshop identifies the value and the positive impact a professional portfolio can exhibit on an individual’s knowledge, skills, experiences, and accomplishments. The workshop provides the fundamental components to creating a professional portfolio for any occupation and illustrates the tools needed to create the same. Participants will learn organizational strategies to market their abilities to a perspective employer and remain competitive among other candidates. Participants are encouraged to bring their resume to this interactive and informative workshop.
Facilitator: Ms. Alfrida Coombs, Departmental Hispanic Employment Program Manager, Office of the Secretary, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation
Presenter: Ms. Kimberly Castillo, Hispanic Employment Program Manager, Office of Civil Rights, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Leading Change and Achieving Results: EEO Processing
Room: Coronado M-N
The U.S. Postal Service’s EEO department strategically transformed its methodology and approach to EEO complaint processing. In 2004, the agency created the National EEO Investigative Services Office (NEEOISO). NEEOISO successfully operates as the only EEO Shared Service Center in the federal sector implementing aggressive, operational and business objectives to centralize EEO complaint processing. It incorporates tried and true best practice techniques, as it delivers on its self-imposed, high quality standards. This workshop will briefly explain how the Agency streamlined its overall federal EEO complaint and investigative processes.
Facilitator: Ms. Alicia Rodriguez, Training Coordinator, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Training Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter(s): Mr. William ‘Randy’ Caldwell, CEBS, SPHR, CCP, Executive Manager National EEO Services, United States Postal Service
Ms. Vickye R. Byron, SPHR, GCDF, Manager, EEO Services, United States Postal Service

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Community Briefing: Writing an Effective Resume
Room: Yucatan 1-3
The Federal Government is streamlining the application process in order to make it easier and faster for candidates to apply for jobs. Job seekers will be able to apply for positions using a resume and an optional over letter. This workshop will provide participants with information on how best to write a resume that highlights strengths and accomplishments. You will learn what information to include on your resume, tips to market yourself how to describe your experience. You will also learn how to communicate veteran-specific information on your resume. Participants will leave this session armed with information to craft an effective resume.
Facilitator: Ms. Julie Saad, Program Analyst, Student Programs, Recruitment and Hiring, Employee Services Division, Office of Personnel Management
Presenter: Ms. Monica Butler, Human Resources Specialist, Washington Services Branch, Division of Human Resources Solutions, Office of Personnel Management

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm Senior Executive Service 103 - Coaching and Roundtable Discussion
Room: Monterrey 1
This workshop provides employees interested in moving into the SES ranks an opportunity for more direct, give-and-take interaction with experienced managers in leadership positions. The participants will participate in an informal exchange of information with senior managers regarding SES competencies, performance expectations as a senior leader, and maximizing career opportunities to enhance their skills.
This workshop is limited to a small group of attendees and participation will be based on a first come, first serve basis.
Facilitator: Noemi Pizarro-Hyman, Senior Foreign Language Program Specialist Center for Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (HC/HCL-3) Chair, Intelligence Community Hispanic Affinity Group Defense Intelligence Agency
Coaches: Mr. Gilbert Camacho, Associate Director for Human Capital Systems, Human Capital and Resources Management, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Lorena Carrasco, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Social Security Administration
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

3:30 pm – 4:45 pm EEO and the Special Emphasis Program Manager
Room: Coronado F-G
This workshop will provide a better understanding of the role of SEPMs in providing equal opportunities on the workplace and in creating EEO model agencies. The workshop will focus on varies elements to include: the duties of the SEPMs and specific activities that may be used to identify barriers; develop and implement special program initiatives.
Facilitator: Ms. Jacqueline Padrón, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Office of Human Resources Management, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Presenter: Ms. Virginia Andreu Rosario, Attorney, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Thursday, June 28

7 to 12, 2 to 5 ...... Registration

9:00 am – 9:15 am Welcome:
Ms. Sara E Clemente, LULAC Director of Federal Affairs,
National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers Executive Board

9:15 am – 9:45 am Leadership
Keynote Address: Ms. Vilma Colon, President, Transition Matters Inc.

9:45 am – 10:30 am Model Hispanic Employment Program (HEP)
An interactive presentation on the critical elements in a Model HEP needed to improve the representation of Hispanics Americans in Federal employment. Identify strategies to effective outreach, recruitment, hiring, career development, and retention of Hispanic Americans at all levels in the Federal workforce.
Presenter: Mr. Ismael Martinez, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, National Archives and Records Administration, and National Chairperson for the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers

10:30 am – 10:45 am U.S. Department of Education’s College Finder and College Navigator
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Finder and College Navigator search engines are available for recruiters to assist in identifying a school’s student population, location, degree programs, demographics, and much more. Both resources are great tools to conduct targeted outreach and recruitment efforts.
Presenters: Ms. Glorimar Maldonado, Chief of Staff, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, U.S. Department of Education
Ms. Ora Alger, Diversity Program Manager, Equal Opportunity Employment Services, U.S. Department of Education

10:45 am – 11:30 am Management Directive 715 (MD 715)
MD 715 sets forth guidance for agencies regarding their affirmative employment programs under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The primary goal of MD 715 is to improve the policies, practices, and procedures that may artificially limit employment opportunities and assist agencies in recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining a high-performing workforce that draws upon the greatest pool of talent.
Presenter: Mr. Dexter Brooks, Director, Federal Sector Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

11:30 am – 12:00 pm Veteran Employment Initiatives
President Obama launched the Veterans Employment Initiative in November of 2009, when he issued Executive Order 13518. The order created the Council on Veterans Employment to advise and assist the President on improving employment opportunities for veterans in the Federal Government. The initiative is administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Learn about strategies identified in the Council’s FY 2010 to FY 2012 Strategic Plan; it maps a comprehensive assault on barriers to veterans' employment in the areas of leadership commitment, skills development, marketing employment opportunities for veterans, and creation of a single-source information gateway for disseminating veterans' employment information.
Presenters: Mr. Hakeem Basheerud-Deen, Manager, National Programs, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Mr. Felipe Garcia-Santos, Regional Veterans Employment Coordinator- Region 11, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Crystal Williams, Departmental Hispanic Employment Program Manager, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch –
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm Welcome Back

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Pathways Programs; Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates into Federal Careers
Presidential Executive Order 13562 created the Pathways Programs to recruit, hire, develop, and retain students and recent graduates. The Executive order established two new programs and modified another: 1) Internship Program, 2) Recent Graduates Program, and 3) Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program. These programs offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service. With final regulations now published, learn how your agency can effectively utilize these programs after they become effective on July 10, 2012
Presenter: Ms. Julie Saad, Program Analyst, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Hispanic Employment: Today’s Challenges and Successful Practices
Participate in interactive and dynamic small group discussions surrounding the challenges to outreach, recruitment, employment, advancement, and retention. Identify other agencies successful practices and develop potential solutions with the help of other colleagues from around the country.
Presenter: Ms. Jacqueline Padrón, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, U.S. Department of Agriculture

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Speed Mentoring (Networking)
Speed mentoring is a relatively new concept that focuses on quick-hit information, time-efficient networking and the methodical pursuit of a mentor. Participants meet future potential mentors and protégées, allies and sources of information to help participants make the most of their career. Speed Mentoring is becoming increasingly more popular in the Federal government in support of the agencies Succession Planning and Employee Career Progression plans. Speed Mentoring provides networking opportunities for mentors and mentees to interact and exchange successful testimonies!
Presenter: Ms. Kimberly Castillo, National Hispanic Employment Program Manager, U.S. Department of Transportation and First Vice Chairperson for the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers
Mentors: Mr. Gilbert Camacho, Associate Director for Human Capital Systems Human Capital and Resources Management, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Lorena Carrasco, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Mrs. Felicita Sola Carter, Former Assistant Deputy Commissioner & Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Social Security Administration
Mr. Joseph Mancias, Former Senior Management Counsel to the Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security
Isabel Colon, CBS, Regional Director, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

Friday, June 29

7 to 12, 2 to 5 ....... Registration
10 am to 4 pm ..... Exposition and Job Fair Open
9 am to 4 pm ....... Youth/Collegiate Career Forum