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Leah Bliss

@leahbliss

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Experienced HR specialist focused on employee relations and compliance.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I am seeking a role that allows me to leverage my HR expertise to foster a positive workplace culture and drive strategic initiatives.

I am a dedicated HR professional with over 20 years of experience in employee and labor relations, specializing in strategic partnerships with senior leadership and legal counsel. Currently, I serve as a Supervisory HR Specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I lead complex employee relations investigations and disciplinary actions, achieving successful outcomes with zero successful appeals. My role involves analyzing case data to identify systemic issues and recommending enterprise-wide process improvements, which have been adopted by regional HR teams.

Previously, I held leadership positions at the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I directed numerous disciplinary actions and investigations, significantly improving workplace climate and policy adherence. My expertise in employment law and HR policy development has allowed me to coach managers and employees through conflict resolution efforts, resulting in enhanced morale and communication within high-tension teams. I am passionate about fostering a positive work environment and ensuring compliance with evolving legal standards.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Supervisory HR Specialist – Employee & Labor Relations

Current

Department of Veterans Affairs

Jun 2023 - Present (1 year 11 months)

Acts as a strategic partner to senior leadership, leading complex employee relations investigations and disciplinary actions with successful outcomes. Conducts high-visibility investigations involving misconduct and performance, supporting legal teams on EEOC responses and contributing to timely case resolution. Analyzes ER case data to uncover systemic issues and serves as a subject matter expert

Employee Relations Investigation Disciplinary Actions Conflict Resolution Employment Law Data Analysis

Supervisory HR Specialist – Employee Relations

U.S. Forest Service

Aug 2021 - Jun 2023 (1 year 10 months)

Delivered Employee Relations leadership for a remote federal workforce, achieving measurable improvements in policy adherence and workplace climate. Directed over 100 disciplinary actions and investigations, ensuring fairness, compliance, and consistency. Partnered with internal counsel and HR teams on employee grievances and conflict mitigation, resulting in a 30% drop in case escalations.

Employee Relations Investigation Disciplinary Actions Coaching Training Grievances Compliance

Senior Human Resource Specialist – Employee & Labor Relations

Department of Veterans Affairs

Jan 2011 - Aug 2021 (10 years 7 months)

Spearheaded strategic Employee Relations initiatives and resolved high-risk appeal cases for one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems. Managed a portfolio of over 500 ER cases, achieving resolution targets above 95% while maintaining legal defensibility and employee trust. Led the redesign of VA-wide performance management procedures and engagement strategies, created nationwide training, an

Employee Relations Performance Management EEO Litigation Support MSPB Litigation Support Risk Management

Human Resource Information Systems Specialist

U.S. Army

Jul 2000 - Jun 2004 (3 years 11 months)

Led audit reconciliation for over 1,000 records, developing a tracking system that improved record accuracy and accountability. Enhanced deployment readiness by improving coordination of personnel actions under high operational tempo.

HRIS Data Tracking System Records Accuracy

Human Resource Specialist

U.S. Army Reserves

Jun 2006 - Jun 2008 (2 years)

Processed over 300 personnel actions with 100% accuracy, introducing a document review protocol that improved audit outcomes. Improved personnel file processing time by 25% through workflow streamlining.

Audit Workflow Optimization Compliance

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Columbia Southern University

Master of Business Administration, Business Administration

2011 - 2012

Focused on advanced business principles, leadership, and management strategies. Developed skills in strategic planning, financial analysis, and organizational behavior.

Columbia Southern University

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

2008 - 2011

Studied core psychological theories, research methods, and human behavior. Gained understanding of cognitive processes, social psychology, and developmental stages.

Columbia Southern University

Associate of Applied Science, Business

2006 - 2008

Completed foundational coursework in business administration and applied science. Acquired practical skills in business operations, management, and relevant technologies.