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Tara Otten

@taraotten

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I am a CAPM-certified project manager specializing in procurement, operations, and process improvement.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek project management or operations roles in mission-driven organizations where I can lead procurement, optimize processes, manage assets/contracts, and deliver measurable cost and efficiency improvements while growing into broader leadership responsibilities.

I am a Certified Associate in Project Management with a Master’s in Project Management and Operations and a proven record improving efficiency and compliance in government and healthcare settings. I lead procurement, contract coordination, and asset management with a focus on measurable cost savings.

At the USDA I coordinated the purchase of 120+ critical assets worth $4M in 30 days, managed nine repair contracts totaling $4M, and reduced underutilized vehicles to save $13K annually. I build asset-tracking systems, deliver training workshops to ensure tool adoption, and apply Agile and data-driven methods to meet tight deadlines and mission-critical objectives.

I thrive in cross-functional environments where vendor management, regulatory oversight, and process optimization drive outcomes, and I bring strong stakeholder communication and risk-mitigation skills to every project.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Property and Space Management Specialist

United States Department of Agriculture

Sep 2023 - Apr 2025 (1 year 7 months)

Directed fleet, property, and facilities management for USDA, coordinating purchase of 120+ critical assets totaling $4M in 30 days and managing nine repair contracts worth $4M; optimized vehicle usage to save $13K annually.

Fleet Management Fleet Operations Fleet Support Fleet Management Software SOW Property Management Procurement Asset Management Contract Management Vendor Management Agile Project Management Facilities Management Cost Control Compliance

Household Operations Manager

Self-Employed

Jul 2014 - Sep 2023 (9 years 2 months)

Managed logistics, budgeting, and multi-state relocations while completing BA and MS degrees, demonstrating strong time management, adaptability, and operational efficiency.

Logistics Coordination Budget Management Time Management Resource Allocation Process Improvement

Administrative Assistant

Hands On Therapy LLC

Nov 2011 - Jul 2013 (1 year 8 months)

Streamlined EMR scheduling workflows to reduce patient wait times and improved insurance verification and billing processes, accelerating claims processing and provider availability.

Insurance Verification Process Improvement Patient Coordination Microsoft Office Credentialing Quickbooks Reconciliations Charting Tools EMR Customer Service Marketing Social Media Management

Front Office Administrator

Luminis Health Orthopedics Annapolis

Apr 2011 - Nov 2011 (7 months)

Managed clinical and surgical schedules for multiple physicians, coordinated emergent imaging services, and organized patient records to ensure accurate, timely access and support care delivery.

Scheduling Insurance Coordination Office Administration Medical Business Office Procedures Insurance Authorization Time Management Patient Care Patient Engagement Patient Education

Teller Supervisor & Lead Teller

Sandy Spring Bank

Mar 2007 - Sep 2010 (3 years 6 months)

Oversaw cash handling, daily vault balancing, and financial reporting; coached audit procedures and led outbound sales efforts to promote accounts and services.

Financial Reporting Audit & Compliance Sales Outreach Customer Service Customer Support Customer Experience Customer Relationship Management Customer Engagement Customer Satisfaction Attention To Detail Training Supervisory Role Supervisory Processes

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Southern New Hampshire University

Master of Science, Project Management and Operations

2023 - 2025

Grade: GPA 3.9

Activities and societies: Summa Cum Laude,

Master of Science in Project Management and Operations, summa cum laude, completed in 2025 with emphasis on procurement, operations, and process improvement.