Sara Nicole Novak
Billings
Summary
Dynamic EEO professional with a proven track record in driving organizational compliance and cultivating inclusive work environments. Expertise in policy development, conflict resolution, and legal compliance ensures meticulous management of sensitive issues while fostering a culture of respect and equity. Strong emphasis on team collaboration and adaptability to evolving needs enhances the ability to achieve impactful results. Recognized for reliability and exceptional communication skills, contributing consistently to a positive workplace atmosphere.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Equal Employment Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
05.2023 - Current
- Coordinates with Employee and Labor Relations to ensure that employee situations are not addressed in dual process and to ensure that no breach of labor contract occurs. Serves as a liaison for managing and directing the complaint program; to include tracking the status of informal and formal complaints and providing leadership to EEO staff personnel for the Missouri Basin Region. Participates in the development and presentation of (EEO) training and orientation program for managers, supervisors, and employees relative to the (EEO) area to provide necessary awareness. Assists the EEO Manager with developing and implementing the various Special Emphasis observances that our held throughout the year. Provides expert technical advice on, the Missouri Basin Region's (EEO) and civil rights programs. Assist with the preparation of the annual MD-715 plan and report; Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP) plan and report; Special Emphasis Programs, etc. Advises and assists senior level officials, managers and supervisors, committees, employees, and applicants on procedural EEO and EO Program issues and requirements. Advises managers and aggrieved persons of employee rights and responsibilities, procedures, time frames, drafts proposed resolutions and utilizes Alternate Dispute Resolution processes to resolve EEO matters. Process EEO pre-complaints, conducts mediations at the lowest level of the EEO process for Reclamation, along with compliance with reasonable accommodation laws. Working as a member of the EEO team to identify and improve under representation within the organization. Update the Ellitrack (ETK) system with required data and documentation for assigned caseload. Assist management officials, administrative officers, legal, human resources, and safety and occupational health personnel to implement an effective reasonable accommodation (RA) process for individuals with disabilities. Reviewing regulations/policies/directives pertaining to a Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Program to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Provide guidance to team members, management officials and complainants on procedures, utilize fact finding methods in gathering all relevant information of allegations received, uses EEO related policy, laws, and guidance to resolve issues. Recruitment Outreach to various college career fairs, job fairs, conventions, and other workshops to promote job opportunities within the Missouri Basin Region for underrepresented cultures. Develop user-friendly navigation and layout for the SharePoint site to ensure accessibility and efficiency. Update content regularly, including policies, procedures, resources, and announcements. Monitor site performance and troubleshoot any technical issues or user feedback. Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and organizational branding guidelines. Provide hands-on guidance on the EEO counseling process, including best practices for interviews, documentation, and reporting. Foster ongoing mentorship and support for new counselors to build confidence and effectiveness. Evaluate training outcomes and identify areas for improvement or additional focus. Research and write engaging articles highlighting cultural, historical, and diversity observances relevant to the organization. Design visually appealing newsletters incorporating graphics, infographics, and interactive elements. Collaborate with internal teams to gather information on related events or initiatives to feature in the newsletter. Distribute the newsletter to Missouri Basin and other Reclamation Regions and monitor engagement metrics for effectiveness. Plan and coordinate events to commemorate monthly observances, such as panel discussions, workshops, or guest speakers. Manage event logistics, including scheduling, venue setup, invitations. Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure diverse and inclusive programming. Gather feedback post-event to assess its impact and refine future initiatives.
- Series: 0260 - Grade: 12/4
- Hours per week: 40
Communication Specialist
Office of Human Capital
01.2024 - Current
- Reported to the Director of the Strategic Talent Management Division and support OHC staff and divisions with various communications needs. Assisted and produce OHC communication products including a bi-weekly newsletter, monthly HR Town Hall webinars, and HR in a Nutshell videos. Increased proficiency in OHC communications tools such as Adobe Campaign, Drupal, SharePoint, Hootsuite, LinkedIn, Twitter, Canva, Renderforest, Zoom, and O365 applications. Maintained and completed website updates on Drupal content management system and Microsoft SharePoint as requested by OHC staff. Assisted with communications and promotion of DOI-wide campaigns such as the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Bring a Kid to Work Day, and Public Service Recognition Week. Created and reposted social media content to amplify DOI news, events, vacancy announcements, and observances that are relevant to the public. Ensured OHC products and documents are accessible, in compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards.
- Series: 0201
- Hours per week: 40
Equal Employment Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
04.2018 - 05.2023
- Coordinates with Employee and Labor Relations to ensure that employee situations are not addressed in dual process and to ensure that no breach of labor contract occurs. Serves as a liaison for managing and directing the complaint program; to include tracking the status of informal and formal complaints and providing leadership to EEO staff personnel for the Missouri Basin Region. Participates in the development and presentation of (EEO) training and orientation program for managers, supervisors, and employees relative to the (EEO) area to provide necessary awareness. Assists the EEO Manager with developing and implementing the various Special Emphasis and Diversity training observances that our held throughout the year. Provides expert technical advice on, the Missouri Basin Region's (EEO) and civil rights programs. Assist with the preparation of the annual MD-715 plan and report; Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP) plan and report; Special Emphasis Programs, etc. Advises and assists senior level officials, managers and supervisors, committees, employees, and applicants on procedural EEO and EO Program issues and requirements. Advises managers and aggrieved persons of employee rights and responsibilities, procedures, time frames, drafts proposed resolutions, and utilizes Alternate Dispute Resolution processes to resolve EEO matters. Process EEO pre-complaints, conducts mediations at the lowest level of the EEO process for Reclamation, along with compliance with reasonable accommodation laws. Working as a member of the EEO team to identify and improve under representation within the organization. Update the Ellitrack (ETK) system with required data and documentation for assigned caseload. Assist management officials, administrative officers, legal, human resources, and safety and occupational health personnel to implement an effective reasonable accommodation (RA) process for individuals with disabilities. Reviewing regulations/policies/directives pertaining to a Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Program to ensure compliance with applicable laws. Provide guidance to team members, management officials and complainants on procedures, utilize fact finding methods in gathering all relevant information of allegations received, uses EEO related policy, laws, and guidance to resolve issues.
- Series: 0260 - Grade: 11/5
- Hours per week: 40
Acting Equal Employment Opportunity Manager
Bureau of Land Management
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Administers BLM MT/Daks' Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), external civil rights, and affirmative employment programs; exercises independent initiative/judgment to plan, direct, staff, evaluate, and execute a comprehensive EEO program. Advises and consults with senior level officials regarding the roles of national policies and programs under the authority of existing EEO and civil rights laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, as well as diversity and inclusion programs. Effectively administers/monitors EEO and Special Emphasis observance programs throughout the state to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies; recommend solutions to systemic EEO issues when they arise and implements effective changes. Conducts ongoing assessment of the EEO program in relation to the EEOC Management Directive MD-715 and existing civil rights laws and authorities; plans and prepares the annual MD-715 report. Collects and reports information and statistics concerning the employment profile of MT/Daks' workforce compared to the applicable labor force and employment patterns and practices; identifies areas of absence or imbalance and approaches to address. Manages the State Office's pre-complaint counseling program, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, and Affirmative Employment Program (AEP). Advises managers on all aspects of development/implementation of affirmative employment plans. Serves as project manager for the development and implementation the MT/Daks' multi-year AEP plan that addresses barriers to the recruitment, hiring, advancement, and retention of identified groups. Advises management on short- and long-term strategies to overcome barriers, and solutions to problems such as underrepresentation of all identified groups. Serves as a technical authority in conducting investigations, including fact finding; collecting evidence; and preserving rights of aggrieved persons. Provides guidance and supervision to EEO counselors in the conduct of official counseling activities, and when necessary, intercedes in bringing management and the complainant together for impartial resolution. Serves as a training facilitator/instructor for mandated special training programs, including diversity programs, including annual workshops and conferences to train EEO staff and collateral duty counselors in their duties and responsibilities. Fosters and develops working relationships with public and private groups, universities, minority and women's organizations, Interior Department components, other Federal agencies, and State and local government. Utilizes well-developed interpersonal, counseling, and negotiating skills sufficient to effectively deal with a wide variety of emotionally charged problems, complaints, and lawsuits involving both managers and employees at all grade levels.
- Series: 0260
- Hours per week: 40
Land Law Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
01.2015 - 04.2018
- Served as a Subject Matter Expert in reviewing and processing a full range of difficult and complex mineral leasing and mining law adjudicative cases. Performed independent adjudication actions in areas such as coal management, mineral materials disposal, multiple use mining, mining claims under the general mining laws, land use permits, easements, applications to drill, mining claims patents, bonding, and related activities. Adjudication of applications and agreements for technical accuracy and legal accuracy. Ensured location notices, relinquishments, name changes and mergers, Notice of Intent to Hold, Quit Claim deeds, protection, Title documents, Waivers Certifications and other required supporting documents filed were complete and met all the requirements as specified by laws and regulations. Examined and verified lease ownership, royalty rates and other related documents to determine commitment status of unit tracts to make determination as to conformance with the terms of development contracts and compensatory royalty agreements. Prepared necessary leases, permits, and other documents involving appropriate provisions to royalty and other payments, limitations, and stipulations. Prepared notices for publication in the Federal Register, issuance of decisions allowing or rejecting the application in whole or part if lands were not open to mineral leasing. Ensured that environmental documents were prepared and approved and incorporated into the official record. Prepared decision documents and notices rejecting or accepting applications, annual filings, and other required supporting documentation. Issued Abandoned and Void by operation of law decisions, Null and Void Ab Initio and Forfeiture decisions which terminates all rights of a mining claim to occupy, utilize or remove minerals from Public Lands. Prepared and processed cases under appeal to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, responds to Congressional requests and Freedom of Information Act requests relative to the locatable and leasable program. Provided advice, assistance and instructions in legal interpretation and other information on various mineral laws. Conducted research, analyzed regulations, judicial decision, Solicitors Opinions, and other decisions that impact minerals adjudication. Utilized data, system, and applications to collect, enter, updated, and maintain data according to the prescribed Bureau and program standards. Ensured the data quality and integrity adhered to quality control standards and procedures.
- Series: 0965 - Grade: 09
- Hours per week: 40
Collateral Duty Equal Employment Counselor
Bureau of Land Management
09.2009 - 04.2018
- Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor designated assist BLM MT/Daks and BLM at-large employees and applicants with EEO complaints. As an EEO Counselor, followed regulations governing the processing of EEO complaints including: Explain the EEO process and advise rights and responsibilities. Listen and help identify claims of employment discrimination. Inform about the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. Conduct an inquiry into claims. Discussed concerns with appropriate officials with authority to resolve claims. Attempt to resolve concerns informally. As an EEO Counselor, if attempts to informally resolve complaints were unsuccessful, provided a written notice to complainant of right to file a formal complaint, with a timeline. Present annual EEO training for MT/Daks staff at the field and state office on EEO laws, policies, and practices. Provided assistance to the BLM MT/Daks EEO Manager when it came to incorporating guidance from the BLM Headquarters or the EEOC on various EEO and Civil rights program plans and reports such as the Management Directive-715, Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program and the Special Emphasis Programs and reports.
- Series: 0260
- Hours per week: 20
Collateral Duty Special Emphasis Manager
Bureau of Land Management
08.2009 - 04.2018
- Supported the BLM MT/Daks EEO Manager by administering diversity programs for the MT/Daks. Provided awareness, practiced inclusion and positive change throughout the MT/Daks by serving and a facilitator of change and ensuring that managers, supervisors, and all employees embrace diversity and inclusion as a strategic opportunity as opposed to requirements or mandates. Supported and facilitated efforts to enhance MT/Daks Offices by attracting and retaining talented employees by actively increasing awareness of the benefits of a diverse workforce through multicultural trainings to all supervisors and employees. Promoted Special Emphasis Program Observances to management through distribution of information about awareness by providing trainings (i.e., guest speakers, workshops). Coordinated special activities and/or observances for awareness months (i.e., Disability Awareness, Veterans, Youth, Women's History, culturally diverse backgrounds). Recruitment Outreach to various college career fairs, job fairs, conventions, and other workshops to promote job opportunities within the MT/Daks for underrepresented cultures.
- Series: 0260
- Hours per week: 10
Internal and External Web Master for Equal Employment Program and Branch of Solid Minerals
Bureau of Land Management
10.2012 - 10.2017
- Assisted program managers by monitoring site contents and ensured information and content displayed externally and internally were kept up to date and accurate. Ensured links were active and initiated small analytical programs that examine the site content in the format of keyword density, number per pages and content in a friendly search engine words. Performed maintenance updates on a regular basis or scheduled basis as needed to ensure that the content on the MT/Daks internal and external site were current to all BLM employees and members of the general public were informed and kept up to date on relevant information within the MT/Daks BLM.
- Series: 0260
- Hours per week: 10
Land Law Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
10.2014 - 11.2014
- Served as a Subject Matter Expert in the adjudication of new mining claims under 43 CFR 3800 and Public Law of 167. Completed extensive research into old, inactive, infrequently used laws, rules and regulations such as land status records, public land orders, withdrawals and patents, that might result in preparing a variety of notices, decisions, technical responses to inquires associated with mining law.
- Series: 0965 - Grade: 09
- Hours per week: 40
Legal Instruments Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
06.2007 - 10.2014
- Served as a Subject Matter Expert when providing assistance to other Land Law Examiners, Legal Instrument Examiners, Land Law Clerks, Record/Public Contact Personnel, Automated Systems Clerks, members of the public, representatives from the mining industry, and other agencies regarding particular cases and/or circumstances leading to decisions, inquiries about IBLA cases and Congressional inquiries. Routinely provided assistances and instructions in legal interpretation of the rules and regulations, precedent decisions, directives, procedures of proper application and the use of various and conflicting public land, mineral and/or mineral law. Formulated notices requiring additional information, decisions accepting or rejecting filings. Constructed decisions declaring a claim(s) forfeited by operation of law for failure to record annual filings, decisions declaring the claim(s) null and void ab initio, when claim(s) are improperly located on lands not open to mineral entry. Prepared reports in connection with conveyance of lands, land exchanges, cancellation of mineral surveys and right of ways to the U.S. Forest Service, Cadastral Surveys and other agencies and member of the public. Assisted the Mining Engineers in the review of the federal coal lease and logical mining units. Ensured mining companies were notified if any bonding recommendations based off the reported royalty and production data, as well as the mining plans for the current year. Evaluated and processed surety bonds and personal bonds, time deposits, letter of credit and U.S. Treasury bonds in conjunction with surface disturbance activities related to exploration activities.
- Series: 0963 - Grade: 07/4
- Hours per week: 40
Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Land Management
04.2012 - 08.2012
- I served as a Public Affairs Specialist to the MT/Daks State Director (Jamie O’Connell) as a team member managing public information, government relations, and public involvement. Results Continued collateral duty Equal Employment Counselor for the MT/Daks. See above. Constructed the Office of Communications Intranet webpage improving the webpage for easier navigation and provide beneficial information to all BLM-wide employees. Posted time-sensitive News Releases, NEPA Logs, Oil and Gad information, along with assisting in clearing the backlog of information that was needed to be updated in various MT/Daks programs to ensure MT/Daks was providing current and up to date news that is vital to the BLM’s external and internal customers in a timely and efficient manners. Served as a back-up for the New Media Calls (i.e., Facebook and YouTube). Assisted in communicating to Washington on what is being done in terms of New Media and any other relevant information to the Washington office that may affected MT/Daks internal and external customers. Provided daily news clips that were compiled from various accredited publications that were from local and throughout the nation informing MT/Daks Leadership Team and Communication Office of any news that the MT/Daks and/or BLM’s nationwide that may have similar issues may affect the BLM’s relationship with the public and possibly the media. Posted these daily clips to the MT/Daks internal site for employees to view news that was making headlines and might affect them in their daily job. Scheduled monthly meetings via VTC/conference call for the Office of Communication staff in three states. Monitored Office of Communications incoming emails, updated and edited various media outreach guides, assisted in helping to send out desk guides to Tribal leaders and Government Officials.
- Series: 1035 - Grade: 07
- Hours per week: 40
Student Trainee (Clerical)
Bureau of Land Management
08.2006 - 06.2007
- Served as a Public Room Representative serving internal and external customers on public records requests. Processed internal and external requests by phone, in the mail, by fax, or electronically to the Information Access Center. Completed these served in accordance with the Bureau's published Customer Service Standards. Accountable for placing collections under immediate accounting and maintain an accurate change-making fund. Ensured all policies were followed associated with monies being safeguarded with the Bureau's standards.
- Series: 0099
- Hours per week: 30
Education
Master's degree - Business and Marketing, Web Design
Montana State University
Billings, MT05.2008
Skills
- Internal communications
- Event coordination
- Social media management
- Marketing
- Employee relations
- Recruitment strategies
- Investigation techniques
- Policy analysis
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Complaint handling
- Professionalism
- Public speaking
- Interpersonal communication
- Written communication
- Adaptability
- Conflict management
- Research reporting
- Cultural awareness
- Human resources policies
- Dispute resolution
- Legal compliance
- Community outreach
- Employee counseling
- Report preparation
- Law interpretation
- Civil rights compliance
- Union relations
- Civil rights laws
- ADA compliance
- Compliance monitoring
- Human resources
- Employment law
- Labor relations
- Discrimination prevention
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Claims review
- Training delivery
- Cultural history
Certification
- Unconscious Bias | Billings, MT Completion date: 08/2022 Technical or occupational certificate
- Investigative Training | Billings, MT Completion date: 07/2022 Technical or occupational certificate
- Diversity Change Agent | Billings, MT Completion date: 04/2021 Technical or occupational certificate
- Confronting Workplace Conflict | Billings, MT Completion date: 05/2020 Technical or occupational certificate
- Great Plains Leadership Mastery Workshop | Billings, MT Completion date: 05/2019 Technical or occupational certificate
- O Leveraging Diversity
- O Pay and Leave for Supervisors
- O Managing Employees Performance
- O Merit System Principles
- O Supervisory Ethics
- O The Role of the Supervisor
Timeline
Communication Specialist
Office of Human Capital
01.2024 - Current
Equal Employment Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
05.2023 - Current
Acting Equal Employment Opportunity Manager
Bureau of Land Management
05.2022 - 01.2023
Equal Employment Specialist
Bureau of Reclamation
04.2018 - 05.2023
Land Law Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
01.2015 - 04.2018
Land Law Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
10.2014 - 11.2014
Internal and External Web Master for Equal Employment Program and Branch of Solid Minerals
Bureau of Land Management
10.2012 - 10.2017
Public Affairs Specialist
Bureau of Land Management
04.2012 - 08.2012
Collateral Duty Equal Employment Counselor
Bureau of Land Management
09.2009 - 04.2018
Collateral Duty Special Emphasis Manager
Bureau of Land Management
08.2009 - 04.2018
Legal Instruments Examiner
Bureau of Land Management
06.2007 - 10.2014
Student Trainee (Clerical)
Bureau of Land Management
08.2006 - 06.2007
Master's degree - Business and Marketing, Web Design
Montana State University
Office of the Secretary, Diversity Award
Ally Engagement & Enrichment Week Change Agents During 2023, team members, known as ‘Diversity Change Agents’ with multiple bureaus and ofces, played a vital role in planning and executing the Department of the Interior’s Ally Engagement and Enrichment Week, held August 7–11, 2023. Te event—in support of the Department of the Interior’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Goal Priorities for safe workplaces, professional development, and DEIA training and learning—was a Departmentwide team efort. Diversity Change Agents from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Interior Business Center, National Park Service, Ofce of Diversity Inclusion and Civil Rights, Ofce of Natural Resources Revenue, Ofce of the Secretary, Ofce of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and U.S. Geological Survey partnered with Department employee resource groups and Equal Employment Opportunity practitioners to host the week’s 10 dynamic sessions. Te sessions were focused on the theme of “Widening Our Lens” and involved 10 presenters, 17 Department-level executives/panelists, and 45 volunteers. In total, the week’s events hosted 2,546 total attendees, averaging 254 per session. Attendees were employees from a multitude of the Department’s Bureaus and Ofces as well as other Federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Government Accountability Ofce.