Investing in Your Career (Conference)

District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor always has believed in empowering employees and providing them with the tools to be successful in their chosen careers. To help all employees take full advantage of career opportunities, he has tapped instructors who are Subject Matter Experts in their respective fields to share their postal experience and knowledge at this year's Career Conference, "Key to Your Success."

On Saturday and Sunday, May 6 – 7, the Career Conference will be at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, FL. Take advantage of a great weekend of activities. Hotel rooms will be offered at discounted rates. Sign up for a spa treatment. Relax at the pool. Play a round of golf at a special rate. Book an Everglades tour. Sign up for the Saturday night dinner/dance and enjoy an evening of fun, food and networking!

Sunday will be an action-packed day of keynote speakers, workshops, learning experiences, and networking opportunities. Meet Southern Area Vice President Shaun E. Mossman and the South Florida District Leadership Team. Meet representatives from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and learn about career opportunities in these areas. 

“Come celebrate your career at the conference,” said District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor. “The possibilities are endless.”

To register, please visit https://uspssflcareerconference.com/. Event registration is $40 for career employees and $20 for non-career employees. The dinner/dance is $60 for any employee. On the registration page, remember to select the Pay Pal button for the credit card payment option.

2017 CAREER CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Leader of the Pack
Henry Dominguez, A/Senior Plant Manager, Royal Palm P&DC
So you want to be a leader? Our A/Senior Plant Manager will share some of his tips for success over the past several years of his career.

Making the Most of Your Benefits
Erica Hayton, Manager, Benefits and Wellness, USPS
The Postal Service provides a valuable package of benefits, but many employees do not know how to make the most of them. Whether you are new to the Postal Service or you are preparing for retirement, come find out how to make sure you are making the right decisions to protect your physical and financial health now and in the future. 

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) from A to Z
Arvella Collins, TSP Training Specialist
This course covers every aspect of TSP participation, and would be beneficial for a mixed group covering every stage of professional life. Topics include the benefits of savings, traditional vs. Roth contributions, investments, loans, and post-separation withdrawals.

Winning at the Financial Game
Catalina Franco-Cicero, Director, Financial Wellness and Fiscal Fitness Clubs of America
Can you imagine going onto a football field and not knowing who you are playing, not knowing who’s on your team, or running plays without a playbook? Not anybody who wants to win! This class introduces you to the playing field, who’s on the other team that you must be prepared for, and some of the critical team members that you need to vet as the quarterback. It’s a fun way to understand personal finances and some of the plays life will throw at you. 

Overview of Retirement Processes - CSRS & FERS
Richard DeFeo, Supervisor, HRSSC Operations; and Nancy Castiglione, Personnel Processing Specialist, HRSSC
In this workshop, you will receive an overview of information available on the retirement websites and be provided a workbook on this subject. They will cover both Civil Service retirement and FERS retirement.

Nutrition & Fitness
Roeyon Ragin, CEO, Operation F.I.N.E. (Fit Individuals No Excuses)
This class will help you jump-start or recharge your diet and exercise regimen with a few fat burning techniques and super food additions that will help you look and feel amazing!

eCareer: How to Apply for Jobs
Barbara Munoz, Staffing Specialist; and Lorraine Ramsey, Field Recruiter
Tips on proper completion of the eCareer profile and how to make your profile stand out from the crowd. You will learn how to answer a KSA, how to organize and begin and end documents effectively.


Are We Worth the Investment?
Javier A. Gates Algarin, Operations Industrial Engineer; and Denise Young, Manager, Post Office Operations
For new employees - This class is just for you to see how your career will matter and the many opportunities the Postal Service can offer.

Interviewing Skills
Joseph A. Croce, Jr., Manager, Customer Service Operations, Pompano Beach, FL; and Phyllis A. Reed, Postmaster, Hollywood, FL

Surviving an interview can be a nerve-racking or uplifting experience, depending on which way you approach it. Learn what managers are looking for, how to answer interview questions, and discover techniques that will help you convince a review board that you are the best person for the job.

Writing for Career Advancement
Debra J. Fetterly, Strategic Communications Specialist, Southern Area

Effective business writing can open doors and can help you move up the corporate ladder. Clear, concise written communication always stands out as an impressive credential. Your ability to express yourself, in writing, often creates a first impression to the review board that reads your eCareer application or to a manager who reads your detail request letter. What does your writing style say about you? Like most things in life, writing well gets easier with practice. Learn more about the importance of good writing skills in today’s workplace and how to develop that distinct competitive edge.

Career in Law Enforcement
Ivan Ramirez, U.S. Postal Inspector, Miami Division; Jeldrys Lowry, Assistant Special Agent In Charge, Office of Inspector General; and Captain Don Martin, Postal Police
Learn what career opportunities are available, with the Postal Police, Postal Inspection Service and the Office of Inspector General.

Career in Customer Services
Enrique M. Suarez, Postmaster, Miami, FL; and David C. Guiney, Postmaster, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Discover career opportunities available in the Customer Service side of the Postal Service.

Career in Mail Processing
Juan Gonzalez, Plant Manager, Miami P&DC; Linda Gray, Plant Manager, West Palm Beach P&DC; Sheldon Dixon, Plant Manager, Miami ISC
Discover the many career opportunities within a Mail Processing plant.

Career in Maintenance
Carl Powell, Manager, Maintenance, West Palm Beach P&DC; and Michael Kirk, Manager, Maintenance Operations, Miami P&DC
This workshop provides an overview of the application, testing and candidate supplemental application booklet for the Maintenance craft. Receive insight on how to prepare for a career in the technical fields for employment with the USPS Maintenance Department. Career in Finance
Joel Ouellette, Manager, Finance
Learn what career opportunities are available in the Finance Department.

Career in Marketing
Juan Nadal, Manager, Marketing; and Lilliana Castro, Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact
Learn about the rewarding career opportunities in the Marketing Department.

Career in Operations Programs Support
Kristopher Novy, Manager, Delivery/Customer Service Programs   
Learn about the exciting career opportunities that are available in the Operations Programs Support Department.

Career in Human Resources
Tom Noone, Manager, Labor Relations; and Charisse Nadal, Manager, Safety
Learn about career opportunities that are available in the Human Resources Department.

Building Team Success
Dr. Sharon Johnson, Employee Engagement Ambassador, Southern Area

Success is not a destination; it is a process, a lifelong strategy of building on strengths, minimizing weaknesses, and focus on the people and points of life that are most important. You will achieve great things by understanding four very important success-building areas: Relationships, Equipping, Attitude and Learning.

Motivation – Seize Your Dreams
Dr. Sharon Johnson, Employee Engagement Ambassador, Southern Area
Your dream … it can inspire you, it can empower you. But will it reward you?  Most people fail to realize their potential because their dream remains hypothetical.  Together we will discuss the ownership question: Is my dream really my dream? The clarity question: Do I clearly see my dream?