DANITA L. ELLIS
MIDDLETOWN
Summary
Accomplished administrative professional with over 20 years of experience supporting high-level executives and managing complex office operations across various state government departments. Expertise in financial management, customer service, and team leadership, with a strong ability to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and maintain organizational efficiency. Proven track record in project coordination, procurement, and budget management, coupled with a deep understanding of government policies and procedures. Adept at building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, training staff, and handling sensitive tasks with discretion and professionalism. Seeking a management role where I can leverage my extensive administrative and leadership skills to drive organizational success.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Tax Auditor
State of Delaware, Department of Finance / Office of Unclaimed Property
04.2019
- Audit personal & business documents to process and approve property release
- Upload holder information, establish holder relationship to claimant, and assure full payment
- Handle property from ranging from gift cards, stock shares, insurance refunds to bank overpayments
- I also make 1st level approvals for claim payments
- Used the KAPS electronic database and Direct web access via DMV to check for In-State applicants to confirm Delaware residency
- Assisted internal and external stakeholders via the customer contact line and in-person.
Administrative Assistant I
State of Delaware, Brandywine School District /Harlan Elementary School
03.2024 - Current
- Support the Principal, Vice-Principal and all office operations
- Use First State Financials (FSF) regularly for creating Purchase Orders (POs), reconciling Procurement card transactions, run financial reports on demand
- Approve time through the Data Service Center (DSC), run reports and print information on demand
- Front-line customer service via in-person, phone and email
- Train substitute secretaries in best office practices
- Assist substitute teachers by directing them to the assigned classroom and equipping them with the paperwork needed in the classroom
- Can process travel reconciliations for the administrators
- Handle whatever is required to carryout the school office operations smoothly.
Administrative Secretary I
State of Delaware, Department of Education / Autism Resources
02.2023 - 03.2024
- Support both Exceptional Childrens & Autism Resources workgroups
- Process Due process, State Complaints, and NAR (mediation) requests
- Co-produce the Autism Resources quarterly newsletter
- Responsible for updating and publishing Autism Resource Statewide meetings and parent workshops
- Update Autism Resources database with requests for behavioral support from schools
- Create vouchers and Purchase Orders to pay vendors for services as due process members, and state complaint investigators
- Update Special Education leaders mailing lists
- Draft limited-service contracts and Procurement State subgrant contracts for Due process members, state complaint investigators and peer review committee members for each current fiscal year
- Process invoices for Due processes members and Peer Review committee members
- Update Autism Resources budget to accurately track spending for Out of State (OST) approvals, In-State and virtual conferences attended; as well as other budgetary expenses
- Schedule meetings for the AR Director and Education Specialists
- Create and update the calendars for the PRC meetings, workshops
- Update the weekly reports with upcoming information needed for management for the Admin in the Associate Secretary’s office.
Financial Secretary
State of Delaware, Department of Education / Finance Office
05.2022 - 02.2023
- First State Financials (FSF)database used daily to run PO and voucher reports
- To follow up with voucher approvals through completion
- Audit and approved POs and vouchers to ensure backup paperwork is accurate and correct per the policy
- Processed Payroll Funding Adjustments (PFAs) from District offices
- Updated Finance budget spreadsheets to record payments made to vendors weekly or upon receipt while monitoring important close out deadlines
- Assisted internal and external customers with finance related questions as needed
- These tasks help streamline generating POs and vouchers with little to no errors and approval push backs
- Join committees to foster professional relationships and build a strong network of resources within and beyond the Department of Education.
Administrative Support to the Director & Sr. Business Analyst
State of Delaware, Department of Finance / Office of Technology & Business Innovation
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Initiate and update Service now tickets for software, hardware and other requests
- Process invoices and purchase orders for office related equipment, as well as monitor orders and financial budgeting for the area
- Participated in pilot program with Technology team to load personal and business tax forms onto the Department of Revenue website
- Interact with Accounts payable department with unit updates and contractor billing information for accurate payments
- Process timekeeping reports on eStar system
- All other duties deemed necessary as assigned.
Administrative Support to the Assistant Director & Managers
State of Delaware, Department of Transportation/Traffic
12.2014 - 04.2019
- Work directly with the Assistant Director of Traffic Management Center (TMC)
- Interact with State officials to execute constituent and interest groups requests
- Proficient in creating & implementing Directives & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Section
- Supervised & evaluated staff
- Directed, coordinate and planned meeting schedules
- Assigned & monitored the work of others
- Surveyed the autonomous vehicles via statistics
- Created & executed performance plans and reviews for staff
- Asset Inventory management skills.
Administrative Support to the Director & Support Services Administrator
State of Delaware, Department of Transportation
11.2012 - 12.2014
- Administrative Support for the Director & Support Services Administrator
- Supervised the Reception Team
- Schedule planner for the administrative support team
- Strong customer service interaction employees, constituents and stakeholders
- I have knowledge of department policies, priorities and objectives
- Updated reception desk and operations policies
- Daily operations include providing a service for the DelDOT Administration Building, all external/internal visitors and all duties as necessary.
Administrative Specialist II, Family Court – Commissioner’s Unit
State of Delaware, New Castle County Courthouse
08.2008 - 11.2012
- Work directly under Criminal & Civil Commissioners
- Execute orders set by the hearing officers
- Evaluate the work of other subordinate staff in supervisor’s absence
- Created and processed commissioner orders for signatures
- Scheduled Commissioners’ weekly calendars for upcoming hearings ranging from non-compliance to Protection from Abuse cases
- Familiar with Family Court policies & procedures
- Trained the new hires on the administrative team.
Program Assistant to Educational Director
Kingswood Academy Alternative Program
04.2005 - 11.2007
- Published school info on the school website and updated with current school messages and events
- Constructed and managed the PBS activities, from communication through the school Facebook page as well parent/teacher conferences and intake meetings
- Planned, coordinated, and implemented for Middle and Highschool events, programs, and activities with accordance to school by-laws for the Positive Behavior System (PBS)
- Executive Level Administrative support to the Director
- Also served as Liaison to the School Districts Consortium committee
- Handled payroll, staff parking passes, as well as managed school expenses.
Office Manager
Carteret Mortgage Corporation
11.2002 - 01.2005
- Managed all office operations
- Responsible for timekeeping and day to day operations.
Lead Tax Examiner
Internal Revenue Service
05.1993 - 04.2000
- Supervised a team of data entry clerks, tax examiners and tax auditors; utilized on the job Training (OJT) and Government Job Aids to allow the employee to retain while learning
- Knowledge of government tax laws, policies and procedures for solving problem tax accounts
- I investigated, audited, corrected and adjusted personal tax accounts
- Researched and solved accounts, serviced accounts in collections, removed liens, processed account adjustments, and offered recommendations.
Education
Human Services For Case Management Certificate
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE08.2022
Master of Science - Public Administration
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE01.2019
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE05.2016
Skills
Leadership
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage teams
- Experience in guiding team members towards achieving business goals
Strategic Planning
- Expertise in developing and implementing business strategies
- Long-term planning to ensure sustainable growth and profitability
Communication
- String verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with teams, executives and stakeholders
Project Management
- Experience in planning, executing, and closing projects successfully
- Proficiency with project management tools and methodologies (eg, Agile, Scrum)
Timeline
Administrative Assistant I
State of Delaware, Brandywine School District /Harlan Elementary School
03.2024 - Current
Administrative Secretary I
State of Delaware, Department of Education / Autism Resources
02.2023 - 03.2024
Financial Secretary
State of Delaware, Department of Education / Finance Office
05.2022 - 02.2023
Administrative Support to the Director & Sr. Business Analyst
State of Delaware, Department of Finance / Office of Technology & Business Innovation
06.2020 - 05.2022
Tax Auditor
State of Delaware, Department of Finance / Office of Unclaimed Property
04.2019
Administrative Support to the Assistant Director & Managers
State of Delaware, Department of Transportation/Traffic
12.2014 - 04.2019
Administrative Support to the Director & Support Services Administrator
State of Delaware, Department of Transportation
11.2012 - 12.2014
Administrative Specialist II, Family Court – Commissioner’s Unit
State of Delaware, New Castle County Courthouse
08.2008 - 11.2012
Program Assistant to Educational Director
Kingswood Academy Alternative Program
04.2005 - 11.2007
Office Manager
Carteret Mortgage Corporation
11.2002 - 01.2005
Lead Tax Examiner
Internal Revenue Service
05.1993 - 04.2000
Human Services For Case Management Certificate
Wilmington University
Master of Science - Public Administration
Wilmington University
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Wilmington University
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