FHWA Works: Employee Spotlight - Kirsten Poston

Full Name: Kirsten Poston
Title: Disability Policy Analyst
Division/Department: Office of Civil Rights
Location: Washington, DC

1. What is your typical workday like?
   I'm a "Jackie" of all trades. I never work on the same tasks from one day to the next. As the agency's subject matter expert, I manage the disability program including overseeing Reasonable Accommodations (RA) policies and procedures. I am active on the Diversity Management Council where I share government-wide best practices on disability and RA programs. I provide technical assistance and training to FHWA managers and supervisors on disability policy working closely with our Human Resources and Chief Counsel's offices. I draft and complete letters of findings for the American with Disabilities Act complaints; and I also work with FHWA's Office of Public Affairs to make sure that our external communications products are cleared for public release.

2. What has been your biggest accomplishment over the last year?
   Over the last year I have had a wonderful opportunity to work on a temporary detail at the Environmental Protection Agency supporting their national reasonable accommodation (RA) program to ensure that employees have tools necessary to perform their jobs. There I worked closely with managers, supervisors, and employees to help them through the RA process. I also assisted with revamping of their records management efforts for the program. With that additional knowledge and experience, I bring back a wealth of information and ideas for our disability program here at FHWA. I am really excited and motivated, and looking forward to each day that will make me a stronger and more valued employee.

3. Prior to working at FHWA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?
   For the last 25 years, I have been with FHWA. Before that I was a college student working three jobs, one as an overnight student supervisor for the high school dorms at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf looking after the high school students in the residential program. I was also a bus monitor for the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School shuttling students to and from school daily. And finally, I also worked as an editorial assistant at FHWA. All three while carrying a full time status as a senior at Gallaudet University.

4. What are your hobbies in your spare time?
   I love shopping, following current news events, and surfing the web, but my true passion lies in supporting, promoting, and protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. I have volunteered for many organizations in the metro area that services the deaf community and individuals with disabilities such as the National Association of the Deaf; the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government; and the Federal Employees with Disabilities to name a few.

5. What is one of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career to get you where you are today?
   On my Twitter feed, I have a quote from the late Edward Kennedy that inspires me on a daily basis: "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." The biggest lesson that I have learned in my career to get me where I am today, is to live out my life's mantra: Stay positive and when there’s a conflict, always look for constructive ways in resolving the issues, and know that communication is key and critical for a successful outcome.

6. Complete this sentence: "People would be surprised if they knew..."
   I was a one-time chess champion in high school.