Hannah Black grew up in Columbia County before relocating to Albany County in 2004. She graduated cum laude from Siena College in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish. While she jokes that she’s not fluent in Spanish, she proudly speaks “civil service” fluently after more than 17 years in the field. Hannah shares her life with her husband and their 9-year-old son, who she describes as their greatest joy.

Hannah’s career with Albany County Civil Service began in 2007 when she joined as a Personnel Technician Trainee. She progressed steadily, becoming a Personnel Technician in 2008 and earning a promotion to Senior Personnel Technician in 2016. Earlier this year, she reached a major milestone by being appointed as Director of Civil Service.

Remarkably, Hannah discovered her calling in the public sector through a family friend who encouraged her to take a civil service exam. Reflecting on this advice, she shares, “The benefits of a career in local government are undeniable as you see the impact firsthand—when you walk out the door, drive the local streets, turn on the faucet.”

One of Hannah’s standout accomplishments came in 2016 when she led the transition from an in-house electronic records management system to a cloud-based system, eGov. Though the process was challenging, it proved to be a rewarding learning experience. Hannah’s expertise with eGov now serves as a valuable resource for other civil service agencies navigating similar transitions. She has even earned the unofficial title of “eGov expert.”

Hannah’s problem-solving abilities and attention to detail have been instrumental in her career. She is particularly passionate about demystifying the civil service system, which she acknowledges can be intimidating. By breaking down technical laws, policies, and procedures into digestible terms, she aims to educate others and make civil service more accessible. “I pride myself on being the ‘go-to’ for civil service matters,” she says.

For those new to civil service, Hannah emphasizes the importance of asking questions. “The nuanced world of civil service can be very intimidating,” she acknowledges. Her advice? Take the initiative to educate yourself through local civil service offices, workshops, and educational sessions.

If given the opportunity to implement a change, Hannah would modernize the civil service testing system to better reflect the evolving workforce and technology of today. She believes exam questions need to catch up to contemporary workplace demands.

Outside of work, Hannah finds joy in cleaning and organizing (yes, really!), reading, spending time with her family, and cheering on her son at soccer games. These hobbies offer her a refreshing balance to her professional responsibilities.

Hannah Black’s career journey and dedication to civil service are truly inspiring. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to modernizing the system make her an invaluable asset to Albany County and beyond. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work!