Michele Smith’s journey in public service is a testament to dedication, strategic thinking, and a passion for making a difference. Born and raised in Corning, NY, Michele grew up in a large Ukrainian and Italian family. For the past 22 years, she has called Canandaigua—fondly known as “The Chosen Spot”—her home.

Michele earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and later obtained her Juris Doctorate from SUNY Buffalo School of Law. She began her legal career practicing general law in Virginia while her husband completed his commitment to the Navy. Upon returning to New York, Michele embarked on her public service career with the Steuben County Attorney’s Office, where she worked as a Child Support Attorney for DSS before being appointed Deputy County Attorney.

Her career path eventually led her to the City of Canandaigua, where she served as Corporation Counsel for 13 years. In this role, Michele provided legal guidance to the city before transitioning to her current position as Director of Human Resources for Ontario County, where she has served for nearly eight years. In this capacity, she also acts as the Personnel Officer for Civil Service, overseeing labor relations and negotiations, benefits and salary administration, self-insured health insurance and workers’ compensation plans, as well as professional development and training. Additionally, Michele serves as the County’s Compliance Officer, managing compliance plans, investigations, and the County’s Safety and Security programs.

Outside of work, Michele has been deeply involved in her community, dedicating 20 years as a volunteer coach for youth girls’ lacrosse and actively supporting soccer, lacrosse, and hockey programs. She is also a longtime member of NYSPELRA (New York State Public Employer Labor Relations Association).

When reflecting on her career, Michele emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and strategic planning in public service. She believes that progress comes from challenging the status quo and ensuring fairness and equity in all decisions. One of the most valuable lessons she has learned is that success is not achieved alone—building relationships with trusted and knowledgeable colleagues is key to overcoming challenges.

For those new to civil service, Michele’s advice is simple yet impactful: never hesitate to seek guidance from others. Learning from colleagues’ experiences can provide valuable insight and reassurance in decision-making.

Looking to the future of civil service, Michele is a strong advocate for modernizing the system to deliver faster and more efficient hiring solutions. She highlights the success of the H.E.L.P. (Hiring for Emergency and Limited Positions) program, which has helped fill difficult positions quickly. To maintain the merit system’s relevance, she believes testing processes must evolve to provide immediate results rather than forcing candidates to wait months for an exam-based position.

Beyond her professional life, Michele enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family, and attending sports and music events—especially cheering on the Buffalo Bills!

Michele Smith’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to public service continue to leave a lasting impact on Ontario County and beyond!