Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, Corissa Salvo’s path to civil service wasn’t something she initially envisioned—but it has become a career she truly enjoys. A graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, she fondly recalls the nostalgia of administering exams in the same halls she once walked as a student. She earned her associate degree from SUNY Adirondack Community College before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SUNY Plattsburgh, where she made the Dean’s List each semester and became a member of Alpha Kappa Delta.

Outside of her professional life, Corissa is a devoted mother to her almost 17-year-old daughter and caretaker to a full house of beloved pets, including her dog (Diego), two cats (Moose and Mama), and two red-eared sliders (Frankie and Yurtle). Her introduction to civil service came in 2015 when she was advised to start taking exams. Despite knowing little about the public sector at the time, she embraced the opportunity—and the rest is history.

Corissa began her civil service career in June 2016 as a Civil Service Clerk. By January 2018, she was promoted to Civil Service Coordinator, overseeing the administration of civil service for the rapidly growing City of Saratoga Springs. In addition to fulfilling the role of Secretary to the Civil Service Commission, she is responsible for managing the civil service process for multiple entities, including City Hall departments, the police and fire departments, the public library, the housing authority, the City Center, and the entire school district.

Her leadership extends beyond civil service as well—she currently serves as President of the Saratoga Affordable Housing Group, demonstrating her commitment to community advocacy and support.

Working in a political environment like City Hall presents its challenges, but Corissa has mastered the art of maintaining neutrality and professionalism. She considers her ability to navigate this dynamic landscape while ensuring a fair and consistent civil service process one of her greatest accomplishments. Other key achievements include:

                •              Securing funding for the implementation and maintenance of eGov.

                •              Leading a comprehensive update of local rules and title appendices.

                •              Demystifying civil service for employees and the public by making the process more transparent and accessible.

Through her years in civil service, Corissa has honed essential skills that allow her to excel in her role. Effective communication is at the forefront—she has developed a talent for breaking down complex civil service regulations in a way that is understandable and approachable. She also emphasizes the importance of active listening, especially when dealing with frustrated individuals.

Her strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities have made her a trusted resource within her organization. As she jokingly notes, the experiences she’s accumulated over the past nine years could fill a best-selling book—maybe one day, she’ll write it.

For those new to the world of civil service, Corissa offers some hard-earned wisdom:

                •              Familiarize yourself with local rules, policies, contracts, and civil service laws. Every decision you make must be defensible—even months or years later.

                •              Build relationships with appointing authorities, employees, unions, and the public. Being approachable and solution-oriented helps break the stereotype that civil service is just a bureaucratic roadblock.

                •              Choose your words carefully—details matter, and consistency is key.

                •              Use resources like NYSAPCSO and seek guidance when needed. Civil service is layered and complex, and even seasoned professionals still have questions.

                •              Stay adaptable, proactive, and committed to fairness, equity, and transparency.

If given the opportunity to make changes to the civil service system, Corissa has plenty of ideas. Her top priorities include:

                •              Expanding Training & Experience or performance-based exams to reduce reliance on outdated written exams.

                •              Ensuring exam content stays relevant and aligns with current job duties.

                •              Reducing turnaround times for exam grading.

                •              Re-evaluating the Rule of Three for certain position titles.

                •              Implementing a tracking system for veteran credit usage.

                •              Increasing support and staffing at the state level to assist local municipalities.

                •              Improving coordination of exam schedules to prevent test fatigue for candidates taking multiple exams in one day.

                •              Assigning uniformed service exams to their own testing days to streamline administration.

                •              Raising the maximum age for entry-level law enforcement positions.

After long days managing the intricacies of civil service, Corissa values peace and quiet at home. A self-described private person, she enjoys unwinding in solitude. When the warmer months arrive, she spends as much time outside as possible, soaking up the sun while trying—often unsuccessfully—to keep her garden and grass growing despite interference from the local wildlife.

Corissa’s passion for civil service is evident in her work and advocacy. She is committed to making the system more efficient, accessible, and fair for all. Her dedication and expertise make her an invaluable asset to both her community and the field of civil service administration.

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