Dawn Spader’s career journey is a testament to service, leadership, and continuous learning. An honorable veteran of the U.S. Navy, Dawn began her professional path as a supervisor overseeing equipment and aircraft elevator operations in Hangar Deck Control. After her military service, she transitioned into the private sector, where she spent 12 years in retail, all while earning her Master’s in Business with a concentration in Human Resource Management. In 2013, her career shifted to human resources when she was promoted to Associate Support Department Supervisor, officially marking the beginning of her Human Resources journey.

Dawn continued to expand her impact when she took on the role of Employment Coordinator at the Anderson Center for Autism, where she worked for four and a half years. In July 2021, she joined Ulster County as their Personnel Director, stepping into the public sector for the first time (outside of her military service) and embracing the world of civil service.

In addition to her role with Ulster County, Dawn is deeply involved in community service. Since the age of 18, she has been a dedicated volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, contributing to numerous projects across several states. She also fostered puppies through Take Me Home Pet Rescue and currently serves as a Board Member for the Mid-Hudson Human Resources Association (a SHRM affiliate). Recently, she added Ulster United Way to her list of volunteer commitments, demonstrating her ongoing passion for giving back.

Among her many accomplishments, Dawn is proud to be certified as a SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional) and an Inclusion Institute Certified Diversity Practitioner (IICDP).

Reflecting on her work in civil service, Dawn highlights the steep learning curve she faced stepping into the public sector and unionized environments. “Learning all things Civil Service has been invaluable,” she shares. “I had very little knowledge of how the system worked prior to this role. I’ve since gained experience with unions, contract negotiations, and labor relations.”

When asked what advice she would give to someone new to civil service, Dawn says, “Take the time to learn, to read, and to ask questions. The Personnel Directors I’ve met have been incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. It’s a great community, and we’re all here to help each other.”

If given the chance to change something within the civil service system, Dawn would advocate for a significant shift: “I would make all exams Training & Experience (T&E) based. Exams can be a barrier to employment and make hiring and recruiting extremely difficult. In today’s job market, we cannot stay competitive if we continue requiring exams. I’m not looking to hire someone who’s just good at taking a test—I want someone who’s good at doing the job.”

Outside of work, Dawn’s passion for video games takes center stage. “It’s kind of my thing,” she laughs. With all gaming systems, a Raspberry Pi turned into a wall arcade, a streaming computer, and a very understanding husband, it’s clear that gaming is more than just a hobby for her—it’s a part of her identity.

Dawn’s mix of military discipline, HR expertise, community service, and advocacy for innovation in civil service makes her a standout leader and valued member of the personnel community!