Heather Foster-Barrigar has dedicated over a decade of service to St. Lawrence County Human Resources and was recently appointed as Personnel Officer this past July. Heather’s career in civil service is rooted in both passion and purpose, as she has always found fulfillment in helping others navigate the complexities of the system.

Heather resides in Winthrop, NY, with her husband Aaron and has lived in St. Lawrence County for most of her life, aside from her college years. She earned an associate’s degree in Professional Communication from SUNY Onondaga Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from SUNY Plattsburgh. From her earliest days in civil service, Heather knew this was the right career path. She finds the work interesting, rewarding, and filled with daily opportunities to learn and grow. Her favorite part has always been guiding job candidates, employees, and appointing authorities through what can often feel like an intimidating process, showing them the value and purpose of civil service.

Heather’s path to her current role is a testament to hard work and preparation. Before her appointment as Personnel Officer, she served as Human Resource Technician, working primarily with civil service functions. Over the past 10 years, she has been fortunate to learn from her predecessors, who brought decades of knowledge and experience to the department.

Among her many achievements, Heather is particularly proud of earning her SHRM-CP certification this past year—a goal that required dedication and countless hours of preparation. She also reflects on the immense challenges her office faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just nine months prior, three long-term employees retired, leaving behind a team that was brand new to their roles. Despite these hurdles, Heather and her colleagues rose to the occasion, maintaining services, streamlining training, and modernizing practices. Looking back, she sees it as both a trial and a turning point, one that made their team stronger and more adaptable.

Through her years in human resources and civil service, Heather has honed invaluable skills, particularly in empathy and communication. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and understanding in navigating difficult or confusing situations—skills that have served her well in a career built on guiding and supporting others.

For those new to civil service, Heather offers simple but powerful advice: “You will always be learning, and it can take a long time to feel well-versed in civil service law. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your colleagues and NYS Civil Service if you need advice or help in general.”

Looking to the future, Heather is excited about the ongoing modernization of civil service. She believes improving exam processing times is critical for helping agencies fill positions efficiently and hopes a modernized testing system will encourage more prospective employees to explore careers in public service.

Outside of work, Heather enjoys a variety of interests. She loves to read, take road trips (especially when live music is involved), spend time on the water, and watch true crime documentaries.

Heather Foster-Barrigar’s journey is a reflection of dedication, adaptability, and passion for helping others succeed within civil service. We’re excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make in her new role as Personnel Officer.