Originally from South Jersey, Carole Ruiz began her professional journey in banking before being recruited to serve as a Legal Assistant for an attorney in Cherry Hill, NJ. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Davis College with the original goal of attending law school — a goal she still keeps in mind for the future. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to co-own an LLC for 12 years, where she specialized in online marketing, including virtual tours and website design and development.

Today, Carole lives in Piseco, New York, with her three children, ages 13, 11, and 9. She joined Hamilton County in November 2022 as a Personnel Assistant and, through dedication and strong leadership, was appointed Personnel Officer on January 1, 2024.

In her relatively short tenure, Carole has already made a remarkable impact. Hamilton County had not completed a Rules Resolution since 2004 — but since stepping into her role, Carole has held seven Public Hearings and submitted 37 Rules Resolutions. She takes immense pride in the amount of work her office has accomplished in just 21 months.

Inspired by fellow NYSAPCSO member Chris Dancy’s conference presentation on AirTable, Carole implemented the tool in her office and eliminated over 30 separate spreadsheets, centralizing data on all Civil Service positions. Her office now uses AirTable to manage employee benefits, training, disability, workers’ compensation, and more — transforming efficiency, accuracy, and workflow. “AirTable has changed how we operate for the better,” she shared.

Carole’s problem-solving skills have flourished through her work in Personnel. “I’ve learned the importance of researching answers, thinking outside the box, and standing tall on hard decisions,” she said. “Personnel should lead the way — setting an example for other departments and providing consistent, reliable guidance.”

Beyond her role in Hamilton County, Carole is deeply involved in her community. She serves on her church’s women’s committee, helping plan events and create promotional materials. She also built an online accounting platform for a non-profit organization, which she continues to maintain, and serves as Treasurer for a local community band — where she also plays clarinet and percussion.

Her advice to new professionals in Civil Service is both practical and encouraging:

“Participate in everything you can to learn Civil Service. Read, ask questions, and seek guidance from comparable municipalities. Don’t be afraid — Civil Service can be understood and demystified.”

She also encourages colleagues to get involved with NYSAPCSO, attend conferences, and engage with MSD for guidance and support.

If given the chance to change one thing about the Civil Service system, Carole says she would eliminate the need for public hearings on Rules Resolutions. With the lack of attendance, eliminating the formality would result in quicker submissions to the State commission for review.

Outside of work, Carole enjoys spending time with her children and friends, often gathered around campfires in the summer or enjoying winter activities like sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing. While her children have mastered skiing, she jokes that she’s “still working on the bunny hill.” A musician at heart, Carole also plays guitar for her church, enjoys home improvement projects, hiking, reading, and playing softball.

Carole’s blend of creativity, efficiency, and heart for service has already made a meaningful mark in Hamilton County. Her innovative approach and commitment to improvement reflect exactly what makes NYSAPCSO’s network so strong.