Jessica Vanella is a dedicated civil service professional whose curiosity, creativity, and commitment to public service make a meaningful impact in her community.

Born and raised in Oswego County, Jessica’s connection to local government began early. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from SUNY Oswego and became familiar with civil service through family members who served – and continue to serve – in school districts and County government positions.

Before joining the County, Jessica spent six years working in a physician’s office, gaining valuable administrative and operational experience. Today, she balances her professional responsibilities with family life – she has been married for 11 years and is the proud mom of an almost four-year-old daughter. At her core, Jessica describes herself as a problem solver: naturally curious, analytical, and creative.

Jessica currently serves as Human Resources Administrator, a role she has held for nearly seven years after spending two years as a Human Resources Specialist. Her responsibilities span virtually all aspects of Civil Service administration – overseeing examinations, recruitment, employee orientation, payroll certification for municipalities and school districts, roster maintenance, and involvement in union negotiations.

Her role requires both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills. Jessica regularly works through complex issues and explains detailed Civil Service processes to department heads and employees. While that can be challenging, it continually expands her knowledge of departments, collective bargaining agreements, and the ever-evolving Civil Service landscape.

She credits much of her success to collaboration, noting how fortunate she is to work alongside a supportive boss and mentor, Julie Bell, as well as dedicated colleagues and team members who work together to serve departments and the public effectively.

When asked about achievements, Jessica humbly notes that juggling her many life roles feels like an accomplishment in itself. Professionally, she has been deeply involved in several major initiatives, including a County-wide salary study that required extensive data analysis and countless spreadsheets. While recognizing that compensation changes can’t please everyone, she believes the final outcomes were thoughtful, balanced, and ultimately beneficial for employees.

Through her work, Jessica has developed particularly strong skills in communication and contract interpretation. Working in local government requires engaging with applicants, employees, department heads, legislators, and leaders from school districts, towns, and villages. Translating complex Civil Service requirements and County policies into clear, understandable guidance is a skill she values greatly.

Additionally, she has embraced the challenge of learning union contracts – an area she had no exposure to before joining the County. She genuinely enjoys analyzing collective bargaining agreements and piecing together various provisions to resolve questions.

Jessica’s advice to anyone new to Civil Service is simple but powerful:

• Be curious.
• Read the MSD manuals.
• Participate in the NYSAPCSO user group — even if you’re just reading along.
• Know your resources.

Civil Service and HR are rarely black and white. Even eight years in, Jessica says she still learns something new every day. She encourages professionals not to accept “because we’ve always done it that way” as a reason to maintain outdated practices and to never be afraid to ask questions.

If Jessica could implement one major change to the Civil Service system, it would be reforming the exam process. While she firmly believes in the principles of merit and fitness, she feels the prior exam model did not best serve employers or candidates. She is hopeful that ongoing Civil Service transformation efforts will modernize assessments and allow public employers to better compete with the private sector for top talent.

Most of all, she’s excited to be part of that change – continuing to learn, adapt, and improve the system she serves so passionately.

Outside of work, Jessica’s time is centered on family – especially her “littlest BFF,” her daughter. She enjoys reading and listening to audiobooks and exploring creative hobbies. Most recently, she has taken up crochet (having completed six blankets since November!) and is building a dollhouse for her daughter.

In the summer, you can find her enjoying her pool or playing a little golf – which she admits she plays “badly,” but enthusiastically, nonetheless.

Jessica Vanella’s dedication, analytical mindset, and commitment to growth embody the spirit of civil service professionalism. We’re grateful for her contributions and proud to feature her in this month’s Member Spotlight!

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