With a decade of experience in county government and a deep appreciation for the role civil service plays in maintaining fairness and stability in public employment, Michelle Secor has grown into a key leader within her department while helping modernize important processes that support municipalities and public employees alike.

Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree from Nazareth University (formerly Nazareth College of Rochester). She grew up in Canandaigua in Ontario County and now resides on the east side of Seneca Lake in Seneca County.

Her interest in public service began early. Through her mother’s career in the public sector, Michelle was introduced at a young age to the structure of local government and the importance of civil service. That early exposure helped shape her understanding of the role civil service plays in creating a fair and stable public workforce.

Michelle currently serves as a Human Resources Analyst for Ontario County Government and celebrates her 10-year anniversary with the County in March 2026. Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, she primarily oversees Civil Service operations for the county.

In this role, Michelle manages a wide range of responsibilities. She works on classifying positions and developing job specifications for new titles, supervises a staff of six, coordinates civil service examinations, and oversees civil service transactions across the employment lifecycle from recruitment to personnel changes. Her work ensures that county hiring and employment practices remain fair, efficient, and compliant with civil service law and rules.

Reaching her 10-year milestone with Ontario County stands out as a significant achievement for Michelle, particularly as it reflects her growth into a leadership role within the department.

Another accomplishment she is especially proud of is helping to modernize and improve Civil Service processes within the department. Over the years, Michelle has worked to streamline procedures, increase operational efficiencies, and ensure the county’s practices remain consistent, transparent, and aligned with current civil service laws and rules.

Through her work, Michelle has developed a deep appreciation for the purpose and lasting value of civil service systems. She has seen firsthand how civil service protects the integrity of public employment and helps maintain stability, even as elected leadership changes.

Professionally, she has strengthened her analytical skills in position classification and navigating complex or unique civil service situations. Some of her most valuable experiences have come from assisting municipalities and staff with recruitment challenges, solving difficult problems, and mentoring and guiding her team through civil service matters.

Michelle’s advice for newcomers is simple but important: don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Civil service can be complex and constantly evolving, and no one has every answer. Often, the question someone is hesitant to ask is the same one others are wondering about. For Michelle, continuous learning and open communication are essential to succeeding in the field.

If she could make one improvement to the civil service system, Michelle would advocate for placing titles that require professional licenses or certifications into the Non-Competitive Class rather than the Competitive Class. Because individuals in these roles have already demonstrated competency through rigorous licensing or certification exams, she believes additional testing – such as training and experience (T&E) exams – can sometimes be unnecessary.

Outside the office, Michelle enjoys traveling, taking walks along the scenic shoreline of Seneca Lake, trying new foods and local restaurants, and spending quality time with her family.

Through her commitment to improving systems and supporting public employees, Michelle continues to play an important role in strengthening civil service operations within Ontario County. Her dedication to fairness, efficiency, and professional development makes her a valued leader and an outstanding example of public service in action.

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