For Bethany Merica, a career in Human Resources and Civil Service was not exactly part of the original plan. Her professional journey took her through the restaurant industry and healthcare before eventually leading her to county government. Looking back, however, she sees those experiences not as detours, but as pieces of a path that ultimately brought her where she was meant to be.

“I am a lifelong local girl,” Bethany says. Today, she lives with her husband, their 13-year-old son, and their two dogs. Along the way, her family has traveled some unexpected and life-changing roads together—experiences she says have helped shape her resilience and the person she is today.

Bethany earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences before finding her way into public service. Since joining the Wyoming County Human Resources Office in June 2022, her career has developed quickly. In September 2024, she became the Civil Service Administrator, taking on responsibility for the day-to-day administration of civil service while working closely with County departments, schools, and other jurisdictions.

A major part of Bethany’s role is education. She strives to help those she works with understand not only what the rules require, but why they exist—giving departments and local jurisdictions the knowledge and confidence to navigate an often-complex system.

That philosophy became particularly important when Bethany found herself learning the job while simultaneously helping others navigate significant statewide changes. NY HELPS and the broader transformation of the examination system arrived just as she was preparing to take on civil service administration as her primary responsibility.

“I had no idea that such significant statewide changes were right around the corner,” she recalls.

The challenge required her to quickly adapt, interpret new requirements, and develop systems and procedures for putting those changes into practice. Helping departments and jurisdictions understand and implement those changes has been among the most challenging—and rewarding—experiences of her career.

For Bethany, one of the most valuable skills she has developed is the ability to keep working toward an answer when the answer is not immediately obvious.

Civil Service, she explains, rarely presents a perfectly straightforward question. Her approach is to research carefully, consider how different laws and rules work together, exercise good judgment, and turn what she learns into practical guidance. Just as importantly, she has learned the value of understanding the people and operations behind the questions.

That mindset also shapes the advice she gives to those entering the profession.

“Ask questions—lots of them,” Bethany says. She encourages new professionals to build relationships with experienced colleagues, document what they learn, and give themselves permission to keep learning. She also believes it is important to look beyond simply following established processes and occasionally ask whether those processes still serve their intended purpose—or continue simply because “we’ve always done it this way.”

That commitment to learning and improvement extends to Bethany’s involvement with NYSAPCSO. She describes the association as an invaluable source of information, support, and connection with colleagues who understand the unique challenges of Civil Service work. She hopes to become even more involved and find additional ways to contribute to the professional community that has supported her own growth.

This year, Bethany will also have the opportunity to share that experience with others as a presenter alongside colleagues from other counties at the NYSAC Fall Seminar. As part of NYSAPCSO’s session, “Creating a Positive Work Culture That Enables County Employees to Thrive,” Bethany will focus on “Improving the Everyday Employee Experience.”

Outside of work, Bethany’s interests reveal another side of her personality. She enjoys knitting and crocheting—along with what she describes as a “completely reasonable and not-at-all-excessive” yarn collection. She is also an avid audiobook listener, particularly enjoying dystopian fiction, science fiction, and horror. Time with family, friends, and her two dogs rounds out her time away from the office.

Looking toward the future, Bethany hopes the transformation of Civil Service will make the system easier for applicants, employees, and local agencies to understand and navigate. She sees opportunities for modern technology, clearer guidance, and more consistent statewide resources while maintaining the principles of merit and fitness that form the foundation of the system.

For Bethany Merica, the path into Civil Service may not have been traditional—but every stop along the way helped prepare her for where she is today. Her story is one of resilience, curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning. And perhaps that is one of the most valuable lessons she brings to the profession: you do not have to have the entire path figured out to keep moving forward. Sometimes, the experiences you never planned for become the ones that prepare you best for where you are going.