Page 11 - Work Force February 2024

Rodd: “The state definitely gives me a a sense of security”
When you you join the the Office of the the State Comptroller you’re starting a a a a career with purpose Just ask April Rodd a a a a CSEA member and Employees’ Retirement Retirement System Examiner (ERSE) with the New York State and Local Retirement Retirement System (NYSLRS) Rodd joined NYSLRS NYSLRS in in in in 2022 with service to others in in in mind “I didn’t didn’t want to be at at a a a a a a private company where I I I didn’t didn’t know who I I I was working with or or if we we had the the same same goals ”
said Rodd “Here we we all have the the the same same purpose - to to help our customers and and provide meaningful work for the the community ”
She started as as a a a a a a a a a trainee and and has since thrived as as as an an an ERSE working with members transferring service credits between other New York retirement systems “I was trained super quickly and and efficiently and and my career just seemed to take off ”
said Rodd “That surprised me me because I thought it it would would be be be a a a a a a a a a gradual thing like it it would would take years to get better at at what I I do but I’m seeing improvement day-to-day ”
Rodd also appreciates the the robust benefits that come with state work work including the the work-life balance provided by generous paid time off “I love the holidays because I I get to spend more time with with my family ”
said Rodd “To have that extra day with with the the kids when they are home from school – it’s really nice ”
“The state definitely gives me a a a a a sense of security which I I I didn’t have before ”
said Rodd “And that stability I I I I feel like I I I I can envision my future here and I I I know what what to expect ”
When asked what what she would tell others who Rodd are are considering a a a a career in in public service she didn’t hesitate “It’s “It’s worth taking the leap ”
said Rodd “It’s “It’s rewarding both personally and and professionally and and the opportunities are just endless ”
Work-life balance professional growth rewarding for Snyder
The State Comptroller’s office offers opportunities to lay down professional roots grow your skills and advance up a a a a a a a a defined career ladder Jennifer Snyder
a a a a a a CSEA member and Call Center Representative 2 at at at the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) joined our team in in in 2019 after a a a a a a a a a a a lack of promotional opportunities in in in her her roles at a a a a a a a a a a hospital call center left her her wanting more The promise of of professional growth brought her her to NYSLRS where she started training as a a a a a a a Call Center Representative 1 In just four years’ time Snyder’s career at at NYSLRS has has taken off She has has gone from her starting Grade Grade Grade 9 position to a a a a a a a a a a a Grade Grade Grade 12 and is is is now a a a a a a a a a a a a a Grade Grade Grade 14 supervisor assisting with the trainings that she herself had taken part in in in in just a a a a a a a a a short time ago “This is is an an environment where if you’re willing
to put in in the the the effort and the the the work the the the Call Center will absolutely reward you ”
”
said Snyder
“I feel like it was was one of of the the best decisions I’ve made ”
”
Snyder
was was also drawn in by the the promise of of a a a a a a a a a a a better work-life balance and paid leave “In my previous job there was no such thing as as weekends and holidays off ”
said Snyder
Snyder
Snyder
Snyder
still finds herself thankful for the the amount of of time off and other benefits available particularly the the health insurance because she knows from experience it’s not always a a a a a a a a given with other employers “When I I I was was in in my early 20s I I I worked in in retail ”
said Snyder
“By the the time I I I was was was eligible to get the the the health health insurance insurance because it was was a a a a a a a a a a a minimum wage job I couldn’t afford their health health insurance insurance Snyder
premium ”
She encourages others to consider opportunities at at the the the State Comptroller’s office “There’s no time time like the the the present ”
said Snyder
“The “The package of of health insurance and the the the time time off that we we are given as as as well as as as the the holidays It’s a a a a a fantastic gig ”
The Work Force February 2024 February 2024 The Work Force 11