November 2023 Employee Spotlight

Policy, Analysis, and Communications (PAC) is pleased to announce the November 2023 Olmsted County Employee Spotlight recipient Anavelia Segura.

Anavelia works as an administrative assistant on the Internal Services Support team in Administration. Her nominator had this to say about Anavelia: “She is hard worker. She has started a non-profit recently and cares about diversity in the organization. She has made a huge effort to be part of the DEI program and is an example that change starts with yourself and impacts the people around you.”

Her nominator also said that when Anavelia worked in Family Support and Assistance, “she took time out of her day to train me without it being her responsibility or being asked to.”

The nominator concluded by saying Anavelia has continued “to share training opportunities with me throughout the years and has encouraged many others to take opportunities to develop ourselves to be better every day.”

Olmsted County Communications Manager Gretchen Williamson chatted with Anavelia to learn more about her.

How long have you been with Olmsted County and what is your role? I have been with Olmsted County for eight years this January and am currently an Administrative Assistant II supporting Internal Services in the Administration department.

Can you share a little bit about your career path to this point? I started with the county in 2016 as a case aide in the Family Support & Assistance (FSA) department; after 18 months, I was promoted to an eligibility specialist. This was a time of extreme career and personal growth for me: two government shutdowns, daily policy changes that affected program eligibility, community members facing unprecedented crises needing assistance, and a pandemic. The ever-changing work FSA does by connecting community members’ needs with programs and resources is beyond impressive – shout out to the “Intake Team!”

Working for the county and participating in One Olmsted, I was able to see many gaps, barriers, and disconnects between the programs, resources, and some of the needs in the community. In 2021, during COVID, I had an opportunity to move my personal path forward with the community outreach I was doing and founded a non-profit to address some of these gaps and barriers. In 2021, I also transitioned to the Government Center to my current position as an administrative assistant. I venture to say my personal path is interconnected with my career path here at the county.

Tell me about your job and what you like about working at Olmsted County. Through my current position, I have been able to connect and better understand the multi-faceted approaches needed in decision making to move the organization, its employees, and the needs of the community forward through policies, resolutions, programming, etc. and how interrelated it can be to the wants and needs at the state and federal level.

What is a typical workday like for you? I am on a rotating schedule with in-office hours and remote work hours; no one day is the same. I am part of the Internal Services Support team, and we provide supportive services to the Administration, Human Resources, PAC, Finance, and ITS departments. My days involve a multitude of emails and requests related to new hires/retirements, fingerprinting, parking permits, county board meetings and agendas, requests for actions, minute summaries, scheduling internal and external meetings, travel requests, One Olmsted support, and the list goes on.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job? I’ve learned to see challenges as growth opportunities and would venture to say that the most challenging aspect of my job right now is technology not doing what I want it to do – which is specifically the recording of county board meetings during the “livestreaming.” Many people are partnering up to find a solution to this situation, and I am positive it will be resolved soon enough.

Are you from the Rochester area? I always tend to pause when asked this question. I should just say yes! I have been here close to three decades! I am from the south … a tiny, tiny town in southwest Texas.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work? I love spending time with myself, family, and friends. I love morning Zumba at the Peace Plaza during the summer months and going to the Farmers Market! I revel in community outreach efforts and moving those forward through my organization, “The Intermix Project.”

What is your favorite season and why? Before moving to Minnesota, the Texas seasons I knew were fall hot, winter hot, spring hot, and summer scorching hot, also known as “La Canicula” or “the dog days of summer,” so I find beauty in all the Minnesota seasons. I love the way nature transforms during fall and its beautiful colors. I find peace in watching the snow fall and shoveling … yes, shoveling. Spring rain showers’ earthy scent bring memories of my childhood in Texas, and I love, love, love the tolerable Minnesota summers.

What is the first concert you remember going to (or favorite concert)? My first concert was to see Selena.

Please share either your favorite book, movie, musical artist or any other favorite! I truly enjoy self-help books and my favorite right now is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.  

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I look forward to fully experiencing El Dia de Los Muertos, and plan to visit Oaxaca, Pátzcuaro, and Mexico City.

Is there a show or podcast you’re currently into right now? I am currently listening to the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast; I am new to the non-profit world and need exponential knowledge and growth.

What would you tell people who may be considering a job at Olmsted County? Go for it, apply! Go online and do your research in social media, watch the counties’ YouTube videos, see what Olmsted County is about and what it has to offer. There is a place for everyone here! You want flexibility? Apply! Looking for hybrid work? Apply! You want to work for an organization that has opportunities for continuous growth? Apply!