Last updated: October 14, 2022
Article
The Link between Human Resources and a Human Connection
Being a fellow in the field of Human Resources (HR) has been a very eye-opening experience for me, both personally and professionally. Personally, I think it has made me a better communicator, both on the sending and receiving end of information. It has been an exercise in patience, as many actions require prolonged communication or waiting for documentation to process. It has required me to problem-solve daily which involves both individual troubleshooting and research, as well as brainstorming as a team with those more experienced in the field. Professionally, it has improved my understanding of how the federal government functions internally, and how multiple programs collaborate to manage a diverse workforce.
Servicing Human Resources Offices (SHROs) are responsible for managing personnel actions for an entire region of employees within the National Park Service. The Pacific West Region (PWR) SHRO encompasses the entire West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, American Samoa, and Guam. This position has allowed me to interact with a wide variety of people from different locations, careers, grades/steps, backgrounds, and roles within NPS that I probably otherwise would have never encountered. Biological science technicians, maintenance workers, museum curators, forestry technicians, park rangers, and all types of supervisors, to name a few. This has reinforced my understanding of the wide variety of people and roles it takes to protect natural and cultural resources.
I often recognize names across the span of weeks or months, processing multiple actions for the same people. Some of the names also arise in my other role as a Workers Compensation fellow. While I do not know these people personally, I can’t help but feel a human connection as I get to see a brief glimpse into this part of their life. HR actions range from wage grade increases, promotions, and awards to separations; we have the privilege of helping manage employees’ NPS careers. Throughout my observations I have noticed that the overwhelming majority of temporary employees, despite the length of their appointment, return again and again. Sometimes to the same position, or sometimes to something new. To me, that shows that even if they didn’t think their last role was a great fit, they believe the National Park Service is. These insights have given me a whole new significance to the term “Human Resources.”
Article written by Audrey Nelson
for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series
National Park Service - Workforce Management Fellow
in Partnership with Northwest Youth Corps
Servicing Human Resources Offices (SHROs) are responsible for managing personnel actions for an entire region of employees within the National Park Service. The Pacific West Region (PWR) SHRO encompasses the entire West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska, American Samoa, and Guam. This position has allowed me to interact with a wide variety of people from different locations, careers, grades/steps, backgrounds, and roles within NPS that I probably otherwise would have never encountered. Biological science technicians, maintenance workers, museum curators, forestry technicians, park rangers, and all types of supervisors, to name a few. This has reinforced my understanding of the wide variety of people and roles it takes to protect natural and cultural resources.
I often recognize names across the span of weeks or months, processing multiple actions for the same people. Some of the names also arise in my other role as a Workers Compensation fellow. While I do not know these people personally, I can’t help but feel a human connection as I get to see a brief glimpse into this part of their life. HR actions range from wage grade increases, promotions, and awards to separations; we have the privilege of helping manage employees’ NPS careers. Throughout my observations I have noticed that the overwhelming majority of temporary employees, despite the length of their appointment, return again and again. Sometimes to the same position, or sometimes to something new. To me, that shows that even if they didn’t think their last role was a great fit, they believe the National Park Service is. These insights have given me a whole new significance to the term “Human Resources.”
Article written by Audrey Nelson
for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series
National Park Service - Workforce Management Fellow
in Partnership with Northwest Youth Corps