Sara Hammond, Denver Service Center Supervisory Administrative Specialist.

Sara Hammond exploring Maui Island in April 2018 (photo courtesy Sara)

What is your name and job title? Sara Hammond, Denver Service Center (DSC) Supervisory Administrative Specialist.

How did you first learn about Denver Service Center and what drew you to apply for your job? The first time I heard about the Denver Service Center I was working in Point Reyes National Seashore during the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement re: Drakes Bay Oyster Company Special Use Permit. I volunteered to help take notes during one of the many public meetings. I met two very nice DSC-Planning folks who came out to the Park to lead the public meetings. I was looking to transition my career into the administration series, and I saw a lateral announcement on insideNPS, and applied.

What experience and education do you have? I started my career with the National Park Service (NPS) as a Student Conservation Association "SCA" Intern at Point Reyes National Seashore working with the California Exotic Management Team, under Natural Resources, to manage their seasonal field data. After my internship, I was offered a position where I split my time continuing to manage data, and also work part time for the Facilities group. Following that, I was hired as a Term in Facilities at Point Reyes as an Environmental Management Specialist where I managed their Environmental Management program, focusing on program and project development around operational sustainability: waste reduction, water and energy consumption reduction, reducing fleet emissions (including the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for public and employee use), as well as education and outreach around sustainability in the NPS.

After finishing post graduate work (business) through the University of California, San Diego, I was hired on permanent status through the Pathways program. I left Point Reyes in 2015 to work at Golden Gate National Recreation Area as an Environmental Management Specialist where I continued to focus on energy and water management and reduction programs, as well as regulatory reporting. After working a detail in the Pacific West Regional Office in Internal Control, I realized there were good opportunities for growth in the Administration career series, so I made the leap to the Denver Service Center!

What three skills do you think are key to helping you succeed in your role and why?

1. Communication - keeping all stakeholders "in the loop" helps reduce confusion, duplication of work, and (hopefully) frustration! I also have a golden rule: always write things down! The older I get, the less I can count on my memory.
2. Critical Thinking - every day I am given challenges that require analysis and good problem solving skills. Sometimes I feel like it's a bit like solving a mystery — like the Scooby Doo gang! Being able to think quickly on my feet is key.
3. Positive Attitude - we are entrusted to take care of some of the most amazing resources in the United States. And this responsibility can be stressful. We can not control everything about our jobs, but we can control what we bring to to table. It helps to focus on what I can control, and try to let the other stuff go. Providing good customer service is something I highly value.

How do you recharge? That usually involves some sort of physical activity. For example, I enjoy swimming, yoga, dancing (blues and Afro-Caribbean) and taking long walks around Denver (weather permitting), as I learn the neighborhoods around me. Music also plays a big part of my life: I enjoy researching the history of African-American music in the United States and I am currently training to be a disc jockey on local community radio station KGNU.

What's the most important lesson you've learned in the last year? Take the Leap - it's worth it! Leaving the Bay Area and changing career series was a big leap me, but I am very happy working here at DSC and exploring my new home in Denver.