The County Executive’s Corner: Building a Stronger Rockland Starts With the People Who Serve It

As County Executive, I often say that you are only as strong as your team. Nowhere is that more true than in public service. The work we do for Rockland County depends on talented, dedicated people—people who choose to serve their neighbors, strengthen their communities, and make a difference every single day.

That’s why I’m proud to highlight the outstanding work of our Department of Personnel, whose modern, strategic approach to hiring has transformed how Rockland County attracts and develops its workforce.

This past year, our Personnel team expanded recruitment like never before, encouraging individuals to consider a career in public service at more than 180 events, including job fairs, street fairs, high school and college classroom presentations, Rockland Works events, and virtual sessions, as well as partnering with over 20 community organizations.  These efforts reached students, veterans, career changers, and residents seeking new opportunities. Their outreach helped deliver the highest number of applicants for the September Correction Officer exam in three testing cycles—proof that when we meet people where they are, they respond.

The team also modernized the Job Opportunities webpage, making it easier for applicants to find positions that match their skills. With improved navigation, searchable postings, and customized email alerts, the page saw a 110% increase in users from the previous format and nearly 491,000 views, a 131% increase. It is now the most visited page on our website after the homepage.  This is government at its best: making opportunities accessible, transparent, and user-friendly.

Creative recruitment campaigns throughout the year—spotlighting departments, upcoming exams, municipal positions, and student jobs—helped broaden our reach. New initiatives such as the physical agility exam tutorial, radio ads, radio show interviews, TOR bus campaigns, direct community outreach and even a Jumbotron feature at Boulders Stadium made our messaging more visible than ever.

A continued partnership with Rockland BOCES played a key role in producing media content and supporting these campaigns, including our Instagram presence. On social media, Personnel’s Instagram grew by nearly 1,400 followers since its launch, with more than a 100% increase in both reach and engagement compared to the previous year.

But hiring is only the beginning. Developing our workforce is just as important. This past year, we launched a new Emerging Leaders cohort, continued training for prior classes, created the LEAD Academy with Dominican University, and offered countywide lunch-and-learns on communication, teamwork, public speaking, and navigating change. In April, we will also introduce a new training program designed specifically for a cohort of lead workers, further strengthening our commitment to workforce development. We also provide continued training for staff through an on-line learning platform called Percipio, where our employees completed more than 1,400 courses—a powerful investment in their growth and in the quality of service we provide.

We also continue to implement the NY HELPS program, which has opened more pathways into public service by streamlining hiring for hundreds of job titles. To date, 349 appointments have been made under HELPS across county departments and local municipalities.

All of this reflects a simple truth: when we build strong teams, we build a strong Rockland. 

I am proud of the Department of Personnel for their commitment to innovation, accessibility, and service. And I encourage anyone seeking a meaningful career to consider joining public service. 

Public service is more than a job—it’s a chance to shape the future of your community.

Learn more at RocklandCountyNY.gov -> Personnel or call (845) 364-3737 / email rcjobs@co.rockland.ny.us / or follow on Instagram @RocklandCountyJobs for more information about job opportunities.