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April 27 is Administrative Professionals Day, when we recognize the contributions of secretaries and administrative assistants who work across programs to support the Service’s conservation mission.
Having a day to recognize administrative professionals is a wonderful way to show appreciation, but having a career where you are surrounded by support and recognition year-round is even better.
In 2021, after working in the private sector for more than 30 years, I decided to take a leap of faith and accept an offer to come to work for the Service as an administrative assistant for Migratory Birds and External Affairs in the Northeast Regional office. This was not an easy decision, leaving behind the security of a position I held for more than 19 years, but after my first year of working for the Service, I can say with certainty that this was one of the best decisions I have made in my career.
Navigating all the new processes and procedures remotely during the COVID pandemic had its challenges, but I was lucky enough to be surrounded by an amazing group of administrative assistants and support staff who were willing to take the time to share their knowledge and expertise with me in every way possible. My days are now filled supporting busy professionals who are working daily to improve conservation and the world in which we live. My supervisors and team members, although incredibly busy, never hesitate to acknowledge my assistance and show their appreciation for the support I offer them daily.
I am not alone. Several of my colleagues share my views about the Service’s supportive environment and how it inspires hard work and dedication among the administrative staff. I recently had the opportunity to speak with some other hard-working administrative assistants to find out their thoughts.
Heather M. Tetrault, Executive Assistant for the Regional Director’s office
"I followed an unexpected and circuitous path in my career to arrive at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. My educational background is in environmental studies, political ecology, and indigenous peoples and conservation. And I'd intended on continuing in the field of conservation, but life had other plans for me and it took 15 years to get back to my original passions. So here I am!
Someone described my role as being a train conductor or air traffic controller in that it is my responsibility to make sure everyone and everything gets to where it needs to be, on time and with all the luggage intact! That means making sure the necessary people are in meetings and they have the materials they need. I've been with the Service a mere 6 months, but I believe that my contributions, while mostly invisible, are vital to the momentum of projects and the incredible work that everyone does to fulfill our mission."
Sierra Latham, Administrative Assistant at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
"I started my career with the Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013 when I did a summer internship at Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, the same station where I’m now an administrative specialist. I returned in 2015 as a seasonal biologist after I got my undergraduate degree, and again in 2016. In October 2016 I accepted my current position and I have been in this role ever since.
A lot of the work that I do on a day-to-day basis tends to take place in the background, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not important. In fact, I consider the work I do to be just as important as the work our biologists, foresters, and maintenance staff all do. Without me the lights don’t get turned on and the bills don’t get paid. My job allows our station to stay up and running, and supports the people there to meet our mission and manage the land for wildlife.
Every day when I go to work, I know that I am contributing to the mission of FWS, even as an admin. By doing my job efficiently, I’m allowing other staff at the refuge to do their jobs more efficiently so we are all supporting and contributing to the FWS mission. On top of that, I get to help with projects outside of my position as time allows. Being able to get out occasionally on a boat or in the woods to help with biological projects really connects me to the FWS mission and my team."
Hi, this is Donna again. In closing, I hope this serves to remind all our administrative professionals that you are an important and essential part of the framework of this incredible organization. It is because of you that things go smoothly and continue in constant forward motion. Enjoy your special day!
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