Public Service Spotlight: Heather Griffin
Ten years ago, Heather Griffin began her career with the County of SLO as an Employment Resource Specialist (ERS) at the Department of Social Services (DSS). In her role, Heather serves as a crucial link for individuals navigating adversity. Each day, she assists them in accessing essential resources including CalFresh (also known as Food Stamps), housing support programs, community program referrals, and Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
Her guiding principle is simple yet impactful: "Help those who need guidance, and if I can’t, I'll find someone who can." Heather's mission is to support individuals who find themselves at DSS during challenging times, while also reassuring them that their current circumstances do not define their futures.
Heather understands first-hand the difficulties many of these individuals face, having been born with a congenital birth defect. She uses this empathy and fierce sense of determination to inspire the families she works with. Heather also gives credit to the County for their attentiveness to her disability, saying that she has always been well taken care of and accommodated for her disability.
Before embarking on her career, Heather committed herself to meaningful service, volunteering with a non-profit organization, Youth with a Mission (YWAM). For 6 months, she traveled in Romania, Serbia, and Thailand serving orphanages and elderly communities. This deep-rooted commitment to service is what led her to a career at DSS when she returned home.
In addition to serving families and community members at work, Heather finds fulfillment in supporting her colleagues. Having achieved her own career goals over the past decade by being promoted to an Employment Resource Specialist III, she is committed to assisting her newer coworkers in reaching their full potential as well.
The first year working as an ERS is particularly challenging, as employees balance learning complicated software systems, county-level processes, and statewide policies that change frequently, while also working with some of our most in-need communities. She advises new employees to approach their first year with patience and self-compassion, recognizing that mastering all these tasks takes time and perseverance.
Heather's decision to work for the County reflects her desire for a career driven with purpose and community impact. In addition to her ERS role, she has served as a SLOCEA Steward since 2015, keeping members at her worksite informed about current developments. In 2016, she also served on the SLOCEA Negotiating Committee and stated she believes in the power of solidarity and the power our membership has when we stand together, like during the 2018 labor strike.
Outside of work and her involvement with SLOCEA, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, including her three children. Some of her extracurricular passions include traveling, embarking on road trips, and exploring her creative outlet of photography.
Congratulations to Heather Griffin on ten years of service at DSS, and many thanks for her service and dedication both to our community and to SLOCEA.
