...and that's a wrap

This semester I was placed at the Maricopa Country Treasurer's office. My main duty this semester was to update the departments record management system. My initial expectation was this was going to be your typical internship that was going to be heavily micromanaged with little responsibility or contributions to the overall department. However, I found that I was pleasantly surprised because this wasn't the case at all. I found that I was given a great deal of autonomy, flexibility, and responsibility to complete my task and provide lasting contributions to the county. I also learned a lot about management in the way of 1) initiative 2) communication and 3) resourcefulness.

1) When I first started at the Treasurer's department, I had very little knowledge about the records management at the state level. I had experience with  records management at the federal level so I had to learn a new system of record keeping. So I had to take the initiative to research all the state and county statutes, laws, guidelines, policies and procedures pertaining to records management. This was a daunting task because I really had no guidance in this area, but little by little I was able to build upon the preexisting information to build a plan to complete my project

2) In order to complete my project I had to communicate with various stakeholders to build relationships and gain the knowledge I needed to understand the records system of the county. This required talking to records managers, State and Federal Archivist, department managers, and employees. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I had would rather sit behind my desk than interact with anyone in the office. So this internship really pushed me out of my shell to converse with everyone in order to create a comprehensive and inclusive records management program.

3) Since we work in the public sector, resources are slim and departments must make due with what they have. One of the major projects of the department need major funding to get it off the ground. So I was resourceful and found a grant to fund the project. Right now, I am writing a grant to help the department with this endeavor which will provide lasting impact to the county.

Overall, my tenure at the Treasurer's Department will very productive and had provided me with the additional skills I needed to succeed in the public sector.

Strengths of my department.

One of the strengths of the treasurer's office is there dedication to serving the public and their commitment to reducing cost to save those added cost to tax payers. If I were in charge of an organization similar to the Treasurer's department I would make the interior more inviting by getting rid of the cubicles and painting the walls bright colors.

Public Service

Maricopa County is the largest county in Arizona and the second largest government in the State.  With over four million residents, Maricopa County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Since 1981, the Maricopa County Treasurer’s Office is the only agency to serve as the county’s ex-officio tax collector and the protector of all school and special districts funds within Maricopa County. The mission of the Treasurer’s office is to keep tax documentation and provide  receipt and safekeeping of all public monies, state and county money, and all taxes collected upon real and personal property of the county in order to fund operations for public services, agencies, and school districts. Furthermore, the agencies vision to provide “Maricopa County residents with convenient accessibility and access to pay their taxes and secure these vital funds in a timely manner to fund operating expenses” is reflective of its duty as civil servants to protect and invest monetary resources for the Maricopa citizens. The department’s unique public outreach programs provide billing information; increase awareness of available taxpayer programs, and problem resolutions to property owners in need. Furthermore, the department sponsors several need-based assistance programs for the elderly, disabled, and widows. Under such programs, populations in crisis have no or reduced property tax liability.