We recently spoke with Tash Sumner from City of Playford about her role as Human Resource Officer and her career to date.
What’s your role and what does it entail?
As the HR officer, my role looks after recruitment advertising, onboarding, including pre-employment clearances, cross-boarding, including employment changes, exits as well as maintaining current employee clearances and accreditations. I also support the wider team where required. I am also currently supporting the Wellbeing space for City of Playford.
What do you enjoy most about working in local government?
I enjoy engaging with stakeholders in other departments, the different services offered to the local community and being able to partner with the organisation and our people.
What is your proudest career moment?
I started in local government as a Temp early 2017 and then commenced on a contract late 2017 with Customer Contact at the City of Playford. I was then successful in a contract with the HR team late September 2019 and made permanent in February 2021 after a successful interview. I took it upon myself to study my Certificate IV in HR with AHRI in 2020 to gain a qualification while also working on the job and getting the hands on experience. I successfully completed this online through Covid-19 and working full time.
What advice would you give someone starting out in your role?
A new role or industry can be scary, but just to take one step at a time, slow down and learn as much as you can and ask any questions. There are many steps of the process to learn and being adaptable helps to move through the changes successfully.
|
How do you handle stress and pressure?
I am really good at self-reflection in both work and personal life. I can acknowledge when I am feeling tense or stressed and will take note of why I feel this way, how I might make someone else feel and what I need to do to move forward. At work when I am feeling stress or pressure, it helps when I right a task list or use my calendar action things and also take one thing at a time.
What courses / books / resources have made an impact on your career?
- Studying with AHRI (plus their membership and resources)
- Atomic Habits (Book)
- Anything that is professional development for my learnings & growth. I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone and try new things.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I used to compete in Artistic Roller Skating from 7 years old to 20 years old, I Coach still and I am a Mum now, so continuously working on my self-care and how to push through challenges to juggle work and mum-life. I do enjoy the challenge. I love going on walks and also seeing family and friends. Any excuse to drink coffee (ahaha).
|
.png)