Longtime Schuylkill human resources director to retire

Schuylkill County officials bade a fond farewell to longtime human resources director/risk manager Martina A. Chwastiak.

She will retire from her position after 13 years as of Dec. 31.

Chwastiak announced her impending retirement at a public meeting Dec. 20.

Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. described Chwastiak’s work as exemplary, and Commissioner Gary J. Hess praised her professionalism, saying she would be missed.

Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier was on the board when Chwastiak was hired.

“We made an excellent choice,” he said.

Known for her calm, competent manner, Chwastiak initially hired into the human resources office, then in 2009 started the job of risk manager, which involved assessing safety aspects of all county buildings and practices in order to cut down on workers’ compensation claims.

That position by late 2009 was merged with that of human resources director.

In other personnel news, commissioners on Wednesday accepted the retirement of Suzanne Connely of Tamaqua from her job as casework supervisor for the Children and Youth Services Agency as of Feb. 2, 2018.

They also approved the hiring of Tabitha Dusel of Seltzer, and Lauren Gallagher of Pottsville as caseworker with the agency. Each will earn $17.44 an hour.

The district attorney’s office terminated Assistant District Attorney Michelle Jones from her temporary job.

In other personnel moves, Taylor Lindenmuth of Butler Township was hired as a per diem clerk in the Treasurer’s office at $10 an hour, and Tyler Hefner of Pottsville resigned from his job as conservation program coordinator with the Conservation District.