By: Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator

This marks our third ‘welcome’ article for 2023. If these names and faces seem familiar, they should! Not all of our available positions are filled by newcomers; at times there are highly skilled and experienced staff aboard who are able to transition within our ranks. That is the case for both of the recently filled positions profiled in our salute today. We are thrilled to retain and reapply their collective knowledge to their new positions and help to advance their career development. 

Each faces a new set of challenges and responsibilities as they step into their new positions, so we invite you to join us in thanking and welcoming them. We are so grateful for our diverse, talented, and dedicated group of professionals who work to serve the community of Cook County, MN.

Please meet Cook County MN’s ‘newest’ employees:

 Allison Plummer 

Allison Plummer, Human Resources Director: In this role, she will be responsible for all things related to human resources for the County and ensuring that their practices, policies, and procedures are in accordance with state and federal laws. She will be involved in strategic planning; employee relations; recruiting, selection, and retention; training and development; job evaluation, compensation, and classification; performance management; and managing benefits.

She has lived in Grand Marais for almost 17.5 years now. Prior to moving here upon graduation, she received her degree at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Her first job post-college was with the Cook County Assessor’s Office. She worked in that office for nine years before she transitioned to Public Health & Human Services (PHHS). In PHHS, she started as an Eligibility Specialist and then was promoted into the Financial Assistance Supervisor role. She has been in PHHS for 8 years.

Allison loves the pace and beauty of our County. Every morning she drives in for work, comes down the hill and sees the lake, she thinks how lucky she is to live here. Leaving the County and heading to Duluth, as an example, reaffirms how much she likes the calmer, less hectic life up here…with one stoplight.

She has spent her adult career working for Cook County, thus far in two different offices and several committee roles. She has seen a lot of transition, change, and progress. But for as far as they have come, they have further to go. And she wants to help create and be a part of that change and progression and make an impact. She has always loved working for Cook County and wants to help others say that as well.

When she’s not working in the County office, you may also find her working at the local YMCA, having been an employee since before it was built. She has been a group exercise instructor for over 12 years and teaches and attends classes on her lunch breaks and outside of work. You will also see her in the pool area coaching the youth swim team. These are her passions and are her methods of keeping a work/life balance. She is fortunate to have her two children on the team as well, as they share her love of swimming.

Outside of work, Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and creating memories with them. They love the outdoors in all seasons.

She is very excited about this opportunity to work with all the County staff. Through her 17+ years with Cook County, she has worked alongside many but not all and she is looking forward to meeting those she has not yet had that privilege.

 Rachael Schauer

Rachael Schauer, Children and Family Services Supervisor, PHHS: In her new role, Rachael has the opportunity to develop, empower, and oversee the Children and Family Services team and operations.

In Cook County, she has been an Adult Services social worker with PHHS and a Program Advocate at the Violence Prevention Center. Prior to moving to Cook County, she worked in emergency shelter for women and children seeking safety from domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. She co-chaired regional committees seeking to end chronic homelessness and focused on economic enrichment opportunities such as teaching financial empowerment curriculum and creating permanent supportive and transitional housing services. Her career started in substance use recovery as well as residential mental health supports. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

She saw four moose during her first Boundary Waters trip in 2019 – she was hooked and moved to the county five months later. Rachel was drawn to this role to support children in our community and to work within the systems available to strengthen families.

Non-motorized outdoor activities are her favorite. She appreciates being able to paddle, hike, snowshoe, ski, or sit along the shore before and after work, as well as on her lunch breaks. In the early winter months, she enjoys singing with the Borealis choir.

Rachael is thrilled to continue supporting our community through children and family services. PHHS is a great place to work, and she values her coworkers and community partners.

One thing about hiring from within is that these transitions also create openings for the positions vacated. Please spread the word far and wide about the variety of rewarding career opportunities within Cook County government. This is a wonderful place to live and work, and we strive to hire the very best professionals to help us serve this community. 

Please view current openings and apply at: https://secure3.entertimeonline.com/ta/6130510.careers?CareersSearch or call Human Resources at 218. 387.3676.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.