Meet Karla Thomas, Special Events Manager within the City of Aurora's Community Events Division.
How long have you worked for the City of Aurora?
I started in 2017 as a Farmers Market Manager. It was very part time. I’ve been the Special Events Manager for almost two years now.
What made you want to work for the City of Aurora?
I was a farmers market manager in Batavia, but I wanted to be a little bit more involved. Aurora was hiring and it all just kind of worked out. I don’t live here, but I do feel like it’s home. The people 100% make it.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Right now, we’re at the beginning stages of planning for our busy months. We open our task lists, review contracts, reach out to entertainers and stages. I am working primarily on the [upcoming] Memorial Day Parade. We all have our own little task lists, spread out, and assign people to different tasks.
What does working a large-scale City event look like?
We each have our individual roles. Some people are doing barricades, some people are doing staging, we have runners. My role is staging, so I’m there at the beginning - letting the units come in, putting them in order. It’s one big happy chaos that day! We are working separately and yet together.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Seeing the final result. Seeing everybody’s reaction. For example, Winter Lights Festival - that’s probably my favorite- hearing people gasp and the wow’s at the end and feeling proud of what we did. We enjoy being with the public, we enjoy interacting with the public, just getting to know people on the street and vendors.
Meet Carolyn Schur, Volunteer & Team Lead for Aurora’s Emergency Management Agency. Carolyn is trained in Traffic Incident Management & Responder Safety by the U.S. Dep. of Transportation, Search & Rescue Management from Illinois Search & Rescue Council, and certified by the National Association for Search & Rescue.
How and when did you get involved with Aurora’s EMA division?
I saw [EMA Volunteer] Ray Jackson at National Night Out in 2022. He gave me an [EMA] brochure… and I thought, ‘this is me!” It’s exactly what I love. I applied and started the process and was sworn in and took the oath on January 13, 2023.
Your day job is an analyst for Synchrony Financial, and your time with EMA is volunteer based. Where does the passion for emergency management come from?
I’ve always loved weather. I studied math but have a science background. I’m all about being prepared. Not only do I make a list, but I make a secondary list. I check it once, twice, three times. My personality fits perfectly with what we do as volunteers in emergency managem uent.
What is a “typical” day as an Aurora EMA volunteers?
It doesn’t exist! It depends on what you’re involved in. For example, if you’re part of the traffic team…we know we nay be called at night to set up lighting for the police to light an accident scene so they can do what they need to do-drones, pictures, etc.
For weather, we’ll know ahead of time. We may know three days out that there will be a significant weather event and then the EMA office will let us know they’re going to set up EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and send out spotters. You’re always on call. One call out for traffic may never look like another. Each situation is going to be different.
What’s your favorite part of your job as a volunteer?
Helping. I am a part of Traffic, Weather, EOC, Ground Search & Rescue, Public Education and there isn’t one section that is a favorite of mine. I like helping and that’s what drew me in. There’s the Mr. Rodgers quote, “Look for the helpers,” and that was told to me in my work. That’s my personality; I always want to help.
Meet Eric, the Director of Aurora’s Grand Army of the Republic Military Museum! Hear all about what Eric loves most about managing the downtown museum and how he got his start with the City!
Eric Pry - Clocked In
Meet Alan Austin, Customer Service Representative for Water Billing at the City of Aurora! Alan has been with the City just over a year.
What got you interested in working for the City of Aurora?
I’ve always heard about the good benefits of working for the City of Aurora. I was transitioning from a job that i worked in for a long time, but got the notification [for this job] that was going out to Aurora residents. That’s what piqued my interest.
You previously worked in customer service -what do you like about it?
I think it comes naturally to me. It’s the easiest thing to do - to be nice to people. It doesn’t take any effort to just listen and try to give them a hand.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
We’re helping people pay bills, transfer names, properties, and accounts. A lot of that can come with things you don’t expect. You may be speaking to someone who needs to change a name on their account, but it’s because their husband just passed away. You slow down, empathize, and try to do your best. It puts things into perspective; it makes you take your time and treat people with dignity and respect.
What is the best part of your job?
We get a lot of elderly people in here, and I was primarily raised by my grandparents. So, I immediately connect with people of that age. It makes me treat people the way I would want somebody to treat my grandparents. A lady in particular came in and just gave me kind words; people say all kinds of sweet things, things that make you feel appreciated. I enjoy the customer interactions.
Meet Cindy Del Cid, Grants Coordinator with the City of Aurora!
When did you first start out with the City?
I first started as an intern in 2022. I interned for two years and after that second year, I was finishing up my last year of college. Around that time, the position for a Project Assistant came about. I worked in that position for roughly two years, before the opportunity for my current role came about, and I’ve been in my current role for about 6 months now.
What does your day to day look like?
It switches up a lot depending on what grants we’re currently managing.
What drew you to work at the City of Aurora?
I had previously had an internship in a corporate setting. I thought working for local government would give me a different perspective. I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more about local government in a city I lived in and grew up in.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is that we’re constantly learning about new topics. Sometimes we face grants that cover a topic we have no previous knowledge of. Before working on a brownfield grant, I had no idea what the term “brownfield” was. After going through the process of applying for the grant, learned more about what it was, environmental contamination, and green infrastructure.
During my internship experience, I got to see first hand how some of the services in the City provides positively impacts our residents or can be, in some cases, life changing. In my current role, I can put my efforts toward trying to secure grants to fund important projects that will also positively impact our residents.