Trust in government is at an all-time low, but local officials like Strategy and Performance Manager Amethyst Sloane are working to change that. Her path to public service, shaped by family, unexpected opportunities, and a genuine desire to serve, offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and rewards of working in local government.
"We need to make better connections and reduce the feeling that there's an insurmountable wall between the community and city hall."
A Professor's Daughter: Early Lessons in Public Good
Long before Amethyst stepped into a government office, the seeds of public service were being planted at home.
"My dad, an environmental science professor, influenced me the most. Growing up, I learned about protecting land and water for the public good."
This early exposure to environmental issues and public interest work set the stage for her future career. However, like many college graduates, she initially struggled to find her footing in the professional world.
An Unexpected Turn: AmeriCorps to City Hall
Though she originally wanted to serve internationally, after a setback with her Peace Corps application, she pivoted to AmeriCorps, driven by her desire to make a difference. This decision led her to a placement with a city fire department in rural California, marking her first encounter with local government. "I'd never considered it before. It was completely accidental," she admits.
Working in one of California's poorest counties, she found herself immersed in a community primarily composed of migrant farm workers. Her role with the fire department was multifaceted, combining her geography background with the community's immediate needs.
"Because of my geography background, I did a lot of mapping and some community education about fire safety prevention."
This work was crucial in a region where language barriers and limited resources often hindered effective communication about safety measures. Her days were filled with creating detailed maps of the area, crucial for emergency response in the rural landscape. She also developed bilingual educational materials on fire prevention, tailoring the content to address the specific living conditions and challenges faced by the migrant worker community.
"I was working with a population that was majority migrant farm workers, who spoke very little English.," she recalls. This language barrier prompted her to collaborate closely with local interpreters and community leaders to ensure that vital safety information reached everyone.
Beyond her official duties, she served as a bridge between the local government and the migrant community. She organized community meetings, often held in the evenings to accommodate farm workers' schedules, where she presented fire safety information and answered questions about local government services.
"That experience opened my eyes to how local government directly impacts people's lives. I saw firsthand how something as simple as a well-designed map or a clearly explained fire safety tip could make a real difference in people's safety and well-being."
During this time, she also began to understand the intricacies of local government operations. "I was learning this new world of 'what does the mayor do' and 'this is how the tax dollars work'," she says. This firsthand experience of seeing how local policies and actions directly affected community members sparked a new passion.
The challenges she encountered – from navigating language barriers to addressing the unique needs of a rural, underserved population – laid the groundwork for her future career in local government.
"That's when I decided I wanted to do this type of work."
Her AmeriCorps experience not only introduced her to local government but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for community engagement and the importance of tailoring government services to meet the specific needs of diverse populations. This foundation would prove invaluable as she continued her path toward public service, armed with a ground-level understanding of the communities she wanted to serve.
The Heart of Public Service: Community Engagement
Since then, Amethyst's experiences have reinforced her belief in the importance of community engagement.
"The lack of trust in government is driving the need for robust community engagement. Local government affects people's daily lives more than any other level."
This disconnect between officials and their constituents is a challenge she is determined to address. She believes local governments are uniquely positioned to rebuild trust through improved community connections. But what does effective engagement look like? She explains,
"When it's easy to reach people because you've built a network when participation becomes less of a struggle – that's when you know your engagement efforts are paying off."
One of the main hurdles in community engagement is ensuring broad representation. She notes, "Voter turnout in local elections is dismally low. The people who show up don't represent the whole community."
To tackle this issue, she advocates for proactive outreach and diverse engagement strategies. "You can't know if you're meeting community needs without hearing from a wide range of voices," she explains.
Building a Career in Local Government: Skills and Innovations
When it comes to building a career in community engagement or local government, Amethyst emphasizes these five key skills:
Active listening
Staying calm under pressure
Continuous learning
Patience
Networking
She stresses the importance of these skills in navigating the complex world of local government. She notes that success in this field requires the ability to listen well, maintain composure in challenging situations, and continuously educate oneself on a wide range of topics. Patience, in particular, is crucial. She points out that change in government often moves slowly, requiring persistence and a long-term perspective.
Sloane's career exemplifies the application of these skills. One of her proudest achievements is her role in creating the City of Fort Worth Young Professionals Organization. The internal program's goals were twofold: enhancing relationships within the organization and reconnecting younger employees with the bigger picture of public service.
"It didn't exist before, and a few of us decided to create it for the under-40 crowd in the organization, which was about 2,500 people.
The success of this initiative has been long-lasting. "It's still going strong, and they've built on the pillars we started with, adapting and growing the programming over time," she notes with satisfaction.
Beyond these soft skills and innovative programs, Amethyst emphasizes the importance of understanding the full spectrum of local government operations. She advises aspiring public servants to gain experience in both front-line work and high-level financial management.
"Sit in on a budget meeting or shadow a manager. It'll give you valuable insights into how local government really works."
Her approach to effective local governance blends interpersonal skills, innovative thinking, and a comprehensive understanding of government operations. It's a philosophy that has guided her journey from AmeriCorps volunteer to Strategy and Performance Manager with the thirteenth largest city in the United States, and one she hopes will inspire the next generation of public servants.
Navigating Local Politics
Though local government is often seen as non-partisan, especially in places like Texas where local elections don't involve party affiliations, she offers a more nuanced view.
"Politics isn't just about red vs. blue. It exists at every level of government, within departments, in the business community, and neighborhoods."
This political landscape requires careful navigation and an understanding of power dynamics. "It's about who can influence change, and that power struggle is ever-present," she notes. This insight underscores the complexity of local government work and the importance of building relationships across various stakeholder groups.
Overcoming public distrust is one of the biggest challenges in local government. Amethyst believes honesty and transparency are key to rebuilding this trust.
"Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. Just follow up with, 'I'll find out for you.'"
This approach, combined with consistent and meaningful engagement, can help break down the perceived barriers between government officials and the community. "We need to make better connections and reduce the feeling that there's an insurmountable wall between the community and city hall," she advises.
The Road Ahead: Strengthening Our Communities
Amethyst Sloane's journey from AmeriCorps to City Hall paints a clear picture of some of the challenges and rewards in local government. Her story isn't just about personal growth - it's a roadmap for nurturing trust between citizens and their local leaders.
Her experiences highlight a crucial truth: effective governance starts with listening. It's about creating spaces where all voices are heard, especially those often overlooked. This approach isn't just good politics; it's the bedrock of responsive policymaking.
The path to a career in local government rarely runs straight. Her winding road - from environmental studies to fire safety education to strategy management - shows the value of diverse experiences. Each role added a new perspective and a deeper understanding of what different communities need.
In a time when faith in institutions wavers, people serving behind the scenes in local government are quietly rebuilding trust, one community interaction at a time. Their work may not grab headlines, but it forms the invisible threads that bind our neighborhoods together.
As we face the challenges of tomorrow, the role of local government will only grow. Future careers will belong to those who can bridge divides, foster dialogue, and turn community insights into action. In this landscape, her approach - grounded in genuine engagement and responsive governance - isn't just admirable. It's essential.
Editor's Note: This interview was conducted while Amethyst Sloane served as Strategy and Performance Manager for the City of Fort Worth, Texas. In February 2025, she joined the Virginia Retirement System in Richland, Virginia as their Customer Experience Lead.
More Resources
Consider a few of Amethyst's favorite resources and programs:
AmeriCorps: An independent agency of the United States government focused on improving lives and strengthening communities by fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering.
Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL): A professional association that connects, communicates, and educates about local government topics.
The FWLab, City of Fort Worth, Texas: This city department builds
organizational capacity to explore, analyze, and learn from data that is discoverable via existing and new municipal systems and components.
GovLove podcast: Features interviews with local government leaders and innovators discussing their work and sharing ideas to improve local communities.
Harvard Business Review (HBR): A leading publication on business theory and practice, offering articles on strategy, innovation, leadership, and other management topics from top business experts.
Peace Corps: An independent agency of the United States government that provides skilled volunteers to assist developing countries in areas such as education, health, agriculture, and community development.
Transforming Local Government: An annual conference hosted by the Alliance for Innovation that brings together local government leaders, innovators, and experts to collaborate, share ideas, and network.