CRANE, Ind. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employee Marcy Starr never imagined she would end up working as a contract accountant. While she had originally wanted to be a teacher, Starr found her passion in public service through her work at NSWC Crane.
“When I was a kid I actually wanted to be a teacher. I wasn’t originally planning to work for the government, but I wanted to help solve problems and find solutions. Eventually I ended up helping solve problems and find solutions here,” said Starr.
Starr’s journey to NSWC Crane took a few different twists and turns. Due to life changes and situations out of her control, she found herself taking a career change, one that took her to NSWC Crane by way of Raydar and eventually Tri-Star.
“I trained and worked as a Tax advisor while my daughter was a toddler. I really enjoyed it so I went back to school after a divorce,” said Starr. After graduating from Ivy Tech with a degree in accounting, Starr worked first for government support contractor Raydar then Tri-Star.
“Our jobs became inherently governmental functions so I converted to a government employee in February of 2012,” said Starr.
Starr’s talents made her an asset everywhere she worked. Within the Comptroller Department, she moved from the travel office to contract closeout, now contract accounting. Each time she moved, she used her skills and experiences to elevate the area she was in. She currently uses her expertise to assist multiple departments throughout Command.
One thing she found as she moved throughout NSWC Crane was that the organization allowed her to move and grow as a professional in a way she did not think would have been possible.
“There is flexibility with the maxi-flex work schedule, and management is genuinely supportive of our personal development,” said Starr. “They're very open to someone wanting to learn something new. There's lots of opportunity for learning within the different departments – lots of rotations or details available.”
Her wealth of knowledge and experience from her various positions and rotations have allowed her to solve whatever problems may come up in her job.
“I am in the business of solving problems. An average day for me looks like providing guidance to team members as the lead, attending meetings, ensuring standard operating procedures are up to date, finding and implementing process improvements, and researching problems or issues that require my attention or guidance to resolve,” said Starr. “That's really what my job comes down to in the end is resolving problems.”
Starr’s current role involves reconciling contracts and ensuring funds are de-obligated from the financial system to enable return to customers. She has a deep love for the work she does, and it has allowed her to see the benefits of the work she does in real time. “It's sometimes kind of hard to equate funds reconciliation to the mission, but then if you look at the contracts that you're reconciling and you see the description of some of these items. Then all of a sudden you hear about something in the news and think ‘oh wow, I remember the name of that, because I've seen that on a contract’. It really drives it home that what I am doing here is impacting the warfighter in some way.”
Starr also believes NSWC Crane has set her up for success in her work. The reasonable accommodations and understanding culture at NSWC Crane allows for her to perform the essential functions of her job at the highest level.
“I would encourage everyone to apply, regardless of what may be in their background or their limitations. Because even if you must have a reasonable accommodation agreement, this is a wonderful place to work. They are really serious about inclusion. So any background or any ability, I would really encourage you to apply,” said Starr. “I say that as I sit here in my wheelchair in my home, and work as I do every day on things that I never could have if I wasn't working at NSWC Crane.”
About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.
Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, IT and cyber specialists, as well as trade and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at crane_recruiting@navy.mil.