Our people: Living in the moment

Portales resident Valerie Russ enjoys working at Oasis State Park because she gets to meet new people and learn about them. She has worked there for seven years.

“I have met people from all over the world in this job,” Russ, 30, said.

She enjoys working outside most of all. Her job duties include coordinating events year round and daily cleaning and maintenance of the park grounds. Russ also greets and assists visitor and does some administrative work.

In her spare time, she collects lighthouses and spends time with her best friends and family.