County Named Among Top Employers for Women in "More" Magazine

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The rest of the country is discovering what many County of San Diego employees already know: they work somewhere with a bright future where they can make a difference.

That’s according to “More” magazine, which conducted a national poll to find out what women over 40 are looking for in a job, followed by a comprehensive search to find positions and companies that provided those opportunities.

The magazine cited the position of “Community Service Coordinator/Manager” as the number one opportunity for midlife women, and named the County of San Diego as a “Gold Star” organization for providing these types of positions. Within the County, these positions would include volunteer coordinators as well as some program directors.

The magazine recognized that about 36 percent of the County’s jobs are occupied by midlife women, including Heidi Moore, who has worked for the County for almost 23 years, and currently manages volunteers and special events for the Department of Animal Services.

“It is a great work environment. So many of us are drawn to public service because we really are making a difference and getting important information out to the public, and if you are here for the right reasons, you are happy in your job,” said Moore.

Women polled for the article agree, saying that one of the most important things about a job is that is has meaning and gives you the ability to make a positive contribution. Other important qualities included: a job in a growing field with a bright future; a high level of control or freedom; a job that is appropriate for women over 40.

The article is in this month’s “More” magazine. For more information about the County’s workforce, visit www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hr.

County Departments are Going Green!

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In addition to using recycled tires to pave roads, recycling pet food cans at the animal shelters, and using low-flow devices in County restrooms, more and more departments are also printing their materials double-sided. 

In order to ensure this practice grows, the Board of Supervisors, at the recommendation of Supervisor Roberts, has adopted a new policy, A-137 - Duplex Printing and Copying.

The new Board policy mandates that all County departments and agencies reduce their annual paper consumption by doing double-sided copying and printing; reviewing, editing, scanning, and sending electronic files rather than via hard-copy printing; and refraining from printing e-mails, when appropriate and feasible. The policy also mandates that County departments and agencies use 8.5”x11” white, copy/printing paper made with a minimum 30 percent post-consumer recycled content, and encourage consultants, contractors, and grantees to conform to the policy.   

More information about this policy is on the Web.

Hazmat Teams Test Themselves

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When Hazmat teams arrive at the scene of an emergency, they must quickly determine what chemicals are present.  Though there is high-tech equipment to aid in identifying chemicals, those devices can have limitations. So responders must be able to quickly identify unknown solids and liquids, and act accordingly.

For the third year, the County hosted this free day-long chemical identification training. It was  sponsored by the Industrial Emergency Council, AhuraScientific and WestAir. And it was attended by every Hazmat team in the County, from federal to munipal agencies, as well as a team from Tijuana.

CTN.org was there. Take a look.

Paycheck Changes Coming Soon

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County employees may notice a decrease in their paycheck amounts beginning with the payday on November 13, 2009.  This change is a result of a state-mandated increase in California income tax withholding.

California income tax withholding is the amount of income that the County, as an employer, sends directly to the state as partial payment of an individual employee’s tax liability for the year. 

As a result of Governor Schwarzenegger’s declaration of a state fiscal emergency on July 1, 2009, Assembly Bill X4 17 (ABX4 17) was passed as an effort to prevent under-withholding of state income taxes and accelerate revenue to the state.  This legislation amended the Revenue and Taxation Code to increase California income tax withholding by 10 percent.  ABX4 17 becomes effective on November 1, 2009 and is reflected in County paychecks beginning the first payday in November.

Employees can make changes to their State and federal income tax withholding online through Employee Self Service available on the County intranet (cww). Employees with questions about their personal tax circumstances should seek professional tax advice.

County's Green Innovations Save Millions

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The County of San Diego has made protecting the environment a top priority. It’s a major tenet of its guiding philosophy. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.

The County is saving electricity, water, office space, and reusing or recycling everything it can. And that means saving taxpayers’ dollars.

The CAO's office directed each County department to examine the way it does business, and find ways to do it better, and greener. This video, produced by the Media and Public Relations Department and presented this morning to the Board of Supervisors, highlights some of the innovative ways the County is going green.

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

DAS Seeking Info on Duck Shooting

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Animal Control Officers rescued a Muscovy duck that had been shot five times with a crossbow this week at Chollas Lake in East San Diego, near Highway 94.

The duck, with the arrows still in its body, was transported to the Department of Animal Services shelter on Gaines Street. One of the arrows penetrated the bird’s head, so a special avian veterinarian was called in to treat it.

“Whoever did this cowardly and malicious act needs to be brought to justice,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of the Department of Animal Services.

The Department is seeking any information from the public regarding who shot the duck.  If you have any information, please call Lt. Dan DeSousa at (619) 767-2624.

A suspect could face felony animal abuse charges, which could include prison time and fines.

County Executives Honor Customer Service Superheroes

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No matter what's going on in their personal or professional life, they've got a smile on their face. And they get the job done right.

That's how Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard described the 23 County employees who were honored last week as "Customer Service Superheroes" at the Breakfast with Executives, an annual event hosted by the Department of Human Resources.

"If you're here today as a Superhero, it means you are the best of the best of what we have," Ekard told the Superheroes and department heads who gathered for breakfast at the Holiday Inn on the Bay.

"It's a big deal when someone takes the time after interacting with you to fill out a card, make a phone call or send an email."

The Superheroes were selected based on the number of Customer Service Hero nominations and/or customer service nominations they received over the past year. And two were included for going above and beyond in their jobs to help someone in need.

CTN.org was at the breakfast:

You can learn more about the program, and to see photos of the winners, here.