Know the Code: Third Party Oversight

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.

You might not think you have any part in vendor and contractor management because you are not a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or part of a purchasing and contracting team. But we all can contribute to the due diligence and oversight of the County’s third-party relationships including with vendors and contractors.

The Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) provides guidance for Ethical Practices and Conduct in Procurement (DPC Policy P-105):

1. We treat suppliers, members of the public and fellow employees respectfully, fairly and honestly. Discussions with suppliers, customers and other parties will be sensitive to appropriate procurement confidentially and fairness issues.

2. Perform our duties in compliance with all federal, state and local laws; and avoid any involvement in illegal, unethical or improper conduct.

3. Conduct our official County duties in conformance with the County’s policies and procedures, and in accordance with the highest standards of ethical and legal conduct.

4. Ensure that County funds and resources are used with extreme care, guided by prudent judgment and good business practices.

5. Create a work environment that promotes open and honest communications and encourages raising ethical concerns without fear of retribution or retaliation.

6. Assume responsibility for knowing, understanding and having a practical working knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to procurement and our duties.

The County Code of Ethics is applicable in the performance of all County business, and is openly shared with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to ensure all County procurement transactions are accomplished ethically.

If you have questions about policies and procedures, you can contact management. In cases of records retention or disclosure, in addition to your department, you can contact DPC, County Counsel or Office of Ethics and Compliance.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance program events, training and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

If you have questions about ethics and compliance training or how to access the training and other ethics and compliance resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-531-5174. HHSA staff may also contact the dedicated HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov, 619-338-2807.

In the News: Growing Hope

A Sheriff’s Department and Parks and Recreation gardening program is growing hope for people in custody. Learn more in this KPBS clip that aired Monday.

Support CECO by Shopping Amazon Prime Day (July 12-13)

Make the most of Amazon Prime Day. Select San Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization as your charity of choice through AmazonSmile and 0.5% of eligible purchases will be donated to the nonprofit.  

AmazonSmile is a way customers can support their favorite charitable organization every time they shop with Amazon, at no additional cost. Here’s how to use AmazonSmile:

1. Go to smile.amazon.com (different from the amazon.com link).

2. Sign in to your Amazon account or create one.

3. If it is your first visit to Amazon Smile, pick your own charitable organization. Type “San Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization” or “CECO” as your charity. You can also visit this link and CECO will already be chosen for you as your charity.

4. Shop as you normally would! (You will see eligible products marked as “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on product detail pages.)

5. Save the AmazonSmile link as a favorite and shop there year-round.

There are several other ways to support CECO throughout the year. Make a biweekly donation via payroll deductions for as little as $2 per pay period. See CECO pledge instructions. Or you could make a one-time donation or contact sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov to learn more!

Join County Executives for a ‘Fireside Chat’ on Organizational Acumen

What is organizational acumen? Learn what it is and how you can increase yours at an Employee Resource Group Council’s “Fireside Chat” from noon to 1 p.m., July 19.

The Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group executive sponsor Sarah Aghassi, deputy chief administrative officer, and Rami Talleh, deputy director of Planning & Development Services will share their experiences during the virtual session. Discussions will include how organizational acumen has aided in their own professional journeys.

The Fireside Chat series is designed to be a passive mentorship opportunity. Attendees can look forward to a Q&A period following a moderated discussion. Submit questions in advance by noon, July 18. 

These virtual conversations, held in partnership with the County’s DHR Equity Diversity and Inclusion team, are hosted by an employee resource group and rotate quarterly. MEERG is hosting this Fireside Chat. 

Join on your computer or mobile app  

Click here to join the meeting  

Or call in (audio only)

 Call: +1 619-343-2539

Phone Conference ID: 749 497 638#

This session will be recorded.

Try Hula with PISCE

Photo courtesy Hot Hula

Join the Pacific Islander Society of County Employees for a fun fitness class this Saturday. The employee resource group is teaming up with Hot Hula Fitness to host a free hula class.

The family-friendly event will be held at Ski Beach near the gazebo (1600 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109) at 9 a.m. on July 9.

Water and snacks will be provided. Bring a chair or blanket to hang out after class. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

RSVP to pisce@sdcounty.ca.gov.

See flyer below.

Join Pride Month Book Discussion

In celebration of Pride Month, join the LGBTQ&A and County of San Diego Filipino-American employee resource groups in a virtual book discussion of “Fairest: A Memoir” by Meredith Talusan. The event will be held on July 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Book Description:

“Fairest” is a memoir about a precocious boy with albinism, a "sun child" from a rural Philippine village, who would grow up to become a woman in America. Coping with the strain of parental neglect and the elusive promise of U.S. citizenship, Talusan found childhood comfort from her devoted grandmother, a grounding force as she was treated by others with special preference or public curiosity.

As an immigrant to the United States, Talusan came to be perceived as white. An academic scholarship to Harvard provided access to elite circles of privilege but required Talusan to navigate through the complex spheres of race, class, sexuality, and her place within the gay community.

She emerged as an artist and an activist questioning the boundaries of gender. Talusan realized she did not want to be confined to a prescribed role as a man, and transitioned to become a woman, despite the risk of losing a man she deeply loved.

Throughout her journey, Talusan shares poignant and powerful episodes of desirability and love that will remind readers of works such as “Call Me By Your Name” and “Giovanni's Room.” Her evocative reflections will shift our own perceptions of love, identity, gender, and the fairness of life.

Register online by July 26 and details of the event will be emailed to all registered participants.

See flyer below.

Join Admin Analyst Interview Preparation Workshop

The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees’ Association is hosting an Administrative Analyst Interview Preparation workshop at 5:30 p.m., July 13. Learn about how to approach common interview questions and how to prepare for both in-person and virtual interview settings.

Register for the workshop. Event details will be emailed to registrants before the event date. It is free for CSDFEA ERG members and $5 fee for non-members. 

See flyer below.

Enter Opportunity Drawing for Boots in the Park

As part of CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer’s Employee Appreciation Day celebration from March 2022, the County is randomly selecting 250 eligible employees* to win a pair of tickets to the Boots in the Park concert coming to the Waterfront Park on Sept. 10. 

For one night only, country superstars Tim McGraw, Dustin Lynch, Chris Lane, Jameson Rodgers, Frank Ray and Seaforth will take over Waterfront Park for a Boots in the Park celebration! Boots in the Park transforms Waterfront Park into an all-day country party on September 10, 2022, featuring craft food and beverages, line dancing and art installations. This event is 21+ and smoke free. 

Please complete the online entry form by July 22 if you would like to be entered into an opportunity drawing for a pair of tickets to Boots in the Park. The opportunity drawing will be held on July 28. Winners will be notified starting July 28and will be contacted at the email or phone number provided in the entry form. Tickets are non-transferable, cannot be resold and will be mailed to the address provided on the entry form. 

According to the Internal Revenue Service, gross income generally includes amounts received by the employee as awards or prizes, including the value of non-cash, intangible items received. These taxable items must be included in the income reported by the employer. By accepting the tickets, which are valued at $130.00 each ticket ($260.00 total), you acknowledge you are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes associated with the prize. The value of the taxable items received will be added to your income on your County of San Diego W-2 form for 2022. 

* To be eligible for this opportunity drawing, you must have started with the County on or before March 4, 2022, be a permanent or temporary County worker, and have hours worked between March 5, 2021 and March 4, 2022. The drawing is being done in accordance with County policies and procedures.

D&I Digest: What Are You Listening For?

The latest D&I Digest is out! This interactive newsletter has curated videos, podcasts, webinars, and articles that will help educate, build connections and spark inclusive conversations. It is designed to be used as a learning resource throughout the quarter for County employees.

Check out the Connecting the Dots section featuring Special Assistant to the Sheriff Nadia Moshirian Binderup and resources to improve your listening skills.

Explore it now. (The D&I Digest displays best in Chrome or Microsoft Edge.)

Happy July Fourth

The County Administration Center is lit tonight and tomorrow to commemorate Independence Day.