Your View: Sunrise Over Valley Center Community Hall

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Sun peeks through clouds over building through parking lot

Parks and Recreation Office Assistant Elizabeth Aguilar was greeted at work with a beautiful sunrise. See her photo taken while walking into the Valley Center Community Hall and park office.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

It’s National Payroll Week

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"National Payroll Week 2024"

During National Payroll Week from Sept. 2-6, 2024, we celebrate that joyful “we just got paid” feeling employees experience each payday. This special week honors the dedicated payroll and human resources professionals who make it possible.

Last fiscal year, about 338 County payroll and human resources professionals helped process more than 531,000 paychecks totaling over $2.1 billion in wages.

Thank you to payroll and human resources professionals who make sure employees are paid timely and accurately!

Get To Know Your CAO

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Text Transcript of Image

Get to Know Your CAO 

What is your leadership style? 
I have spent the last few years in a coaching mode - meeting the organizations needs to grow and empower financial leaders. I’m transitioning to a visionary leader to meet the needs of the organization in my new role. 

What is a transformational moment in your life?  
Two come to mind – the birth of my first child. And, finding my family through Ancestry DNA matching. 

Why did you apply for the CAO job? 
I stepped up for the County team to provide some level of certainty during a period that has felt uncertain. I want to lead the transformation of the organization rather than have it led by someone who maybe wouldn’t understand the people and culture of this organization as well. 

What food can you not live without and one you don’t ever want to taste again? 
Can’t live without coffee! I’d be OK if I never see, smell or taste a red or green bell pepper again.  

What are your favorite hobbies?  
Cooking (not bell peppers!), murder mystery podcasts, being outside, and taking long walks at night. 

How do you stay organized? 
At work, I look weeks and months ahead to understand where I’m going, and what we need to focus on. I like to use visual dashboards and timelines to help coordinate overall activities – tools to help me step back and not micromanage. At home, I share a family calendar with immediate family and close friends so that we can coordinate and manage scheduling conflicts. 

How do you relieve stress?  
Physical movement and paying attention to sleep. I’m a big fan of rest for myself and others. I don’t subscribe to the so-called “hustle culture” – an attitude that promotes working long hours at the expense of meeting personal needs. I will ramp up when I need to meet the moment, but that’s not my default mode. 

What are your strengths?
Many departments use the Clifton Strengths assessment to learn about someone’s unique combination of strengths. Mine are communication, futurist, harmony, positivity and consistency. 

What’s your favorite place to eat? 
Panera – soup and salad is my favorite.  

What is your secret talent?  
Baking – my friends and family enjoy my Reese’s cake the most. 

What’s your favorite family activity?  
I have two young children in addition to my older one, so that means most events involve kids’ activities – things like play dates, birthday parties, gymnastics. I also enjoy spending time at the beach, pool and park.  

Do you have pets? 
I’ve had many dogs over the years, but my girls are allergic to dogs, so we recently welcomed a cat into our home for my daughter’s birthday.  

What keeps you grounded?  
My humble upbringing in San Diego. I was born and raised here and stay close to my community. I know who I am and where I came from, and it is a reminder that I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams!  

I also credit my family and friends, many of them I grew up with, along with my faith, to keep me centered. I rely on the people I work with at all levels of the organization, and I keep my values in focus. 

How do you juggle work and family? 
There will always be distractions competing for time. I accept that. I focus on being present in situations that matter the most. For things that don’t require me to be personally present, I enlist help. Also, my partner and I discuss how to share the mental and physical load. And, I remember to make myself a priority before I give to others. 

What is your overall philosophy? 
When dealing with people, I try to focus on being kind, helpful and honest all at the same time (or be quiet). I don’t always get it right, but this allows me to avoid gossiping and to set boundaries.

Virtual Open Enrollment Seminars Start Sept. 4

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It’s that time of year again! Open Enrollment will be available Oct. 1 – 24. To prepare for your 2025 Open Enrollment elections, Employee Benefits will be hosting Virtual Open Enrollment Seminars with the insurance carriers, starting on Sept. 4. There will be time for Q&A after each presentation.

Check out the Virtual Open Enrollment Seminar schedule.

  • New this year is an overview of how Flex Credits work with your benefit elections.

  • Registration is not required. Use the presenter links in the Virtual Seminar Schedule to join.

  • During the Q&A session, submit your questions for the representative to address.

  • Can’t attend a session? No problem! Recordings of all Open Enrollment Seminars will be available after the sessions.

The 2025 Open Enrollment Website is coming. Keep an eye out for an email with more information.

For more information, contact the Department of Human Resources Employee Benefits Division at 888-550-2203 or DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Get to Know MEERG President Rouya Rasoulzadeh

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The County has 11 great Employee Resource Groups. They are each led by a respective board of directors who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community. 

Get to know Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group President Rouya Rasoulzadeh, land use and environmental planner.

Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?

A: I have been with the County for about eight years, starting at the Department of Public Works and currently working in the Long-Range Planning Division at Planning & Development Services. Our team primarily focuses on advance planning for communities, conducting extensive outreach for each project and maintaining close relationships with the communities we serve.

Q: What’s your workplace superpower?

A: My work superpower is the speed at which I complete my tasks.

Q. Who are your mentors?

A: My mentors and sources of inspiration are the same—the Long-Range Planning Executive team, who work tirelessly to serve the community.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

A: Don’t take things personally at work, as we often don't know what someone might be going through in their personal life. Always approach with kindness and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Q: Who are you outside of work and types of activities do you enjoy?

A: I am a wife, sister, daughter and friend who enjoys hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Making a positive difference in people’s lives. 

Q: Tell us about your ERG.

A: Middle Eastern Employee Resource Group is a group that is focused on culture. And our mission is to enhance Middle Eastern cultural awareness, to share the Middle East’s rich and diverse history and cultural contributions to the world, and to contribute to principles of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.

Q: How has being in your ERG improved your experience working at the County?

A: Since joining MEERG, I've gained valuable experience working with executive management. Recently, I had the opportunity to facilitate a Fireside Chat on navigating difficult workplace conversations, where I collaborated closely with experienced executives.

Q: What is your most favorite food?

A: I enjoy Persian and Thai food.

Q: Name one musician/band you are listening to right now?

A: Adele.

Also read:

Your View: Stunning Sunset Over Lake Morena

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This photo of the sun setting over Lake Morena County Parks makes you feel like you are on a vacation. Park Maintenance Worker Omar Torres captured this photo over the summer.

Lake Morena County Park is a popular vacation spot for several reasons. The park has 8 miles of multi-use trails. It’s a hop, skip and jump away from the well-known Pacific Crest Trail. The lake is regularly stocked with a variety of freshwater fish. There are campsites and wilderness cabins. Plus, the park has ample picnic areas. 

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Shape the Future of Your Workplace!

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Update: Watch the recording of the information session here.

On Sept. 16, employees in participating departments will receive an invitation to take the second biennial Employee Engagement Survey. CPS HR will again conduct the survey and provide results and analysis to the County.

In 2022, 51 percent of employees took the survey and the results guided departmental action plans to improve employee engagement. This coming survey continues these efforts and is hoped to garner increased employee input.   

Look for an email from CPS HR in a few weeks and take this opportunity to shape the future of your workplace. It’s anonymous. It’s quick. It’s your voice. The survey will be open for three weeks, and it takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

If you want to learn more about the survey, a live information session hosted by CPS HR will be held on Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be recorded and posted on InSite after the event.

In addition, below are some frequently asked questions with responses.

Why are we conducting this survey?

We want to hear from you to make the County of San Diego an even better place to work! We recognize the time and energy you put into serving the public as part of the County team, and research in both the public and private sectors has clearly shown the value of higher levels of employee engagement.

Improved engagement not only enhances the individual employee experience, but also leads to better decision-making and improved individual and organizational performance. Learning more about what keeps you engaged can lead to:

  • greater personal meaning in work

  • a heightened employee connection to work, co-workers, and our overall County vision

  • improved employee retention

  • improved individual performance

  • better organizational performance and outcomes

  • a higher level of customer satisfaction

  • increased involvement and collaboration in decision-making, resulting in better organizational performance and more effective use of resources

  • stronger partnerships across the organization

Utilizing the results from the 2022 Employee Engagement Survey, County departments have been action planning and conducting focus groups with their staff in areas where they would like to increase their employee engagement score. Some examples of what departments have implemented are having all-staff meetings that entail listening, collaboration and guest speakers from other departments, as well as offering more on-the-job training and access to professional workshops and conferences.

How was the survey developed?
CPS HR, an independent consulting agency specializing in employee engagement, developed the survey in 2022 for our initial survey rollout. The survey and is based on the top engagement questions from other surveys specifically designed for the public sector.

How long will it take me to complete the survey?
It should approximately 10 minutes.

Will anyone be able to find out how I responded?
All survey responses will be confidential. No one in the County will review any individual employee’s survey responses. All results will be aggregated either organization-wide or by work units within the County. Candid participation in the survey will help assess strengths, identify areas for improvement and suggest action items.

When will the survey be administered?
CPS HR will launch the survey on Monday, Sept. 16, and it will remain open through Friday, Oct. 4. CPS HR will send each eligible employee an email invitation or provide a hard-copy invitation. CPS HR will also send three email reminders during the survey period.

How will the survey be administered?
CPS HR will administer the survey online. Eligible employees will receive an email invitation with a web link that will enable you to access the survey. Employees who do not have a computer will receive paper invitations with passwords.

Will I be allowed to complete the survey during work hours?
Yes, you may complete the survey during work hours.

What if I don’t want to take the survey?
Your participation is voluntary, yet highly encouraged.

What if a survey is started but not submitted?
Surveys not submitted will not be included in the final results.

Will I receive the results of the survey?
The County plans to distribute the results of the survey after receiving results and analysis from CPS HR in the weeks following the close of the survey. 

How can the survey results be used?
The County of San Diego is committed to employee engagement, and the results will be used to assess the current level of engagement, compare it with the last engagement survey conducted in 2022, and determine action plans. The aim is to enhance positive activities and make improvements where needed.

If I have technical problems completing the survey, who would I contact for help?
Contact CPS HR at surveyhelp@cpshr.us. 

If I have other questions about the survey, who should I contact?
Please contact Dominic Fulgoni, HR Services Manager, at dominic.fulgoni@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Gallery: See Who Won the Employee Pickleball Tournament

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Congratulations to winners of the first ever Doubles Pickleball Tournament. The Employee Wellness Program competition was held at the Boys & Girls Club Gym in 4S Ranch on Aug. 24.

The winning team was Lennie Fernandez and Kylle Zilka, appraisers with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.

And in second place was Sean So and Christian Roque, assessment clerks with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.

See the gallery below.