Get to Know SDCLA President Oscar Talaro
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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.
Get to know our San Diego County Latino Association ERG President Oscar Talaro, an administrative analyst III with Behavioral Health Services:
Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?
A: I have worked 30 years for the County all with the Health Department and Health and Human Services Agency. The same “office” for all 30 years, first with Drug Abuse Services, then Alcohol and Drug Services and now Behavioral Health Services.
Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?
A: I would say I have program development and contracting officer representative (COR) responsibilities in support of substance use disorder prevention services and prevention and early intervention mental health services under contract with non-profit organizations.
Q: What are three words that best describe you?
A: Consistent, faithful and caring.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I write grants for non-profit organizations, do long distance running, play golf, hike, journal, cook new recipes for my daughter Alexandra, and volunteer through my church.
Q: Tell us about your ERG.
A: The San Diego County Latino Association is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization dedicated to Latino employee participation in County government by improving their access to promotional opportunities; To promote the public service profession within the Latino community; To build and strengthen professional, career and social development among its members; To foster cultural awareness and expression for members; and To support and get involved in County initiatives, and serve as a resource to our County leadership.
Q: Why are ERGs important?
A: ERGs serve various purposes: They are a platform for member conversation and dialogue on important career and community issues; They are a vehicle for county employees to pay it forward in our community by volunteering and supporting initiatives; They are professional networks systems to build personal and professional development; and They are a pipeline to give input and feedback to County leadership staff on various employee, career, professional development, cultural and socio-economic perspectives.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?
A: For me there are two favorite parts, contributing to the greater good in your community through volunteering and organizing activities that support leadership development and cultural expression, and building and sustaining life-long personal relationships with members and colleagues of the ERG.
Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?
A: I would say our elders in our community are a resource, our families with lived experience are resources, and leadership development books like “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz, the textbook “Leadership With Impact” by Araque and Weiss, and my special favorite the New King James Version Bible.
Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?
A: To join SDCLA, you can go to our join in webpage via the County InSite page that lists all the ERGs. All County employees are welcome to join as well as community members who want to align with our vision, mission and goals.
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