The Department shall perform such functions as may be assigned to it including the following:
(a) Implement and maintain a personnel system which will assure recruitment, selection, promotion and retention of employees on the basis of merit.
(b) Administer the personnel program including recruitment and examination, position classification, wage and salary determination, diversity plan, in-service training and employee development, performance appraisals, a customer service program, employee incentives, leaves of absence, and maintenance and development of various other personnel programs and standards.
(c) Administer risk management programs including management of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance claims against the County of San Diego; perform loss prevention duties described in Section 137 of this Administrative Code; develop program to protect the County against liability risk; provide assistance to County departments to assure that the County is adequately protected from liability in its dealings with others through appropriate insurance requirements and other mechanisms; provide an employee assistance and wellness program, and monitor and evaluate the results of such risk management programs.
(d) Administer the employee benefits programs including health, life, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, long-term disability and related health and welfare benefits; act as liaison between the County and insurance carriers to insure contract compliance; and assist County departments in modifying County policies and procedures due to changes in the law.
(e) Administer the labor relations program including handling all matters arising under the Labor Relations Ordinance, provide case advocacy for grievance arbitrations and unfair labor practice charges, handle representation matters, provide assistance and advice to County departments on labor-management issues, and represent the Board of Supervisors in the meet and confer process with recognized employee organizations as required by law.
(Amended by Ord. No. 8252 (N.S.), effective 7-8-93; amended by Ord. No. 8299 (N.S.), effective 9-23-93; subsection (e) added by Ord. No. 8840 (N.S.), effective 11-20-97, operative 11-21-97; amended by Ord. No. 8915 (N.S.), effective 7-3-98, operative 7-3-98; amended by Ord. No. 10186 (N.S.), effective 1-5-12)