Where do I find county policies and procedures?

Kern County maintains comprehensive policy and procedure documents to guide employee conduct, outline rights and responsibilities, and provide information about your employment. Knowing where to find these resources and how to use them helps you navigate workplace situations and understand county expectations.

Access the HR Policy and Procedures Manual on the employee intranet. The intranet is available to all county employees through the county network. Log in using your employee credentials. Navigate to the HR section and select "Policy Manual." The manual is organized into chapters covering different aspects of employment including compensation, benefits, leave, conduct, safety, and grievance procedures. Use the search function to find specific topics quickly.

The HR Policy Manual covers essential information you need throughout your employment. Chapter 1 explains general employment policies including equal opportunity, workplace conduct, and employee classifications. Chapter 2 details compensation policies including pay schedules, overtime, shift differentials, and performance-based pay. Chapter 3 outlines benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and wellness programs. Chapter 4 covers all types of leave including vacation, sick leave, family leave, military leave, and jury duty. Chapter 5 addresses timekeeping, attendance, and scheduling. Chapter 6 explains performance evaluation procedures and professional development opportunities.

The Civil Service Commission Rules are available on the county website accessible to the public. Visit the county homepage and select "Departments," then "Civil Service Commission." The rules document is available as a downloadable PDF. The Civil Service Rules govern recruitment, examinations, eligible lists, appointments, promotions, transfers, disciplinary actions, and appeals. These rules apply specifically to civil service positions and supplement the HR Policy Manual.

Section 301.00 of the Civil Service Rules covers application and examination procedures. This section explains who may apply for positions, how to submit applications, what documentation is required, examination formats and scoring, and how eligible lists are created and maintained. Read this section carefully before applying for any civil service position to ensure you understand the requirements and process.

Both the HR Policy Manual and Civil Service Rules are updated periodically. Check the version date at the top of each document to ensure you are reading the current version. Subscribe to policy update notifications through the intranet to receive alerts when policies change. Major policy changes are also announced through email and department meetings. Outdated policies should not be relied upon for current guidance.

Department-specific policies and procedures may supplement the county-wide documents. Your department may have additional rules about scheduling, equipment use, safety protocols, or client interactions. Ask your supervisor where to find department-specific policies. These policies must comply with county-wide policies and cannot contradict or override them.

Bookmark these resources for quick reference throughout your employment. Create shortcuts on your computer desktop to the intranet HR section and the county website Civil Service page. Download PDF copies of relevant sections to your device for offline access. Print sections you reference frequently and keep them in a binder at your desk.

Contact your department HR representative for help finding specific policies or understanding how policies apply to your situation. HR representatives provide guidance on policy interpretation, help resolve policy questions, and direct you to additional resources when needed. Your HR representative's contact information is available through your supervisor or the main HR office.

Union employees should also consult their collective bargaining agreement. The agreement may contain additional provisions about wages, hours, working conditions, and grievance procedures. Union contracts work together with county policies, and both apply to union employees. Contact your union representative with questions about how union contract provisions and county policies interact.

Training on key policies is provided during new employee orientation and through periodic refresher courses. Attend all required policy training sessions and complete online policy training modules assigned through the learning management system. Training ensures you understand your obligations and rights under county policies. Some positions require annual certification of policy knowledge, especially for policies related to safety, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.

If you cannot find a policy or have questions about where to look for information, start with your supervisor. Supervisors have experience navigating policy resources and direct you to the right document. You may also contact the main HR office at [contact info] or the Civil Service Commission at [contact info] depending on the nature of your question.

Keep yourself informed about policies affecting your work. Review relevant policy sections when starting a new position, when considering leave requests, when questions arise about workplace conduct, and whenever you are unsure about proper procedures. Understanding policies protects you and helps you meet county expectations for professional conduct and job performance.