Kern County Municipal Code Ch. 2.42 Division of Economic and Workforce Development

The division of workforce development is established as a division of the county administrative office. The division shall undertake to execute and coordinate the implementation of policies and directives of the board of supervisors related to employment and training programs, funded primarily by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

(Ord. No. G-8655, § 3, 7-19-16; Ord. No. A-368, § 6, 2-11-20; Ord. No. A-389, § 2, 4-25-23)

The division of workforce development shall be administered by the chief workforce development officer, who shall be appointed by and serve under the direction of the chief administrative officer and serve as director of employers' training resource. The chief workforce development officer shall employ such assistants and/or employees as are from time to time provided for by the position schedule of the county.

(Ord. No. G-8655, § 3, 7-19-16; Ord. No. A-368, § 6, 2-11-20; Ord. No. A-389, § 2, 4-25-23)

Editor's note— Ord. No. A-368, § 5, adopted Feb. 22, 2020, amended the title of § 2.42.020 to read as herein set out. The former 2.42.020 title pertained to assistant chief administrative officer—economic and workforce development—powers and duties.

All existing directives and instructions which are applicable to the director of employers' training resource shall also be applicable to and binding upon the chief workforce development officer.

(Ord. No. G-8655, § 3, 7-19-16; Ord. No. A-368, § 6, 2-11-20; Ord. No. A-389, § 2, 4-25-23)

The functions and responsibilities of the division shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

A. Management and supervision of the programs, services, functions, activities, public relations strategies, and legislative programs of the employers' training resource department; prepares and executes budgets for the use of local, federal and state monies to implement programs and services in compliance with local, federal and state laws and regulations; and provides support and counsel to the workforce investment board in an ex-officio capacity.

B. Management and supervision of program planning to meet the current and future needs of residents throughout the workforce development area.

C. Administration of service delivery policies for the division.

D. Undertake to execute and coordinate the implementation of policies and directives of the board of supervisors related to employment and training programs, funded primarily by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

E. Developing collaborative relationships with community-based organizations, other county departments, local businesses, and other organizations leading to the creation of public/public and public/private partnerships in the provision of programs and services.

F. Coordinating and consulting with local businesses to determine needs and modify programs and services in response to those needs.

G. Advising the board of supervisors of changes in federal and state law that may impact the services, funding, and programs of the division.

H. Support and advise the workforce investment board in its capacity as an advisory body to the board of supervisors and serve as a representative on the youth council.

I. Work in collaboration with county departments, divisions, community-based organizations, economic development organizations and private businesses to design, implement, and promote economic development initiatives.

J. Direct the employment services element of the CalWORKs program, assist in the establishment of a comprehensive workforce development strategy in collaboration with K-12, adult, occupational, vocational, rehabilitation, and post-secondary educational institutions, and direct the management of career service centers throughout the workforce investment area.

K. Administer and manage the division's legislative program, analyzing proposed legislation and determining the impact of new laws and regulation and advising the county administrative office of necessary actions.

(Ord. No. G-8655, § 3, 7-19-16; Ord. No. A-368, § 6, 2-11-20; Ord. No. A-389, § 2, 4-25-23)