HR CONNECT
PEOPLE FIRST
January 2025
Starting 2025 Strong Together
IN THIS ISSUE Message from the HR Director
Hello City Team,
BUILD BETTER HABITS IN 2025: EXPLORE WELLNESS ACTIVITIES & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES!
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: CONFIDENTIAL, FREE OR LOW-COST SERVICES FOR YOUR WELL-BEING
HR TIP OF THE MONTH: ELEVATE YOUR CAREER WITH LEADERSHIP TRAINING
GET TO KNOW US! MEET YOUR HR TEAM & FIND SUPPORT FAST
Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, HR is excited to share updates on how we’re evolving to support you and strengthen our workplace. Our goal is to ensure you feel supported, valued, and informed throughout your journey with the City of Santa Cruz.
In 2024, we focused on enhancing services:
Culture Conversations: Open discussions about shared values to create a thriving workplace.
Culture as a Competitive Advantage: Building an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
Improved HR Services: Revamped intranet, updated forms, 36+ roadshow visits, and compensation workshops.
CompStudy Office Hours: Tuesdays (7:15–8:00 AM) and Thursdays (2:00–3:00 PM), HR Room 6 or virtual.
Starting strong this year, we’re piloting a Supervisor/Manager Academy with Public Works setting the stage for refined leadership training across all departments.
We’realsolaunching HRConnect,a monthlynewsletterfeaturinginsights, resources,andupdates.February’sissuewillsharefeedbackfromthe Culture,Engagement,andRecognitionsurveystoguideour2025plans
Here’s to a successful year ahead! Cheers,
Sara
2025ANNUAL TRAININGCATALOG
In2024,wehosted70+ trainingswith2,500+ attendees.Let’skeep growingtogether!
New for 2025! STAFF RECOMMENDED
The First 90 Days: Onboarding Best Practices
Appreciating Differences: Neurodiversity at Work
Recognizing Greatness: Employee Appreciation
PopularcourseslikeExcel Essentials&Difficult Conversationsareback!
Did you know?
Leadership, Professional Development, Safety, and Mandatory training are on paid City time. Each training is focused on personal and professional growth to help you thrive in your career. New classes and resources are regularly updated on the intranet.
Join the Employee & Leadership Development Program and earn a certificate that counts as one year of supervisory experience.
Here’s How: Choose 8 Leadership Development courses from the Annual Training Catalog.
1. Complete the courses.
2. Email HRTraining@santacruzca.gov for your certificate 3.
Workplace Safety Training Update
Start early! Completing one or two classes each quarter makes earning your certificate manageable and rewarding!
Last year, an impressive 907 employees completed the Workplace Violence Prevention Training. Currently, the Risk Team, in collaboration with HR, is working to determine the essential safety training needed to keep employees safe on the job. Safety Coordinators are partnering with their respective departments to assess and align safety training requirements.
New Year, New Wellness & Skills Opportunities
January is the perfect time to explore new wellness options offered by the City:
Wellness Activities
Pilates Sculpt
Wednesdays, 12:10 PM - 1 PM
Starting January 27 at the Civic
Get ready for a full-body workout that tones and strengthens! Bring your mat — limited resistance bands and barre balls will be available.
Julie, one of our amazing Parks & Rec team members, is also a certified fitness instructor.
Lunch Runs/Walks with Matt
Wednesdays, Noon
Meet at the City Hall Courtyard
Whether you’re a runner or a walker, all fitness levels are welcome!
Join City Manager Matt for a mid-day run or stroll through town. Heencourages stafftoget outdoors for an energy boost to balance the workday.
Yoga
Thursdays, 12:10 PM - 1 PM
Starting January 23
Stretch, strengthen, and relax with yoga in the Tony Hill Room at the Civic. Don’t forget to bring your mat!
Tiffanyreturnstoleadyogain2025!Asthe City’sSustainabilityandResiliencyOfficer, sheinspireseveryoneto livewithbalance! Allabilitylevelsarewelcome.
Yogaupdates:aschmidt@santacruzca.gov
Meet Your HR Team!
Your HR Department is here to support you.
Recruitment, Classification & Compensation
Need help with job applications, position classifications, or pay scales? This team has you covered.
Email compclasshr@santacruzca.gov
Swati Goel
Principal HR Analyst: 420-5045 (All)
Emily Dorff HR Analyst 420-5046 (Water, PW, Parks & Rec, Planning & Development)
Debbie Bailey HR Analyst 420-5047 (All Other Departments)
Employee & Labor Relations / Training & Development
Heather Hall HR Technician 420-5403 (All)
Questions about workplace policies, employee concerns, or training opportunities? Contact this team!
Email hrtraining@santacruzca.gov / eerelations@santacruzca.gov
Debbie Jones
Principal HR Analyst 420-5250
Bianca McCauley HR Analyst 420-5409
Amber Lerma Administrative Assistant 420-5404
Email workcomp@santacruzca.gov
Email hr-benefits@santacruzca.gov
Human Resources Information Systems
Have suggestions for future HR Connect topics? Send them to hr@santacruzca.gov
HRIS admins manage the systems for employee data and benefits processes. They make sure everything runs smoothly, keep employee records accurate, and create reports to help HR make informed decisions.
Need to update employee details, like personal info or enrollment benefits?
Here’s your HRIS Team
PAF@santacruzca.gov
Kristi Cowley
Natalie Kajihara