This just in… you’re looking at the final news update on this page! But don’t worry – we’re not going away. You can still get all you have come to love from this page at its new home!
Visit the new InSite news page for news.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to you engaging with on the new page.
Changes are coming to InSite, the website you’re using right now to check out news, information and resources for County employees.
We started with the news section. When you click through to read any of the articles, you may notice subtle changes in layout and engagement. These updates are designed to enhance your reading experience without disrupting the way you browse content.
The refreshed look of news content is the first step to improve how you use InSite. Next, we’re focused on a larger project to revamp the InSite homepage, making it more modern, user-friendly and accessible.
We need your feedback throughout the process. This site is for you! If you encounter any broken links, accessibility challenges, or other technical issues, please let us know. Your insights will help us continue to improve the experience on the site and support our employees. Report issues to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!
Riley DeWitt-Rickards, winner of “30 Under 30” Award, at the Mira Mesa Epicentre renovation groundbreaking in January.
One of the County’s own, Riley DeWitt-Rickards, has been honored as one of the top 30 parks and recreation workers under the age of 30 in the entire nation.
DeWitt-Rickards, 28, a Project Manager with the County Department of Parks and Recreation, was named as one of the elite “30 Under 30” for 2025 by the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) in its February magazine.
The nonprofit NRPA is a national association based in Virginia that champions the importance of parks and the work of the people who help create, build and maintain them.
“It feels great to be recognized,” DeWitt Rickards said, “especially in the field that I love so much! My executive team recommended that we should apply for this award a year or so ago. I found out (I won) at the same time as everyone else—when the article was published! One of my coworkers congratulated me and sent me the article. That’s how I found out I had received the award.”
DeWitt-Rickards, who will celebrate their third anniversary with the County in March, was chosen as a “30 Under 30” member for being the lead project manager for seven projects valued at $70 million and for co-managing three other initiatives. Those projects included leading the $13.5 million Village View Community Park in Fallbrook from design to construction. The 6.8-acre park project broke ground in 2023 and is expected to open this spring.
DeWitt-Rickards was also noted for volunteering to manage the Mira Mesa Epicentre renovation, a project designed to revitalize the epicentre as a County-operated community center.
That project broke ground last month and will ultimately include a pickleball and basketball court, a community garden, rentable community space, music and game rooms and study and work areas.
DeWitt-Rickards graduated from UC San Diego in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in management science and worked as a project manager with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance before coming to the County.
So, at the age of 28, is DeWitt-Rickards aiming for another “30 Under 30” award?
“I think the 30 Under 30 is a one-and-done award,” DeWitt-Rickards said. “But the NRPA has scholarships for young professionals that I hope to apply for so that I can continue to expand my knowledge in the field. I would love to pursue graduate education in parks and recreation!”
Did you miss the recent Medicare and Social Security lunch and learn sessions? The Department of Human Resources has resources from both sessions!
You can now review the Medicare presentation and Social Security presentation slide decks.
For more information, contact the Department of Human Resources Employee Benefits Division at 888-550-2203 or DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.
The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council is here to listen. Your experience, ideas and feedback help build a stronger and more connected organization.
You can send a message to the Council using the “contact us” link located on the Diversity and Inclusion InSite webpage.
Messages can be shared anonymously, or you can provide your contact information if you’d like us to follow up.
Every contribution strengthens our collective culture, and your perspective can make a difference. Thank you for partnering to build a workplace where everyone feels connected, valued and supported.
At the County, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, supported, and included. Since 2022, the Board-initiated Neurodivergent Excellence program has driven efforts to foster a more inclusive environment by expanding outreach and recruitment of neurodivergent individuals and providing training for staff. Through partnerships with community organizations and a biennial survey, we continue to assess our progress and guide improvements across the County.
To help us measure how far we’ve come and identify opportunities for growth, we are launching the second biennial Neurodivergent Workforce Inclusion Progress Survey. The survey will be open from Feb. 26 to March 12. This survey is your chance to share valuable feedback based on your personal experiences – feedback that will help shape a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Your input is vital. This survey will allow us to evaluate what’s working, highlight areas for improvement and ensure we continue making meaningful impact. Let’s keep building a workplace where everyone belongs.
What You Need to Know About the Survey:
✔ Anonymous and Confidential: Your responses will remain anonymous and will be reviewed only in aggregate form.
✔ Conducted by a Trusted Third-Party: Rangam Consultants, a consultant with global expertise in disability inclusion and neurodiversity, will administer the survey.
✔ Quick and Easy to Complete: The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.
✔ Administered via SurveyMonkey: Employees will receive an email from Rangam Consulting with a link to participate when the survey opens.
Next Steps
Look for an email from Rangam Consulting when the survey opens on Feb. 26. Please take a few minutes to complete it and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
For any questions, contact Human Resources Group Program Manager Holly Norton at holly.norton@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Thank you for helping us continue to build a more inclusive workplace!
San Diego County Probation promoted a 23-year Probation veteran to the second highest ranking position.
Probation Chief Tamika Nelson promoted Tabatha Wilburn to assistant chief. Wilburn most recently served as a deputy chief and will take on the position after the retirement of Denise Huffhines.
Mr. and Mrs. Alexis and deondre
February 14 is traditionally one of the busiest days for weddings at the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk offices and the employees were ready for it rain or shine. To make the day special for the couples, they decorated with hearts and flowers. A floral heart arch, roses on the desk dividers, and a heart wall backdrop for photos.
The day started with a few showers, but the sun came out for many couples saying “I do” on Valentine’s Day. Between the four ARCC locations, 153 marriage licenses were issued, and 108 wedding ceremonies took place.
For more information and wedding pictures from the County Administration Center, visit County News Center. You may know one of them.
A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:
Part of my vision for our organization is prioritizing communication, so I want to provide some updates as we work together to shape the future of our organization.
Our organization remains grounded in its values as we continue to navigate challenges such as rising costs and uncertainty at the federal and state levels. Guided by our strategic plan, we are prioritizing funding decisions that align with our mission while ensuring operations move forward as normal. At the same time, we are exploring new ways to evaluate our impact in the communities we serve.
On May 1, I will release my CAO recommended budget for consideration by the public and the Board. As we develop a fiscally responsible budget, I am mindful that our workforce and the services you provide to the public are our greatest asset. With labor negotiations beginning, I want to address the potential impact on our workforce. The budget and these negotiations are important to all employees. I want to assure you that the County remains committed to fair and productive negotiations that balance employee needs with our long-term financial sustainability.
We will continue to prioritize competitive compensation and benefits, while remaining mindful of operating within responsible financial limits to be able to continue to provide essential services to the community.
In the upcoming months, you can expect periodic updates as negotiations progress, while respecting the confidentiality of the bargaining process. We appreciate your patience and professionalism as negotiations take place. In the meantime, our operations continue as usual, ensuring we remain focused on serving our communities.
These moments reinforce key pillars of our organizational culture – where we strive to be kind, be curious, be bold and do the right thing using HEART. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear more about how these principles, in alignment with our vision, mission, and values, guide us and the work we do for our region.
Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work.
Lana Findlay from the Department of Parks and Recreations submitted a photo of a SpaceX launch over Agua Caliente Park taken by Supervising Park Ranger Arnold Young.
Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.
Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media.
See more of Your View photos.
