By Nancy Saengjaeng, Division Chief
In the past couple of years, our Branch has been working on various strategic planning efforts, including reviewing our clerical processes countywide to standardize to improve customer focus and efficiency.
As a result, our Branch was reorganized, with all branch clerical units reassigned to a single manager countywide. This new Central Operations and Reception (CORE) Division became effective October 3, 2022, under the direction of division chief Nancy Saengjaeng. This new unified unit promises both to better support line operations, and better serve our AOP staff.
Our county is one of the first in the state to visualize the potential of a centralized unit and bring it to fruition. This innovative approach has benefits for staff, colleagues, and clients. Read on to learn more!
The new model gives staff the opportunity to use their expertise in new ways. The unit can review all processes and procedures and improve upon them, making improvements we had only imagined before. Staff can also cross-train and expand their skill sets, allowing flexibility in duties. The division also includes more job classifications, creating more avenues for promotion.
For colleagues and clients, our increased ability to flex duties means that more people can be available to help as needs arise.
The most evident merging of resources and efforts was the AOP staff from the BSC joining the AOP staff at the WRC. However, many other things are happening behind the scenes. For instance, unit staff created a new service delivery model to improve workflow. In addition, they formed a hub, staffed by rotating staff and supervisors, to support all district offices with their standardized Application Registration. You may also notice changes beginning to happen in the lobbies and reception areas: they are being redesigned to be more aesthetically pleasing, inviting, safe, and functional and meet regulatory posting mandates.
(click photo to enlarge, or see this album of 50 photos!)
The staff is excited and eager to share what they are doing. To that effect, they hosted open house events at the Lompoc and Santa Maria WRC offices. Check out these pictures from the open houses! If you missed the open houses, you are welcome to stop by, meet everyone, and get more information about what they are doing. You can find them at the WRC, Betteravia, Lompoc, and Santa Barbara offices.
