By Andrea Johnson, HR Manager
After more than 32 years of dedicated service, Emma Duncan will be retiring from the County. Her last day in the office will be 1/16/26. This milestone marks the close of a truly remarkable career and an extraordinary legacy of commitment and service.
Over the course of her tenure, Emma contributed her talents and expertise across a wide range of roles and divisions. Her career with the Department of Social Services started in September 1993 as an Eligibility Worker I and steadily advanced through the ranks, ultimately promoting to Eligibility Supervisor in 2001. During her time in Eligibility, Emma played an active role in training and mentoring staff, assisting with trainings such as the Medi-Cal Induction Training program.
In 2005 Emma joined the Staff Development Division as part of the CalWIN training team responsible for preparing staff for the transition to CalWIN, the County’s first automated eligibility system. This experience helped shape her next career transition in December 2007, when she promoted to Social Services Staff Development Coordinator (later reclassified as a DBS II). In this role, working with and supported by a team of training staff, she was responsible for coordinating and implementing countywide induction training for the Medi-Cal, CalFRESH, and CalWORKS programs; developing and executing the training plan for staff’s transition to the Benefit Service Center (BSC) call center model; and delivering Dual Program training. She also coordinated the UC Davis Supervisor Summits, delivered New Employee Orientation and the Soft Skills classes series. Her commitment to professional growth was further demonstrated when she became a Joan Carrera Scholarship Recipient for the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) in 2012 and a Leadership Santa Maria graduate in 2013.
Emma’s career path next led her to the Fiscal Division in February 2014, where she became the Supervisor of the Contracts Unit. In this capacity, she provided oversight for a complex and high-volume contracts operation, working closely with her team to support department staff in preparing Board Letters in support of contracts for the Board of Supervisors; oversee procurement activity to enforce County, state, and federal regulations, laws and ordinances; establish purchasing orders and requisitions; serve as a primary resource for department staff and vendors to interpret purchasing policies and procedures; and ensuring the upholding of County and departmental policies, County codes, state statutes, and other regulations regarding procurement and contracts. Through her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and collaborative style, Emma helped support compliance and operational efficiency throughout the department’s contracts process.
In March 2023, Emma accepted a temporary assignment in the Human Resources Division as a HR Analyst. She quickly proved to be a valuable asset by supporting a broad and complex range of responsibilities across multiple HR functions, demonstrating strong judgement, adaptability, and a deep understanding of departmental operations. Some of Emma’s assignments included assisting with Civil Rights investigations, reviewing and investigating PCI breaches, tracking and reporting COVID-19 cases, conducting staff exit interviews, and creating and updating various HR procedures and processes. As a result of her strong performance, this temporary assignment became a permanent role in January 2024, where Emma has continued to contribute significantly to the division’s success.
In every position held, Emma brought professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to doing things the right way. Her work has shaped processes, supported countless colleagues, and strengthened the department as a whole.
Beyond her impressive resume, Emma is known for her generosity with knowledge, steady guidance, and genuine care for the people she works with. She has consistently gone above and beyond, serving as a trusted resource and mentor to many. The impact of her work will be felt long after her retirement, and her absence will certainly be noticed.
Please join us in celebrating Emma’s outstanding 32-year career, thanking her for her many contributions, and wishing her a joyful, fulfilling, and well-earned retirement.