Sarah Harrington
Bakersfield,CA
Summary
Dynamic Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the County of Kern, adept in compliance management and conflict resolution. Spearheaded DEI initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulations while enhancing workplace culture. Proven track record in conducting complex investigations and providing strategic guidance to leadership, fostering an inclusive environment for over 1,000 employees.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
County of Kern - Human Resources Division
11.2023 - Current
- Manages Kern County’s DEI initiatives and serves at the County of Kern’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer.
- Serves as Kern County’s Free Speech Complaint Coordinator in accordance with State of California Stipulated Judgment with the County of Kern.
- Ensures Countywide compliance with Federal, State, and County regulations governing employee rights.
- Provides oversight and manages compliance with the County of Kern’s discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, free speech, and workplace violence prevention policies.
- Manages and conducts complex investigations relating to discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, workplace violence, American with Disabilities Act violations, freedom of speech violations, and retaliation.
- Writes detailed investigative analysis based on witness interviews and evidentiary documentation.
- Provides consultation and advises the Kern County Administrative Office and Kern County department leaders on managing employee-related issues.
- Collaborates closely with Kern County Counsel to resolve employee/county department related matters and to mitigate identified risks.
- Provides consultation to the Kern County Administrative Office and Kern County department leaders on requirements outlined in the Kern County Civil Service Rules and Regulation, Kern County policies, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Workplace Violence Prevention Programs.
- Investigates and responds to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California Civil Rights Department Charges.
- Provides training to newly promoted Kern County leadership and management on policies governing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and progressive discipline.
- Participates in labor negations for the County of Kern.
- Supervises a team of six within the Office of DEI.
Senior Human Resources Manager
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
02.2022 - 11.2023
- Supervised, directed, and managed staff engaged in human resource functions within Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services department including but not limited to hiring, transfers, salary increments, leave management, performance evaluations, staffing requirements and appropriate classifications, employee disciplinary actions and terminations.
- Provided leadership to the Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services human resource division within a department of approximately 1,000 staff; coached, trained and motivated assigned staff; delegated work and projects as needed and worked to ensure that all assignments are completed with a high degree of work integrity.
- Managed the administration of the department's classification and salary plan, position control, performance management, employee relations, staff development; ensured cost effective use of benefits including unemployment and industrial insurance; and assisted in affecting the department's Equal Employment Opportunity goals.
- Developed and administered human resource plans, policies and procedures in accordance with the department's mission, philosophy and standards and in compliance with all applicable County, State, and Federal laws.
- Advised management and senior leadership team on all aspects of employment and human resource issues; handled the most complex human resource issues and made recommendations to management on the most appropriate course of action.
- Acted as chief negotiator in the meet and confer process related to departmental policy changes, with assistance and coordination with Chief Human Resources Officer and designated staff.
- Coordinated with the County of Kern Chief Human Resources Officer regarding county-wide human resources polices, programs, and processes.
- Researched, compiled, and analyzed data about employment services provided and made recommendations based upon the results of analysis for continuous process improvements to the Human Resources program.
- Reviewed and analyzed performance evaluations to ensure consistency; coached and trained supervisors/managers on establishing performance goals and measurements.
- Established strong business partnerships with educational institutions, and other local entities and businesses to develop shared training programs and to promote the County's recruitment and retention efforts.
- Conducted workplace investigations relating to complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment or any violation of the Kern County Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
- Prepared detailed investigative analysis based on witness interviews and evidentiary documentation.
- Responded to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California Civil Rights Department Charges.
- Collaborated with Kern County Counsel to address employee concerns, grievances, and complaints.
- Supervised a team of 16 human resources staff.
Behavioral Health Program Supervisor/Privacy & Corporate Compliance
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
05.2018 - 02.2022
- Managed healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse prevention activities for the department and contract providers.
- Implemented and maintained Kern County’s Behavioral Health Corporate Compliance Program.
- Conducted investigations relating to allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse.
- Prepared detailed findings report based on information obtained from the investigative process.
- Conducted routine monitoring of all network providers, to ensure compliance with the provisions of 42 C.F.R. Section 438.608 and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Program Integrity.
- Developed, issued, and monitored Corrective Action Plans for compliance/privacy violations.
- Ensured privacy breaches were reported to DHCS Information Protection Unit and the U.S. Department of Health Human Services Civil Rights Department.
- Ensured substantiated claims of fraud, waste and abuse were reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG).
- Provided quarterly training on Corporate Compliance Program to all new employees.
- Monitored and tracked required annual Privacy and Corporate Compliance trainings.
- Collaborated with Advisory County Counsel and senior leadership on privacy and compliance risks within the department.
- Authored and maintained policies and procedures related to Privacy and Corporate Compliance.
- Supervised a team of three within the Office of Privacy and Corporate Compliance.
Senior Human Resources Specialist
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
09.2015 - 05.2018
- Conducted workplace investigations relating to hostile work environment, discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations; completed investigative findings reports with recommendations.
- Investigated and responded to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California Civil Rights Department charges.
- Provided consultation to supervisors and leadership team regarding employee relations.
- Managed disciplinary actions for the department.
- Managed and facilitated the Staff Problem Resolution Complaint Process to resolve lower-level staff conflict.
- Developed and facilitated supervisor workshops to provide information on employee relation topics, the Interactive Process, disciplinary procedures, disciplinary hearings, conflict management, and employee performance evaluations.
- Collaborated with Service Employee International Union (SEIU) on proposed changes affecting the department’s represented workforce to ensure compliance with the Memorandum of Understating between Kern County and SEIU.
Clinical Case Manager
Centre for Neuro Skills
12.2011 - 06.2015
- Collected information about a patient’s situation and function to identify individual needs and developed a comprehensive case management plan.
- Planned specific objectives, goals, and actions designed to meet the patient’s needs.
- Communicated with external stakeholders and families to ensure coordination of services.
- Evaluated the case management plan’s effectiveness in reaching the desired outcome and goals.
- Worked collaboratively with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and nursing staff to move patient programs forward.
- Supervised a staff of ten.
Behavioral Health Recovery Specialist
County of Kern - Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
12.2001 - 12.2011
- Provided comprehensive case management services to individuals experiencing mental health disorders and substance use disorders to improve life satisfaction.
- Created treatment plans to meet the needs of individuals being served in the behavioral health system.
- Coordinated outpatient mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals exiting detention centers to reduce the risk of recidivism.
- Provided short-term crisis case management services to individuals exiting inpatient psychiatric facilities while connecting individuals to a behavioral health outpatient team.
- Created and implemented the department’s Therapeutic Behavioral Services policy to ensure youth received more intensive services when required.
- Assisted in benefit acquisition.
Education
Master of Science - Administration
California State University
Bakersfield03.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University
Bakersfield12.2001
Skills
- Investigative interviewing
- Conflict resolution
- Effective communication
- Problem-solving
- Compliance management
- Employee relations
- Labor negotiations
- Crisis management
Certification
- Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) Certificate Holder
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)-CP
Timeline
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
County of Kern - Human Resources Division
11.2023 - Current
Senior Human Resources Manager
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
02.2022 - 11.2023
Behavioral Health Program Supervisor/Privacy & Corporate Compliance
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
05.2018 - 02.2022
Senior Human Resources Specialist
County of Kern - Behavioral Health & Recovery Services
09.2015 - 05.2018
Clinical Case Manager
Centre for Neuro Skills
12.2011 - 06.2015
Behavioral Health Recovery Specialist
County of Kern - Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
12.2001 - 12.2011
Master of Science - Administration
California State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
California State University