Human Services manager retires after 22 years

Glenn County said goodbye Tuesday to a longtime Health and Human Services Agency program manager.

Linda Joseph accepted a retirement proclamation from the Board of Supervisors following her 22-plus years of service.

Joseph guided the federal Workforce Investment Act Program for the county to become the most successful One-Stop Employment Program within a four-county consortium, the proclamation said.

"It has been a great journey," Joseph said. "Thank you."

She began her professional career with the county as far back as 1980 as a participant in the Comprehensive Employment Training Act Program.

Joseph later transitioned into an On-the-Job Training contract with CETA and was laid off in 1981.

But she was re-hired in 1983 and served as an extra-help fiscal officer as the program changed to the Job Training Partnership Act administered at that time by the Glenn County Community Services Agency.

She became a full-time permanent employee of that agency which became known as the Human Resource Agency and worked as an employment and training worker supervisor.

"Through Linda Joseph's efforts over the years, thousands of Glenn County citizens have been assisted with training for successful careers, obtaining jobs, keeping jobs, and being promoted in their jobs," the resolution stated.

The youth of Glenn County have been "particularly well served with her involvement with the county-wide Youth Employment Services (YES) Program," officials said.

Joseph received a certificate of appreciation for her dedication as colleagues took pictures.

However, she will come back this spring part-time to help the agency work on a grant application to continue the YES program and other programs.

The board approved hiring her part time for that purpose and the county is seeking a waiver of the 180-day retirement break requirement — before being hired back — so she can work on this matter in March.

However, she will be paid a straight salary during this short period, Health and Human Services Agency Director Scott Gruendl said.