COVID-19 update
Fortunately, the rate of COVID-19 cases is declining in most of the state! While we are eager to see such statistics, many communities are still experiencing a high rate of cases, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker. With that status in mind, we need to remain vigilant in implementing our Reopening Guidelines, Safety Standards and site-specific COVID Prevention Plans. This includes ongoing safety measures such as completing a Clearance to Work Survey whenever you are working onsite or in the community, wearing a mask when indoors in UC ANR workplaces, and reporting positive COVID-19 cases or exposures.
Urgent reminder to those who have not yet completed COVID-19 vaccine survey
As we continue to implement the UC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Policy, we still have a number of employees who are not compliant with the policy, because they have not reported their vaccination status or have not requested an exemption or deferral. By policy, non-compliant employees will be subject to associated disciplinary action. If you have not already, please complete the UC ANR COVID-19 Vaccine Status Disclosure survey. Please note that UCANR Portal login is required to access the survey. If you are having difficulties reporting your vaccination status, please reach out to David Ritz (daritz@ucanr.edu). Any employees who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 must be tested weekly for COVID-19 if they are working on site or in person in the community and report their test results via the Clearance to Work Survey.
Virtual interviewing is an efficient recruiting tool
The CDC is recommending that people consider not traveling again this year during the holiday season. With this and efficiency in mind, we are conducting interviews virtually. Across the country (and initially obviously driven by COVID), organizations have embraced virtual recruitment. So, although in-person interviews aren't quite a thing of the past, Zoom interviews are now the new norm. It requires good technique, but it is proven to identify good candidates. Further, Zoom interviews make coordination and scheduling easier, and they save applicants and committee members large amounts of time. We know it works: UC ANR, in the past 18 months, has recruited extremely well-qualified candidates through online recruitment.
With the unprecedented confidence shown by the state government in UC ANR, we have the associated privilege and challenge of recruiting over 180 staff and academics in a very short timeframe. This recruitment will inherently create time challenges for many of us - forming 180+ selection committees along with screening hundreds of applicants, identifying top candidates, interviewing, hiring, and on-boarding. Thus, we will need to identify and employ as many time-efficient mechanisms as possible to help us recruit the best candidates within the shortest amount of time. Virtual interviews go a long way in providing efficiency in hiring during this extraordinary time.
You can learn more about the hiring plan at this month's Town Hall on October 21. We thank all those who are stepping forward to help with the recruitments!
Glenda Humiston
Vice President