Madera County commission creates chief information security officer, approves classification abolishments and lateral-hire policy changes

Madera County’s Veil Service Commission on July 15, 2025 approved a package of personnel actions that included creating a new chief information security officer (CISO) role, abolishing several obsolete job classifications and widening eligibility for lateral hires in the sheriff’s and correctional departments.

Sabrina Mendez, Department of Human Resources, told commissioners the personnel changes respond to unused classifications and recruitment needs. “There are no employees in the classification currently, and the class has not been used in quite some time and is considered obsolete,” Mendez said about the nutritionist-intern classification the county moved to abolish.

The commission voted 3-0 on each item. Commissioners Iverson, Rios and Frey were present and voted yes on the actions.

Why it matters: County staff said the new chief information security officer will “play a crucial role in protecting the county from cyberattacks and oversee all aspects of digital security,” a function that county officials said is increasingly important as local governments manage more digital services. Staff also said the county currently maintains a network security division and that one employee receives supplemental pay for security-related duties; the new CISO would be a higher-level, dedicated position.

What the commission approved

- Creation of a chief information security officer classification: Human Resources described the role as responsible for countywide digital security and oversight of cyber incident prevention and response. Mendez said the county already has a network security team and “someone that does have a role as a deputy, information security officer,” but that the new classification would establish a higher-level lead. The motion to adopt the classification passed 3-0.

- Abolishment of the “nutritionist intern” classification: Human Resources said the class has not been used and no employees hold the title; the commission approved abolishment 3-0.

- Abolishment of multiple obsolete classifications: The commission approved abolishment of a group of classifications that Human Resources said were unused, including county council office manager, employee relations officer, general services manager, legal assistant 2, legal assistant 3, payroll manager, payroll supervisor, payroll technician and project coordinator. Staff explained these classifications are currently unfilled and had not been used for years; the vote was 3-0.

- Amendment to the correctional officer lateral policy: The commission approved revisions intended to reduce limitations on lateral transfers and expedite recruitment by allowing previously certified officers who no longer work in the classification to transfer in under specified conditions. The motion passed 3-0.

- Amendment to the deputy sheriff lateral policy: The commission approved a revision that removes the restriction limiting lateral transfers to people employed full time in a California police or sheriff’s department, allowing candidates employed out of state to qualify to return. The motion passed 3-0.

Procedural notes and next steps

Commissioners made the motions and voted by roll call; specific movers and seconders were not recorded in the transcript. Human Resources staff said the professional bargaining unit agreed with the proposed abolishments noted as unrepresented classifications, and for the new CISO classification staff said it will be posted and filled according to county hiring rules.

There were no substantive public comments on these items, and staff reported no additional matters under staff reports. The meeting adjourned later in the session.