COLETTE FARNES

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES

Throughout her tenure at the County of Orange, Colette Farnes has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and expertise in the field of human resources. Recently she completed the implementation of a multiyear classification and compensation study of 1,100 administrative managers to establish clear job descriptions that highlight the responsibilities and requirements of the positions, develop a new compensation system that is externally competitive and internally equitable, establish clear career pathways for career development and professional growth, and enhance the County’s ability to recruit external talent and retain top performers.

Farnes has also restructured the County’s outdated retiree medical program to achieve improved benefit for employees and a reduction of over $91 million in long-term liability for the organization. The new plan, which includes a portable Health Reimbursement Account & components of the existing retiree health grant for legacy employees, is a milestone achievement in modernization of our health benefits package, making it a valuable tool to attract & retain employees as part of the total compensation package. Farnes played a critical role in supporting the County’s workforce during COVID-19, key in providing County services to residents.