The mission of the County of Kern is to exceed expectations of the communities we serve, changing the way they feel about government, those who manage it, and the services it provides. Fulfilling our mission is of the highest importance. To many our work at the County of Kern means the difference between life and death, and at the very least we make a significant impact on the quality of life of our residents. While promoting efficiency is really important, our most strongly held value is achievement - effectively meeting the needs of our residents at the time they need our assistance most. We also know that our best can always be better, and we encourage and provide a work environment that allows our employees to continuously improve and seek innovative solutions. Our employees have the freedom to pursue their work creatively without fear of punishment. Failure is not fatal, but a fear of failure is.