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Faces of Yuba Water Jason Osterholt, Information Systems Supervisor

Yuba Water Agency's information systems supervisor, Jason Osterholt, is responsible for ensuring that all essential network services are online and operating as expected, watching for trends in computer behavior and making sure that the agency is not susceptible to any type of malicious behavior, both internally and externally, as well as overseeing the helpdesk staff and checking that end users’ needs are met and can perform their essential work functions.

What do you do for Yuba Water Agency?

My job at the water agency is to make sure that all of the computer systems are running and secure, so that the people I work with can do their job.

Have your essential duties changed since COVID-19? If so, what has changed?

Generally, my tasks have not changed, but support has become a bit more of a challenge. Yuba Water went from a small group of people working remotely to everyone needing the ability to work remotely. This put a huge strain on resources that were not affected prior to COVID-19. However, the way in which our workforce has adapted to this “new normal” has been awesome to watch and we now have systems in place to maintain security and support staff regardless of their location.

Photo: Jason poses with his sister, Krista (left), grandma, Peggy (center), and sister, Natalie (right).

What do you enjoy most about working for Yuba Water Agency?

I think the best part about my job is the people that I work with at the agency. Yuba Water hires people that are the best at what they do, and feeling like you are always getting an expert answer puts your mind at ease. The folks here are passionate about what they do and working in that type of environment is satisfying and makes you want to come in to work and do your best everyday.

Tell us something about yourself that most of us don’t know.

My children and I have been involved in e-sports for a few years now and I own an e-sports team in a league that I am affiliated with.

Jason snaps a pic with his daughter, Jenavieve, pet hen, Karen, and pet squirrel, Nico.

Before working here, what was the most interesting job you had?

I used to work for an environmental drilling company that pulled core soil samples on military bases. We would travel all over the U.S. and spend a week or two in each city.

Tell us an unusual story or experience you’ve had while working for Yuba Water Agency.

While working with the River Management Team, I have spent many days out at the river with their team members troubleshooting remote connectivity and other PC-related issues. On more than one occasion we've run into people camping or just hanging out and they always get freaked out when they see agency vehicles. I can only imagine what the ditch tenders and hydrologists run into.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love spending time with my family, doing just about anything that brings us closer together. Since COVID, all of my free time has been at home and spent together with our dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, squirrel and fish, and finding new games to play.