Links to Over 300 Employer Job Websites in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

Looking for local jobs in and around Ventura County!? Here are over 300 links to job listings at employers throughout Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Somis, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ojai, Ventura, Port Hueneme) and adjacent cities like Calabasas, Agoura, Malibu, Woodland Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara as well as the San Fernando Valley.

Local volunteer opportunities

Corporate, School, Healthcare Career Websites

ADP: jobs.adp.com/en (3 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

ADT: jobs.adt.com (8 Chatsworth jobs 6/29/26)

Advanced Motion Controls: www.a-m-c.com/careers (11 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

AECOM: aecom.com/Careers (2 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Aerovironment: www.avinc.com/careers/our-team (65 Simi Valley, Moorpark jobs 6/29/26)

AGIA: www.agia.com/careers (no Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Agilent: careers.agilent.com (6 Carpinteria jobs 6/29/26)

All Clear Aerospace & Defense goallclear.com/careers (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

AMCAL Housing amcalhousing.com/careers (2 Agoura Hills jobs 6/29/26)

American Homes 4 Rent: www.amh.com/careers (6 Calabasas jobs 6/29/26)

Amgen: careers.amgen.com (120 Thousand Oaks jobs 6/29/26)

Arcutis Biotherapeutics: www.arcutis.com/careers (Westlake Village)

Arete Associates: arete.com/careers (11 Northridge jobs 6/29/26)

A.R.M. Solutions: www.armsolutions.com/careers.html (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

ATC Automation: atcautomation.com/about/careers (4 Simi Valley jobs 6/29/26)

Athens Services athensservices.com/careers (1 Thousand Oaks job 6/29/26)

AT&T: www.att.jobs (Search here)

Avantor: www.avantorsciences.com/pages/en/careers (9 Carpinteria jobs 6/29/26)

Aveox: aveox.com/careers (1 Simi Valley job 6/29/26)

Bank of America: careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us/job-search (search for jobs)

Blackline Systems: careers.blackline.com/careers-home (11 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

Blue Shield of California: www.blueshieldca.com/bsc/aboutbsc/careers/index.jhtml (57 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

BrightView : jobs.brightview.com (17 local area jobs 6/29/26)

Bruker Corp: www.bruker.com/about-us/career.html (3 Santa Barbara jobs 6/29/26)

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp: www.cabrilloedc.org/careers (7 jobs 6/29/26)

Calavo Growers: calavo.com/careers (no Santa Paula jobs 6/29/26)

Caldera Medical: calderamedical.jobscore.com/list (3 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Cal Lutheran University: www.callutheran.edu/hr/ (47 staff/faculty jobs 6/29/26)

California State University Channel Islands: www.csuci.edu/careers (41 jobs 6/29/26)

Camarillo Health Care District: www.camhealth.com/employment-opportunities (no jobs 6/29/26)

Capsida Biotherapeutics: capsida.com/careers (1 Thousand Oaks job 6/29/26)

Capstone Energy: www.capstoneenergyplus.com/about/careers (7 Van Nuys jobs 6/29/26)

Casa Pacifica: www.casapacifica.org/careers (8 Camarillo, Goleta jobs 6/29/26)

Chatsworth Products, Inc. www.chatsworth.com/en-us/about-cpi/careers (no Simi Valley jobs 6/29/26)

The Cheesecake Factory: jobs.thecheesecakefactory.com (34 local jobs 6/29/26)

Child and Family Guidance Center childguidance.org/careers (6 Northridge jobs 6/29/26)

Child Care Resource Center: www.ccrcca.org/about/work-at-ccrc (14 SF Valley jobs 6/29/26)

Child Development Resources: www.cdrv.org/careers  (7 Ventura County jobs 6/29/26)

City of Agoura Hills: www.agourahillscity.gov/government/departments/human_resources/employment.php (5 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Calabasas: www.cityofcalabasas.com/services/jobs (9 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Camarillo: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/camarillo  (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Carpinteria: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca (2 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Fillmore: www.fillmoreca.com/jobs.aspx (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Malibu: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/malibucity (7 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Moorpark: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/moorparkca (3 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Ojai: ojaicity.applicantpro.com/jobs (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Oxnard: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofoxnard (39 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Port Hueneme: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/porthueneme (2 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Santa Barbara: agency.governmentjobs.com/santabarbara/default.cfm (14 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Santa Paula: agency.governmentjobs.com/santapaulaca/default.cfm (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Simi Valley: www.calopps.org/city-of-simi-valley (16 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Thousand Oaks: toaks.gov/careers (8 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Ventura: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs (13 jobs 6/29/26)

Clinicas del Camino Real: clinicas.org/content/career-opportunities (14 Ventura County jobs 6/29/26)

Community Memorial Health System: www.mycmh.org/careers (128 local jobs 6/29/26)

Conejo Recreation & Park District: www.crpd.org/human-resources (2 jobs 6/29/26)

Conejo Valley Unified School District: www.conejousd.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Employment-Opportunities (over 34 full/part-time jobs 6/29/26)

Conrad Hilton Foundation: www.hiltonfoundation.org/about/careers (1 Westlake Village job 6/29/26)

County of Santa Barbara: agency.governmentjobs.com/sbcounty (38 jobs 6/29/26)

County of Ventura: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura (56 jobs 6/29/26)

Crescendo Interactive www.crescendointeractive.com/misc/jobs.html (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

CVS Health: jobs.cvshealth.com (Search for local jobs)

Deckers Outdoors: www.deckers.com/careers (42 Goleta jobs 6/29/26)

DEX: www.dex.com/careers.jsp (3 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Common Spirit (St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital): www.commonspirit.careers/search-jobs (69 Oxnard/Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Dole Packaged Foods dolesunshine.com/us/en/careers (6 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Drum Workshop: www.dwdrums.com/info/dwjobs.asp (4 Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Dytran: www.hbkworld.com/en/about/careers (4 Chatsworth jobs 6/29/26)

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace: www.ebad.com/careers (30 Moorpark jobs 6/29/26)

Farmers Group: www.farmers.com/FarmComm/careers.html (4 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

FedEx: www.fedex.com/us/ (Check for Woodland Hills, Ventura jobs)

First 5 Ventura County: www.first5ventura.org/about-us/employment (1 job 6/29/26)

Four Seasons Hotel: http://jobs.fourseasons.com (Search for Westlake Village jobs)

Freudenberg Medical: jobs.freudenberg.com/freudenberg (1 Carpinteria job 6/29/26)

Frontier Aerospace: frontieraerospaceaccount.bamboohr.com/careers (1 Newbury Park job 6/29/26)

Gold Coast Health Plan: goldcoasthealthplan.org/about-us/careers.aspx (3 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Rolling Oaks Radiology: www.radnet.com/rolling-oaks-radiology/careers (34 local jobs 6/29/26)

Gsolutionz: www.gsolutionz.com/careers (1 Ventura job 6/29/26)

Guitar Center: www.guitarcenter.com/pages/careers (39 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Haas Automation: www.haascnc.com/about/careers.html (26 Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Harbor Freight: www.harborfreightjobs.com (25 local jobs 6/28/26)

Harman: jobs.harman.com (24 Northridge jobs 6/28/26)

HRL Laboratories: jobs.lever.co/dodmg (11 local jobs 6/28/26)

Hygiena www.hygiena.com/careers.html (12 Camarillo jobs 6/28/26)

Impact Sciences: impactsciences.com/careers (3 Camarillo jobs 6/28/26)

Input 1: www.input1.com/careers#JOB-LISTINGS (2 Westlake Village/remote jobs 6/28/26)

Interface Family Services: icfs.org/employment.html (1 Ventura County job 6/28/26)

Jordano's: jordanos.com/careers (1 Oxnard job 6/28/26)

Kaiser Permanente: kaiserpermanentejobs.org (56 local jobs 6/28/26)

KBR: kbr.com/careers (3 Ventura County jobs 6/28/26)

L3Harris careers.l3harris.com/search-jobs (47 L.A., Simi Valley jobs 6//28/26)

Lamps Plus: www.lampsplus.com/careers/positions (2 SF Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Laritech: www.laritech.com/careers (1 Moorpark job 5/5/26)

Las Virgenes Unified School District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?countyID=19&districtID=382 (42 jobs 5/5/26)

Latigo Bio: latigobio.com/careers (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Limoneira: limoneira.com/corporate/employment-opportunities (4 Santa Paula jobs 5/5/26)

Livingston Memorial: www.lmvna.org/joblistings (9 local jobs 5/5/26)

Logix www.logixbanking.com/careers (various local jobs 5/5/26)

Los Angeles Rams: www.teamworkonline.com/football-jobs/la-rams-careers/los-angeles-rams (6 Woodland Hills jobs 5/5/26)

Los Robles Medical Center losrobleshospital.com/careers (40 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

MannKind Corporation: mannkindcorp.com/careers (6 Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

Many Mansions: www.manymansions.org/employment (4 local jobs 5/5/26)

Meathead Movers: www.meatheadmovers.com/about-us/careers

Medtronic: jobs.medtronic.com (6 Northridge jobs 5/5/26)

Meissner Filtration Products www.meissner.com/career-opportunities (34 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Mission Produce: missionproduce.com/careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Moorpark Unified School District: www.edjoin.org/MoorparkUnified (35 jobs 5/5/26)

Motion Picture & Television Fund: www.mptf.com/employment (17 Woodland Hills jobs 5/5/26)

National Notary Association: www.nationalnotary.org/about-the-nna/job-listings (no local jobs 5/5/26)

Northrop Grumman: www.northropgrumman.com/careers/experienced-professionals (search for Ventura/San Fernando Valley/Carpinteria jobs)

Nova Development: novadevelopment.com/company/careers/jobs.html (3 Calabasas jobs 5/5/26)

NTS: www.nts.com/careers (2 Santa Clarita jobs 5/5/26)

Oceanaire Federal Credit Union: oceanair.org/careers (4 local jobs 5/5/26)

ODU: odu-connectors.com/us/career (No Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Ojai Valley Sanitary District: www.ojaisan.org/employment_opportunities.php (no jobs 5/5/26)

Ontic: www.ontic.com/careers/opportunities (28 Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Oxnard School District www.oxnardsd.org/departments/human-resources/current-employment-opportunities (8 jobs 5/5/26)

Oxnard Union H.S. District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?stateID=24&countyID=57&districtID=1067 (12 jobs 5/5/26)

Parker: parkercareers.ttcportals.com (47 Camarillo, Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Patagonia www.patagonia.com/jobs-at-patagonia (12 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

PennyMac: www.pennymacusa.com/careers (43 Moorpark, Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

Pepperdine University: jobs.pepperdine.edu/jobs/search (77 Malibu, Calabasas jobs 5/5/26)

Pleasant Valley School District: JOBS LINK (9 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Premier America Credit Union: www.premieramerica.com/about-us/careers (10 local jobs 5/5/26)

Procore: www.procore.com/jobs/openings.php (3 Carpinteria jobs 5/5/26)

Quest Diagnostics: careers.questdiagnostics.com (29 West Hills, Agoura jobs 5/5/26)

Rancho Simi Rec & Park District: rsrpd.applicantpro.com/jobs (14 part-time Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Reagan Foundation: www.reaganfoundation.org/about-us/employment-opportunities (2 Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Regency Lighting www.regencylighting.com/about-regency-lighting/careers (3 Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Reiter Affiliated Companies: www.berry.net/careers (3 Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Reyes Holdings: jobs.reyesholdings.com (4 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

Rincon Consultants: www.rinconconsultants.com/careers (10 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

Ronlo Engineering: www.ronlo.com/careers.php (2 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

R. R. Donnelly: www.rrdonnelley.com/about/rrdonnelley-jobs.aspx (8 Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

RTC Aerospace: www.rtcaerospace.com/chatsworth/career (8 Simi Valley, Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Rusnak Auto Group: careers-rusnak.icims.com/jobs/intro (18 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Saalex Solutions: www.saalex.com (5 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Sage Publications: group.sagepub.com/careers (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

SAIC: jobs.saic.com (4 Point Mugu jobs 5/5/26)

Salem Media Group: salemmedia.com/salem_careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Sanbell sanbell.com/join-our-team (3 Ventura jobs 6/28/26)

Scosche Industries: www.scosche.com/careers (1 Oxnard job 5/5/26)

Seek Thermal: www.thermal.com/careers (2 Santa Barbara jobs 5/5/26)

Semtech: www.semtech.com/careers (5 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Seneca: senecafoa.org/careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Sensata Technologies: www.sensata.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Sideshow Collectibles: www.sideshowtoy.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Silgan Containers: silgancontainers.com/careers/#careers2-section-1 (n1 Woodland Hills job 5/5/26)

Simi Valley Hospital: careers.adventisthealth.org (51 local jobs 5/5/26)

Simi Valley USD (Classified jobs) www.governmentjobs.com/careers/simivalleyusd (28 jobs 5/5/26)

Simi Valley USD (Certificated jobs) www.simivalleyusd.org/employment/certificated-job-openings (25 jobs 11/11/25)

Skurka Aerospace: www.skurka-aero.com/careers  (no Camarillo jobs 11/11/25)

Skyworks Solutions: careers.skyworksinc.com (33 Newbury Park jobs 11/11/25)

Smucker's: www.jmsmucker.com/careers (4 Oxnard jobs 2/20/26)

Sonos: www.sonos.com/jobs (4 Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Southeast Ventura County YMCA (Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village) www.sevymca.org/jobs (11 jobs 11/11/25)

Southern California Edison: www.edison.com/home/careers.html (search for jobs)

Spirent Communications: www.spirent.com/Careers/Opportunities (no Calabasas jobs 2/20/26)

Stantec: stantec.jobs (19 Ventura, Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Sunrise Senior Living: www.sunrise-careers.com (Dozens of local jobs)

Sysco: careers.sysco.com (4 Ventura jobs 11/11/25)

Takeda: www.takedajobs.com  (9 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/11/25)

Teledyne: flir.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/flircareers/jobs (46 Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Chatsworth, Goleta jobs 11/11/25)

Teradyne: www.teradyne.com/careers/job-opportunities (18 Agoura jobs 11/11/25)

The Trade Desk: careers.thetradedesk.com/jobs (14 Ventura jobs 11/11/25)

Thermo Fisher Scientific: jobs.thermofisher.com (4 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/11/25)

UCLA Health www.uclahealthcareers.org (57 West Hills, Conejo Valley jobs 11/11/25)

United Water Conservation District: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/unitedwaterca (no jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Community Colleges: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vcccd (90 mostly part-time teaching jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Credit Union: www.vccuonline.net/careers (8 jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/employment (3 jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Rescue Mission: vcrescuemission.org/careers (2 Ventura County jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura Unified School District: www.schooljobs.com/careers/venturausd (26 jobs 11/11/25)

VSolvit: www.vsolvit.com (6 local area jobs 11/11/25)

Wells Fargo: www.wellsfargo.com/about/careers (Search for Ventura County jobs)

Westlake Hyatt: hyatt.jobs (5 jobs 11/11/25)

Westlake Village Inn: www.westlakevillageinn.com/career-opportunities (8 jobs 11/11/25)

Xperi: www.xperi.com/careers (1 Calabasas job 11/11/25)

XYPRO: www.xypro.com/careers (no Simi Valley jobs 11/11/25)

Yamaha Guitar Group: yamahaguitargroup.com/company/#careers (general application)

Yardi: careers.yardi.com (10 Oxnard/Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Zenith Insurance: www.thezenith.com/careers (6 Woodland Hills jobs 11/11/25)

Abrisa Technologies: abrisatechnologies.com/career-center (5 Santa Paula jobs 11/11/25)

Other Local Job Sources

Craigslist Ventura County: ventura.craigslist.org/jjj/

Craigslist Los Angeles: losangeles.craigslist.org/jjj/

Snagajob.com (hourly, fast food, retail): www.snagajob.com

Federal Government Jobs: www.usajobs.gov

AppleOne: www.appleone.com/CareerSearch/mcs_findcareer2.aspx (97 jobs within a 30 mile radius of Thousand Oaks as of 6/28/26)

EdJoin.org: Search for education jobs by state, school district, county, etc. at edjoin.org  (274 job postings as of 6/29/26 in Ventura County at THIS LINK)

More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Serving Jury Duty in Ventura County

Jury duty in Ventura County is not so bad! Ventura County Jury service consists of one jury trial or one day of service in Ventura County. If you are not assigned to a courtroom at the end of your first day of appearance, you will have completed your service.

If you are summoned for duty, the night before your service you will be instructed to check online or to call after 5 p.m. for reporting instructions for the next day. If the "group number" you were assigned is called, you show up the next day at 1 p.m. (previously this was 8 a.m.).

If your group number has not been called by the end of your summoned week, your service will automatically be completed without having to appear. If this "call in" process is inconvenient, Ventura County Superior Court will allow you to schedule a firm date of appearance.

If you cannot perform jury service during the week you are summoned, you may reschedule for another time up to 90 days in the future. There’s one catch - if you reschedule, you will be required to appear at 8 a.m.(not 1 p.m.) on that rescheduled date. You will no longer be on call.

Hall of Justice Building

Jury trials in Ventura County average four days in length. The trial judge will advise jurors of the expected duration and may excuse prospective jurors from serving on a particular case if the service would amount to an extreme hardship.

Ventura County is one judicial district so all jurors are summoned to the county seat at the Hall of Justice, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura for jury service. 

Get there early if you can. There is plenty of free parking but sometimes you have to walk a ways to get to the building. When entering the building you will be screened through a security device. Do not bring knives, scissors, handwork needles, metal fingernail files, tools, wallet chains, handcuff keys or any items that may possibly be used as a weapon.

The Jury Assembly Room has plenty of chairs, with some tables, electric plugs, etc. Bring things to keep yourself busy...phone, laptop, magazines, newspaper, book, iPad, etc. They do have a TV available in one room but you'll want to bring something else to do too. There's also wireless internet access. For lunch and snacks, there is an in-house cafeteria as well as a variety of restaurants nearby.

No fees or mileage are paid for the first day of service. $15 per day and 34¢ per mile, one way from the juror’s home to the courthouse are paid for your second and additional days of service (as of January 2026; which is unchanged from the first time I checked in 2014).

[Jury duty fees are set by the California State Legislature, which consists of the 80 member California State Assembly and the 40 member California State Senate. California Code of Civil Procedure Section 215 sets the fees and mileage rate. Well guess what…it has been the same fee and mileage rate since July 2000. Cumulative inflation from 2000 to 2023 is 88%, which means the $15 would have grown to over $28. The IRS mileage rate for 2024 is 70¢ per mile, over double 34¢ per mile.. Might be time to write your local Assemblymember to address the issue.]

When I last served, the judge in my courtroom called us back the next day. We showed up and he subsequently cancelled the trial and we were excused to go home (or back to work). Two weeks later I received a check for $15 in jury fees and $7.82 in mileage from the Conejo Valley.

Courtyard area in front of Hall of Justice building

Jury service is not voluntary, and there is no permanent excuse to serving. Any request for excuse must be submitted in writing. Any request to be excused from serving on a jury trial due to loss of income and/or business closure must be directed to a trial judge, only after you have appeared and have served one day as summoned. Unless notified in writing that your request for excuse is granted, you may assume it has been denied. If the date of appearance is not satisfactory, you may request a postponement to a future date within 90 days. When listing reasons such as medical, job, or dependent care issues, be prepared to receive a postponement and not an excuse.

For more information about Jury Service in Ventura County, visit www.ventura.courts.ca.gov/JuryService.

Should I Start Collecting Social Security Benefits Before Reaching Full Retirement Age?

Full Retirement Age (FRA) was 65 for many years. Congress passed a law in 1983 to gradually increase FRA to reflect increasing lifespans. FRA currently ranges from 65 for those born before 1943 to 67 for those born in 1960 or later. At what point should you start taking Social Security payments?

You can also start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit would be reduced anywhere from 25 to 30% as a result. See www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html for more information on how much you would receive, based on your year of birth.

You can also delay receiving Social Security beyond your FRA, up until age 70. The benefit to doing this is that your benefits are increased anywhere between 5.5% to 8% per year. See www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/delayret.html for more information.

What if you start taking Social Security at age 62 but are still working? Depending on your level of income, that could defeat the point of taking early Social Security. Why? Because before you reach FRA, the SSA withholds $1 of every $2 you earn in excess of $22,320 (in 2025) per year from your Social Security payments. Then the year you reach FRA, they still withhold $1 for every $3 in excess of $59,520 (in 2025) until the month you reach FRA. Effectively, if you’re still working at ages 62 to 67, it may defeat the point of taking early FRA.

Note that they do adjust you future payment for the amounts they withhold up until FRA, once you reach FRA. However, they are not paid immediately. They are stretched out over your actuarily determined lifetime via higher monthly payments.

Let’s look at a simple example:

Conejo Joe was born in 1960 and thus turned 62 in 2022. His FRA is 67. His full retirement benefit is, say, $1,000 per month. If he chooses to start receiving payments at age 62, they would be reduced by 30%, to $700 per month. If he chooses to delay receiving benefits until age 70, they would increase by 8% per year over 3 years, to $1240 per month (ignoring increases for inflation).

If Conejo Joe started receiving $700 per month at age 62, by the time he reaches age 70 he would have received $58,800 (ignoring inflation increases). If he waited until age 70, he would receive $1240 per month, or $540 per month more than starting benefits at age 62. It would take him about 9 years to make up the gap.

But if Conejo Joe had other income or continued working at age 62, up to 85% of those $700 per month Social Security payments could be taxed at the federal level (most states, including California, do not tax Social Security benefits). Those taxes should be factored into the decision as to whether he should delay receiving benefits.

If Conejo Joe started taking Social Security at age 67, he would receive $1,000 per month. So by the time he reaches age 70, he would have received total payments of $36,000 (again, ignoring inflation). Had he waited until age 70, he would receive $1240 per month, or $240 more than the FRA benefits he received for the last three years. It would take him 12 1/2 years to make up the $36,000 gap. So if he anticipates living until at least age 82 1/2, in theory it makes sense to wait until age 70 to collect benefits, if possible.

Everyone’s situation is different. Some folks really need the payments early. Others can wait because they are still working. Visit www.ssa.gov for more information and talk to your financial planner and/or CPA for guidance.

One final point. The Social Security Administration says “If you decide to delay your benefits until after age 65, you should still apply for Medicare benefits within three months of your 65th birthday. If you wait longer, your Medicare medical insurance (Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cost you more money.

What's the Deal With All of Those Signs Posted at the Swimming Pool

My kids get a laugh from time to time when they notice the sign at the public swimming pool that states, "Persons having currently active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water." 

The thought comes to mind, should one have had this issue, how many people would actually remember if it was within the last 14 days. Heck, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday and what I watched on TV last Sunday.

But the sign is well intended as waterborne disease is no laughing matter. Waterborne disease outbreaks in pools have often been caused by individuals with recent diarrhea; chlorine doesn't always take care of removing the viruses or parasites that can come from those with recent symptoms.

The requirement for this and other community pool signs comes from California Building Code Chapter 31B "Public Pools," Section 3120B "Required Signs."

Section 3120B.11 "Diarrhea" indicates the sign must have letters at least 1 inch high, clearly states what is noted above, and is posted at the entrance area of a public pool. Public pools include municipal/park district pools, hotel pools, water parks, swim schools, homeowner shared pools, apartment pools, campground pools, etc. One is thus not required to post this sign at your home pool (unless you really want to).

CDC ADVICE TO PREVENT INFECTIONS FROM PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

According to this source, the diarrhea sign and a variety of other pool signs were put into law in late 2012. Some examples of other public pool sign requirements include:

• "No Diving" sign for pools with maximum depth of 6 feet or less

• "No Lifeguard" sign when applicable

• Emergency sign with 911 and nearest emergency services

• "No use after dark" sign for pools without lighting

• Artificial respiration and CPR sign

• Pool user capacity sign (1 person per 10 sq ft in spa; 1 person per 20 sq ft in pool)

So you've learned something new. If you'd like to read the entire Chapter 31B “Public Pools” of the California Building Code, or any section of the Code for that matter, visit www.bsc.ca.gov/Codes.aspx.

DOZENS OF VENTURA COUNTY AREAS SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PLAY PLACES

State of California Smog Check Program Requirements

I was about to renew my auto registration online as I’ve done mindlessly for many years, until I looked more carefully at the notice and I read the dreaded “STOP: SMOG Certification Required” imprinted near the top of the notice. I’ve owned the minivan for eight years and wondered, why NOW!?

The California Smog Check Program has been in place since 1984 and is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, or BAR. BAR licenses independently owned smog check stations throughout the state.

THE BASICS

The BAR indicates a smog check is required EVERY OTHER YEAR as part of the vehicle registration process. It is also required when a vehicle changes ownership or when it is registered for the first time in California.

Every other year? That can’t be, because this was the first time I’ve been asked to do a smog check in the eight years since I owned the car, right?

The BAR goes on to explain that gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year 1976 and newer require a smog check, with the following exceptions:

• Eight model years and newer do not require a biennial smog check.

• Four model years and newer do not require a change-of-ownership check.

In English, this means you need to add 8 to the model year of your vehicle to determine when you need to start doing biennial, or every other year, smog checks. For example, my 2014 minivan needed a smog test starting in 2022. And if I purchase a used 2018 vehicle in 2022, it would be subject to a smog check.

SMOG CHECKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR:

• 1975 or older vehicles

• Eight model years or newer vehicles

• Four model years or newer vehicles changing ownership

• Electric vehicles

• Motorcycles

• Tricycles (OK, I decided to throw this in to make sure you were paying attention.)

• Diesel vehicles model year 1997 and older

• Diesel vehicles with a gross weight of over 14,000 pounds

OTHER

Wait a second, my 2014 minivan is eight years old. Why this year, not next year, for the first smog check? Because the state assumes that model years are released in the calendar year prior to a vehicle’s model year. So regardless whether I purchased my brand new 2014 minivan in 2013 or 2014, it is assumed to be one model year old in 2014. That means, it is theoretically turning nine model years old in 2022. Hence, the need for a smog check for the first time in 2022.

If your smog check passes, hurray! The smog “certificate” is electronically submitted to the DMV and you are on your way to renew your vehicle registration. If it fails the test, you need to get it fixed, or you can visit a “smog check referee” for a second opinion.

“But I don’t want to get a smog check!” Well, then buy an electric car or a model 1975 or older car. Or buy a new car before your car turns eight model years old. Or move to a state like Alabama that doesn’t require emissions testing.

Take Advantage of AAA Membership Benefits and Discounts

The Automobile Club is a non-profit service organization with over 51 million members, including 6 million in Southern California.  If you are not already a member, you should consider becoming one.

Basic “classic” membership is $57 per year (as of June 2025). Membership provides for up to 4 service calls per year, with tows up to 7 miles, discounted rental cars, emergency fuel delivery, locksmith service, access to AAA offices and services, free maps and travel planning, etc. Upgraded plans (AAA Plus and AAA Premier) are available, with enhanced benefits, such as much longer towing benefits.

But where membership can really pay off are savings on products and services.  Here are a few that really stand out (updated June 2025...subject to change).

• Getting a AAA rate on hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, and Best Western can save you 5% or more on your rooms.

• AMC Theatre Black Tickets good for seats across the country for $12.75, which is a 20% savings over average retail prices. Also save on tickets at Regal and Cinemark theatres.

• $2 off admission to the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena.

• Save over 40% on admission at Knott's Berry Farm.

• Up to 20% off when you purchase advance tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach at an AAA branch and 10% off at the gate or online.

• Save 30% on a 1-day general admission to Universal Studios Hollywood

• Save up to 56% off passes to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

• Save 5% at the gate at LEGOLAND California Resort and up to 20% off of tickets purchased in advance

• Save up to 60% on tickets to Sea World San Diego

• Planning on a multi-day visit to Disneyland? Save by buying passes at a AAA office

• 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks at Dave & Buster’s

Hundreds more discounts listed on the AAA website. There's also a free AAA iPhone and Android app to find AAA discounts in your area.

So even if you don't think you'll need roadside assistance or towing, it could really pay off having a AAA membership.  Visit the Auto Club of Southern California website at www.calif.aaa.com/home.html for more information.

Ventura County 2-1-1 for Human Service Programs

Ventura County 2-1-1 provides a quick, easy, free and confidential way to obtain information and local referrals for these types of services:

• Basic human needs, such as food, shelter, clothing and other support

• Physical and mental health resources, including intervention services, crisis counseling, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and health insurance programs

• Employment support, including unemployment assistance, job training, education assistance, transportation help, etc.

• Support for elderly and disabled individuals, such as convalescent care, home health care, meal services and transportation services

• Children, youth and family support, including childcare, after school programs, family resource centers, mentoring, recreation, tutoring, protective services, etc.

• Volunteer opportunities and donations

Ventura County was the first county in California to launch 2-1-1 service on February 11, 2005.  The Ventura County 2-1-1 service is staffed 24 hours a day and is managed by Interface Children & Family Services with the support of the Ventura County United Way and First 5 Ventura County. Additional support is received from the County of Ventura, the County of Ventura Health Care Agency, the County of Ventura Human Services Agency, and the cities of Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Ojai and Thousand Oaks.

For more information about 2-1-1, visit www.211ventura.org.