“Employee” means an employee of the local agency, the state or any political subdivision thereof, special district, including a school district, or any other local government entity, or an employee of a public or private utility whom the legislative body has determined performs a function essential to the public health, safety or welfare.
Source:
Section 54700.5, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=54700.5..