Creating Bench Strength In Your Organization

Kari Kent

Deputy City Manager

Mesa, Arizona

What Are We Doing To Leave A Professional Legacy?

Public Sector Talent Gap Is a National Trend

Promoting awareness of the local government management profession and encouraging individuals to consider careers in the field.

Helping new and early careerists land their first jobs in local government.

Engaging local government management professionals in ICMA early in their careers.

Building the leadership pipeline by engaging and developing promising individuals so that they are prepared to step into leadership roles.

icma.org/en/icma/priorities/next_generation

ICMA “Next Generation” Initiative

High School and University Partnerships Explore development of curriculum for educating students about local government Partner with Universities to create ICMA Student Chapters Participate in Career Fairs

Professional Development and Training Promote ACMA/ICMA involvement Partner with organizations to conduct training on current

challenges/opportunitiesFuture Leadership

Develop Mentoring Programs Encourage more internships and entry-level positions Encourage speaking opportunities

ACMA Strategic PlanKey Result Areas

60% of mid-to-top level executives are eligible to retire within the next 1-5 years

33% of mid-to-top level executives are eligible to retire within the next 6-10 years

185 out of 200 of Mesa’s upper management are eligible to retire within the next 10 years

Mesa’s Retirement Tidal Wave

Acting Assistant To The City Manager

Executive Manager Program

Library - Management Development Opportunity (MDO) Program

Energy Resources - Management Development Program (MDP)

Executive Coaches

Mesa’s “Next Generation” Initiatives City Employees

K-12 Schools Partnering Opportunities Cooperative Office Education (COE) Program Mayor’s Youth Committee/Mayor’s Summer of Service

University Partnering Opportunities Internships Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program

Post Graduate Opportunities Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Associate I Management Assistants

Mesa’s “Next Generation” Initiatives New Talent

A rotating three-month assignment in the City Manager’s Office designed to oversee various departments and conduct special projects throughout the organization   

Acting Assistant To The City Manager

A rotating three-month assignment in the City Manager’s Office designed to give employees the opportunity to participate in highly responsible executive-level work that possesses a Citywide scope

Executive Manager/Acting Assistant To City Manager Alumni currently developing “Mesa’s Professional Development Network”

Executive Manager Program

Provides staff with new assignments that will help broaden their management experience

Creates opportunities for interested employees to gain supervisory experience

Creates opportunities to view operations from a different perspective and learn different functions of the organization

Creates career opportunities, movement, and promotional opportunities after the MDO program is completed

Library - Management Development Opportunity (MDO) Program

Includes multiple participants at different levels in the organization

3 month rotation

Management sponsors to create development plan

Community service

Energy Resources Department Management Development Program

Best performing organizations are those who invest in their talent and develop competent leaders who continue to learn and grow

One-on-one mentoring for high potential employees to enhance their leadership or management skills and/or expand their advancement opportunities

Executive Coaches

Cooperative Office Education (COE) Program

Mayor’s Youth Committee

Engineering Bridge Building

Mayor’s Summer of Service

K-12 SchoolsPartnering Opportunities

Mesa currently sponsors three student workers that participate in their School’s Cooperative Office Education (COE) Program

Prepares senior students for entry-level office employment by developing attitudes, abilities and skills needed in office occupations

Students receive school credit for released time, work an

average of 15 hours per week minimum and are paid by the City

Cooperative Office Education (COE) Program

One-year student learning program

Juniors/Seniors nominated to represent Mesa schools

Mayor’s Youth Committee

Students design and build popsicle bridge

Bridges are judged on aesthetics and capacity

Career in Engineering is encouraged

Engineering Bridge Building

Designed for teens ages 14-17 to get involved in the communityStudents participate in City or non-profit related projects: Helen’s Hope Chest Sirrine Adult Day Care Life Saver CPR/First Aid Classes Save the Family United Way

Mayor’s Youth Summer of Service

Internships

Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program

Urban Management

University Partnering Opportunities

Transit ASU School of Geographical Sciences

and Urban PlanningWater Resources

ASU School of SustainabilityEngineering

ASU College of EngineeringCity Attorney’s Office

ASU/UofA Law Students Mesa Arts Center

*University of Advancing Technology

Internships

Program offered by the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University (ASU) designed to identify talented students to executive levels in local government

Master of Public Administration students are admitted to the Marvin Andrews program each academic year

Students receive a part-time internship their first year with Alliance for Innovation, then after one year, receive a paid-part-time internship with a local jurisdiction

City of Mesa is sponsoring our first Marvin Andrews Fellow this fall and recently hired three Alumni

Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program

Post Graduate Partnering OpportunitiesOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)

Associate I

A four-year management training program

Provides municipal financial experience and valuable professional development with the administration of the City’s annual operating and capital improvements budgets

Management Assistant Classification

Previous job description stated that Master’s of Public Administration Degree is equivalent to one of the three years of experience required for the position

Modified job description to allow a Master’s Degree in Public or Business Administration equivalent to two of the three years

Allows recent graduates the opportunity to enter the organization post-completion of their Master’s Degree

Recognize and emphasize talent development and succession planning in your organization

Identify up-and-comers and involve them in a process of self-development and move them around the organization to gain valuable experience

Promote the rewards and joys of our work and the variety of opportunities you have had

Leave A Professional Legacy

Create specific opportunities for young talent to develop both hard and soft skills

Challenge aspiring managers to stretch themselves and take on new roles

Allow aspiring managers to take missteps and reflect afterward to learn from their mistakes

Leave A Professional Legacy

Kari KentKarolyn.Kent@mesaaz.gov

Thank You And Good Luck