HR Specialist - Employee Engagement and Development

This is a professional position responsible for work in the Employee Engagement and Development office. Work activities include designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating professional development programs at all levels; organizational development; talent management workshops; employee engagement events; rewards and recognition initiatives; team building; and organizational culture. This employee is expected to function with a high degree of independence. Work is conducted under the general guidance and supervision of the Employee Engagement and Development Manager. The manager reviews work through periodic conferences, observations, reports, and feedback.

• Consults with City leadership on talent management strategies and needs.
• Customizes and facilitates workshops, programs, and interventions to address organizational/departmental needs.
• Coaches individual managers/employees for professional growth and leadership development.
• Designs processes and programs to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Consults with managers to vet participants for leadership programs.
• Follows up with participants after development workshops to build a continuous partnership and offer coaching and resources as needed.
• Conducts design and development work in programs such as the Employee Rewards and Recognition programs and leadership development series.  
• Evaluates the effectiveness of various programs (e.g., Rewards and Recognition, talent management programs, learning platforms, and post-training retention).
• Designs, plans, coordinates, and participates in developing and delivering mandatory and professional development training course offerings and modifies existing offerings to improve alignment with organizational and talent needs.
• Continually reviews and updates course offerings to ensure current relevancy and quality.
• Creates instructional materials for the use of facilitators' training classes.
• Designs, updates, and conducts onboarding processes for newly hired employees.
• Leads new hire onboarding events, which include contacting the CMO office, and participants' managers, creating the agenda, and ensuring that all materials and media are up to date.
• Works with managers and other City employees to design, plan, coordinate, and implement strategies to enhance employee and team effectiveness.
• Distributes information on a City-wide level regarding recognition, awards, developmental opportunities, and other special programs.
• Creates content for and updates the Microsoft Teams Portals for advanced leadership programs, Collaborative Partners, and other groups within the City.
• Consults with departments to develop programs and provide information designed to enhance employee engagement, team-building foundations, and cultural change initiatives.
• Participates in conferences and certification programs to continuously improve organizational offerings and network with fellow professionals in other organizations.
• Prepares special reports from source materials in files, including confidential material.
• Utilizes Microsoft Office to develop, format, prepare, and update media, including PowerPoints, agendas, evaluations, and handouts for workshops and training.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.  
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• May develop and conduct related programs to build and maintain a culture of continuous process improvement.
• May use INSITE and other forms to communicate information about professional and "in-place" developmental opportunities to City employees.
• Assists in workforce development initiatives (e.g., succession management programs).
• Participates in the development of webinars and online meetings.
• Coordinates and schedules makeup classes and one-on-ones as needed.
• Sets up and tears down events requiring the ability to follow predesignated plans/seating layouts
• Runs training reports in PeopleSoft.

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, or a closely related field.  
• Five years of experience developing and facilitating leadership development programs, talent management initiatives, or organizational development interventions. 

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the knowledge, skills and abilities and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid contact telephone number.

• Organizational structure of a medium to large municipality or equivalent employer.
• City of Lakeland's vision, mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Current professional learning and development approaches and resources.
• Organizational Development, including best practices in employment engagement.
• Leadership, best practices, and employee development processes.
• Training needs analysis.
• Conducting surveys and interpreting survey data.
• Basic statistical methodology.
• Methods and tools for creating effective presentations to a targeted audience.
• Various computer software programs, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Methods and practices of data analysis and program design.

• Facilitating large and small group meetings/workshops/classes.
• Public speaking.
• Instructional design/e-learning.
• Feedback, questioning, and organizational processes.
• Tracking data over time, interpreting output (e.g., from needs analysis and surveys), and making recommendations for changes in processes.
• Researching, collecting, and interpreting data.

• Develop and customize organizational development interventions.
• Develop effective partnerships with leaders.
• Lead projects and solicit buy-in from end users.
• Listen effectively to others and probe with follow-ups tactfully.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct group activities and manage resources to complete group tasks.
• Identify problems and creatively research and develop solutions to organizational issues.
• Address and balance the concerns of different constituencies.
• Maintain confidentiality of departmental records and sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other City employees, and the general public.
• Perform the physical tasks of organizing, setting up, and presenting information at assigned department programs and functions.
• Deliver professional products and documents, including accuracy and proofing.

• Sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
• No significant environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, fine motor skills, and color perception.