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Contains 20 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 10/06/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/29/2026 and ends on 12/8/2026.
PSHRA’s Foundations Public Sector HR Certificate Program Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/29/2026
- Completion Date: 12/8/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 10/6/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 10/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm
- Cohort Session 2: 11/3/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 11/17/2026 - 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 12/1/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 12/8/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
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Contains 8 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/30/2026 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/30/2026 and end on 10/6/2026.
Course Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- Detailed Course Syllabus
- Ethics and Policy Participant Handbook
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Framework-Cheat Sheet
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans.
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/30/2026
- Completion Date: 10/6/2026
- Meeting 1: 9/30/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 10/2/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 10/6/2026 - 12:30 - 1:30 pm ET
Course Content:
Module 1 — Foundations of Ethics in Public Sector HR
Topics Covered
- Why ethics matter in government HR
- Major ethical theories and practical applications
- Public-service values and professional responsibility
- HR as steward, strategist, and guardian of trust
Module 2 — Professional Standards & Codes of Conduct
Topics Covered
- Purpose and structure of HR codes of ethics
- Core principles: fairness, impartiality, confidentiality, transparency
- Ethical leadership behaviors and modeling expectations
- Documentation and rationale in ethical decision-making
Module 3 — Ethical Risks & Integrity Challenges in HR
Topics Covered
- Risks in hiring, promotion, and classification decisions
- Favoritism, undue influence, and political pressure
- Conflicts of interest and divided loyalties
- Misuse of authority and breaches of trust
- Systems weaknesses that enable misconduct
- Subtle or “quiet” forms of unethical behavior
Module 4 — Building Ethical Culture & Governance Structures
Topics Covered
- HR’s role in shaping organizational culture
- Governance mechanisms and internal controls
- Transparency practices and reporting pathways
- Whistleblowing, psychological safety, and anti-retaliation norms
- Leadership impact on ethical climates
Module 5 — Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks (Applied Practice)
Topics Covered
- Structured reasoning processes
- Assessing stakeholders, principles, and consequences
- Applying policies and values to real situations
- Navigating ambiguity and competing obligations
- Hands-on scenario walkthroughs
- Developing confidence in ethical judgment
Module 6 — Policy, Accountability & Public Trust
Topics Covered
- Designing clear, enforceable HR policy
- Aligning policy with ethical expectations
- Accountability structures and compliance practices
- Managing gray areas and policy gaps
- The relationship between ethical HR and public confidence
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Making public sector work better®.
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Contains 13 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/25/2026 at 2:00 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/22/2026 and end on 11/6/2026.
Syllabus: Strategies for Public Sector Leadership Certificate Program
Welcome:
Welcome to PSHRA's Strategies for Public Sector Leadership. This course will equip you with the necessary tools to shift from a transactional to a strategic role in Public Sector HR by using a competency framework. Your role has evolved beyond merely transactional tasks. Today's HR department in the public sector is pivotal to the agency's success. It involves teaching team building, coaching, conflict resolution, consensus-building, fostering a risk-taking culture, enhancing communication, building trust, and more.
Course Outcomes:
This comprehensive leadership course is designed for mid- to senior-level public sector HR leaders, providing a solid foundation for success.
To achieve this, the course focuses on the following outcomes:
- Assess the impact of HR and human capital management in the public sector and justify HR programs in the public sector.
- Design programs that align with specific competencies within the PSHRA Competency Model, covering three major modules: Leader, Business Partner, and Change Agent.
- Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses regarding these competencies and create a plan for your individual professional development as an HR professional using the PSHRA Competency Model.
- Plan professional development in accordance with your personal competencies.
You will finish this course with:
- A solid strategic foundation for success.
- A professional development plan.
Certificate of Attendance:
You will earn a Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the course.
Course Design:
The course spans six weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions. You will receive details about the dates, times, and locations of cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 90 minutes for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans.
Meetings and Discussions:
- Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
- Course Discussion Board take place in Your Course’s Engage Community – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."
Online Cohort Schedule (subject to change):
- Cohort #1 – 9/25/2026 - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
- Cohort #2 – 10/7/2026 - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
- Cohort #3 - 11/16/2026 - 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm ET
- Cohort #4 - 10/23/2026 - 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Course Schedule:
Week 1:
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 1: Introduction
Week 2:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 1: Introduction
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 2: The Role of the HR Leader
Week 3:
No Cohort Session
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 3: The Role of an HR Business Partner
Week 4:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 2: The Role of the HR Leader
- Negotiation: the cohort participants will perform a mock negotiation of a contract or provisions of a rule and have sides. This activity will allow participants to see how people react in these situations and practice skills used to defuse tension
- Emotional Quotient/Intelligence: cohort participants will develop a proposed response modeling EQ based on a stressful leadership/communication scenario
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 4: The Role of the Change Agent
Week 5:
Cohort Session (virtual) - Session 3: The Role of an HR Business Partner
- Partnered practice scenario performs as a trusted coach or consultant on a challenging people issue such as performance, DEIA, risk management, or leadership coaching (developing) or advising (consulting)
- Partners work on conducting an HR needs analysis
Online Lesson (self-paced) - Lesson 5: Summary
Week 6:
Cohort Session (in-person or virtual) - Session 4: The Role of the Change Agent & Summary
Course Workbook:
The course includes a workbook. You'll use the workbook throughout the course to reflect on what you're learning, record ideas, plan for future personal development, and plan activities for your agency. There are two versions:
- a PDF version - if you'd like to print it and write your answers and ideas and
- an MS Word version - if you'd prefer to work electronically.
The files have the same content - just differences in page layout. You will use the workbook while taking the online lessons and while attending the cohort sessions.
The workbook is available by selecting the Course Materials tab and then Strategies for Public Sector Leadership Workbook.
Making public sector work better™.
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 09/24/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Mastering Difficult Conversations at Work
Please join us on September 24th at 1:00 pm ET for a dynamic discussion on mastering difficult conversations at work.
Workplace challenges—whether interpersonal conflicts, unmet expectations, or cultural misunderstandings—are inevitable. However, how we address these challenges plays a critical role in determining our success. When left unaddressed, such issues can lead to strained relationships, diminished performance, high turnover, and a toxic organizational culture.
In this interactive training, you’ll learn how to tackle these issues head-on by mastering the art of Safe Conversations. This proven communication framework will empower you to address difficult topics with confidence, respect, and clarity. Whether you are dealing with conduct concerns, challenging team dynamics, cultural insensitivity, or resolving interpersonal conflicts, Safe Conversations create an environment of trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
This training is essential for leaders, managers, and team members alike. Whether your team works in-person, remotely, or in a hybrid environment, you’ll gain the skills needed to foster greater innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity within your teams and throughout your organization.
Takeaways:
- Develop the skill to have difficult conversations with clarity and empathy.
- Confidently address team dynamics and challenging behaviors before they escalate.
- Effectively address issues that reduce stress, improve collaboration and productivity.
- Resolve conflicts effectively and confidently.
Speaker: Lorie Reichel-Howe, Founder, Conversations in the Workplace
Making public sector work better®.
$i++ ?>Lorie Reichel- Howe
Founder, Conversations in the Workplace
Conversations in the Workplace
Lorie Reichel-Howe is founder of Conversations in the Workplace. She equips managers, teams, and business professionals to have “Safe Conversations” – transformative dialogue that uncovers hidden workplace issues. Whether addressing challenging team dynamics, mismanaged expectations, cultural insensitivity, or good old-fashioned bad behavior, “Safe Conversations” foster greater innovation, inclusion, and collaboration within organizations.
With over 20 years of experience in leadership development and relationship management, Lorie is passionate about equipping leaders with the skills to create and maintain a culture of respect and accountability.
Lorie is a professional mediator and leadership communication coach. She has supported organizations such as Pinterest, SYGMA, SHRM, PIHRA, HR.com, Women in Technology International, Los Angeles Women’s Leadership Conference, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Santa Clara Superior Court, San Jose State University, Santa Clara County Office of Education and many more.
Learn more about Lorie’s impact at www.ConversationsInTheWorkplace.com
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Contains 7 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/23/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/23/2026 and end on 10/1/2026
Course Syllabus
Course Overview:
Learners will move from understanding conflict, to applying resolution strategies, to practicing those strategies through realistic public sector scenarios. By the end of the course, learners will have a practical framework they can use immediately when responding to employee disputes, supervisor-employee tension, interdepartmental conflict, communication breakdowns, and situations where emotions are high but professionalism still matters.
Audience: This comprehensive learning program is designed for public sector HR professionals, employee relations professionals, HR managers, department leaders, supervisors, and public agency professionals who are responsible for addressing workplace conflict, coaching managers, supporting employees, and helping maintain a healthy and productive workplace culture.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common causes and early warning signs of workplace conflict in public sector environments.
- Distinguish between performance issues, behavior issues, communication breakdowns, personality conflict, and systemic workplace problems.
- Apply practical de-escalation, active listening, and mediation techniques to reduce defensiveness and move conversations toward resolution.
- Explain HR’s role in balancing neutrality, empathy, accountability, policy compliance, documentation, and organizational risk.
- Use structured conflict-resolution tools to prepare for, facilitate, document, and follow up after difficult workplace conversations.
- Practice conflict-resolution strategies through public sector case studies, role-play scenarios, and facilitated group discussion.
Course Structure:
Session 1: Understanding Conflict in Public Sector Workplaces This session focuses on what conflict is, why it happens, how it escalates, and why public sector workplaces have unique conflict dynamics. Participants will explore common root causes such as unclear expectations, poor communication, perceived disrespect, role confusion, inconsistent supervision, workplace silos, and fear of speaking up. We will also discuss public sector pitfalls such as political sensitivity, public scrutiny, hierarchy, union or labor considerations, and the tendency to avoid conflict until it becomes formal.
Session 2: Resolving Conflict — HR’s Role, Tools, and Frameworks This session focuses on what HR, managers, and leaders can do once conflict is present. Participants will learn practical tools for de-escalation, active listening, reframing, mediation preparation, meeting structure, ground rules, policy alignment, documentation, and follow-up. We will also discuss how to balance empathy and accountability, how to stay neutral without becoming passive, and how to help employees move from positions to interests.
Session 3: Conflict Resolution Lab — Public Sector Case Studies and Role Play This final session is application-focused. Participants will work through realistic public sector scenarios involving employee disputes, supervisor-employee conflict, interdepartmental tension, communication breakdowns, and emotionally charged conversations. Through breakout rooms, role-play, group debriefs, and guided discussion, learners will practice using the tools from Sessions 1 and 2 in a safe, structured environment.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans.
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/23/2026
- Completion Date: 10/1/2026
- Meeting 1: 9/23/2026 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 9/30/2026 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 10/1/2026 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance:
You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy:
Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points:
PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
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Contains 20 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/22/2026 at 2:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/15/2026 and ends on 11/14/2026.
PSHRA’s Foundations Public Sector HR Certificate Program Syllabus
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
Course Material (All you need is on your dashboard)
- Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
- Foundations of Public Sector HR Certificate Program Lessons Summary
- HR20/20 Report
Course Design:
The course spans ten weeks and follows a specific timeline with a sequence of lessons and cohort sessions.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 2 hours for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for cohort sessions. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the cohort sessions to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Cohort Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/15/2026
- Completion Date: 11/24/2026
- Cohort Session 1: 9/22/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 2: 9/30/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm
- Cohort Session 2: 10/20/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 4: 10/28/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 5: 11/3/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
- Cohort Session 6: 11/12/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
Course Content:
Week 1 - Introduction
Cohort Session 1: Introduction
Week 2 - Lesson 1: Public Sector Basics
Week 3 - Lesson 2: Recruitment
Cohort Session 2: Public Sector HR Basics & Recruitment
Week 4 - Lesson 3: Selection
Week 5 - Lesson 4: Classification and Compensation
Cohort Session 3: Selection, Classification & Compensation
Week 6 - Lesson 5: Benefits
Week 7 - Lesson 6: Labor and Employee Relations
Cohort Session 4: Benefits and Labor Management Relations
Week 8 - Lesson 7: Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity
Week 9 - Lesson 8: Organizational Development
Cohort Session 5: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity, Organization
Week 10 - Lesson 9: Course Summary
Cohort Session 6: Course Summary and Wrap-up
Certificate of Attendance earned upon course completion.
Making public sector work better®.
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Contains 7 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/21/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/21/2026 and end on 9/25/2026.
Course Syllabus
Succession Planning for Local Government explores the critical process for ensuring continuity of leadership and maintaining high-quality public services in local government. This course equips department heads, managers, and HR professionals with practical tools and strategies to identify, develop, and retain future leaders within municipal organizations. Participants will learn how to align workforce planning with organizational needs, build a talent pipeline, and reduce risks associated with turnover or retirements. The program emphasizes both strategic planning and actionable steps that can be immediately applied in a local government setting. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.
Overview
Through a mix of instruction, applied frameworks, case studies, and guided analysis, participants will strengthen their ability to interpret policy, assess ethical risks, navigate conflicting pressures, and promote cultures rooted in trust and public service values.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand Succession Planning Fundamentals
- Define succession planning and explain its importance in local government.
- Differentiate between succession planning and replacement planning.
- Assess Organizational Readiness
- Identify critical roles and competencies necessary for organizational sustainability.
- Analyze workforce demographics, retirement trends, and turnover risks.
- Develop a Succession Planning Framework
- Apply methods for identifying high-potential employees.
- Create development plans and career pathways that prepare staff for advancement.
- Integrate succession planning into existing HR and performance management processes.
- Implement Tools and Practices
- Utilize assessment tools, mentoring programs, and training opportunities to strengthen leadership pipelines.
- Establish clear policies and communication strategies that foster buy-in across the organization.
- Measure and Sustain Progress
- Design key performance indicators (KPIs) to track succession planning effectiveness.
- Adapt plans to meet evolving community needs, legal requirements, and workforce challenges.
Course Meeting Recordings: Coming Soon!
Expected Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Develop a written succession plan tailored to their department or local government unit.
- Build a pool of prepared and capable employees ready to assume leadership roles when vacancies arise.
- Reduce disruptions caused by retirements, promotions, or unexpected staff departures.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and career growth within the organization.
- Strengthen organizational resilience by ensuring leadership continuity and institutional knowledge retention.
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with 3 one-hour weekly online meetings.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Meetings and Discussions:
- Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
- Course Discussion Board take place in Your Course’s Engage Community – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/21/2026
- Completion Date: 9/25/2026
- Meeting 1: 9/21/2026 - 1:00 - 200 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 9/23/2026 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 9/25/2026 - 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy: Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
- Understand Succession Planning Fundamentals
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Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 09/17/2026 at 1:00 PM (EDT)
Civic Engagement: Strengthening Our Public Sector Through Inclusion and Advocacy
HR professionals have a unique opportunity to help build stronger, more equitable communities—but what does that look like in practice?
During this Hispanic Heritage Month, our speaker will move beyond the conversation and explore how civic engagement can become a real part of public service and community impact. You’ll gain practical strategies for:
- Turning civic engagement into meaningful action
- Building stronger connections between government and the communities it serves
- Engaging communities—even when facing challenges, resistance, or adversity
- Using data to help inform more equitable policies and decisions
- Breaking down silos and creating stronger partnerships across organizations
- Creating opportunities for early-career professionals to better understand and engage with public service
A real-world case study on early-career exposure will bring these ideas to life and demonstrate how intentional engagement can help build stronger connections between people, government, and community.
This is more than a conversation about Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s an opportunity to think differently about the role public sector HR can play in strengthening trust, participation, and opportunity in the communities we serve. Don't miss this opportunity, join us on September17th at 1:00 pm ET.
This webinar is the fourth edition of the 2026 Dialogue and Perspectives Webinar Series, a series created to bring forward diverse voices, real-world experiences, and meaningful conversations that challenge us to think differently about public sector HR.
Speaker: Claudia Barber, Esq., Senior Human Resources Analyst, City of Annapolis, MD
Making public sector work better®.
$i++ ?>Claudia Barber, Esq.
Senior Human Resources Analyst,
City of Annapolis, MD
Claudia Barber has been a longtime member of PSHRA since 2019. She previously served twice as president of the Patuxent River Basin Chapter of PSHRA from 2020-2021 and from 2022-2023. In 2021, the Chapter was awarded the Chapter Award of Excellence for the work accomplished during her tenure.
Claudia currently serves as Senior Human Resources Analyst for the City of Annapolis. In this capacity she is taking on new tasks implementing the NEOGOV applicant tracking system and she continues to play a key role in enhancing summer internship orientation programs over the past six years. She also serves as staff liaison to the Annapolis Human Relations Commission.
Claudia Barber has been a member of the Maryland bar for 37 years, and a member of the DC bar since 1994. She has practiced law for more than 22 years, and began serving as an Administrative Law Judge with the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings in August 2005. She is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, District of Columbia and Federal Circuits, and the United States District Courts for Maryland and the District of Columbia.
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Contains 6 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 09/17/2026 at 11:30 AM (EDT)
This class will start on 9/17/2026 and end on 9/24/2026
Course Syllabus
Course Description
Learners will explore the foundational components of public sector compensation: compensation elements and strategy, labor market assessment, and internal equity. Appropriate and fair compensation directly impacts employee attraction, retention, motivation, and productivity. A well-structured compensation system that aligns with the organization’s goals helps maintain fiscal responsibility and promotes fair and equitable pay.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- explain key differences between public and private sector compensation systems
- understand basic public sector pay and classification structures
- apply foundational compensation principles
Student Expectations:
- Live attendance and full engagement at all 3 Zoom sessions.
- Respond to each of the instructor’s discussion posts within 3 days.
- Complete weekly readings and assignments.
- Contact instructor if questions arise, [email protected].
Instructor Expectations:
- Provide weekly assignments and regular discussion posts for student engagement and learning.
- Prepare for and present course content for live Zoom sessions.
- Respond to any student email inquiries within 3 days.
Week One: Foundations of Public Sector Compensation
- Total compensation
- Public sector compensation strategy
- Private and public sector differences
Week Two: Labor Market Assessment
- Labor markets
- Salary data sources
- Benchmarking jobs
- Compensation structure
- External equity
Week Three: Internal Equity and Fair Compensation
- Internal equity
- Pay increases
- Compensation influences
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over three weeks with three one-hour sessions per week.
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Meetings and Discussions:
- Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."
- Course Discussion Board take place in Your Course’s Engage Community – You will access the Engage Community through your course "Content Tab."
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 9/17/2026
- Completion Date: 9/24/2026
- Meeting 1: 9/17/2026 - 11:30 - 12:30 pm ET
- Meeting 1: 9/21/2026 - 11:30 - 12:30 pm ET
- Meeting 3: 9/24/2026 - 11:30 - 12:30 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy: Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
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Contains 6 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 08/31/2026 at 12:30 PM (EDT)
This class will start on August 31, 2026 and end on September 2, 2026
Course Syllabus
Learners will explore the legal frameworks, policy development, and best practices for managing remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector.
Overview
As work environments continue to evolve, public sector HR professionals are at the forefront of navigating flexible work arrangements, balancing legal compliance, and fostering engagement and culture. This 2 session virtual course will provide a comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks, policy development, and best practices for managing remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector.
Course Schedule
Evolving the Workplace & Legal Foundations
Policy Development & Equity Considerations
Engagement, Performance & Culture
Format:
- Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT)
- 1-hour and half live session per week (over two weeks)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define remote, hybrid, and flexible work in the public sector context
- Identify key legal considerations (FLSA, ADA, FMLA) in flexible work arrangements
- Develop equitable and effective flexible work policies
- Support managers and supervisors in policy implementation
- Foster employee engagement and sustain organizational culture in hybrid environments
Breakdown
Evolving the Workplace & Legal Foundations
- Explore how the public sector workplace has changed since 2020
- Define remote, hybrid, and flexible work arrangements
- Review legal frameworks: FLSA, ADA, FMLA
- Discuss challenges and opportunities in balancing flexibility with compliance
Policy Development & Equity Considerations
- Identify essential components of effective flexible work policies
- Learn a step-by-step process for policy development and pilot-testing
- Examine equity considerations in access and implementation
- Share best practices and practical examples from the field
Engagement, Performance & Culture
- Strategies to engage and motivate employees across flexible work settings
- Tools and approaches for managing performance remotely
- Techniques for sustaining organizational culture in distributed teams
- Discuss real-world solutions and personal strategies
Course Materials
- Weekly slide decks (provided)
- Additional resources (articles, templates) shared during sessions (if applicable)
The course will be delivered over two-weeks with 2 one hour and half weekly online meetings.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have questions as soon as possible. We want to make sure you are to have the best possible learning experience.
All your course materials will be found on your course dashboard.
Meetings:
- Course Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will receive your Individual Zoom Link before the course starts.
Course Design:
The course will be delivered over two sessions with 2 one hour and half sessions per week. You will receive details about the dates, times, and the URL for your course meetings
Time Commitment:
Plan for 1 hour for each online lesson to read, complete activities, and prepare for course meetings. Individuals have varying learning paces, so it might take more or less time for each person. We recommend completing lessons a day or two before the course meeting to allow time for reflection on what you've learned and the development of your plans. All course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook is required).
Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):
- Start Date: 8/31/2026
- Completion Date: 9/2/2026
- Meeting 1: 8/31/2026 - 12:30 - 2:00 pm ET
- Meeting 2: 9/2/2026 - 12:30 - 2:00 pm ET
Certificate of Attendance: You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.
Cancellation Policy: Professional Development Cancelation Policy
Recertification Points: PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5
Making public sector work better®.
$i++ ?>Shelvia Ashford
Senior Employee Relations Consultant
Wake County, NC
Shelvia Ashford is the Senior Employee Relations Consultant at Wake County. With 20 years of experience in Human Resources, primarily within state and local government. Shelvia is a dedicated HR leader, trainer, and consultant. She also serves as a trainer with the National Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA), contributing her expertise to the development of HR professionals nationwide. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the NCPSHRA (North Carolina Public Sector Human Resources Association).
Shelvia holds a master’s degree in human resource management from Western Carolina University (2024) and a bachelor’s in business administration and organizational development from Mount Olive College (2013). She is highly credentialed and has earned several industry-recognized certifications, including:
Certifications & Credentials
- PSHRA-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) – Public Sector Human Resources Association
- PSHRA Public Sector Executive Leadership Instructor
- Certified Executive Leadership
- NC Notary
She is the owner of the recently started business, “Led to Lead LLC, a professional development company founded in 2023. Led to Lead provides the necessary tools and resources for employees or individuals so that they may be effective & successful in their roles.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Shelvia enjoys traveling, relaxing at the beach, building relationships, and spending quality time with family