Welcome!

We are excited to announce the launching of the New Public Sector HR Essentials course.

Thank you for your course registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

Whether you want to sharpen your skills, transitioning to public sector, want a refresher, this is the place you belong.

With this change, the PSHRA-CP certification component will operate separately with a brand-new proctored exam and certification process.  The course, exam, and certification will no longer be packaged together.  There will be separate fee to take the CP Exam and become certified.

The new course includes:

• Condensed 10-week format
• Flexible schedule and learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere and 24/7
• Public Sector Focused – Tailored for you
• Delivered online and asynchronously
• 4 Live Zoom Course Check-ins and 1 hour in length
• Get Personalized feedback and support
• Course Dashboard contains everything you need – no third-party textbook to buy.

All your course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook to buy).

Don’t hesitate to contact us:

• PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org

Making public sector work better®.

PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate 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)

• PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
• Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
• HR20/20 Report

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 Design:

The course spans ten 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 1 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: 2/24/2025
• Completion Date: 5/5/2026
• Cohort Session 1:  2/26/2026 - 2::30 - 4:00 pm ETT
• Cohort Session 2:  3/10/2026 - 2::30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 3:  3/24/2026 - 2::30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 4:  4/1/2026 - 2::30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 5:  4/21/2026 - 2::30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 6:  5/5/2026 - 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:

You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.

Cancellation Policy:

Professional Development Cancelation Policy

Making public sector work better®.

Join us on February 26th at 1:00 PM ET to discover how to implement virtual HR in the public sector. Our speaker will explore how to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities to boost organizational performance, enhance employee satisfaction, and improve service delivery. Transitioning to a virtual HR model can be a challenging yet rewarding journey, and we prioritize inclusivity and accessibility every step of the way.

Don’t miss your chance to learn from fellow public sector professionals.

Speaker:

Trinija Martin, CHRM, PSHRA-SCP, Director of Human Resources, City of Richmond, Virginia 

PSHRA® Webinars are a member benefit. Available to non-members for a nominal fee.

 
Making public sector work better®.

Welcome!

We are excited to announce the launching of the New Public Sector HR Essentials course.

Thank you for your course registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

Whether you want to sharpen your skills, transitioning to public sector, want a refresher, this is the place you belong.

With this change, the PSHRA-CP certification component will operate separately with a brand-new proctored exam and certification process.  The course, exam, and certification will no longer be packaged together.  There will be separate fee to take the CP Exam and become certified.

The new course includes:

• Condensed 10-week format
• Flexible schedule and learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere and 24/7
• Public Sector Focused – Tailored for you
• Delivered online and asynchronously
• 4 Live Zoom Course Check-ins and 1 hour in length
• Get Personalized feedback and support
• Course Dashboard contains everything you need – no third-party textbook to buy.

All your course materials are included on your course dashboard (no textbook to buy).

Don’t hesitate to contact us:

• PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org

Making public sector work better®.

PSHRA’s Public Sector HR Essentials Certificate 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)

• PSHRE Workbook (PDF and Word Versions)
• Public Sector HR Essentials Lessons Summary
• HR20/20 Report

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 Design:

The course spans ten 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 1 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: 2/10/2026
• Completion Date: 4/21/2026
• Cohort Session 1:  2/19/2026 - 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 2:  2/27/2026 - 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 3:  3/12/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 4:  3/26/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 5:  4/9/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Cohort Session 6:  4/16/2026 - 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:  Summary and Wrap-up

Complete Your Course Survey

Print-out Your Certificate of Attendance

Certificate of Attendance:

You will earn a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the course.

Cancellation Policy:

Professional Development Cancelation Policy

Making public sector work better®.

Please join PSHRA on Thursday, February 19th at 1:00 pm ET, in celebration of Black History Month, for an engaging presentation by Dr. Kelly Drummond on how government HR professionals navigates constant change in today's complex workplace. Dr. Drummond will share with you how inclusive leadership transforms chaos into opportunity, uncertainty into innovation, and fear into engagement. You'll discover five practical action steps you can implement this week—no permission or budget required—to build psychological safety, increase employee engagement, and create sustainable change in your organization. This isn't theory—it's evidence-based, actionable leadership that will help you and your teams not just survive change but thrive through it. Come ready to lead with purpose, passion, and peace!

This webinar will kick off our second year of Dialogue and Perspectives Webinar Series for 2026—a powerful initiative designed to amplify voices in public sector HR. This series will feature expert discussions, real-world insights, and actionable strategies to foster openness and leadership in our field. 

Speaker:

Dr. Kelly Drummond, Head of Talent Management, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Founder of My Soul in Bloom

PSHRA® Webinars are a member benefit. Available to non-members for a nominal fee.

Making public sector work better®.

Syllabus:  Public Sector HR Executive Leadership Certificate Program

Welcome:

Welcome to PSHRA's Public Sector HR Executive Leadership Certificate Program. This course will enhance your HR public sector leadership skills and help you develop targeted initiatives to improve your agency.

Course Outcomes

This course is designed to help you build your HR competencies and help you strategically position HR as a transformative business partner and leader in the organization.

To achieve this, the course focuses on 3 related areas:

• Your skill set in the 4 HR Lenses: business acumen; innovation; strategic orientation; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. As part of this course, you will build a personal development plan for these competencies. 
• Your skill set in the HR Areas of Focus: leadership, culture, talent, technology, and communication. You will build a personal development plan for these competencies as well.
• Finally, you'll learn strategies for building, presenting, and gaining buy-in for the initiatives you develop to improve how HR is positioned within your agency.

You will finish this course with:

• a personal professional development plan,
• actions you will take to improve how HR is positioned within your agency.

Certificate:

You will earn a Certificate of Executive Leadership from PSHRA with your successful completion of both the online lessons and cohort session.

You may have attended an Executive Leadership in-person course.  Welcome! This learning experience will complement and enhance the material from that program and provide additional support as you build your leadership expertise.

Course Design:

This course includes six lessons that you'll take online and three cohort sessions where you'll meet with peers also taking this course. The online lessons will give you an opportunity to assess your development opportunities; teach important concepts, principles, and practices; and will help you begin planning improvement initiatives. Explore the course interactive elements and links to outside references to get the most out of the course.  The cohort discussions will give you an opportunity to share ideas and learn from your peers. In the cohort discussions you will further develop and refine the improvement plans you draft in the online sessions.

Time Commitment:

The more dedicated time and effort you put into this course the more you will get out of it.

To read the material, complete the activities, and prepare for the cohort discussions, consider scheduling 60 - 90 minutes for each lesson. Try to take the lesson at least several days before the cohort discussion - to give yourself time to reflect on what you have learned and the plans you have developed.

Online Cohort Schedule (Subject to Change): 

Cohort #1 – 2/17/2026 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Cohort #2 – 3/3/2026 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Cohort #3 -- 3/17/2026 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Cohort #4 -- 3/31/2026 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Week 1:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 1: Introduction

Course Introduction.

Week 2:

 Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 2: Assess Your Skills Through the Critical Lenses

Learn more about business acumen; innovation; strategic orientation; and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 1: Introduction and Assess Your Skill Set

Reviewing and discussing the content from the first two lessons.

Week 3:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 3: Assess Your Skills Through the Areas of Focus

Learn more about leadership, culture, talent, technology, and communication.

Week 4:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 4: Your Role as a Trusted Advisor

Learn about executive presence, leading with empathy, and how to build trust to drive collaboration.

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 2: Area of Focus Skills and Being a Trusted Advisor

Reviewing and discussing the content from the third and fourth lesson.

Week 5:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 5: Creating a Personal Development Plan

Take all that you've learned in the online lessons and cohort sessions and create a personal development plan.

Week: 6

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 6: Leveraging Your Skills

Create a plan to influence agency strategy and short-term projects based upon the skills learned in this course.

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 3: Personal Development Plan and Leveraging Your Skills

Reviewing and discussing the content from the fifth and sixth lessons.

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 Executive Leadership Workbook.

Making public sector work better™.

Join us on February 12th at 1:00 PM ET for an exciting and career-changing webinar hosted by two of PSHRA’s expert instructors. Come join us to learn about our courses. Discover how they can support your growth.

You will be led through an actual course activity or two.  Giving you the opportunity to test drive. You will also learn how and where to get started.  Don’t miss the chance to ask questions and learn how to advance your career! 

 Topics Included:

•  Course Overview
• Test Drive Course Activities
• How to get started 

 Speakers:

• Dr. Bernadette Costello, Managing Partner, BCC Consulting 
• Isabel Vergara, PSHRA-SCP, Human Resources Manager, City of Nampa, and Idaho Chapter President

PSHRA® Webinars are a member benefit. Available to non-members for a nominal fee.

Making public sector work better®.

Welcome!

Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course. 

Learners will be equipped with fundamental skills in strategic HR analytics and data storytelling.  The course has been organized into three meetings: 

• The first meeting introduces key concepts such as metrics, analytics, and ROI and guides learners in identifying the “right question” to explore through data. 
• The second meeting focuses on formulating a hypothesis, understanding correlation vs. causation, and structuring an HR analytics project using real-world examples. 
• The final meeting emphasizes communicating analytical findings effectively through storytelling, visualizations, and ROI presentations to influence decision-makers and drive strategic change. 

Learners will gain the skills to use data to solve real HR problems and advocate for impactful interventions. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-Coming Soon!

Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org

Making public sector work better®.

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

This fast-paced, three-part course introduces foundational concepts in HR analytics and strategic data storytelling. Participants will learn how to identify actionable questions, test hypotheses using HR data, and communicate insights with impact—using visualizations and ROI-focused
storytelling techniques.

Format: 3 Micro-Sessions (60 minutes each)

Audience: Public sector HR professionals, analysts, supervisors, and decision-makers

Learning Objectives

Identify: Analytics concepts, data types, and common HR metrics 
Develop: Hypotheses based on real HR challenges
Analyze: Data using a structured, outcome-oriented approach
Visualize & Communicate: Data-driven stories with clear business value
Apply: Analytics and storytelling to HR decision-making

Session 1: HR (People) Analytics – Getting Started
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- What is HR analytics?
- Qualitative vs. quantitative data
- Key HR metrics (turnover, quality of hire, time-to-fill, etc.)
- Four levels of analytics: descriptive → prescriptive Activity:
“Right Question” Exercise – Identify a pressing HR issue and craft a question that analytics can help solve.
Outcomes:
- Define the purpose and value of people analytics
- Learn how to spot opportunities for data-informed HR decisions

Session 2: Formulating a Hypothesis and Building a Mini Project
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- What is a hypothesis? What makes it testable?
- Determining metrics, interventions, and data needs
- Understanding correlation vs. causation, reliability, and statistical significance
Activity:
Project Planning Exercise – Define a hypothesis, outline an intervention, and identify relevant data and metrics.
Outcomes:
- Draft a mini HR analytics project plan
- Understand how to evaluate data quality and test assumptions

Session 3: Storytelling, Visualization & Application
Duration: 60 minutes
Learning Topics:
- The structure of a compelling data narrative (Setting →Issue → Data → Solution → Success)
- Choosing the right visual (bar charts, scatter plots, heatmaps, etc.)
- Basics of dashboard design
- Communicating ROI and business impact
Activity:
Mini Project Presentations – Present your analytics project using the storytelling structure.
Outcomes:
- Gain confidence in communicating data insights
- Leave with a completed, actionable mini-project plan

Course Materials:  Slide deck with sample dashboards.

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 three-weeks with three one-hour sessions per week.  You will receive details about the dates, times, and your course URL.

Time Commitment:

Plan for 1 hours 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 meetings 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 Schedule (subject to change):

• Start Date: 2/6/2026
• Completion Date:  2/20/2026
• Course Meeting 1:  2/6/2026 - 2:00 -3:00 pm ET
• Course Meeting 2:  2/12/2026 - 2:15 - 3:15 pm ET (Updated)
• Course Meeting 3:  2/20/2026 - 2:00 - 3:00 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®.

Braxton T. Casey, MPA, IPMA-SCP, SHRL

Braxton Casey is the principal consultant of Thrive Management Solutions, LLC, a small business where his staff provides HR training and development, career coaching, and consulting services. He also offers various organizational development services with his 20+ years of Federal HR, Leadership, and Business Operations experience.

Braxton is a proud Fayetteville State University graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, a Master's in Public Administration, Doctoral studies at George Washington University, and several HR certifications. He is a certified member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches, the Association for Training and Development, the Society for Human Resource Management, Harvard Business Analytics, 

Braxton is a graduate of the Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP) and the SHRM People Analytics Program.

Braxton's mission is to be a resource for professional transformation and motivation through training, coaching, and consulting.

Join our experts from the Certification Advisory Board on January 29th at 1:00 PM ET for an engaging discussion on how to become PSHRA Certified! This is your chance to learn about PSHRA’s recently updated certification processes, exams and more. Don’t miss this chance gain the tools kick start your own personal journey.

You will learn:

• What’s new about the certification process?
• How you can qualify.
• How to start your certification journey.
• What’s new about the recertification process?

Moderator:

Melanie Ault, PSHRA-SCP, PSHRA Executive Council, PSHRA Certification Advisory Board Chair, DDA Human Resources Inc., Employee Relations Senior Advisor, Carver County, MN

Panelists:

• Kathy Baker, PSHRA-SCP, PSHRA Certification Advisory Board Member, HR Director, City of Columbia, MO
• Emma House, PSHRA-SCP, PSHRA Certification Advisory Board Member, Washington State Chapter President, Director of HR, City of Oak Harbor, WA

PSHRA® Webinars are a member benefit. Available to non-members for a nominal fee.

 
Making public sector work better™.

Welcome!

Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course. 

Learners will take a deep dive into effective communication. Participants will learn how to access your current communication reality, understand communication as a system, make improvements using data, and more. Upon completion, you will have the tools to implement effective communication strategies at both the team and agency level. The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-Coming Soon!

Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org

Making public sector work better®.

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

Learners will take a deep dive into effective communication. Participants will learn how to access your current communication reality, understand communication as a system, make improvements using data, and more. Upon completion, you will have the tools to implement effective communication strategies at both the team and agency level. 

Format: 3 Micro-Sessions (60 minutes each)

Learning Objectives

Participants will gain access to and learn how to fill out and implement:

● A communications channel matrix
● A communications stakeholder matrix
● A communications calendar
● The Communications Incident Report and more

Participants will gain tools to create buy-in on their teams by leveraging

● A communications consensus worksheet
● A Creating Clarity exercise for their teams
● Organizational mapping for communication

Course Materials:  A course workbook will be provided.

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 access your Zoom Meetings from the Contents Tab.

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 your course URL.

Time Commitment:

Plan for 1 hours 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 meetings 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 Schedule (subject to change):

• Start Date: 2/24/2026
• Completion Date:  3/10/2026
• Course Meeting 1:  2/24/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
• Course Meeting 2:  3/3/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
• Course Meeting 3:  3/10/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 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®.

Elizabeth Marion, Founder of Liby Works

Liz Marion is a leadership communication expert and the Founder of Liby Works, where she helps leaders, managers, and public-sector teams communicate what matters most. Drawing from more than a decade of experience in organizational leadership, internal communications systems, and program design, Liz equips agencies with practical, repeatable tools that elevate clarity, alignment, and team performance. 

Liz has spent the past five years researching the KPIs of effective communication and building frameworks—like CommsIQ™ and CommsPulse™—that help organizations measure and improve communication quality. She has trained and coached hundreds of executives, public-sector professionals, and emerging leaders in how to streamline communication, reduce friction, and build trust across diverse teams. 

Her background spans the public, nonprofit, and government-adjacent sectors, including extensive work with military-connected professionals and mission-driven organizations. She specializes in internal communications strategy, leadership presence, team optimization, and adult-learning–driven skill development. 

Liz holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Johns Hopkins University and has delivered programs for agencies, universities, and national-security organizations across the country. Areas of Expertise:

• Internal communication systems
• Leadership communication & presence
• Communication KPIs & assessment
• One-on-one communication coaching & skill development
• High-stakes communication scenarios & message refinement

Welcome!

Thank you for your Power Learning Series registration.  We are so excited you have looked to PSHRA® to help you grow in your career.

The Power Learning Series offers you a new way to grow your skills without the time commitment of a full course. 

Learners will gain the tools and frameworks to assess the effectiveness of initiatives using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants will learn the basics of defining impact, develop skills on how to design evaluations, explore methods to review data, and customize methods to communicate findings to drive strategic decisions and demonstrate value.. 

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Design basic evaluation frameworks for HR programs and initiatives
• Collect and interpret qualitative and quantitative data
• Assess cost-effectiveness and communicate results of impacts
• Translate evidence into actionable recommendations

The course will be delivered over three-weeks with one-hour weekly online sessions.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-Coming Soon!

Don’t hesitate to contact us - PSHRA – Debbie Tankersely-Snook, Associate Director, Member Programs, Membership - meetings@pshra.org

Making public sector work better®.

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

This three-session course equips HR professionals with the tools and frameworks to assess the effectiveness of initiatives using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants will learn the basics of defining impact, develop skills on how to design evaluations, explore methods to review data, and customize methods to communicate findings to drive strategic decisions and demonstrate value.

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Design basic evaluation frameworks for HR programs and initiatives
• Collect and interpret qualitative and quantitative data
• Assess cost-effectiveness and communicate results of impacts
• Translate evidence into actionable recommendations

Format: 3 Micro-Sessions (60 minutes each)

Learning Objectives

Session 1: Foundations of Impact

Objective: Establish a shared understanding of what “impact” means in public sector HR and how to frame it.

• What Is “Evidence of Impact”?
  • Definitions and relevance in public HR
  • Differences between outputs, outcomes, and impact
• Logic Models & Theory of Change
  • Mapping inputs → activities → outputs → outcomes
  • Feedback Loops
  • Case examples from local, state, and federal HR programs
• Types of Evaluations
  • Process vs. outcome evaluations
  • Quantitative vs. qualitative
• Interactive Activity: Build a logic model for a sample HR initiative (e.g., recruitment, onboarding, DEI training, retention program, etc)

 Session 2: Methods & Measurement

Objective: Explore tools and techniques for collecting and analyzing evidence.

• Quantitative Metrics and Analysis
  • Key metrics examples: turnover rates, time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, engagement scores, pre/post surveys
  • Data Collection Methods: sampling, interviews, surveys, observations, data sets          
  • Descriptive vs. inferential statistics
• Qualitative Techniques and Analysis
  • Key metric examples: manager/employee satisfaction, engagement, exit reasons, employee sentiments
  • Data Collection Methods: Interviews, focus groups, open-ended surveys
  • Analysis Methods: Content, narrative, discourse, thematic, and IPA analysis
• Data Collection Considerations
  • Sampling, bias, and ethical considerations
  • Convenient data vs good data
  • Leveraging existing administrative data
  • Correlation vs. causation
• Interactive Activities: Identify key data and metrics for impact evaluation, examine sample data set.

 Session 3: Impact Evaluation & Communicating Results

Objective: Connect impact outcomes to organization’s values and audience.

• Evaluating Impact
  • Pre/Post event comparisons
  • Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis
  • Budget alignment and fiscal sustainability
• Communicating Findings
  • Storytelling with data
  • Using dashboards, scorecards, visuals, effectively
  • Writing executive summaries and impact briefs
  • Tailoring messages for elected officials, department heads, and employees
• Interactive Activities: Choose data visuals, draft a short impact summary for a hypothetical HR initiative

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 - Meeting can be accessed using the Content Tab

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 your course URL.

Time Commitment:

Plan for 1 hours 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 meetings 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 Schedule (subject to change):

• Start Date: 2/18/2026
• Completion Date:  3/4/2026
• Course Meeting 1:  2/18/2026 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
• Course Meeting 2:  2/24/2026 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
• Course Meeting 3:  3/4/2026 – 3:00 pm – 4:00 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®.

David Kitchen is driven by a passion to CONNECT and EMPOWER employees and leaders across the public sector. With more than 15 years of experience in public sector human resources, he is known for his modern, people-centered approach to HR operations and his commitment to data-informed, ethical leadership.

David currently serves as the Human Resources Director for Lehi City, Utah, where he leads strategic HR initiatives that support a rapidly growing municipal workforce. He previously worked with the Utah Department of Human Resource Management, developing key performance indicators and strategic measures for a statewide HR shared services model. David also stays engaged with emerging HR technologies and trends, including completing the Partnership for Public Service’s AI Government Leadership Program.

Beyond his municipal work, David is a partner with Compensation Survey System (comp-survey.com), an online platform that helps public sector agencies benchmark and manage compensation, benefits, and pay practices with greater accuracy and transparency.

David’s commitment to advancing the HR profession extends deeply into his service with the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA). He served as PSHRA Utah Chapter President from 2018 to 2020, and since 2021 he has been an active contributor on multiple regional and national PSHRA committees, supporting the association’s efforts to elevate professional standards, strengthen practitioner networks, and advance evidence-based HR practices.

He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Communications from Brigham Young University and certifications as a PSHRA-SCP, SHRM-SCP, and PHR. David has presented nationally on topics including empathy and connection, trust-building in government, and data-driven HR strategy. He continues to mentor emerging professionals and contribute to thought leadership within the field.