Welcome to the PSHRA Public Sector HR Essentials Program!

The course is designed to meet the unique needs of the public sector HR professional.

 Do you want to become an IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP)?  

 Look no further as you have come to the right place!

This is a public sector focused credential for qualified HR professionals in an entry-or mid-level career position. 

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Classification/Compensation
• Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity
• Organizational Development

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 2 of the 3 Q&A sessions (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Please click on the "Course Materials" tab above to download the following materials:

• Course E-book

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks (unless marked accelerated). You will benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Upon completing all 8 modules, you will receive a certificate of completion and are one step closer to IPMA-CP certification.

IPMA-CP Certification: Upon conclusion of Module 8, after completing all the exercises and attempting the practice exams, you will automatically receive a certificate of completion.  This does NOT confirm IPMA-CP certification.  At the beginning of the course, an exam declaration was provided to state whether you wish to take the IPMA-CP certification exam.  You will be asked to give acknowledgement at the beginning of the exam, which states the exam is closed book and copyrighted. 

Certification Exam:   The IPMA-CP exam can be accessed as part of your course package under "IPMA-CP Exam".  You must activate your exam with the green "Activate" button as of the last day of the course.  Once activated, your 45 day window to study and take the exam will begin.  Should you let the 45-day period lapse, there will be an additional $100 fee to test (subject to change).  You will login to https://learning.ipma-hr.org to view your exam as you did with your course.

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics

Module 2: Recruitment

Module 3: Selection (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 4: Classification and Compensation

Module 5: Benefits (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 6: Labor and Employee Relations

Module 7: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity

Module 8: Organizational Development (10 days)

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks unless marked differently. You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in Meetings.  You'll benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Accelerated Course Schedule and Syllabus:
(please read this ENTIRE page for important course information and dates)

This course was designed specifically for new Human Resource professionals, or those seeking knowledge of other HR disciplines outside of their normal work assignments. The course will cover all of the major areas within a full-functioning Human Resources operation. The information presented is intended to provide a working understanding of each of the following disciplines:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Job Classification and Compensation
• Employee Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• EEO and Diversity
• Organizational Development

The course is divided into the eight subject areas, or Modules, listed above.  Where appropriate, we have included cross references to material or information contained in other Modules. This reflects the inter-relatedness of each of the functional disciplines within the HR umbrella. 

Materials used as part of this course include:

At the beginning of each module, we have listed the reading assignment from the Mathis and Johnson textbook, which is the main text for this course. 

 This online course provides a number of benefits to participants:

• Flexibility in completing class assignments on YOUR schedule, with the freedom of location and time of day;
• Opportunity to interact with other HR professionals from around the country;
• Addresses the needs of all types of learners, and those reluctant to speak in groups are drawn more readily into the discussions. 

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in meetings (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics 

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

This module provides an overview of the HR function in public organizations, and includes:

• Understanding the differences between public and private sector HR operations;
• History of laws that have affected the development of the public sector HR function;
• Review of the major laws and regulations that govern HR operations;
• Roles and responsibilities of HR professionals in organizations;
• Discussion of typical organizational structures;
• Use of Information Technology to enhance HR operations;
• Strategic HR operations;
• Professional HR Organizations;
• Importance of Ethics in HR.

Module 2: Recruitment

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Role of workforce planning;
• Planning and utilizing recruitment strategies;
• Executive recruitment strategies;
• Long term recruitment strategies;
• Importance of background and reference checks;
• Negotiating with selected candidates;
• Importance of evaluating recruitment strategies.

Module 3: Selection

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Selection in the public sector;
• Merit system considerations;
• Typical selection methods;
• Test development and design;
• Test administration considerations;
• Scoring methodologies;
• Use of preference points;
• Use and management of eligible lists;
• Other qualification considerations.

Module 4: Job Classification and Compensation

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern job classification activities;
• Concepts and principles of job classification;
• Job analysis techniques;
• Classification processes;
• Methods for establishing classification relationships;
• Importance of classification strategies to other HR disciplines.

• Translating classification into compensation;
• Pay for performance;
• Executive compensation;
• Importance of compensation strategies to other HR functions. 

Module 5– Employee Benefits:

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Benefits terminology;
• Types, characteristics, and funding of benefits;
• Selection and negotiation with providers;
• Budget and cost control;
• Applicable laws that govern benefit plans;
• Retirement Plans;
• Importance of benefits strategies to other HR functions.

Module 6– Labor and Employee Relations:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern labor/employee relations activities;
• Bargaining units;
• Collective bargaining models;
• Forms of collective bargaining agreements;
• Work interruptions/stoppages;
• Laws and regulations that affect collective bargaining processes;
• Discipline procedures;
• Grievance administration and arbitration;
• Labor/management relations.

Module 7 – EEO and Diversity:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Laws that govern EEO and Diversity strategies;
• Regulatory/oversight agencies;
• EEO concepts and employer’s policies;
• EEO Uniform Guidelines and selection policies;
• Discrimination complaints, investigations, and resolution;
• Reasonable accommodations;
• EEO reports and monitoring;
• Importance of diversity programs to other HR functions.

Module 8 – Organizational Development:

(Suggested Study Time: 10 days)

• Organizational culture and change strategies;
• Employee development;
• Performance management;
• Progressive discipline and counseling and coaching;
• Application of organizational development strategies to succession planning.

Expected Course Completion Date:  November 12, 2024.

Please note: Your IPMA-CP exam must be activated prior to November 12, 2024.

Course Check Dates (Subject to Change):

• Course check - in 1:  8/23/2024 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
• Course check - in 2:  9/17/2024 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET  
• Course check in 3:  10/08/2024 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
• Course check in 4:  10/29/2024 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

IPMA-CP Certification Exam:

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to download your certificate of completion after finishing Module 8.  The certificate of completion is not your official certification credential.  Passing the IPMA-CP certification examination is required to become IPMA-CP certified.   

The IPMA-CP certification exam is included as part of the course package-2nd item.  The exam is administered online in this platform.   When you are finished with the course (required) and ready to take the exam, there is a green "Activate" button to click on. Only click on the green "Activate Button" when you are ready to activate the 45-day window. 

Welcome to the PSHRA Public Sector HR Essentials Program!

The course is designed to meet the unique needs of the public sector HR professional.

 Do you want to become an IPMA-HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP)?  

 Look no further as you have come to the right place!

This is a public sector focused credential for qualified HR professionals in an entry-or mid-level career position. 

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Classification/Compensation
• Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity
• Organizational Development

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 2 of the 3 Q&A sessions (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Please click on the "Course Materials" tab above to download the following materials:

• Course E-book

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks (unless marked accelerated). You will benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Upon completing all 8 modules, you will receive a certificate of completion and are one step closer to IPMA-CP certification.

IPMA-CP Certification: Upon conclusion of Module 8, after completing all the exercises and attempting the practice exams, you will automatically receive a certificate of completion.  This does NOT confirm IPMA-CP certification.  At the beginning of the course, an exam declaration was provided to state whether you wish to take the IPMA-CP certification exam.  You will be asked to give acknowledgement at the beginning of the exam, which states the exam is closed book and copyrighted. 

Certification Exam:   The IPMA-CP exam can be accessed as part of your course package under "IPMA-CP Exam".  You must activate your exam with the green "Activate" button as of the last day of the course.  Once activated, your 45 day window to study and take the exam will begin.  Should you let the 45-day period lapse, there will be an additional $100 fee to test (subject to change).  You will login to https://learning.ipma-hr.org to view your exam as you did with your course.

As a foundational course, the Public Sector HR Essentials Program covers all the major areas of a public sector human resources operation outlined in the following eight modules:

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics

Module 2: Recruitment

Module 3: Selection (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 4: Classification and Compensation

Module 5: Benefits (Accelerated - 1 week)

Module 6: Labor and Employee Relations

Module 7: Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity

Module 8: Organizational Development (10 days)

Provided in a flexible online format, you can expect to complete each module at your pace over a period of 2 weeks unless marked differently. You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in Meetings.  You'll benefit from the expertise of top public sector HR professionals who understand the unique issues, challenges and opportunities of human resources in the government environment. 

Accelerated Course Schedule and Syllabus:
(please read this ENTIRE page for important course information and dates)

This course was designed specifically for new Human Resource professionals, or those seeking knowledge of other HR disciplines outside of their normal work assignments. The course will cover all of the major areas within a full-functioning Human Resources operation. The information presented is intended to provide a working understanding of each of the following disciplines:

• Public Sector HR Basics
• Recruitment
• Selection
• Job Classification and Compensation
• Employee Benefits
• Labor and Employee Relations
• EEO and Diversity
• Organizational Development

The course is divided into the eight subject areas, or Modules, listed above.  Where appropriate, we have included cross references to material or information contained in other Modules. This reflects the inter-relatedness of each of the functional disciplines within the HR umbrella. 

Materials used as part of this course include:

At the beginning of each module, we have listed the reading assignment from the Mathis and Johnson textbook, which is the main text for this course. 

 This online course provides a number of benefits to participants:

• Flexibility in completing class assignments on YOUR schedule, with the freedom of location and time of day;
• Opportunity to interact with other HR professionals from around the country;
• Addresses the needs of all types of learners, and those reluctant to speak in groups are drawn more readily into the discussions. 

Engage with your Classmates:

You are required to comment on at least two of your classmates post for each assignment and attend at least 3 of the 4 Course Check-in meetings (via Zoom).  The Q&A schedule will be sent to you separately via e-mail.

Module 1: Public Sector HR Basics 

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

This module provides an overview of the HR function in public organizations, and includes:

• Understanding the differences between public and private sector HR operations;
• History of laws that have affected the development of the public sector HR function;
• Review of the major laws and regulations that govern HR operations;
• Roles and responsibilities of HR professionals in organizations;
• Discussion of typical organizational structures;
• Use of Information Technology to enhance HR operations;
• Strategic HR operations;
• Professional HR Organizations;
• Importance of Ethics in HR.

Module 2: Recruitment

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Role of workforce planning;
• Planning and utilizing recruitment strategies;
• Executive recruitment strategies;
• Long term recruitment strategies;
• Importance of background and reference checks;
• Negotiating with selected candidates;
• Importance of evaluating recruitment strategies.

Module 3: Selection

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Selection in the public sector;
• Merit system considerations;
• Typical selection methods;
• Test development and design;
• Test administration considerations;
• Scoring methodologies;
• Use of preference points;
• Use and management of eligible lists;
• Other qualification considerations.

Module 4: Job Classification and Compensation

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern job classification activities;
• Concepts and principles of job classification;
• Job analysis techniques;
• Classification processes;
• Methods for establishing classification relationships;
• Importance of classification strategies to other HR disciplines.

• Translating classification into compensation;
• Pay for performance;
• Executive compensation;
• Importance of compensation strategies to other HR functions. 

Module 5– Employee Benefits:

(Suggested Study Time: 1 weeks)

• Benefits terminology;
• Types, characteristics, and funding of benefits;
• Selection and negotiation with providers;
• Budget and cost control;
• Applicable laws that govern benefit plans;
• Retirement Plans;
• Importance of benefits strategies to other HR functions.

Module 6– Labor and Employee Relations:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Applicable laws and regulations that govern labor/employee relations activities;
• Bargaining units;
• Collective bargaining models;
• Forms of collective bargaining agreements;
• Work interruptions/stoppages;
• Laws and regulations that affect collective bargaining processes;
• Discipline procedures;
• Grievance administration and arbitration;
• Labor/management relations.

Module 7 – EEO and Diversity:

(Suggested Study Time: 2 weeks)

• Laws that govern EEO and Diversity strategies;
• Regulatory/oversight agencies;
• EEO concepts and employer’s policies;
• EEO Uniform Guidelines and selection policies;
• Discrimination complaints, investigations, and resolution;
• Reasonable accommodations;
• EEO reports and monitoring;
• Importance of diversity programs to other HR functions.

Module 8 – Organizational Development:

(Suggested Study Time: 10 days)

• Organizational culture and change strategies;
• Employee development;
• Performance management;
• Progressive discipline and counseling and coaching;
• Application of organizational development strategies to succession planning.

Expected Course Completion Date:  October 29, 2024.

Please note: Your IPMA-CP exam must be activated prior to October 29, 2024.

Course Check Dates (Subject to Change):

• Course check - in 1:  August 19, 2024 - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 2:  September 12, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 3:  October 3, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET
• Course check - in 4:  October 24, 2024 - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET

IPMA-CP Certification Exam:

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to download your certificate of completion after finishing Module 8.  The certificate of completion is not your official certification credential.  Passing the IPMA-CP certification examination is required to become IPMA-CP certified.   

The IPMA-CP certification exam is included as part of the course package-2nd item.  The exam is administered online in this platform.   When you are finished with the course (required) and ready to take the exam, there is a green "Activate" button to click on. Only click on the green "Activate Button" when you are ready to activate the 45-day window. 

Syllabus:  Navigating DEI:  A Public Sector Business Strategy Certificate Program

Start Date:  July 30, 2024

End Date:  September 6, 2024

Instructor:  Andre Koen, Amneok@gmail.com

PSHRA Contact:  Debbie Tankersely-Snook, dtankersely@pshra.org

Welcome:

Welcome to PSHRA's Navigating DEI:  A Public Sector Business Strategy Certificate Program. This course will prepare you to build and enact a transformative HR practice of DEIA within your agency.

Course Design:

The timeline below gives you an overview of the lessons and sessions in this course, their order, and when the cohort sessions will occur. This course will be completed over six weeks.

Time Commitment:

Consider scheduling 30 - 45 minutes for the online lessons to read through the material, complete the activities, and prepare for the cohort sessions. Complete the lessons at least a day or two before the cohort session to give yourself time to reflect on what you have learned and the plans you have developed

Cohort Schedule (subject to change):

• Cohort #1 – August 16, 2024 - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
• Cohort #2 – August 30, 2024 - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET
• Cohort #3 - September 6, 2024 - 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM ET

Course Outcomes:

In this course, you will:

• Learn the value diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility bring to an agency.
• Apply the assess, design, implement, and measure (ADIM) framework to your agency’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility practices.
• Design and prepare to implement initiatives that will increase diversity, produce equitable outcomes, contribute to an inclusive workplace, and promote accessibility.
• Build momentum in your agency’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility efforts beyond this course.  

Online Lessons and Cohort Sessions:

This course includes five online lessons you will complete on your own and three cohort sessions facilitated by a cohort guide. The online lessons allow you to assess development opportunities; present important concepts, principles, and practices; and help you begin planning improvement initiatives.  The cohort sessions will be face-to-face or virtual (using a video conferencing tool like Google Meet or Zoom) and will provide an opportunity for you to share ideas and learn from your peers. In these sessions, you will further develop and refine the improvement plans you draft in the online lessons.

Course Schedule :

Week 1:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 1: Introduction

Course introduction, DEIA introduction, Bias, and the ADIM approach.

Week 2:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 2: Diversity

Assessing diversity; designing, implementing, and measuring diversity initiatives.

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 1: Introduction and Diversity

Reviewing and discussing the content from the first two lessons.

Week 3:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 3: Equity

Assessing equity; designing, implementing, and measuring equity initiatives.

Week 4:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 4: Inclusion

Assessing inclusion; designing, implementing, and measuring inclusion initiatives.

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 2: Equity and Inclusion

Reviewing and discussing the content from lessons three and four.

Week 5:

Online Lesson (self-paced)

Lesson 5: Developing Your DEI Acumen

Prioritizing initiatives and getting buy-in.

Week 6:

Cohort Session (virtual)

Session 3:  Reviewing and discussing the content from lesson 5 and concluding the course.

Course Workbook:

The course includes a workbook. You'll use the workbook to reflect on what you're learning, record ideas, and plan for how to implement ideas in 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 workbook is available by selecting the Course Materials tab and then DEI Workbook.

Case Study:

There is a case study embedded throughout this course. You'll learn about Chris, a city HR director, trying to make the agency more diverse and welcoming. In the case study, you'll see how the principles and practices you're learning can be applied.

Ask me anything about this course.