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 explore 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. 

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 one-hour weekly online meetings.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5

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

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:

1. Understand Succession Planning Fundamentals
   • Define succession planning and explain its importance in local government.
   • Differentiate between succession planning and replacement planning.
2. Assess Organizational Readiness
   • Identify critical roles and competencies necessary for organizational sustainability.
   • Analyze workforce demographics, retirement trends, and turnover risks.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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: 3/30/2026
• Completion Date: 4/13/2026
• Meeting 1:  3/30/2026 - 12:00  - 1:00 pm ET
• Meeting 2:  4/6/2026 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
• Meeting 3:  4/13/2026 - 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®.

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 examine the key characteristics and attributes of a resilient individual. Exploring how individuals can develop and sustain resilience as an individual and as a team member. All while gaining practical strategies to support employee well-being while keeping operations running smoothly.

Learning Objectives:

• Define and describe resilience in today’s workplace.
• Develop and sustain your resilience both individually and collectively.
• Identify tips and gain strategies to support employee resilience.

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

• Define and describe resilience in today’s workplace.
• Develop and sustain your resilience both individually and collectively.
• Identify tips and gain strategies to support employee resilience.

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

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5

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

Learners will explore the role of public sector HR professionals in building and maintaining resilience in today’s changing environment.

Overview

Participants will examine the key characteristics and attributes of a resilient individual. Exploring how individuals can develop and sustain resilience as an individual and as a team member. All while gaining practical strategies to support employee well-being while keeping operations running smoothly.

Learning Objectives:

• Define and describe resilience in today’s workplace.
• Develop and sustain your resilience both individually and collectively.
• Identify tips and gain strategies to support employee resilience.

The course will take place in one two-hour session.

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 take place in one two-hour session.  You will receive details about the date, time, and the URL for your course meetings.

Course Meeting Session Schedule (subject to change):

• Course Cohort Meetings take place in Zoom Events – You will access them through your course "Content Tab."

• Start and Complete Date and Time: 3/23/2026 12:00 pm - 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®.

Dr. Debra Aiken

Debra is an established Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of experience serving in various HR roles ranging from generalist to specialist, as well as management. She possess a comprehensive understanding of the link between human resources and business strategy, with the ability to develop and execute a wide range of strategies and initiatives to drive organizational performance. Her past experience includes regional human resources oversight for a global international organization spanning across 10 different countries. Areas of concentration include talent acquisition, compensation/benefits administration, performance management, talent and leadership development, and employee relations.

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. 

In this course 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.

The course will be delivered over 3 weeks with one-hour weekly online meetings.

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 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, jlittle1104@gmail.com.

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: 3/16/2026
• Completion Date: 3/30/2026
• Meeting 1:  3/16/2026 - 1:30 - 2:30 pm ET
• Meeting 1:  3/25/2026 - 3:45 - 4:45 pm ET
• Meeting 3:  3/30/2026 - 1:30 - 2:30 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®.

Jacqueline P. Little, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-SCP

Chief HR Officer

Island Institute

Ms. Little is a proud Maine native who is passionate about HR and the positive impact HR can have on an organization.  She earned a Master's degree in Human Resource Leadership, has over two decades of public sector HR experience and holds the SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PSHRA-SCP and GPHR certifications. Jackie shares her experience, perspective and insight at various local, national and international conferences.  In her spare time, she can be found baking cheesecakes, exploring the Maine coast or traveling with her family.

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. 

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.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners 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

The course will be delivered over 2 sessions with 2-ninety minute online meetings.

Recertification Points:  PSHRA-5 and HRCI-5

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

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: 3/5/2025
• Completion Date: 3/19/2025
• Meeting 1: 3/5/2026 - 2:30 - 4:00 pm ET
• Meeting 2: 3/19/2026 - 2:30 - 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®.

Shelvia Ashford

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. 

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