Local Governments Preparing the Next Generation: 28 Case Studies

The prospect of there being a shortage of local government professionals who are ready to take over leadership roles for retiring managers is a very real and significant issue for the local government profession. This is an issue that is also widespread, as it is estimated that half of the 20.6 million government workers in this country are forty-five years of age or older (Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government). Since its formation in 2001 and through the dedicated leadership of Frank Benest, the PNG initiative has developed valuable resources for current managers to prepare, develop, and motivate the next generation of government workers.

“Local Governments Preparing the Next Generation: Successful Case Studies” was assembled for the purpose of showcasing all the hard work being done by cities to help attract and prepare the next generation of local government professionals. The guidebook highlights programs being used by local governments who believe it is their responsibility to mentor young and mid-career professionals. It is our goal for this guidebook to be used as a resource for cities to use when inspiring their own programs designed to prepare the next generation.

Ken Pulskamp
City Manager, City of Santa Clarita
February 2007

Introductions

Introduction from Ken Pulskamp, city manager of Santa Clarita, California
Introduction from Frank Benest "A Demographic Tsunami", city manager, City of Palo Alto, and Co-Chair of the Preparing the Next Generation Committee

Mentoring and Coaching

City of Fairfield / Mentor Program
City of San Luis Obispo / Mentoring Program
City of Santa Clarita / Mentoring Program
San Mateo County / Mentoring Program

Employee Attraction and Retention

City of Long Beach / Management Assistant Program
City of Brea / Why Brea?
City of Beaumont / Student Government Day
City of Walnut Creek / Employer of Choice
City of Sausalito / Program to Attract and Retain Employees
City of Santa Clarita / Workforce and Organizational Plan
Alameda County / Leadership Academy

Succession Planning

City of San Bernardino / Management Development Program
City of Thousand Oaks / Succession Planning Program
City of Sacramento / City Management Institute
City of San Luis Obispo / Employment Opportunity Program
City of Daly City / Workforce Management Program
City of Santa Ana / Succession Plan Pilot Program
City of Palo Alto / Strengthening the Bench Initiative

Leadership and Workforce Development

City of Sacramento / City University
City of Sacramento / Career Development
City of Anaheim / Leadership Development Programs
City of Elk Grove / Executive Development Review
City of Huntington Beach / Leadership Development Program
City of Roseville / Workforce Development Strategy
City of Covina / Emerging Leadership Team
City of Santa Rosa / Leadership Program
City of La Palma / Leadership Book Club
City of Santa Clara / Leadership in the 21st Century

Download the full document at ICMA's Resource Center.

Special thanks are extended to those organizations that helped to underwrite the production of this document:

Cal-ICMA Coaching Program
California Contract Cities Association
Municipal Information Systems Association of California
City of Palo Alto
City of Huntington Beach
City of Santa Clarita

The Cal-ICMA Coaching Program is funded through the generosity of:

California Communities Joint Powers Authority
ICMA
California City Management Foundation
Municipal Management Assistants of Northern California
Bob Murray & Associates
Comcast
CPS Human Services