Page 21 - JulyAug Vol43 No2

CITY OF CHATTANOOGA By Jerramy Wood
Public Works Department: Enhancing

Internal Culture and Recruitment

The Chattanooga Department of cultivating strategic thinking capabilities responsibilities. The online format
Public Works has successfully launched for long-term vision and planning. offers flexibility, allowing supervisors
two programs that enhance its internal This initiative has revealed a cohort to proceed at their own pace, while
culture and hiring practices, while of motivated junior employees who are fostering a culture of continuous learning
heightening the public’s view of the eager to absorb new knowledge, and and professional growth within our
department. who are enthusiastic in applying these managerial ranks.
We primarily recruit individuals newfound leadership principles to foster Citywide: Three Monthly Neighborhood
for their technical skills, but these new positive change within their respective Association Meetings
hires often lack extensive experience in roles. The size of this group…small and Our community engagement program
leadership roles. To address this, we’ve manageable… ensures personalized prioritizes the practices of actively
adopted an approach rooted in strategic attention and effective facilitation. The seeking and valuing community input
and servant leadership principles, program has witnessed remarkable via three monthly neighborhood
drawing from our leaders’ collective 52 organic growth in attendance, now association meetings throughout the city.
years of senior enlisted military service, drawing approximately 40 employees Mayor Kelly’s One Chattanooga Plan
leadership and business consulting, and each month. provided the vision for us to seek out
academic backgrounds in Organizational These participants represent a opportunities, while encouraging us to
Leadership, Homeland Security and diverse cross-section of various city be innovative with new ideas.
Emergency Management. departments, fostering interdepartmental These accessible forums allow residents
First Initiative: Monthly Lunchtime collaboration and shared learning to voice perspectives and expectations
Servant Leadership Classes experiences. Class members have regarding city services. Holding meetings
frequent, enthusiastic suggestions, asking
Our commitment to fostering effective within neighborhoods fosters open
leadership has led to the implementation for the implementation of mandatory discussions and provides a deeper
leadership training for all supervisory
of two distinct yet complementary personnel. This response highlights a understanding of specific community
leadership development initiatives. The perceived need/desire for a consistent needs, enabling collaborative solutions to
first initiative is the launch of voluntary, leadership ethos across the organization. enhance residents’ quality of life.
citywide monthly lunchtime servant This program demonstrates our
leadership classes. Second initiative: Focused Monthly commitment to the community,
Through these mid-day sessions, Online Training for Supervisory Staff showcasing the dedicated individuals
employees at all levels are given the This supervisory staff online training delivering essential services such as
opportunity to cultivate essential program is designed to underscore waste management, road maintenance,
leadership skills. The curriculum is essential leadership qualities that are tree trimming, and emergency response.
intentionally broad, encompassing paramount for effective management. Direct community connection with these
crucial topics such as building resilience It serves as a continuous source of individuals is paramount. This ongoing
in the face of challenges, developing inspiration for supervisors, encouraging engagement reinforces our “One Team
emotional intelligence for enhanced them to actively pursue the development Building One Chattanooga” approach,
interpersonal interactions, and of these attributes within their daily driving continuous improvement.

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