COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

Human Resources Department

DATE:

November 16, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 4, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John L. Maltbie, County Manager

Donna Vaillancourt, Human Resources Director

SUBJECT:

Executive Leadership Academy

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Appropriation Transfer Request (ATR) in the amount of $45,000 from Non-Departmental Reserves to Human Resources to cover FY 2007-08 costs associated with the creation of an Executive Leadership Academy.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

The Executive Leadership Academy contributes to this goal by preparing managers for higher-level executive positions in the County.

BACKGROUND:

In August 2005, the Board approved an agreement with Management Partners Inc. to conduct an organizational review of the County. One of two primary reasons for the review was to assess current succession planning efforts and recommend improvements, given the high number of baby boomer retirements and the smaller pool of people to replace retirees. The County Manager formed a task force of department representatives to develop a Succession Planning Program for the County that is supported by all Departments. Human Resources and the County Manager’s Office developed a proposal for an Executive Leadership Academy to respond to concerns expressed by Department Heads that existing managers were not being prepared for higher-level executive positions. The proposal was presented to the task force and Executive Council.

DISCUSSION:

The Executive Leadership Academy proposal has six components as follows:

I. Participant Recruitment and Selection (2 months):

The program will be announced to managers with informational meetings conducted by the County Manager and Assistant County Manager. Interested participants will submit an application and be interviewed. The selection criteria that will be used include the quality of the application packet, demonstrated commitment to the County, professional development, performance in the interview and feedback from Department Heads. There will be a maximum of fifteen participants and a diversity of high performing individuals from various Departments and levels will be sought.

II. Skill Assessment (2-3 months):

Participants will undergo an extensive skill assessment process to identify strengths and areas of development, which will be measured against County-adopted management competencies. The process will include a self-assessment, a 360° evaluation, Department Head feedback and an Assessment Center.

III. Skill Development (6-8 months):

The skills and abilities of each participant will be developed based on the results of their assessment in order to prepare them to compete for high-level positions. Individual and group training in addition to coaching by a professional job coach will be provided. Each participant will also have their own Individual Development Plan which may include additional training and coaching, assigned reading/research, peer study, shadowing, exchange programs, etc. The County is exploring a partnership with University of California, Berkeley for part of the formal classroom training.

IV. Application (2-3 months):

Participants will identify a project to improve their leadership skills and advance their career goals. This project can be completed by a team or individually and might culminate with a presentation to the Board of Supervisors, Executive Council, or a Commission. The projects will be evaluated and participants will get feedback from the County Manager Executive Team and/or Department Heads.

V. Evaluation:

The effectiveness of the Academy will be evaluated through participant and Department Head surveys, and monitoring of promotion and employee retention.

VI. Special Attendance at an Executive Program:

Based on the overall evaluation of the participants throughout the program, several participants may be selected to attend an Executive Program such as the Kennedy School at Harvard, UC Berkeley or other Institutions.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The estimated total cost of the program will be $160,000; $105,000 for consultant costs, skill assessment, training classes, job coaches and other materials and supplies and $55,000 for the Executive program tuition. Appropriations of $45,000 to cover the anticipated costs for the Academy during this fiscal year will be transferred from the Non-Departmental budget to the Human Resources budget.