HR Specialist - Employee Engagement and Development

HR Specialist - Employee Engagement and Development

Salary

$73,832.02 - $110,748.03 Annually

Location

Employment Services

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

2266-14

Department

Human Resources

Division

Engagement and Development 0302000000

Opening Date

08/14/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is a professional position responsible for work in the Employee Engagement and Development office. Work activities include designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating professional development programs at all levels; organizational development; talent management workshops; employee engagement events; rewards and recognition initiatives; team building; and organizational culture. This employee is expected to function with a high degree of independence. Work is conducted under the general guidance and supervision of the Employee Engagement and Development Manager. The manager reviews work through periodic conferences, observations, reports, and feedback.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Consults with City leadership on talent management strategies and needs.
• Customizes and facilitates workshops, programs, and interventions to address organizational/departmental needs.
• Coaches individual managers/employees for professional growth and leadership development.
• Designs processes and programs to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Consults with managers to vet participants for leadership programs.
• Follows up with participants after development workshops to build a continuous partnership and offer coaching and resources as needed.
• Conducts design and development work in programs such as the Employee Rewards and Recognition programs and leadership development series.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of various programs (e.g., Rewards and Recognition, talent management programs, learning platforms, and post-training retention).
• Designs, plans, coordinates, and participates in developing and delivering mandatory and professional development training course offerings and modifies existing offerings to improve alignment with organizational and talent needs.
• Continually reviews and updates course offerings to ensure current relevancy and quality.
• Creates instructional materials for the use of facilitators training classes.
• Designs, updates, and conducts onboarding processes for newly hired employees.
• Leads new hire onboarding events, which include contacting the CMO office, and participants managers, creating the agenda, and ensuring that all materials and media are up to date.
• Works with managers and other City employees to design, plan, coordinate, and implement strategies to enhance employee and team effectiveness.
• Distributes information on a City-wide level regarding recognition, awards, developmental opportunities, and other special programs.
• Creates content for and updates the Microsoft Teams Portals for advanced leadership programs, Collaborative Partners, and other groups within the City.
• Consults with departments to develop programs and provide information designed to enhance employee engagement, team-building foundations, and cultural change initiatives.
• Participates in conferences and certification programs to continuously improve organizational offerings and network with fellow professionals in other organizations.
• Prepares special reports from source materials in files, including confidential material.
• Utilizes Microsoft Office to develop, format, prepare, and update media, including PowerPoints, agendas, evaluations, and handouts for workshops and training.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• May develop and conduct related programs to build and maintain a culture of continuous process improvement.
• May use INSITE and other forms to communicate information about professional and "in-place" developmental opportunities to City employees.
• Assists in workforce development initiatives (e.g., succession management programs).
• Participates in the development of webinars and online meetings.
• Coordinates and schedules makeup classes and one-on-ones as needed.
• Sets up and tears down events requiring the ability to follow predesignated plans/seating layouts
• Runs training reports in PeopleSoft.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelors degree from a four-year college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, or a closely related field.
• Five years of experience developing and facilitating leadership development programs, talent management initiatives, or organizational development interventions.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provide the knowledge, skills and abilities and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid contact telephone number.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Organizational structure of a medium to large municipality or equivalent employer.
• City of Lakelands vision, mission, values, and strategic goals.
• Current professional learning and development approaches and resources.
• Organizational Development, including best practices in employment engagement.
• Leadership, best practices, and employee development processes.
• Training needs analysis.
• Conducting surveys and interpreting survey data.
• Basic statistical methodology.
• Methods and tools for creating effective presentations to a targeted audience.
• Various computer software programs, including MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Methods and practices of data analysis and program design.

SKILLS:

• Facilitating large and small group meetings/workshops/classes.
• Public speaking.
• Instructional design/e-learning.
• Feedback, questioning, and organizational processes.
• Tracking data over time, interpreting output (e.g., from needs analysis and surveys), and making recommendations for changes in processes.
• Researching, collecting, and interpreting data.

ABILITIES:

• Develop and customize organizational development interventions.
• Develop effective partnerships with leaders.
• Lead projects and solicit buy-in from end users.
• Listen effectively to others and probe with follow-ups tactfully.
• Plan, coordinate, and direct group activities and manage resources to complete group tasks.
• Identify problems and creatively research and develop solutions to organizational issues.
• Address and balance the concerns of different constituencies.
• Maintain confidentiality of departmental records and sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, other City employees, and the general public.
• Perform the physical tasks of organizing, setting up, and presenting information at assigned department programs and functions.
• Deliver professional products and documents, including accuracy and proofing.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work with some walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
• No significant environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, fine motor skills, and color perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

City of Lakeland

2026 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

• NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.52%

Employer 15.54%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.54%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2026 is $24,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $8,000; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Employee Engagement and Development at 834-6837.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College - less than 30 credit hours
• Some College - 30 credit hours, but less than 60 credit hours
• Associates Degree or 60 credit hours
• 90 Credit Hours
• Bachelors Degree or 120 credit hours
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02

If you have a degree, what is the specific area of study for your degree? If no degree, type N/A.

03

How many years of experience do you have developing and facilitating leadership development programs, talent management initiatives, and organizational development interventions?

• No experience
• Some experience, but less than 1 year
• At least 1 year, but less than 3 years
• At least 3 years, but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years, but less than 11 years
• At least 11 years, but less than 14 years
• At least 14 years, but less than 17 years
• 17 years or more

04

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

05

Do you have experience developing e-learning courses using software such as iSpring, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or similar e-learning authoring programs?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes, please list the program(s) you have used and briefly describe your experience using them. If no, type N/A.

07

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address 500 N Lake Parker Avenue

Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone (863)834-8790

Website http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices