The City of Thousand Oaks’ employee population, like that in most cities across the nation, is facing a demographic crisis.As the large number of baby-boomers in the City’s workforce approach retirement age, the need to prepare employees to step up to mid-management and management-level positions increases dramatically.

At their January 2005 retreat, the Executive Managers developed programs and concepts to address this issue in the form of “Succession Planning”.Later in 2005, using these guidelines, the Human Resources Department conducted the first in a series of Succession Planning Workshops for Senior and Executive Managers.Following a two-hour presentation on leadership development, the group was divided into committees to develop foundations for each of the program concepts.

In July of 2006, the City Council adopted Citywide Goals, including “Goal J – Prepare for transition of City workforce to ensure sufficient succession planning”, and the City’s Succession Planning Program was launched.

The Succession Planning Program attempts to answer the questions:

“How do we assist our employees in developing leadership skills to move our organization forward as the majority of our managers and supervisors reach retirement age?”

“What can we do to encourage newcomers and students in our community to pursue careers in public service?”

Under the umbrella of the Program, the following components were implemented, have been well attended, and are ongoing.

Succession Planning Program Components 
  
Mission Statement

Thousand Oaks Leadership Academy
Mentoring Program
Community Outreach Efforts / Internships
Management and Supervisory Training
“Great Leaders of the Conejo” Speakers Series
“Read to Lead” Management Book Discussions
Advanced Educational Programs   



 






                                                                                                    



 
                                                                                                                        



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Graduating