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Leadership and Professional Development

Our Mission

Educate. Empower. Encourage. Equip.

Our Vision

The name Chattanooga was derived from a native Cherokee/Tsalagi word Tsatanugi, meaning rock rising to a point, thought to refer to Lookout Mountain. The Division of Leadership and Professional Development is committed to helping our City employees, leaders, and teams set those high points for themselves and to rise to them.

In keeping with that idea, our core initiatives are themed around climbing and hiking, both key elements of our unique Chattanooga culture and an apt metaphor for our shared role in leadership and development:

  • We can give you the gear and teach you the tools, but you have to use them
  • We can provide you with a map, but you have to follow it
  • We can teach you orienteering, but you need to know the destination
  • We can help you build strength, but you have to shoulder the load
  • We can pick you up when you fall, but you have to keep going
  • We can cheer you on, but you have to take every step
  • We can lead the way, but you have to follow
  • We can teach you to lead the way, but you have to accept the challenge

It all begins with a simple question: Where do you want to go, and how can we help you get there?

The Division of Leadership and Professional Development is inspired by and committed to creating and developing a culture of leaders at the City of Chattanooga. We know that learning is a shared endeavor. While success looks different for each person, one thing remains the same – you must own your journey to make the climb. We’re here to help.

Responsibilities

The Leadership and Professional Development team is responsible for training and developing City employees from their first day of hire and throughout their employment with the City of Chattanooga. Our current training initiatives include:

  • New Hire Orientation. A 2-day onboarding experience for all new City employees to provide the basic information and skills necessary for a great start to your City career. Our goal is to help new employees acclimate to working for City government and to share all the benefits that the City of Chattanooga has to offer.
  • Career Basecamp. A 3-hour intensive that covers resume writing, interview preparation, and Oracle training, as well as live mock interviews with immediate coaching feedback. Geared to help employees prepare for their next career move, at the City and beyond.
  • Day 3 NHO for Managers. This full-day training session helps managers make the shift to their new role by covering expectations, HR laws, hiring, progressive discipline, City specific complaint and grievance procedures, employee care and accommodations, safety, and manager resources.
  • Mandatory Compliance Training. Annual compliance training for all City employees on Title VI, Title VII, and the City’s Code of Ethics.
  • On-Demand Skills Training. Building and maintaining an open catalog of training modules for employees to level up their knowledge and skills
  • EIG Updates. Training videos to explain changes to the Employee Information Guide (EIG) and how those changes impact employees. Delivered as needed based on EIG revision.
  • City-Wide Training. Development and delivery of training that will have City-wide, cross-departmental impact on employees and managers
  • Individualized Coaching. Coaching for managers and employees to attain goals, increase ability, address issues, and facilitate success.

 

Leadership

MW
Melody Wingfield
Director
MJ
Mallory Jennings
HR Technician

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Contact Us

Call
(423) 643-7200 (423) 643-7200
Director, Leadership & Professional DevelopmentMelody WingfieldContact
(423) 643-7202 (423) 643-7202
HR Technician, LPD DivisionMallory JenningsContact
(423) 643-7206 (423) 643-7206