#61 - Rethinking Public Sector HR with Katie Hagen

Katie Hagen, CEO of CPS HR Consulting, joins Host of The Clear Voice James Groom and Clear Career Professionals President Michael Boese for a conversation about public sector HR, workforce challenges, organizational change, and the future of public service.

Katie brings decades of public sector leadership experience, including senior roles in California state government, where she worked in HR, civil service reform, organizational turnaround, and change management. In this episode, she discusses why hiring challenges are often about more than salary, how agencies can reduce barriers for applicants, why professional development still matters, and how public organizations can use technology without losing the human side of human resources.

James and Michael join Katie to explore recruitment, candidate communication, civil service systems, organizational assessments, public sector partnerships, and the importance of helping agencies move forward before problems become crises.

Topics include public sector HR, workforce challenges, hiring barriers, candidate experience, salary and flexibility, public service motivation, organizational turnaround, change management, civil service systems, AI, technology, professional development, organizational assessments, workforce planning, internships, apprenticeships, and keeping people at the center of public service.

Learn more about CPS HR Consulting: https://www.cpshr.us/

Learn more about Katie Hagen: https://www.cpshr.us/katie-hagen/

Contact Katie Hagen: khagen@cpshr.us

00:00 Introduction to Public Sector Challenges 03:58 Understanding Hiring Challenges in the Public Sector 06:28 Generational Perspectives on Public Service 08:48 Katie Hagen's Journey in HR and Leadership 11:03 Leading Change in Public Sector Organizations 13:29 The Political Landscape of Public Sector Leadership 15:55 CPS HR Consulting and Public Sector HR Solutions 17:50 Maintaining Culture Across a Remote Team 20:14 Current Trends in Public Sector Recruitment 22:47 Building Talent Pipelines for the Future Workforce 25:10 Streamlining the Hiring Process for Applicants 26:48 Candidate Communication and Modern Recruitment 29:49 The Role of Technology in Public Sector HR 32:18 Balancing AI and Human Interaction in HR 34:29 Understanding Organizational Dynamics Before Acting 36:55 Finding Simple Solutions to Complex Problems 39:36 Professional Development for HR Leaders 41:55 The Future of the Public Sector Workforce 43:25 Organizational Assessments Before Crisis 43:39 Employee Development in a Technology Driven Workplace 44:54 Basic Technology Skills Still Matter 46:12 TMHRA, CPS HR, and Public Sector Partnerships 47:42 Final Advice for Public Service Leaders

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Clear Career Professionals is a Texas based municipal executive search firm specializing in City Manager search services, municipal executive search, and local government leadership consulting for cities and counties across Texas and the United States.

Clear works with communities to recruit City Managers, City Administrators, Assistant City Managers, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, Finance Directors, HR Directors, and other senior municipal leaders. In addition to executive search services, Clear provides local government leadership training, organizational assessments, executive coaching, interim leadership placements, and strategic consulting designed to strengthen city organizations and support effective public service leadership.

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