The Clear Voice

#61 - Rethinking Public Sector HR with Katie Hagen


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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:

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

Connect With Clear Career Professionals

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.

Clear partners with city councils, county commissioners, and public sector leadership teams seeking experienced municipal professionals who can guide growing communities, manage complex organizations, and deliver strong public service outcomes. 

Career Opportunities

https://clearcareerpro.com/career-opportunities

LinkedIn

https://linkedin.com/company/clear-career-pro

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The Clear VoiceBy Clear Career Professionals