Hiring to Reflect the Community You Serve

The traditional hiring practices in a civil service system are flawed and contain numerous barriers to employing a workforce that is reflective of the citizens they serve. In an effort to combat this flawed system, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation used a project-based approach to change the narrative in recruiting and hiring entry-level recreation leaders. A new system consisting of a predetermined timeline, targeted recruitment, community-based information sessions, and a total rethinking of the civil service exam resulted in their most diverse civil service list to date. Participants in this peer-to-peer discussion will learn how they can implement a similar process to ensure a representative workforce.