Hone Your Skills With UVM

Overview

University of Vermont PACE is committed to the continuous improvement of quality at all levels and  offers ongoing training and development to improve and grow workforce development across the state. Operational excellence requires a strong understanding of business fundamentals. In partnership with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) and the Vermont Town and City Management Association (VTCMA), we developed a program for community leaders seeking to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for operational and organizational excellence in the municipal setting.   

This program helps new and mid-career managers, assistant managers, and department supervisors, to gain the essentials skills to lead their teams and support their communities. This hybrid program goes back to the basics – grounding you in the key skills and practices that are the foundation to becoming an effective local government manager and leader. Taught by experienced managers and local government experts, this eight-course certificate program will impart real-life experience, best practices, and sound advice in the areas most important to a municipal government.  

To build capacity statewide, each cohort aims to have participants from a wide geographic distribution. Application requirements will include a commitment to participate in all training (in-person, hybrid) and a letter of support from their local legislative body (Selectboard, City Council, Village Trustees).   

“Leading a municipal government requires understanding municipal law, having great people management skills, and having a network of other municipal leaders to call on when you have questions. The Vermont Local Government Institute will provide new managers and administrators, and those aspiring to become a manager or administrator, with the foundational knowledge and relationships to be successful.”

Ted Brady, executive director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT)

Audience

Early and mid-career managers, assistant managers, emerging leaders, elected officials (in communities with no manager/administrator) and career-changers. We will provide a scholarship to participants who need support for in-person sessions. Commitment about 44 hours.

For more information on the program please email maureen.hebert@uvm.edu.

Courses

Each course will be taught by subject matter experts, including University faculty, staff and seasoned municipal staff. Whenever possible, each session will feature a lecture or panel from active or recently retired Vermont municipal managers that relate the content being taught to lived experience. You will also be provided an opportunity to link learning to an applied project to support local communities which will be reviewed at the capstone/graduation event at the conclusion of the program. Participants will have access to an online community space to interact, share experiences and access materials and resources.

September 5, 2024: Become an Effective Leader – in person – Kelly Holland, Instructor

September: HR and Grant Management – asynchronous classes

October 2024: Intro to Local Government and Effective Local Government Management – virtual and at VTCMA – Jessie Baker and Bill Fraser, Instructors

November 2024: Managing Local Government: a Day in the Life of a Municipal Manager – virtual – Jessie Baker and Bill Fraser, Instructors

December 5, 2024 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion – in person – Paul Hoon, Instructor

January 9-16, 2025: Successful Meeting Management – virtual – Andrew Brown, Instructor

January 30, February 6-13-20, 2025: Fundamentals of Government Accounting – virtual – TBA, Instructor

Cost

No cost to qualified applicants through the generosity of a grant through the UVM Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. Travel assistance is available if needed. Contact Maureen Hebert at Maureen.hebert@uvm.edu for more information.