Humboldt supervisors back expanded leadership training; staff propose $2,500 senior leader series

Humboldt County’s human resources staff on June 16 presented the fourth Supervisor Academy cohort and asked the board to endorse a new Senior Leader Development Series (SLDS) for senior managers.

Jeremy Clark, manager in organizational development and effectiveness, outlined the SLDS curriculum: a cohort model tied to a practice-oriented book component (The Leadership Challenge), a leadership practices inventory/360 feedback, coaching, a journaling component and three-week cohort meetings that apply lessons to county problems. Clark said the program targets assistant directors, deputy directors and program managers and is intended to strengthen succession planning and cross‑departmental collaboration.

Clark gave a per-participant estimate: “It looks like the final figure on this is going to be about $2,500 per participant,” he said, characterizing that as below typical market cost and not a current request for new county funding. Staff said departments were notified in advance to budget for potential participation and that the ask was board endorsement to signal priority rather than an immediate appropriation.

Supervisors praised the Supervisor Academy graduates and supported the SLDS. Supervisor Bushnell moved to support the SLDS initiative; after clarification from staff that the item did not request additional county funding, the motion passed by unanimous consent.

The HR team reported earlier that the Supervisor Academy has reached more than 100 participants across departments and that related leadership offerings (Humboldt EDGE, learning labs) have engaged dozens of staff. Staff said SLDS would be capped initially around 25 participants.

The board received the Supervisor Academy report and signaled support for the SLDS; departments will coordinate participant nominations and budgeting.