Resources for City Employees

Professional Development for City Employees

The Civil Service Department offers an in-service training program for city employees. Some employees will need to take courses to qualify for promotions in clerical, administrative, professional or field classifications. All employees are encouraged to take courses for further professional and personal development. Each course was developed to meet some specific need for city employees and are taught by city employees who are experienced teachers with extensive knowledge of city operations.

2023 Civil Service Training Catalog

Online Training

The New Orleans Public Library subscribes to LinkedIn Learning. Anyone with a Library card has access to all of LinkedIn Learning's training videos for free or you can use this direct link: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/nola. Those who do not have a Library card are encouraged to get one at nolalibrary.org.

The Civil Service Department offers training for department personnel representatives to answer questions and provide guidance.

Download Human Resources Educational Training Materials:

All employees of the City of New Orleans are strongly encouraged to report any potential violation of law, Code of Conduct violations, or improper activity. The City strictly prohibits any retaliatory actions against any employee for making a good-faith report of a potential violation of law or improper activity. 
  • This document includes several resources for reporting fraud, waste, or abuse in City Government and avenues for relief for employees who suffer retaliation for such reports.

Classified Office Support employees who are assigned to use keyboarding skills and are proficient in Microsoft office tools may be eligible to receive five percent over their normal rate of pay.

To be eligible, employees must be assigned keyboarding duties in writing by their appointing authority, type at the rate of at least 40 words per minute (after the deduction of errors) and present proof of completion of coursework in two or more Microsoft Office tools.

Complete the Clerical Skills Special Rate of Pay Authorization form and submit it with the typing skills test application in Neogov.  Employees must submit certificates of completion of coursework in two or more Microsoft Office tools and the Authorization form as attachments to their application in Neogov prior to being scheduled for the typing test. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/neworleans/jobs/1710369/clerical-skills-5-special-rate-of-pay?pagetype=promotionalJobs

Information on free Microsoft Office training can be found at: http://employee.nola.gov/work/training/business-software/

Under the guidelines of the Great Place to Work Initiative, a new performance management system has been designed to drive improvement in performance across all City departments. This new performance management involves 3 important phases:
  1. Performance Planning Period (September – January 31st)
  2. Performance Period (January – December of the current year)
  3. Performance Evaluation Period (January – April of the following year)

If you are a supervisor, this handout should give you detailed information on how to prepare for and conduct performance planning sessions with your direct reports. Performance Planning Handout

During the Performance Period, you can use a continuous monitoring and feedback form to maintain performance records of your direct report(s). It is recommended but not required that you use this particular form. In other words, you are not required to use this form if you have your own way of maintaining performance records.    Continuous Monitoring and Feedback Form

During the Performance Evaluation Period, you (as a supervisor) will be required to evaluate your employee's performance based on the records you have been maintaining throughout the year.  This handout should help you prepare for your performance evaluation meeting.  Please note that the performance session is similar to the old service rating counseling session.  Performance Evaluation Handout

If your direct reports require additional help in achieving their performance goals and improving their performance, please use the list of training courses here.  Training Course List

Additionally, here's a template of position descriptions that you and your direct reports may use.  This will be helpful in drafting performance goals and related tasks/behavioral expectations. Position Description Position Description Template

Here’s a detailed walk through to the soon-to-be-launched online performance management system – PERFORM. Using this resource, you would be able to use the online PM system for performance planning and/or  performance evaluation for your direct reports easily. NeoGov PERFORM System.  *Please note that there were minor changes made to the online form after this resource was put together.

Please see this presentation on the requirements for supervisors when rendering a performance evaluation of Does Not Meet Expectations.

Supervisors are required to establish a three-month assessment plan for their new employees soon after their appointment. The copy of this form can be found here: Probationary Employee Three Month Performance Assessment Form

The Employee Growth and Development division has designed a course to cover the two most significant aspects of the PERFORM evaluation system: PERFORM Planning Session and PERFORM Evaluation Session.  Please visit the Civil Service Training Catalog - PERFORM (Performance Evaluations) Course Number SUPV 671 for additional information at the link below:

2023 Training Catalog 

Here is some information that we offer City employees during the SUPV 671 class.

  1. Performance Management Training
  2. Bulk action Goal Planning - (For supervisors with more than 5 employees)
  3. Three-month Assessment for New Employees

For those who are interested in learning about how this system was developed, review these resources:

  1. Performance Management Report
  2. Performance Management Presentation Deck

If you have any questions regarding Performance Evaluations, please do not hesitate to call or email Civil Service at 658-3500 or csno@nola.gov.

This study guide is geared towards current employees preparing to take public-safety examinations.  The Department of Civil Service hopes that this guide will help candidates prepare for their exams more effectively.

Download the Candidate Study guide

NOTE: For developing this study guide, the Department of Civil Service interviewed a few top performers from the previous Fire and Police promotional exams.