This presentation addresses the “leadership handoff gap” created as Baby Boomers retire, taking with them decades of critical knowledge. Both public and private sectors face the risk of losing institutional expertise: in public works, experienced employees hold essential insights into agency processes and community nuances that AI cannot replace, while private sector employees possess unique client and procedural knowledge. Using the City of Watsonville as a case study, we examine how it managed knowledge gaps amid high turnover, ensuring service continuity through consultant collaboration. Its proactive approach preserved critical knowledge, facilitating seamless integration for new staff. Participants will gain a framework for identifying and safeguarding key information, effective documentation techniques, and strategies for transferring knowledge to incoming leaders. Key takeaways include recognizing risks tied to knowledge loss, creating actionable documentation steps, and stabilizing client services during generational transitions. This session equips organizations to maintain continuity, service quality, and resilience as they navigate these workforce shifts.
After this session, participants will be better able to:
• Identify and mitigate knowledge loss risks during leadership transitions by creating a framework to protect critical information held by departing employees, ensuring operational continuity and service quality.
• Develop clear steps to document and transfer key knowledge through comprehensive process documentation, mentorship programs, and training sessions, ensuring effective knowledge sharing with new staff and leaders.
• Ensure service stability during staff transitions by maintaining a shared knowledge repository, allowing access to critical information and minimizing client disruptions.
Contributor/Source
Courtney Lindberg-Director of Public Works and Utilities, Marcus Fuller-Vice President, Engineering, Mark Nassar-Vice President, Program Management
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Proficiency Levels
Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
Advanced
Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
Program Types
CLL
Click, Listen & Learn (CLL) are interactive educational webinars. Each program is led by top experts in the field who share new ideas, methods, and technologies in a fast-paced two-hour time frame. These programs are available free to APWA members. CLL programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Primer
Primers are used to educate policymakers about public works roles and responsibilities in public rights of way, the impact of federal workforce development policies on the industry and workforce, and the importance of resilient infrastructure.
Public Works Radio Podcast
Public Works Radio is the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA), bringing the stories behind our communities to life. This podcast shines a spotlight on the people and projects that keep our cities running—humanizing the work and the professionals who make it happen. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.
PWX
PWX session recordings cover a wide variety of topics, including integrating modes of transportation, traffic and transit, construction management, emergency management, engineering and technology, fleet and facilities, management, parks and grounds, snow and ice control, and stormwater/flood control, as well as solid waste, roads and bridges and water/wastewater. PWX sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Reporter Articles
APWA Reporter articles are written by public works practitioners on subjects such as solid waste management, water resources, municipal engineering, transportation, equipment services, buildings and grounds, snow removal, and other public works-related topics.
Snow
The Snow Conference session recordings feature public works professionals sharing the latest best practices in managing winter/snow operations more successfully, taking advantage of emerging technologies, understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead, and providing better service to their communities. Snow sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Tech Boxes
A tech box is a PDF take-away that provides information in lists, steps, or defined areas specifically focused on trending technologies.
Virtual Program
Virtual programs are live, interactive educational programs led by top experts in the field who provide timely information or address trending topics within an area. Programs often conclude with an open forum for Q&A.