DCAS leans into retaining city employees

New York City government, like every industry in the nation, suffered dramatic employee vacancies during and in the immediate aftermath of the Covid pandemic. Aside from the devastating loss of highly valued municipal workers to the disease itself, we also experienced a decrease in staff due to retirement and increased competition from private-sector jobs with higher rates of pay and flexibility. This was further underpinned by the impacts of “The Great Resignation,” when our workers, like those around the world, began to reconsider their work-life balance in the wake of the pandemic.

After hitting a peak of nearly 9 percent in November 2022, the city has been able to make significant progress in cutting the citywide employee vacancy rate practically in half; as of October 2024, we sit at 5.3 percent.

How did we do it?

Here at the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, commonly known as DCAS, we take a multi-pronged approach to attracting and retaining talented New Yorkers to serve in city government. This is a constantly evolving process that requires us to lean into a variety of strategies, including administering new types of civil service exams that allow candidates to test for multiple titles by paying a single fee and taking one exam; offering career counseling within each city agency; reducing our hiring; and onboarding times and revising requirements that expand the eligibility for city jobs. Together, this work helps us bolster municipal opportunities and create pathways for longevity and retention.

As we think about more ways to invest in our staff, I am particularly proud of the continuation of DCAS’ Training Expo. This year’s expo will provide two weeks of training workshops and learning opportunities for municipal workers at all levels and in all professional areas. Attending the expo gives city employees the chance to discover the variety of professional development trainings available at the DCAS Citywide Training Center, all while engaging with consultants and other subject matter experts who are leaders in their fields, previewing new course offerings and networking with fellow city colleagues.

One of the most exciting things about the expo is that it is absolutely free and offers 28 classes virtually, as well as 42 in-person courses at our training center located on the 24th floor of 1 Centre St. in downtown Manhattan. Sessions will take place during mornings and afternoons from Dec. 3 through 6, and Dec. 9 through 11.

Think about it: have you ever wanted to learn what the Six Sigma process is and get a Six Sigma white or green belt without having to pay an exorbitant fee to take it privately? What about data analytics classes or project management training? It’s all available at our training expo. No need for city workers to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on private certification courses when it is all available through DCAS for free.

You can learn how to navigate conflict and disruption, build teams, influence people using personal power and get results even when you’re not in charge! There are time management and change management courses. There are leadership classes and sessions on emotional intelligence. Practically anything someone would need to promote and grow their career.

The training center has designed entire curriculums and recommended schedules for employees to choose the topic area they would like to concentrate on, or staff can decide to go completely a la carte and create their own program.

Signing up is simple too. DCAS recently launched a new Citywide Learning Management System, NYCityLearn, which allows employees to register for classes, download transcripts and access the City’s digital training and professional development catalog anytime, anywhere.

As the city’s chief human capital officer and a longtime city employee myself, I have benefited from professional development and I am committed to providing new opportunities to all municipal employees that serve our city.

As we work to build a resilient and talented workforce, we must invest in it with all the resources at our disposal. I hope that you all take advantage of our upcoming expo, and help strengthen and uplift the City of New York as the best municipality to work for in the nation.

Katrina Porter is New York City’s chief human capital officer, and deputy commissioner for human capital at the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services.