Human Resource Essentials for Public Works Professionals

The Human Resource Essentials for Public Works Professionals course is offered every other year. 

To be notified when registration opens for the 2027-2028 HR Essentials course, email us. 

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HR Essentials for Public Works Professionals equips participants with skills needed to meet the challenges of managing personnel, employee contracts, and performance measurement. 

Register

Download the 2025-2026 Human Resources Essentials for Public Works Professionals Brochure

Topics Covered

• Foundations of human resource management in the public sector
• Authority in public sector employee relations
• Developing employees and measuring performance
• Effective discipline and workplace investigations
• Administering the public works contract
• Other topics identified by program participants

Target Audience: Supervisors, superintendents, managers/directors, or any other public works professionals whose job responsibilities include conflict resolution, personnel management, and employee development.

Location: All classes will be held at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 - 34th Ave. North, Plymouth, MN 55447. 

Cost: $1,850/student. Fee includes classroom instruction, course materials, lunch, and breaks.

Class Size: Class is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

Schedule: The course meets once a month from 9am - 4pm on the following dates:

• Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025
• Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025
• Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
• Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 
• Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026
• Thursday, March 5, 2026
• Thursday, April 2, 2026
• Thursday, May 7, 2026 - Graduate Recognition at the APWA-MN Spring Conference

Lead Instructor: Wally Wysopal is a professional local government manager with over 30 years of experience. Currently the City Manager for the City of Fridley, Wally is the former Chair of the Board of Government Training Services and is Chair of the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Chair of the Metropolitan Area Manager's Association Labor Relations Committee. He earned a Certificate of Advanced Public Administration from Hamline University, a Master of Arts in Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. He teaches Public Sector HR Management, Labor Relations and Local Government Management courses in the Hamline degree programs, and three certificate courses including the Public Works Leadership Academy and Human Resources Essentials for Public Works Professionals.