Innovation Team's Progress Report: D.C.’s Hiring Process Advances
As the i-team's transformative journey continues, it promises a brighter, efficient, and more inclusive hiring landscape for D.C. By harmoniously blending tech-centric solutions with human-centric strategies, the i-team is poised to bring about meaningful and measurable change in the District's recruitment and hiring practices. With its unwavering commitment to collaboration, innovation, and feedback, the i-team not only aims to elevate the hiring process but also seeks to lay a foundation for public sector innovation, ensuring the District government serves its residents with unparalleled efficacy.
 Mayor Bowser discusses issues facing the District and improving recruitment and hiring at the 10th Bloomberg CityLab 2023 Opening Plenary on Oct. 18, with Washington Post reporter Michael Brice-Saddler. Photo courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The Road Ahead
In a significant stride toward fostering a robust public service workforce, Mayor Bowser unveiled in October at the 10th Bloomberg CityLab in D.C., a pioneering collaboration with Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia, two renowned HBCUs based in the District. Dubbed the HBCU Public Service Program, this initiative aims to usher in a new era where the DC Government establishes a tangible pathway for senior students from these institutions to embark on a rewarding public service career.
The Mayor underscored the motivation behind the initiative, stating, "We want the best and the brightest, passionate about our community, to work at DC Government." Emphasizing the city's allure as a hub for change-makers, she reiterated the vision to foster a local environment where individuals can bring about significant change on multiple scales.
The program is set to commence next year, targeting graduating seniors pursuing bachelor's degrees. 25 full-time positions, both existing and those due for hiring, will be transformed into apprenticeship roles. By June 2024, selected candidates will begin their year-long apprenticeships, concurrently undertaking a professional development course overseen by the District Department of Employment Services (DOES). Successful completion guarantees an elevation within the DC Government. A residency commitment in the District is a requisite during the program and post elevation.
Broadening its spectrum of inclusivity, the DC Government, buoyed by its innovation team, has undertaken efforts to redefine its hiring process. Aimed at enhancing accessibility, user-friendliness, and transparency, the i-team has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges surrounding workforce skill augmentation. They are working to advance a holistic marketing strategy to attract the District's finest talents. As a tangible testament to their efforts, the District has launched a revamped careers.dc.gov website. This website boasts advanced tools and features, sculpted based on insights gleaned from comprehensive community feedback, which included input from nearly 200 job seekers.
The i-team’s Phase II Portfolio includes both new hiring strategies and additions to ones from the first phase of the project:
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HBCU Public Service Program: Currently under development, the immediate plan involves a slew of measures ranging from identifying participating agencies to refining timelines, holding focus groups, and initiating webpage development for the program.
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Website Re-vamp: Having successfully concluded Phase I, Phase II will include enhancing the user-experience with new features.
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Talent Pool: This strategy involves proactive recruitment. Presently, prototypes have been developed, and the next steps encompass refining competencies, undergoing further testing, and creating training materials.
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Increased Communication and Transparency: The core goal is to ensure candidates receive consistent updates on their hiring status. Presently, initiatives are underway to enhance communication protocols and test feasible prototypes.
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Elevating Clarity and Appeal in Vacancy Announcements: Efforts are in motion to guarantee that vacancy announcements are clear and engaging. This involves further research, legal consultations, prototyping, and iterative testing.
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Marketing and Advertising: Plans are afoot to bolster the District Government's brand presence. This includes establishing a dedicated marketing core group, budget allocations, timeline determinations, and collaboration with various stakeholders.
The overarching sentiment is one of proactive and iterative progress. With multifaceted strategies being rolled out and constant feedback loops in place, the District Government, under the guidance of Mayor Bowser and propelled by the diligent efforts of the i-team, is poised to foster an environment where talent thrives, and public service is perceived as a fulfilling and impactful career choice.
 Department of Human Resources (DCHR) managers with jobseekers at the start of hiring event. Photo courtesy of DCHR.
 Photo courtesy of the Office of Neighbordhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). ONSE Together We Rise Pop-up.
In an inspired initiative by the Mayor’s Office of Innovation, District residents are being invited to share the myriad of elements in their city that spark gratitude. Dubbed Gratitude Powers DC, the initiative is set to culminate in a stirring public art installation in early 2024, aiming to document and celebrate the District's sources of thankfulness.
Residents across the District are responding to a comprehensive gratitude survey, part of a larger push by the District government to foster a deeper connection between residents and the metro space they inhabit. The survey, a fresh approach to civic engagement, prompts participants to reflect on their day-to-day experiences and acknowledge the individuals, environments, and aspects of District life that offer joy and appreciation.
As the survey unfolds, respondents traverse a thoughtful journey, contemplating everyday interactions with friends, civil servants, local businesses, and even the District's architecture and services. It’s a chance for residents to pause and recognize the often-overlooked gestures of kindness and the intricate workings of local governance that enhance their daily lives.
For the project's integrity, the confidentiality of participants is a top priority. Contact information, should they choose to provide it, is only used for the project's purposes, and will be discarded at the project's conclusion, ensuring that the focus remains squarely on the expressions of gratitude.
The survey's reach extends beyond mere reflection, offering participants the option to have their sentiments shared with those they appreciate. Whether it's a community member whose presence uplifts their neighborhood or a government employee whose dedication makes a difference, these acknowledgments can be passed on, potentially sparking a cascade of recognition throughout the community.
Mayor’s Office of Innovation is not only chronicling these positive notes but is also planning to delve deeper into the stories behind them through follow-up interviews. These narratives will inform the public art installation, which promises to be a visual tapestry of gratitude and community spirit.
As the survey responses accumulate, the project envisions an interconnected web of gratitude, a testament to the bonds that hold the District's residents together. Through this initiative, the Mayor’s Office is not just charting the good in the District but is also reinforcing the very fabric of community that makes Washington, D.C., a place to be proud of and thankful for.
The Gratitude Powers DC survey is open to all, and those interested can follow the initiative's progress on the Mayor’s Office of Innovation @Innovatewdc and at moi.dc.gov. In a time where division often makes headlines, Washington, D.C. is writing a different story—a story of gratitude, community, and the power of acknowledging the good.
Join us in celebrating the heart of our community. Take the survey ➡️https://tinyurl.com/3xa6n58y #GratitudePowersDC"
 Photo courtesy of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). Nacomas, a ONSE staff member, in service of residents.
In a revitalized approach, our innovation team has initiated a series of engaging dialogues with our experts, aiming to give our audience a deeper and more insightful view into our operations. Kicking off this month, we present an up-close interview with the cornerstone of our i-team's technological front, our seasoned Web Developer, Peter Varley.
Peter, a professionally trained engineer who then worked for 20 years as a web developer, is pivotal to the digital competence of the i-team’s projects. His commitment to the upkeep and progressive enhancement of our digital assets ensures a flawless experience for all users.
Working in cooperation with colleagues across various sectors of the District government, Peter is instrumental in refining the user interaction with our applications, aiming for a more intuitive and accessible experience.
Peter stays well-informed of cutting-edge developments and applies this knowledge proactively to the District Government's initiatives and specific projects.
Prior to his tenure with the i-team, Peter garnered a wealth of experience in web development, significantly contributing to the digital projects at The Motley Fool.
With a passion for technology and advancement, Peter Varley remains a strength to the i-team, extending our legacy of digital excellence that resonates within our community.
 (From left to right) Peter Varley, Dr. Lindsay Quarles, Jenny Kessler, BCPI Advisor Juliahna Green, Matt Gerken, Paul Elliott.
MOI News: Peter, as the i-team's Web Developer, you play a vital role in refining our digital applications. Could you share some insights into the latest projects that aim to elevate the user experience?
Peter Varley: We're currently channeling our efforts into enhancing the approachability and intuitiveness of our digital applications. Our objective is to simplify the community's access to essential services. We're also venturing into the integration of novel technologies to amplify the efficiency and influence of the i-team's digital toolkit.
MOI News: Collaborative dynamics seem to be a crucial aspect of your role. Can you elaborate on how you team up with your peers to advance application usability?
Peter Varley: Indeed, collaboration is the cornerstone of our ethos. We maintain a close-knit, feedback-oriented relationship within the entire i-team, integrating insights from users to tailor solutions that resonate with and address the community's demands, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of our service delivery.
MOI News: Your proactive approach to staying informed about technological advancements is notable. What strategies do you employ to stay on the cutting edge within the District Government and specific projects?
Peter Varley: Keeping my finger on the pulse of tech innovation is vital. I immerse myself in a continuous learning loop that includes engaging with peers to exchange ideas and perspectives.
MOI News: We extend our gratitude to Peter for his invaluable insights and unwavering commitment to the advancement of web development and innovation.
 (From left to right) BCPI Executive Director Amanda Daflos, Chief Data Officer Matt Sokol, i-team Director Jenny Kessler, and Data Officer Hannah Eli. Photo courtesy of Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO).
In a dynamic session held at the Wilson Building in October, the innovation team joined forces with academic leaders from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Brandeis’ Heller School for Social Policy and Management to discuss "Recognizing Interdependence to Move Knowledge into Action." The collaborative aimed to propel research, data and technology into effective policies and systemic change.
Senior officials from the District's Office of the Chief Technology Officer and the Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development explored the theme: How cities can translate research into substantial urban development. Jenny Kessler, i-team Director, highlighted the team’s strategy to improve D.C.'s hiring process and the research and data that fueled the inception of the HBCU Public Service Program.
The District Government’s Chief Data Officer Matt Sokol presented on AI's transformative role in government and education, detailing OCTO's resident-focused initiatives and OpenData DC’s potential to democratize information.
Hannah Eli, Data Officer from the Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development emphasized data-driven policymaking, inviting collaboration on the Comeback Plan, D.C.'s economic development strategy.
The event, moderated by Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, was a testament to the District’s commitment to collaborative, informed, innovative governance.
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