Organizational Development

Contact Information, Office Hours
Functions, Department Responsibilities
Overview, Common Terms, History

Functions

Organizational analysis, development, evaluation, and monitoring.

The Office of Organizational Development performs analyses and evaluation of organizational systems and procedures to ensure effective and efficient day to day operation. In addition, this office acts as a conduit for information flow and exchange for Charleston County employees in order to maximize communication at all levels. This office also serves to implement strategies for change that will ensure future organizational, employee, and community growth and development.

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Overview

The Office of Organizational Development (OOD) reports to the County Administrator. Its mission is to initiate and develop effective actions and strategies that support the County’s organizational goals and objectives. At its foundation, it is charged with outreach and synthesis of information to promote efficiency and effectiveness. The OOD will begin a long-range effort to assess the organization’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities and create and implement a plan to enhance its success. It will serve as a clearinghouse for information and help the organization provide clear direction, motivate its employees, align its processes and procedures, and develop rewards that reinforce positive and sustainable action. The OOD will be pragmatic in that each effort and initiative will drive simple, clear, and measurable business results that support its workforce and are linked to the organization’s key priorities.

This Department Does

	Talent Management
	Mentoring, Internship, and on-the-job training (OJT) activities
	Evaluate training and related support activities
	Succession planning support
	Oversee and implement diversity initiatives
	Supports Human Resources Department activities and initiatives

This Department Does Not

	Perform employee performance appraisals
	Conduct direct training
	Perform compensation and benefits functions
	Address or resolve personnel matters
	Handle complaints or grievances

Organizational development - A planned organization-wide effort, managed from the top, designed to increase organizational effectiveness through planned interventions. It is intended to modify or change the beliefs, attitudes, values, and structure of an organization so it can better adapt to new technologies, markets, and challenges. Organizational development is a long-range effort to improve an organization's problem solving and renewal processes, particularly through more effective and collaborative management.

Succession planning - Succession planning is an ongoing dynamic process that identifies, assesses, and develops talent to ensure that an organization can keep up with changes in the workplace and marketplace. Succession planning focuses on these key areas: the needs of the organization as senior management approaches retirement; preparation for undesired and unexpected events; ensures the organization has the right people in place today as well as into the future; supports the stability of the current culture; defines business strategy into business and organizational goals.

Mentoring – A formal partnership between an employee "mentor" and an employee "protégé" who desire mutual growth through the teaching exchange of knowledge and skill. The core purpose of the mentor-protégé paired relationship is the professional development of internal protégés through the guidance and counsel of an internal mentor.

Internship – A temporary position with an emphasis on education and attainment of basic occupational competencies. Interns will be high school graduates and college students interested in becoming full-time employees in designated occupational areas of Charleston County. Internships may be paid or unpaid contingent upon funding availability. In addition, internships may be full- or part-time. They provide valuable opportunities for students to gain experience in their field of study, determine if they really have an interest in a particular career path, and create a network of contacts.

On the Job Training - Training provided to an individual with limited experience in the occupational area for which training is being offered. The OJT Program is conducted as part of its talent management initiative to recruit, hire, and train employees in occupational areas needed by the County and its vendors. OJT is an activity embraced by local government as a way to promote diversity and provide employment opportunities for individuals who are unemployed or under-employed. Charleston County’s expectation is that first consideration of OJT opportunities, created as a result of contract awards, be given to the residents in the local area job market.

Talent Management - Analyzing and forecasting the talent that organizations have and need to execute their business strategy, proactively rather then reactively. It is a critical strategic activity, enabling the organization to identify, develop and sustain the workforce skills it needs to accomplish its strategic intent while balancing the career and lifestyle goals of its employees.

Diversity – A “collective mixture characterized by differences and similarities that are applied in pursuit of organizational objectives.” It is the process of planning for organizing, directing, and supporting these collective mixtures in a way that adds a measurable difference to organizational performance by which diversity is managed.

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History

The Office of Organizational Development was established in October 2006, as the result of an analysis of the need for a Department of Minority and Cultural Affairs. This analysis yielded information that demonstrated that the issues of diversity and multiculturalism were two of many that plagued the organization. It was further revealed that these issues were not unique to Charleston County but common among organizations of similar size and structure. In a proactive effort to address these and other issues, this office was established. See Overview.

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Contact Information

Office of Organizational Development