As of September 2018, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) had over 1,634 staff job titles/job descriptions housed within its applicant tracking system. As of Fall 2017, the university only had 899 actively employed staff members. The difference between the numbers has created somewhat of a pandemonium in the Human Resources Department at USM (A. Hendershot, personal communication, October 5, 2018). According to Competencies at Work: Providing a Common Language for Talent Management by Bruce Griffiths and Enrique Washington, “Competencies are now the most prevalent method used to define ideal employees and have become a fundamental part of talent management systems across organizations,” (Griffiths & Washington, 2015).

 

In order to alleviate this pandemonium and improve its services, the USM Human Resources Department will use a competency model, specifically designed for USM staff employees, to create a more centralized approach when hiring-on staff employees. This competency model was strategically developed after reviewing USM’s mission statement, vision statement, and values, along with the current job titles/job descriptions of staff employees at the university. The defined competencies and behaviors that are listed in the project portfolio are not entirely inclusive (not limited to) – they are simply to be used as a model of key competencies and behaviors of staff members at USM. 

 

The competency model project began on September 18, 2018, and will be completed by November 26, 2018. The target population for this project includes all USM staff employees and those involved in the hiring process of staff employees. Due to course-based time restraints, this project will be assigned to and validated by Human Resource Business Partner, Angie Hendershot. Angie will make sure each and every person involved in the project has executed his/her assigned duties. There is no additional cost(s) involved in the competency model project. 

 

This project must be completed by November 26, 2018, as Sara Luther will submit the electronic portfolio including the competency model project at this time. This project will officially be considered “completed” once it has been submitted to Dr. Heather Annulis of USM. It can only be determined as successful if both Dr. Annulis and Angie Hendershot are pleased with Sara’s recommendations. The requirements of this project can be defined in both quantifiable and qualitative terms. It is up to Sara to determine the key competencies and behaviors of USM staff employees; Angie Hendershot will determine how success is measured. 

​

Business Objective Statement:

This project will improve service by potentially creating a more centralized approach when hiring-on USM staff employees. 

 

Project Objective Statement:

This project will recommend a competency model that will benefit all USM staff employees and those involved in the hiring process of staff employees by November 26, 2018.