Online Courses

To make training content available to as many employees as possible, and in a flexible format, we are offering on-demand courses.

Below are our current Online Courses in alphabetical order within each category listed.

If you have questions about these online courses, have requests for new online courses, or are a Learning Partner who would like to record a course, contact OrganizationalDevelopment@cityofmadison.com.

To receive "credit" for viewing a recording, we recommend you email OrganizationalDevelopment@cityofmadison.com with the date you watched and the course title; we’d love to help track your achievements!

Learn how to use recently upgraded hybrid meeting spaces available in the Madison Municipal Building (MMB) and City-County Building (CCB)! Whether hosting an in-person presentation or a hybrid meeting, this training will orient you with the room’s audiovisual equipment and provide knowledge on using the technology to better connect with meeting participants, both in-person or virtual.

Though the original training took place in MMB Room 206 and directly describes that room’s AV, you’ll find the features and functionality similar in most City spaces.

Self-service (i.e., Type 2) board, commission, and committee meetings are not permitted to meet in a hybrid format at this time. These rooms can be used for other types of public meetings or internal staff meetings.

Course Facilitator: Drew Palasini, AVI Systems and Zach Commons, City of Madison IT

Course Duration: 44 minutes

Course Resources:

Hybrid Meeting Environments
Hybrid Meeting Room Instructions
Scheduling a Hybrid Room
Note, employees will need to log in with their M365 account to view these Knowledge Base articles.

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

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Course Thumbnail: Creating Equitable Interviews

Course Description: Build awareness on how bias, both explicit and implicit, can impact hiring decisions. Learn how to create an interview process by incorporating job-related behavioral questions with measurable benchmarks to effectively address bias in the interview process and for more objective candidate evaluations.

Course Facilitator: Julie Trimbell and Bill Wick, Human Resources Services Unit

Course Duration: 1 hour, 17 minutes

Course Resources:

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Live Offerings: This course is offered in a live-virtual format as well. Register for an upcoming session.

Course Description: It’s a candidate’s job market, which means that hiring managers need to be proactive about improving their foundational skills to attract and hire team members. Join our HR Business Analysts as they share best practices for talent planning, writing clear position descriptions, and moving through the hiring and recruitment process.

Course Facilitator: Julie Trimbell and Otis Harris, Jr., Human Resources Services Unit

Course Duration: 1 hour, 13 minutes

Course Resources:

Pre-Work:
- Watch this short video on Writing Position Descriptions (17 minutes, 47 seconds)
- Check out the Supervisor Resources on EmployeeNet for a hiring process overview and resources.
Course Materials:
- Recruitment Process & Cycle Handout
Recording Content Guide:
- Introduction & General Background - Start to 15:16
- Recruitment Process, Part 1 - 15:17 - 34:59
- Recruitment Process, Part 2 - 35:00 - 54:30
- Hiring Manager Steps Following Interview - 55:40 - 1:08:22
- Additional Hiring Resources - 1:08:50 - End

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Live Offerings: This course is offered in a live-virtual format as well. Register for an upcoming session.

Payroll ERP and Munis Training Thumbnail

Description: Learn about how to navigate our ERP system, Munis through a series of recordings (links found below).

Facilitator: Coleen Lisauskas

Resources:

Payroll Resources

Access the Recordings:

Payroll ERP Session 1: General How to Find Stuff (Like Payroll Data)
- How to find payroll data in our ERP system (Munis).
- Duration: 45 minutes
Payroll ERP Session 2: Personnel Actions and Rules
- Learn about Personnel Rules and Personnel Actions in Munis.
- Duration: 55 minutes
Payroll ERP Session 3: Time Entry & ESS
- Duration: 53 minutes
- Munis Time Entry Import Layout Resource
- During the training we also touched on employee expense claims and the APM’s that govern them. Some key APM’s to be mindful of in regards to employee expenses are:
  - 1-2 Policy Statement on Association Dues and Licenses
  - 1-4 Purchasing Policies and Procedures
  - 1-5 Policy Regarding Travel at City Expense
  - 1-6 Authorized Expenditures for City Agencies
  - 2-10 Policies and Procedures for Internal and External Training
  - 2-13 Policy Regarding City Vehicle Driver Policy
  - 3-10 Payment for Attendance at Social Events for City Employees
  - 3-12 Telephones

Course Description:
This training will teach you how to effectively carry out your responsibilities as a records custodian. You will learn how to communicate with requesters and fulfill requests, as well as how to ensure compliance with public records laws and retention policies.
In accordance with MGO 3.70, Department/Division Heads are the custodian of records for their agency and may designate others in the agency as alternate custodians. Public records custodians are required to be trained as soon as practicable upon receiving these duties, and to keep current with developments in City records policies and the Wisconsin Public Records Laws. Whether you’re a new records custodian or in need of a refresher, this training will teach you how to effectively carry out your responsibilities as a City of Madison Records Custodian. You will learn how to communicate with requesters and fulfill requests, as well as how to ensure compliance with public records laws and retention policies.

Course Facilitators: Leslie Starczewski - Information Technology and Adriana Peguero - Attorney's Office

Course Duration:

Part 1: 8 minutes
Part 2: 25 minutes

Course Resources:

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Course Description" header.

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Course Description: Learn what customer de-escalation (also known as verbal de-escalation) is, why physical force should be avoided, and tactics to effectively de-escalate customer conflict situations.

Course Facilitator: Justin Maki, Safety Coordinator, Metro Transit

Course Duration: 15 minutes

Course Resources:

Customer De-Escalation Slides
Customer De-Escalation "One-Sheeter"
Customer De-Escalation 11 x 17 Print-Out
- Printable on 11 x 17" paper to display in your workspace(s).

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Course Description: Learn how to connect with an On-Demand interpreter, inclusive practices in working with interpreters, and participate in scenarios to practice learned skills, including communicating with people who use sign languages. Also discussed is the City of Madison’s Language Access Program, services, and compliance requirements.

Course Facilitator: Kristy Kumar, Rebeca Hoyt, and Kelly Mistry - Department of Civil Rights and LanguageLine Solutions

Course Duration: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Course Thumbnail: Trauma-Informed Customer Service

Course Description: Trauma-Informed Customer Service is offered by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This course will equip you with techniques to better handle challenging customers.

Course Facilitator: Arlyn Gonzalez and Mary Eldridge, Employee Assistance Program

Course Duration: 45 minutes

Course Resources: Please read through the following materials before viewing the recording:

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Course Description: From surveys to program design to population statistics, many of us interact with data at some point. But how do you make an engaging graph to share your data? Learn how to use color, design, and storytelling to make graphs that stand out.

Course Facilitator: Rebecca LeBeau, Public Health Madison and Dane County

Course Duration: 57 minutes, 29 seconds

Course Resources:

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

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Course Thumbnail: Giving and Receiving Feedback Series

Series Description:

We created this course from the belief that leadership is action-based, not title-based. This two-part series will equip you with the mind- and skill-set to give and receive feedback. And - in a confident and effective manner! In this interactive session, you will:

Have a chance to build strong practices.
Engage with new practices a safe learning space.
Create an action plan to give feedback in a focused and intentional manner
Bring your challenges and a growth-mindset and leave with the tools to become a feedback champion.

You should complete the two courses in order.

Course Facilitator: Cyndi Wentland, Intentional Leaders, LLC

Course Duration:

Part 1: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Part 2: 1 hour, 27 minutes

Course Resources:

Additional Resources:

Giving & Receiving Effective Feedback Resources (HR-OD Toolkit)

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Series Description" header.

Live Offerings: This course is offered in a live-virtual format as well. Register for an upcoming session of Part 1 and/or Part 2.

Course Thumbnail: How to Run Effective Meetings

Course Description: Swamped with way too many meetings? We know that poorly organized and run meetings lead to frustration and disengagement. In this webinar, you’ll learn practical tools to plan and run effective meetings so that you can lead people towards clear and actionable outcomes with greater confidence.

Course Facilitator: Sylvia Larrass, Voice and Leadership Excellence

Course Duration: 1 hour, 9 minutes

Course Resources:

Course Slide Deck
Course Handout: How to Run Effective Meetings
- Includes course notes, resources, and a fillable meeting planner.

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Live Offerings: This course is offered in a live-virtual format as well. Register for an upcoming session.

Course Thumbnail: Passive Aggressive Behavior

Course Description: Do you interact with people who exhibit passive-aggressive behavior? View this video to learn about why people behave this way and gain strategies and tips about how you can deal with them. While the training was developed for Library staff, it is applicable to anyone.

Course Facilitator: Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, LibraryWorks

Course Duration: 1 hour

Course Resources: Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Sources and Solutions slides

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Series Description:

Session 1: I Feel Safe: Creating Healthy Cultures Where People Thrive
- Creating safe environments doesn't happen by chance. It requires intentional organizational efforts and investing in our people's voices to drive inclusive change. Presenter Tim Mousseau leads you through the Feel Safe framework to empower you to reimagine a people-centered workplace. (1 hour, 26 minutes).
Session 2 (People-Centered): Because We Matter: Advocating for Each Other to Build Healthy & High-Performing Teams
- With safety needs in mind, this session encourages folks to enhance work relationships and advocate for themselves and others confidently. (1 hour, 27 minutes).
Session 3 (Manager-Centered): Alone in a Crowded Office: How Leaders Can Overcome Harmful Behaviors that Foster Isolation
- Applying the Feel Safe framework, participants will learn a process that empowers them to reimagine a people-centered workplace. (1 hour, 27 minutes).

Course Facilitator: Tim Mousseau, Create Safe LLC

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Series Description" header.

Course Thumbnail: Hope, Optimism, Connection

Course Description: Join psychologists Jan Stanley and Gloria Park in learning about Hope, Optimism, and Connection. In this course, you'll learn about hope theory, how to use hope to be more resilient, how to identify strategies to be optimistic in challenging times, and how to cultivate high-quality connections and relationships.

Course Facilitator: Jan Stanley and Gloria Park

Course Duration: 1 hour, 28 minutes - navigate to chapters by clicking the circle with lines icon in the lower left (and return to video by clicking the icon again).

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.

Course Thumbnail: Individual Work Planning

Series Description:

Lesson 1: Introduction
- Overview of the external instructor, their system, and methods for work planning. (7:09 minutes).
Lesson 2: Defining Productivity
- Instructor helps staff understand the definition of the components of productivity. (6:52 minutes).
Lesson 3: The Reality and the Results
- Instructor covers the research on planning, productivity, engagement, balance, and likelihood to stay with an organization. (3:45 minutes).
Lesson 4: Blueprint
- Instructor introduces the first component of work planning – the blueprint – to know where you are going. (8:53 minutes).
Lesson 5: Building Blocks
- Instructor reviews the building blocks template for planning project tasks associated with the blueprint created with Lesson 4. (13:23 minutes).
Lesson 6: Weekly Planning Methodology Overview
- Instructor introduces the five steps associated with the work planning methodology. Each step is covered independently in the following videos. (7:06 minutes).
Lesson 7: Weekly Planning, Step 1
- Instructor reviews how to cross off time where you have meetings and commitments. (4:36 minutes).
Lesson 8: Weekly Planning, Step 2
- Instructor reviews how to calculate available time for getting things done. (8:11 minutes).
Lesson 9: Weekly Planning, Step 3
- Instructor reviews how to brain dump all action items (career and whole life). (4:56 minutes).
Lesson 10: Weekly Planning, Step 4
- Instructor reviews how to categorize your tasks in your blueprint. (4:04 minutes).
Lesson 11: Weekly Planning, Step 5
- Instructor reviews documentation, in your calendar and/or planner, knowing your productivity zones, and communicating your plan for accountability. (18:17 minutes).
Lesson 12: Weekly Planning Practice
- Instructor reviews how to use the brain dump (Lesson 9) to practice the planning methodology. Do NOT skip this step. (10:23 minutes).
Lesson 13: Conclusion and Next Steps
- Instructor reviews the action items coming out of this training series. (2:26 minutes).

Course Facilitator: Nina Ferraro, Boldly & Co.

Course Resources

Start Here - Work Planning Workbooks:

Resources Referenced in the Guidebooks & Videos:

Template: Individual Work Plan
Template: Agency Work Plan (for Supervisors)
Handout: Weekly Brain Dump
Wellbeing Wheel

Access the Recordings: Click on the hyperlinked lesson names under the "Series Description" header or the Lesson Headings in the guide workbooks.

Online Courses

City Hybrid Room Controls

City Policies

Customer Service

Data

Interpersonal Communication

Psychological Safety

Wellness

Work Planning

Course Resources

Organizational Development

Most Requested

Top Benefits

Stay Informed

Online Courses

City Hybrid Room Controls

Hybrid Meeting Training

City Policies

Creating an Equitable Interview Process

Hiring Foundations for Hiring Managers

Payroll ERP/MUNIS Training

Public Records for Records Custodians

Customer Service

Customer De-Escalation

Language Access: Using Language Line Solutions

Trauma-Informed Customer Service

Data

So You Need to Share Your Data: Graph Tips Everyone Can Use

Interpersonal Communication

Giving & Receiving Feedback, Parts 1 & 2

How to Run Effective Meetings

Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Sources and Solutions

Psychological Safety

I Feel Safe Series

Wellness

Hope, Optimism, and Connection: Resilient Pathways through Crisis

Work Planning

Individual Work Planning

Organizational Development

Most Requested

Top Benefits

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