PUB 166: Supervision in Public Works

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

Fundamentals of supervision with emphasis on the public works environment. Topics to be covered include the role of the supervisor; functions as applied to leading and motivation, coaching employees, counseling, interpersonal human relations skills, Union MOUs and the progressive disciplinary process. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Describe the work of a supervisor.
  • Understand the act of providing leadership to build effective teams
  • Discuss the importance of recognition and timeliness in decision making.
  • Understand the role that the supervisor plays in fostering morale and productivity.
  • Describe the interpersonal communication process.
  • Understand the employee performance appraisals
  • Describe guidelines for managing diversity in the workplace.
  • Examine the Progressive Disciplinary process
  • Discuss the role that supervisors play in setting the ethical tone of an organization.
  • Understand the concepts of employee Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
  • Identify the specific government agencies responsible for the enforcement of equal employment opportunity.
  • Examine alternative guidelines for managing organizational and personal stress.
  • Examine the supervisor's responsibility for safety in the workplace
  • Demonstrate understanding of a supervisor's role in the orientation process, training, and development of employees

Major Course Content

  1. Fundamentals of Supervision in the Public Works Industry
    1. Leading as a mid-level manager
    2. Organizational structures
    3. Planning
    4. Goal and objective setting
  2. Communication 
    1. Written
    2. Oral
    3. Nonverbal 
    4. Electronic
  3. Employee Hiring and retention
    1. On-boarding
    2. Professional Development
  4. Planning and Scheduling Work
    1. Contracts
    2. Work plans
    3. Establishing priorities and performance targets
  5. Motivating Employees
  6. Problem Solving and Decision Making
    1. Creating a solution-based environment
  7. Interviewing
    1. Reducing bias
    2. Creating effective job descriptions 
  8. Employee evaluation
    1. Improvement focused vs discipline focused
  9. Handling Complaints
    1. Internal
    2. External
    3. Grievances
  10. Disciplinary Action
    1. Progressive discipline
  11. Establishing and leading excellent internal and external customer service
    1. Reliability
    2. Assurance
    3. Tangibles
    4. Empathy
    5. Responsiveness

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Instructor assigned case studies and industry specific articles.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Write a warning memo to an employee following the progressive discipline model.
Identify a need for human capital and create a job description to fulfill that need.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Analyze a case study requiring a critical decision to be made by a supervisor. Student will explain and defend the decision they would have made.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture