Newsletter

California JPIA Recognizes Five-Year Anniversary of Kelly Trainer Policky

The California JPIA congratulates Employment Practices Manager Kelly Trainer Policky on her fifth anniversary with the Authority.

“I’ve always said that the Authority offered me my ‘unicorn job,’” said Policky, who has managed the Employment Hotline since joining the Authority in 2021. “I have the opportunity to focus on the parts of public sector employment work I enjoy most, alongside an exceptional team, and I’m able to continue working with many of the attorneys and public agencies I have collaborated with throughout my career.”

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Policky, who was a partner at Burke, Williams, Sorensen, LLP., prior to joining the Authority, knew she was making the right choice to leave the firm after a conversation with her father, a retired human resources (HR) professional, and her ‘in-house career counselor.’ “I’d been at Burke for 17 years, and I didn’t take leaving the firm lightly,” said Policky. “However, when I was talking to my dad about the offer, he said, ‘Kelly, I don’t know that I’ve ever said this before, but I don’t think there is a downside to this job,’ and he was absolutely right.”

The Employment Hotline is a resource that supports members in addressing employment-related matters on a pre-claim basis. It is a critical risk management resource for California JPIA members, offering support on a wide range of employment matters—from routine questions to complex investigations involving discipline, harassment, and discrimination complaints, as well as accommodation issues. Designed to complement, not replace, member legal counsel, the Hotline provides an additional level of review to help protect both individual members and the pool as a whole.

“The addition of Kelly as a California JPIA staff member was a real defining moment for the organization.  Bringing her expertise in house has provided tremendous benefits for the Authority in many different areas,” said Chief Operating Officer Paul Zeglovitch. “While her work on the hotline is invaluable, so is Kelly’s creative contributions to our training catalog, including the Supervisor Essential Skills and HR Practioner programs.  In addition, Kelly’s infectious enthusiasm has positively affected everyone around her”

Policky’s efforts have played a significant role in addressing challenging employment issues before they escalate into claims. She’s noted that over time, member Hotline needs have evolved.

“In conversations with members, I’ve seen both an increase in the volume of employment-related issues and greater complexity in many of the matters they are managing,” said Policky. “As demands rise, it can be challenging to keep pace when HR staffing levels have remained the same or, in some cases, decreased over the same period.”

Not only does Policky have an extensive background advising public employers on complex employment matters, but she also has an engaging and innovative training style that has made her a trusted resource for members and colleagues alike. She frequently presents at statewide conferences, including the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA) Annual Conference, the Public Agency Risk Management Association (PARMA) Annual Conference, and various League of California Cities conferences, regional meetings, and events. A dynamic trainer, Policky says she tries to provide balance in her sessions, “Nothing is better than practical, real-world examples. Most participants want not only to understand the issue, but also to learn what effective solutions look like in practice. I always aim to strike a strong balance between the legal framework and practical application.”

Policky’s work reflects her belief that strong guidance and early intervention are key to reducing risk and supporting effective public sector workplaces. “I enjoy the range of work my role offers. I support members as they navigate complex situations, connect them with the resources they need, and help translate legal requirements into practical, workable approaches,” said Policky. “I also love collaborating with our training team and risk managers to develop innovative learning solutions and resources aligned with the real challenges our members face every day.”

“Kelly has been a dynamic force in shaping many of the trainings we provide, including workplace harassment prevention,” said Training Manager Ryan Thomas. “As one of our most popular trainers, she brings her expertise in curriculum development and passion for training to her role here. She is an invaluable resource, and we are incredibly fortunate to be able to work with her on a daily basis.”

Policky joined the Authority at an opportune time, as specialized courses for supervisors and HR professionals were being developed. Her insights into how to avoid common actions that lead to claims have been invaluable in creating both the Supervisor Essential Skills program and the HR Professional Series, as well as updating the HR Academy. “While many broad topics are available elsewhere, our content provides a deeper, practice-oriented focus tailored to local government HR,” said Policky. “I hope HR professionals at all experience levels—whether new to the field or seasoned leaders—will participate, strengthen their knowledge, share perspectives, and build their professional networks.”

Whether it’s assisting members with the Employment Hotline, training members at conferences and events, or working with colleagues to develop specialized training, we congratulate Kelly on five years of dedication to the California JPIA and its members!

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