Spotlight State Civil Service September 2026
#3 Issue
The Spotlight's Mission is to foster meaningful communication with all stakeholders of the State Civil Service System.
Every Day For Every Citizen
Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., Director
Director's Message
Welcome to the State Civil Service Spotlight . As we enter the fall season, it is a good time to reflect on the work we have accomplished together and look ahead to the opportunities facing Louisiana’s state workforce. Across state government, human resources professionals and agency leaders continue to play an important role in helping their organizations attract talent, develop employees, and build workplaces that are prepared for the future.
• Leadership Journey Highlight • Excellent Compliance Audits • NASPE Award • Podcast Features • Leadership Academy News • Recent YouTube Videos In this Issue:
At State Civil Service, we remain focused on providing practical tools, resources, and workforce solutions that support agencies in meeting those needs. We are continuing to SHIFT how we recruit, develop, and retain talent across state government. With resources such as the Continuous Performance Management Digital Resource Hub, the Leadership Suite, and other professional development initiatives, we are working alongside agencies to support continued growth. As we look toward the remainder of the year, collaboration will remain essential. In this issue, you will find updates, resources, and examples of the work happening throughout Louisiana state government. I encourage you to explore these stories, share the resources with your teams, and continue looking for opportunities to strengthen the workforce within your agency. Thank you for the important work you do every day to support Louisiana’s state employees and, ultimately, the citizens we serve. Every Day for Every Citizen.
Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., State Civil Service Director
civilservice.louisiana.gov | jobs.la.gov | scsinfo@civilservice.la.gov
Your Leadership Journey Starts Here Stepping into a supervisory role is an exciting opportunity, but becoming a great leader does not happen overnight. It is a journey of building skills, gaining confidence, strengthening relationships, and learning how to bring out the best in others. The SCS CPTP Leadership Journey is designed to support newly appointed supervisors every step of the way. A Program Built for Louisiana’s New Supervisors The Leadership Journey is one of four specialized programs in the SCS CPTP Leadership Suite. Tailored for supervisors in Louisiana state government, it equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in any supervisory role. The program combines web-based courses, instructor-led training, and focused development opportunities so supervisors can build a strong foundation while connecting learning to the real challenges they face at work. Required for newly appointed supervisors: Leadership Journey is the mandatory supervisory training program for newly appointed classified supervisors in Groups 1 and 2. For employees who are required to complete it, the program will automatically appear on their SuccessFactors Learning Dashboard. Build the Foundation Then Personalize Your Journey Any good journey starts from its foundation. Leadership Journey begins with the basics of supervision, where participants get the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively supervise their employees. However, leadership doesn't come in one size, so the journey becomes more personalized through learning paths. These focused collections of courses allow supervisors to deepen their skills in areas that are most relevant to their role, workplace, and current development needs. During the program, each supervisor selects and completes one course from one learning path to satisfy the program requirement. Additional courses within that path, as well as courses from other paths, provide optional opportunities for continued growth. Agencies may also require specific learning paths for their supervisors. Choose the Path That Fits Your Leadership Needs Leadership Journey learning paths include: • Leading High Turnover Positions • Skills-Based Hiring • Designing Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Leading with Emotional Intelligence • Coaching and Developing Performance • Decision Making • Driving Vision and Purpose • Conflict Management • Leading Innovation • Building and Supporting Teams
Each path is connected to the Louisiana Leadership Competency Model and supports development across four broad areas: Self, People, Results, and Thought. Supervisors use a learning path assessment to reflect on their current challenges, identify where development could have the greatest impact, and select the path that best supports how
they want to lead. Ready to Begin?
Newly appointed supervisors who are required to complete Leadership Journey should begin by checking their SuccessFactors Learning Dashboard. From there, they can view assigned courses, monitor progress, and select a learning path course when prompted.
Learn more about the Leadership Journey
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2026
Excellent Compliance Audits
State Civil Service would like to commend several agencies for an excellent Compliance Audit. These agencies achieved 90% compliance or higher in all categories audited, had no areas of concern, and no major rule violations. Congratulations to Imperial Calcasieu Human Services Authority, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Fund. The results received by these agencies show the value and importance of excellence they place on Civil Service rule compliance. They are to be commended for a job well done!
Louisiana State Civil Service Receives NASPE Award for Continuous Performance Management Digital Resource Hub
Louisiana State Civil Service has been awarded the 2026 Eva N. Santos Communication Award by the National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE) for its Continuous Performance Management (CPM) Digital Resource Hub, a comprehensive online resource that supports Louisiana's statewide performance management system.
Recognizing the need for a centralized source of information, Louisiana State Civil Service created the Digital Resource Hub to provide employees, supervisors, and HR professionals with easy access to timelines, Civil Service Rules, policy guidance, forms, frequently asked questions, training videos, and supervisor resources. The hub serves more than 38,000 classified employees across dozens of state agencies and promotes a consistent approach to performance management throughout state government. “At Louisiana State Civil Service, we are committed to anticipating the needs of the people we serve and providing practical solutions that make their jobs easier,” said Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., Director of Louisiana State Civil Service. Director Byron P. Decoteau, Jr., along with SCS General Counsel Sherri Gregoire and Chief Operating Officer Nicole Tucker, received the award during NASPE's 2026 Annual Meeting in July.
Read the full Media Release
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2026
State Civil Service Joins State Gov Today Podcasts State Civil Service Director, Byron P. Decoteau, Jr. and Chief Operating Officer, Nicole Tucker, sat down with State Gov Today and other government leaders during the National Association of State Personnel Executives Annual Meeting in July to discuss key topics currently affecting state workforces.
See a summary and watch the video
See a summary and watch the video
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2026
Celebrating a Leadership Milestone: Our 100th Leadership Academy Graduate
The Leadership Academy has reached an exciting milestone! Leah Castillo, with DOTD, has become the 100th employee to complete the Leadership Academy training program. This achievement represents more than the completion of a series of courses. It reflects Leah’s commitment to professional development, continuous learning, and becoming a stronger leader in state government. The Leadership Academy helps employees develop practical skills in leadership, communication, and employee management. Participants gain tools they can use to strengthen workplace relationships, navigate professional challenges, and prepare for future career opportunities.
Reflecting on her experience, Leah shared:
“The knowledge and skills I gained through the Leadership Academy will be valuable in helping me achieve my career goals with the state. I look forward to applying what I have learned in real-world situations and continuing to grow as a leader. I would highly recommend these courses to anyone looking to advance their career and develop a stronger understanding of effective leadership, communication, and employee management.”
Leah Castillo, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Reaching 100 graduates is also an important milestone for the Leadership Academy. Each graduate represents an employee who has invested in developing the skills needed to lead effectively and contribute to a stronger state workforce. Congratulations to Leah on becoming our 100th Leadership Academy graduate! We celebrate her accomplishment and look forward to seeing how she applies what she has learned throughout her continued leadership journey. Employees interested in strengthening their leadership skills and preparing for future career opportunities are encouraged to explore the Leadership Academy in SuccessFactors and take the next step in their own professional development.
Learn more about our Leadership Academy and other leadership development opportunities
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State Civil Service Spotlight | September 2026
Check out our Recent YouTube Videos
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Success Series Webinars: Overcoming Burnout, September 2026 Success Series Webinars facilitates personal and professional development through offering engaging and relevant topics quarterly. Learn more about Success Series Webinars
SCS CPTP Leadership Academy Virtual Event Learning While Leading, September 2026 The SCS CPTP Leadership Academy is designed to help participants prepare for leadership opportunities by developing essential leadership skills. Through a mix of web- based courses and a variety of virtual events, participants will learn valuable skills that will serve them well as they continue their employment journey. Learn more about Leadership Academy Stay Up To Date
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11 Nov 26 Nov 3 Nov
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Louisiana State Civil Service | P.O. Box 94111 | Baton Rouge, LA 70804 US
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