About us:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, Ltd., (est. 1989) is a unique training firm committed to helping candidates reach their goals by understanding the dynamic “Link” between “dimensions” and Job Performance! While we do help candidates prepare for promotions, our real focus is to help you develop your skills in order to be a great supervisor and manager! If you don’t know what the “dimensions” are, and what the assessors are looking for, how can you possibly expect to do well on a promotional exam? If you don’t promote, you don’t get the opportunity to develop and grow as a supervisor or manager. More importantly, candidates often miss the reasons why they want to promote and fail to see the connection to their commitment to the organization.
More importantly, it’s not about the tests… it’s about whether or not you are ready to do the JOB!
The steps to first line supervision or to management can be challenging. The key to success is not in the preparation for a test or promotional process, but in developing the skills required in that new role as a supervisor or manager. Our workshops and texts help candidates see that connection and how they can practice and demonstrate those transferable skills on a daily basis, prior to any promotional process.
Our unique ability to zero in on the job dimensions or KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) and help you identify your own transferable skills, with accurate and sometimes direct but constructive feedback on areas to improve, has helped many candidates reach their goals.
Our success is only the successes of our candidates who go on to become great supervisors and leaders!
Since 1990, KSA Ltd., has helped hundreds of candidates nationally to “demystify” the promotional process; from interviews, resumes and assessment centers! Just check out our Successes! tab to see someone you may know who was promoted after attending our course.
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Check out some of the job descriptions that are posted. Keep in mind that each job description is a clue to just what it is that, a: raters are looking for and b: skill set that you already should be developing well before any promotional exam! There is a “self-assessment” ranking box in most of these, so you can see areas where you may need to improve some skills.
Note: Classes may be requested by agency/POA/DSA or group. Email us if you’re interested in a class. Classes are based on demand or by arrangement.
Contact us: 888-732-2173 (Hit “O” to leave a message)
email: assessmentcenterinfo@gmail.com
Rick Michelson, Director of KSA
Mr. Michelson, MPA, is a former Police Sgt., Lt., and Interim Chief, with over 30 years experience in law enforcement. He is also a college professor and teaches in a Criminal Justice Program at a Community College in the San Diego area. His research has been focused on leadership development issues in public safety agencies. His article on Succession Planning for police managers, was published by Police Chief magazine in June of 2006. (Article is available on this site) He also taught Police Administration & Management courses as well as Emergency Planning at the Graduate level. His experience in Law Enforcement includes positions as sworn officer, sergeant, lieutenant and as an “Interim” Chief with a Community College Police Dept. He was also a Reserve Lieutenant, in Backgrounds & Training with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.
He has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, has written a variety of articles, study guides, and books. Rick was a facilitator for the Public Safety Leadership & Ethics course in conjunction with the California State Chancellors’ office for Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). He has been a presenter for the International Congress of Assessment Center Methods, the Ohio Police Chief’s In-Service and Annual Conference, the International DACUM Conferences and a keynote speaker at the 2008 National Summit on Recruitment, Retention and Diversity.
He developed a series of intensive, “hands-on” workshops designed to help police, corrections and firefighters experience those skills needed for that next rank. This helps in leadership development, since they are able to demonstrate their abilities in key scenarios related to the actual job they are aspiring to achieve. It also helps them prepare for performance based exercise. The program has been presented nationally, with students from throughout the U.S. Many of his former students have benefited from the training and have been promoted. Promotions have ranged from Sergeants, Lt’s, Captain’s, up to Deputy Chief for police and Fire Capt.’s to BC & DC’s, as well as federal agents for GS-13-15 positions.
Amy Mitchell has been a Training & Development Specialist with KSA Ltd. since 2002. She has worked as a Human Resources Director, Manager and Analyst in both the private and public sectors. She has her PHR Certification, her Management Certificate in Human Resources from the University of California, Irvine, a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration. She specializes in conducting job analyses to create performance-based examinations and behavioral interviews. She is a Presenter and Trainer to school districts, professional associations, and statewide conferences related to promotional preparation, examination design and supervision skills. She is a former California Highway Patrol Officer; served on the Citizen’s Review Board for a large police agency; served an internship with a District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit, and was the Human Resources Manager for a federal detention facility. She has been a life-long volunteer, teaching life-skills and literacy programs to at-risk youth.
Jeff Pierce
Lieutenant Jeff Pierce is a 25-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department. Lieutenant Pierce began his career working in patrol, then as a field training officer, was promoted to a patrol sergeant, supervised a precinct crime suppression squad, was the Department’s night-time sergeant in charge of the deployment of detective resources, and is currently a shift commander who has led and managed several different precincts throughout the city.
Lieutenant Pierce holds a bachelor’s degree in human services with an emphasis in law enforcement, a master’s degree in educational leadership with an emphasis in adult learning, and a PhD in leadership development. He has taught at the university level to include undergraduate and graduate studies and currently teaches leadership courses for the city of Phoenix.