Municipal Association Executive Director Todd Glover, left, presents an Achievement Award trophy for Population 5,001 — 10,000 Category to Hartsville Councilmember Teresa Mack during the 2021 Annual Meeting on Hilton Head Island. (download photo)
The City of Hartsville has received a Municipal Achievement Award for its youth professional development at Neptune Island Waterpark. The town won in the 5,001 – 10,000 population category. Twenty-seven cities and towns submitted their projects and initiatives for consideration in the annual awards.
The City of Hartsville’s Neptune Island waterpark, which welcomed nearly 200,000 guests in its first three seasons, employs about 200 seasonal staff members each year. Nearly all of these workers are high school or college students, making the park one of the region’s largest employers of this age group. The city recognized it as a unique opportunity to enhance leadership and teamwork skills in the community’s young people, building job experience in its local workforce.
After using a local staffing agency for the waterpark’s first season, the city switched to handling human resources for the park internally. The Neptune Island team then developed new training efforts based on its own experiences and guidance from companies respected for their customer service, such as Disney and Chick-fil-A. The team built strategic partnerships with local school districts to engage with students.
They also created employee incentive programs and model leadership opportunities. Neptune Island’s staff members have benefitted from the job skills learned at the attraction as they have transitioned into their professional lives, making the park an investment in Hartsville’s future workforce.
In 2021, Neptune Island will introduce an Employee Advisory Committee to give employees more opportunities to improve the guest experience at the park. It will also grow the leadership program with additional training offerings, and will feature professional development activities like interview training, professional communications and resume-building workshops.
“Not only has Hartsville invested in its tourism economy, it has also invested in its valuable young people and future workforce,” said Todd Glover, executive director for the Municipal Association.
These winning entries represent innovative projects undertaken by Municipal Association member cities and towns. Information and a video about the project are available on the Association’s website accessible by visiting www.masc.sc (keyword: Achievement Awards).
The Municipal Association of SC initiated the Achievement Awards in 1987 to recognize and encourage innovations and excellence in local government.
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