The author examines the dependence and impact of the distribution of powers of local governments, the content of their functions, activities and tasks in the context of the formation of professional competence, professionalism and professional mobility of officials as subjects of labor and activity. The main idea of the article is that in Ukraine there is now a separation of local government from state. This exacerbates the problem of redistribution and separation of functions and, accordingly, tasks and powers, which will be reflected in the substantive characteristics of professionalism and professional mobility of officials as their current professional qualities. The subject of the study is the impact of decentralization, the process of transformation of public administration on the process of professionalization of local government officials. The research methodology consists in the integrated involvement of the following research methods: methods of analysis: system analysis; complex analysis, decompositions, sequential comparison method and logical and dynamic methods; structural and functional method to clarify the basic concepts. The article uses construction methods: system method; methods of forecasting and planning processes, modeling method; method of structuring goals. The abstract-logical method was used for theoretical generalization and formulation of conclusions. The purpose of the study is to develop areas for improving personnel policy in local governments in Ukraine, through meaningful disclosure of the concepts of «human resources», «professional potential», «professionalism», «professional mobility» in relation to the professional group of local government officials, outlines problems and possible approaches to improving these potentials in Ukrainian realities. The result of the article is a set of main areas of development and improvement of personnel policy and activities of the structural unit for staff development in local government, which are designed to develop professional mobility as a modern top quality of officials. The conclusions indicate the need to improve the forms and methods of working with local government officials, the reserve of personnel, the use of mechanisms and principles of formation and implementation of personnel policy in local governments, creating organizational conditions, addressing the issue of rational selection, placement and professional development personnel through a comprehensive assessment of staff, in particular professional potential, including the activity expression of the latter. The time has come for radical changes in the content of training, retraining and advanced training, self-education of local government officials, which would correspond to the new powers and competencies of local governments, based on professional potential and suitability, aimed at achieving high professionalism and professional mobility, including high professional culture. From the author's point of view, it is necessary to provide for the allocation of funds in local budgets for the training of municipal employees in the amount of at least 4% of the salary fund. It is also necessary to strengthen the protection of local government officials from involvement in election campaigns, from unjustified dismissals of officials, in particular in cases where there is a renewal of politicians and leadership of local governments.