(A) The county encourages all employees to strengthen their professional skills and may assist them in doing so by paying for approved professional development in their field of employment. Professional development may include seminars, books, certification programs and other items determined at supervisor and department director’s discretion and availability of funding.
(B) Required development. When an employee is required by the county to pursue professional development related to his/her assigned duties, the county will pay for tuition, materials, transportation and accommodation expenses. Employees will also be compensated for education time in formal courses up to eight hours per day and up to 40 hours per week. The county will provide time off with pay for examinations that fall within the normal workweek. Certification and renewal fees required by the county will be reimbursed. Proper documentation must be submitted and approved by the department director prior to reimbursement.
(C) Voluntary development. When an employee voluntarily seeks professional development, tuition may be paid or partially paid at the supervisor and department director’s discretion based on whether the development outcomes or a portion of them will benefit the county and subject to the availability of funds in the department’s budget. The employee will not be compensated for travel and accommodation expenses. Time off without pay may be granted at the supervisor’s discretion.
(D) (1) Employees wishing to take advantage of optional development should make a written request to their supervisor. Training funds must be split among employees so there may be a waiting period for employee to participate.
(2) The department director will set priorities for training needs within his/her department. Fees for registrations and certifications that are not either requested by the county or approved by the department director will not be reimbursed.
(E) Professional societies. Subject to the availability of funds, the county will pay the annual dues and travel expenses to technical and professional organizations for employees when such participation has been requested by or approved by the county. Employees may request to join additional work related organizations, and the county may pay for annual dues and travel expenses if approved by department director and subject to availability of funds.
(‘77 Code, § 13-72) (Ord. 1584, passed 9-17-84; Am. Ord. 5288, passed 10-17-88; Am. Ord. 1214, passed 5-5-14; Am. Ord. 3918, passed 8-20-18)