Dallas County values the professional and personal development of its employees, so it has adopted the following policy pertaining to continuing education.
Dallas County offers a Continuing Education/Self-Education Program that is designed to provide qualified employees the opportunity to enhance their skills. All eligible Dallas County employees working in departments that report to the Commissioners Court are allowed to spend up to five hours each workweek engaging in education and development as an employee benefit. An elected official may opt into the Continuing Education/Self-Education policy by notifying the Director of Human Resources.
The specific program must be approved in advance and in accordance with the program guidelines.
Program Requirements
An employee may utilize the program for the following purposes:
- Professional Development
- To participate in conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and courses to update job skills, learn about office technology, and study ways to improve workplace communication and efficiency.
- Occupational Certification and Licensure
- To comply with the laws, standards, and certifications that allow an employee to remain licensed and work within a profession.
- College Credit and Degrees
- To earn college credits an employee can apply towards a degree or continuing education classes to start a career in a field of interest that is job related.
Eligibility
To participate in the Dallas County Continuing Education/Self-Education Program, an employee must:
- Work full-time;
- Have been employed for at least six months without interruption before enrolling in a course as part of a degree program;
- Maintain quality performance and conduct standards; and
- Work in a department reporting to the Dallas County Commissioners Court or in a department reporting to an elected official who has opted into the program.
Requirements
An employee must submit a request in accordance with program guidelines prior to starting any coursework or learning activity.
The department director or elected official will determine how the benefit will be taken so it does not disrupt the routine operations of the department.
Continued participation in this program is contingent upon the successful completion of previously approved courses/learning activities.
The employee must promptly inform the department director or elected official and Human Resources if the employee no longer wishes to participate in the Dallas County Continuing Education/Self-Education Program. All professional training will be recorded on each employee’s learning history transcript.
