Special District Leadership Foundation “Access to Excellence” Grants Available

Grant Application & Median household income (pdf)

Special district general managers are invited to apply for an “Access to Excellence” grant.

Thanks to the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) is able to fund 10 general managers from disadvantaged areas for their application fee ($300), their exam fee ($150) and an entire set of reference materials ($225) so they can study for and take the Special District Administrator examination during 2011 and potentially become one of the general managers that are Special District Administrators. There are currently only 50 Special District Administrators out of the nearly 2,000 special district general managers in California.

The Special District Administrator certification program is a certification program offered by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) and the following partners:

Association of California Water Agencies
California Association of Public Cemeteries
California Association of Recreation and Park Districts
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Rural Water Association
California Special Districts Association
Fire Districts Association of California
Mosquito & Vector Control Association of California

Special District Administrator certification is a designation sought by individuals who strive to be the best. Administrators with various academic and professional backgrounds and from all size special districts can be candidates for the program. The certification examination and study guide were developed through the participation of over 100 volunteer subject matter experts who know special district administration. Guided by the SDLF Board and Certification Advisory Committee, and under direction by a professional examination development firm, this certification will give successful candidates recognition unmatched by any other program.

Certification helps document and recognize a candidate’s knowledge, skills and capabilities as a special district administrator. The two-hour examination covers all key aspects of special district administration. The core competencies covered by the examination include:

Governance
Legal Requirements
Policy Development
Ethics in Public Service
External Relations and Leadership
Strategic Planning
Boardspersonship
Finance
Public and Customer Relations
Organization
Budget, Audit, Purchasing, Records and Public Finance
Personnel and Supervision

helps document and recognize a candidate’s knowledge, skills and capabilities as a special district administrator. The two-hour exam covers all key aspects of special district administration. The core competencies cove