Programs

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Essential Leadership Skills Certificate

Offers special district employees who are aspiring to be general managers the opportunity to be recognized for learning essential skills needed for success in local government leadership.

Earning this certificate demonstrates training in critical skills to competently lead special districts. The modules are taught by experienced certified special district managers and local government experts.

Do you want to receive reminders for upcoming training requirements, program highlights, and more? Commit to being one of the first to earn the Essential Leadership Skills Certificate today!

Commit Now

Effective Communication 2 Required

Who Does What? Best Practices for Board and Staff Roles and Communications 

Effective government at the local level relies on many people playing specific roles. This webinar will cover applicable laws and best practices for developing positive and effective relationships between elected board members and their staff, including a discussion of legal standards and practical tips to ensure good and productive government.

 Webinar: October 10, 2023      OnDemand

Grassroots Advocacy and Public Outreach 

This course will be divided into three consecutive one-hour webinars. You must attend all three webinars to complete this module for the certificate.

 Webinar: February 14, 2023     OnDemand

Organizational Development 1 Required

Organizational Development in a Changed Workplace  

Effective government at the local level relies on many people playing specific roles. This Virtual Workshop will cover applicable laws and best practices for developing positive and effective relationships between elected board members and their staff, including a discussion of legal standards and practical tips to ensure good and productive government.

 Virtual Workshop: May 10 - 11, 2023 

Financial Management 1 Required

Financial Management for Special Districts  

Money, money, money…it’s on everyone’s mind and on your job description. Make sure you understand the full scope of financial information affecting special districts today. From budgeting and internal controls to long-term planning and capital improvement plans. Attendees will get the information they need to begin to assess the overall financial health of their district and the steps needed to make positive changes.

Workshop: April 26, 2023  Virtual Workshop: October 25 - 26, 2023

Human Resources Management 1 Required

Human Resources Boot Camp  

Are you prepared to face the important HR trends that are emerging now? CSDA is pleased to present a full-day HR Boot Camp that will cover cutting-edge information that HR professionals in special districts need to know. Divided into four segments: hiring, performance evaluation, employee discipline, and legal trends, this day is designed to maximize your time and give you substantive information you can use in your district right away.

 Virtual Workshop: October 18 - 19, 2023

Leadership 1 Required

Supervisory Skills for the Public Sector  

This course for supervisors will discuss and explore the supervisory skills necessary to work with people in the public sector environment. The course will cover what is expected of a supervisor, how to monitor and evaluate employees, and how to coach, mentor, and motivate employees.

 Virtual Workshop: September 13 - 14, 2023

So, You Want to be a GM? 

A practical career development workshop for senior executives and emerging leaders in special districts. This action-oriented workshop includes group and panel discussions on the journey, roles, and skill sets of a general manager, identifying GM opportunities including positioning yourself for executive recruitment, developing positive relations with the board, staff, and peer agency executives, and leadership practices.

Workshop: June 25, 2023 Workshop: August 28, 2023

Special District Laws 1 Required

Overview of Special District Laws  

Day One will include an overview of board governance issues. The presentation will address Brown Act requirements, including agendas, closed sessions, committees, voting, teleconferencing, and recording of open meetings. Day Two will review compliance issues related to the California Public Records Act (“CPRA”). It will also address California website compliance that integrates the CPRA, and Brown Act, and addresses Section 508 ADA Compliance, State Controller Reports, Healthcare District Website, and Open Data.

 Virtual Workshop: May 3 - 4, 2023

Requirements

To earn the Essential Leadership Skills Certificate (ELSC), participants must complete the following six modules:

  1. Effective Communication (5 hours)
  2. Organizational Development (6 hours)
  3. Financial Management (6 hours)
  4. Human Resources Management (6 hours)
  5. Leadership (6 hours)
  6. Special District Laws (6 hours)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who should apply?


This is individual recognition. Supervisors, managers, department heads, and/or new general managers are encouraged to apply.

What do you receive?


Upon completion and verification of the application and submission of the one-time fee, you will be recognized by receiving a custom certificate in a beautiful, padded folder, that can be presented at an upcoming event should you be able to attend.

How long is the certificate good for?


This achievement lasts a lifetime. All you need to do is keep SDLF current anytime you change addresses, jobs, etc.

CSDM Hours: Continuing education, application approval, and the paid fee will equal a total of 50 points toward the Certified Special District Manager program (35 hours for education and 15 hours for completing the program.)

Fees: $65, one-time fee

Apply Now