HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2013-025 Ordinance amending OC Code of Ordinances, Chpt. 28 Personnel, Article IV - 28-45 Tuition Refund Program, Educational Leave V�lrGd 1�(./�✓���
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Orange County Personnel Rules and Regulations Effective Date:
Article IV,Section 28-45, Tuition Refund Program and Educational Leave
I. ORDINANCE
Full-time and part-time permanent employees may be eligible 'to obtain financial
assistance for the purpose of furthering their education and skills to enhance the delivery .
of services to County residents.
II. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES AND REGULATIONS
A. The Tuition Refund Program shall be administered by the County Manager.
B. All courses shall be eligible when, in the opinion of the relevant Department
Head and the Human Resources Director, the course will either improve the
employee's ability to do their present job or help prepare the employee for a
County position which will demand a higher skill or ability level. The
initiative for participation in the program must originate with the employee.
Participation is on the employee's own time off except as specified in Section
N. (Sheriff Department employees taking Law Enforcement related courses
are not eligible under this program as they have own existing program.)
C. All courses must be job related and approved by the Department Head and the
County Manger. Courses must help the employee in their present position or
prepare the employee for greater training, skills, or knowledge in a career with
the County. The candidate for tuition refund or educational leave will be
required to file a formal application for such leave with the department head.
All approvals for tuition refunds must be obtained in advance of class
enrollment.
D. Total costs which the County will pay for each eligible employee are limited
to no more than the average in state semester tuition cost per fiscal year and
shall apply to fees and books required for the courses (Activity fees are not
reimbursable.) Receipts for all reimbursable expenses must be attached to the
request turned in following successful completion of the course. Travel is
reimbursable, only on date of registration for the course. Verification of a
passing grade or successful completion must also accompany the request. (A
grade of"C" or "Pass" is required in formal course work.)Nothing is paid if
the employee fails to complete the course._
E. Funding for the program shall be available up to the limits established by the
County Commissioners and monies shall be disbursed each fiscal year.
F. Request for reimbursement must be made within 30 days of course
completion.The employee shall be responsible for obtaining reimbursements.
G. Successful completion of the course or degree shall not warrant additional
pay-
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Orange County Personnel Rules and Regulations Effective Date:
H. All reimbursement checks shall be forwarded to the employee via the Finance
Department.
I. Expenses for training courses, seminars or workshops shall not be reimbursed
under this procedure.
J. An employee may receive an advance payment of no more than 50% of the
tuition costs, (verification of costs must accompany request for advance
payment) provided they shall agree to repay the County should their
employment terminate prior to and/or before a date within one month of
course completion or should the employee fail to complete the course as
specified in Section N.
K. In the event that repayment is necessary, repayment shall be made to the
County by direct reimbursement or by payroll deduction within two semi-
monthly periods or a one month period. Authorization or the number and
amount of payroll deductions shall be made by the County Manager.
L. The County Manager may consult with the relevant Department Heads in
determining termination status of an employee and may also enlist the aid of
the County Revenue Department in securing repayment.
M. Upon recommendation of the supervising department head and the approval of
the Manager, a leave of absence at full or part pay during or outside of regular
working hours may be granted to permit an employee to take courses of study
as indicated in Section C.
N. The procedures and policy for extended educational leave without pay are
synonymous with those outlined for leave without pay.
O. An employee going on full Education Leave with pay will be obligated to
remain employed with the County for one (1) year following completion of
their education. If the agreement is not kept the employee is expected to
refund tuition fees and other expenses paid by the County as indicated in
Section L and/or amounts will be held out from final compensation due the
employee at termination.
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