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Human Resources Department

Sonoma County Prosecutors’ Association (SCPA)

2023 - 2026 SCPA Memorandum of Understanding: Article 9: Staff Development

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What’s on this Page:

  • 9.1 Staff Development and Wellness Benefit Allowance – Amount
  • 9.2 Professional Development – Additional Amount
  • 9.3 Continuing Education Leave
  • 9.4 In-Service Training
    • 9.4.1 Authorization
    • 9.4.2 Payment for In-Service Training
  • 9.5 Article 9, Staff Development

Read Next: Health & Welfare Benefits for Active Employees

9.1 Staff Development and Wellness Benefit Allowance – Amount

Full time and part time (.40 FTE and greater) employees who are in allocated positions are eligible for Staff Development and Wellness Benefit Allowance. As specified in the chart below, full-time and part-time employees shall receive reimbursement pursuant to the online Staff Development and Wellness Benefit Allowance Program Administrative guidelines.

  Full-Time
1.00 FTE
¾ Time
> .75 FTE
Part-Time
.40 - .74 FTE
Annual Staff Development / Wellness Allowance $1,250 $1,250 $800
Effective July 1, 2016 (subject to provisions of Section 9.3)
Additional Annual Professional Development Allowance
$452 $452 $300

Unused funds may not be carried over into the next fiscal year. Use of funds are subject to the online Staff Development Administrative Guidelines and may be taxable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

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9.2 Professional Development – Additional Amount

Effective July 1, 2016, an additional annual allowance may be used for Staff Development as outlined in the County’s Staff Development Benefit Allowance Program Administrative Guidelines. The additional annual amounts of the allowance which can be used towards reimbursable expenses for this benefit are specified in the chart in Section 9.1, and shall be limited to professional development expenses (i.e. membership dues, conference and training fees, books, legal manuals).

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9.3 Continuing Education Leave

When a continuing education course is offered during an employee’s normal work schedule, the employee may be authorized continuing education leave. Continuing education leave authorization shall be subject to the approval of the Department Head and must be directly related to the employee’s present position or career advancement within the department.  Continuing education leave shall be considered as time worked.

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9.4 In-Service Training

9.4.1 Authorization

Attendance at in-service training courses may be authorized by the Department Head.

9.4.2 Payment For In-Service Training 

There are three ways the expenses of the program may be paid:

  1. By the County:  Expenditures for travel, meals, lodging, registration and other items included annually within the department budget, with prior Department Head approval.
  2. By other public or private agencies:  Expenditures paid by grants from the State or Federal governments, from private organization or from professional organizations.
  3. By the individual employee:  The employee may pay the in-service training expenses in whole or in part from the employee’s private resources, if the employee requests and receives approval from the Department Head for paid release time to attend the authorized training.

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9.5 Article 9, Staff Development

Article 9 is not arbitrable. However, Article 9 is grievable and subject to mediation.

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