Courses and Programs
With the County of Santa Barbara you can use your talent and initiative to grow and advance within the organization. To support your professional development and to create a diverse workforce, the County operates the Employees’ University which offers a variety of learning opportunities in north and south county. Employees, from line staff to executives, can take advantage of online, half-day, full-day, and multi-day sessions that help to build competencies and hone skills and are in-line with the County's core values of customer service, accountability, and efficiency (ACE). Topics include workplace communication, transforming conflict, project management, policy development, presentation skills, strategic leadership, and more. In 1998, the Employees' University established a partnership with Santa Barbara City College. Through this partnership you are able to earn academic credit for a majority of the EU classes.
The Employees' University also offers classes specifically designed for employees in the administrative, financial, and legal office professional job categories. The instructor-led and online classes are listed on the office professional matrices and can be accessed through the Office Professional Opportunities Board (SBC Intranet). The online courses for office professionals are available through Mindleaders.
Our highly successful Leadership Development Program for supervisors, managers, and executives has become a major foundation for those in leadership roles. Participants learn strategies to inspire and motivate staff to effectively adapt to ongoing change and reach greater heights in the public sector business world.
All EU courses are an excellent investment for a level of high-quality training conducted by public sector experts.
A list of the courses currently being offered may be viewed on the course schedule page.
An alphabetical listing of all general courses may be viewed by clicking on this link.
| Just-in-Time Classes (customized training for County departments and external agencies) |
Just-in-Time (JIT) is a method that allows participation from employees who are unable to attend Employees' University classes. If your department has a group of employees who would like to take the same EU class, it can be arranged, just-in-time, to fit your schedule.
The class can be held at a location of your choice or at the EU training center and classes can be customized to fit your business objectives using the existing catalog of courses. The EU can conduct a single class or a series of classes just for your department.
A minimum of 12 participants is required and discounts apply for large groups.
SBC departments: Click here for request form and rates.
External agencies: Click here for request form and rates.
Extension classes are special classes that are in addition to the general, credit-based EU courses. Registration fees vary and academic credit is not available for these classes. The EU conducts a majority of these classes, but if your department is interested in conducting an extension class that would benefit the entire employee population, call the Training Coordinator at x1743. A list of extension courses may be viewed on the course schedule page.
A variety of computer classes are offered in Santa Barbara and are coordinated and conducted by Santa Barbara City College. The classes are held at the Wake Center at 300 N. Turnpike Road, Room 5.
North county computer classes are also available in Santa Maria and are conducted by an independent contractor.
Summer 2010 classes begin July 13. Please check the course schedule for a listing of available courses.
You must register for computer classes through the EU.
The EU hosts a Master of Public Administration in Public Sector Management degree completion program offered through the California State University at Northridge. This is a two year program and since 2007 approximately 57 participants have graduated. This program is open to County and non-County employees. Classes are held one night a week at the EU. For more information regarding this program, contact Patti Burleson at patti.burleson@csun.edu or check their web site at http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/mpaapply. The next session will begin in 2011.