Application and Qualification. (a) Prior to beginning the course for which reimbursement is being requested, the Employee must submit to the Office of Personnel a Request for Tuition Reimbursement. This request must be approved by the Administrative Assistant, the Chief Deputy, and the Sheriff. The discretion to grant or deny final approval lies solely with the Sheriff.
(b) The Employer shall consider the request under the following criteria:
(1) The relevance of the course content to the Employee’s job duties or those of a position within the Xxxxxx County Sheriff’s Office that the Employee may reasonably hope to attain; provided that the Employer may, in the Employer’s sole discretion, approve tuition reimbursement for core courses in a basic education requirement for a degree program that does meet this relevance standard;
(2) The Employee’s performance, including performance evaluations, disciplinary action, timeliness and up-to-date status of work, and commendations received;
(3) Whether the Employee has regular and consistent attendance;
(4) The Employer’s special need for additional education or training among particular classifications, positions, or employees.
(5) The availability of funds within the budget account for training approved by the Board of County Commissioners, and other pending requests for tuition reimbursement within the available funds.
Application and Qualification. Prior to beginning the course for which prepayment or reimbursement is being requested, the employee shall submit a Tuition Payment Agreement Form to his or her supervisor. Since the City is primarily interested in paying for courses that result in a college degree, the employee needs to include a degree plan (listing of courses) with the request. The Chief or his designee and the appointing authority must approve this request. To ensure funding is available, the tuition request shall be made far enough in advance so money can be made available in the department/division budget for that year. The discretion to grant or deny final approval lies solely with the appointing authority. The appointing authority may consider the request under the following criteria:
A. The relevance of the course to the employee’s job duties or those of a position within the office or department that the employee may reasonably hope to attain; provided that the appointing authority may, in his or her sole discretion, approve payment for core courses in a basic education requirement for a college degree program that does meet this relevance standard.
B. The employee’s performance, including performance evaluations and disciplinary actions.
C. The City’s special need for additional education or training among particular classifications, positions, or employees.
D. The course is offered through an accredited college, university, technical institute, business school, or related educational school or institution.
E. Courses taken during an employee’s normal working hours or during time in which he or she is being paid by the City will not be eligible for reimbursement. Any request for the use of flexible work schedules may be considered by the appointing authority.
F. The availability of tuition funds.
