226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400Nashville, TN 37219(615) 532-3555 ctas.support@tennessee.edu

2021

CTAS Training

Catalog

CTAS Training Catalog • 2021 Page 2

About CTAS Training

Get a k@te Account

CTAS offers several training opportunities for county officials and their employees. Our programs cover a wide variety of topics related to county government, administrative operations, and technical skills.

We administer two programs, County Officials Certificate Training Program and Certified County Finance Officer Program.

In addition to these two programs, we also offer a wide variety of online training opportunities. This catalog contains training schedules as well as course listings for our current offerings.

Step 1: Apply for a k@te account online here: https://tennessee.csod.com/selfreg/register.aspx?p=tennessee&c=utips-ctas-nu Step 2: Receive confirmation email.Step 3: Go to https://kate.tennessee.edu/ctas and click LOGIN.Step 4: Enter username and password.Step 5: Start training!

Note: We review each k@te account request manually and verify that requestors are county officials/employees before approving. Our system does not allow for auto-approvals. We appreciate your patience.

Have a question? Email ctas.support@tennessee.edu.

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How to EnrollTo enroll in COCTP, you need to fill out the enrollment form on our website: https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/content/coctp-enrollment and submit payment for the $300 enrollment fee. We accept check, purchase order, or payment by credit card (over the phone). Your enrollment will not be finalized until we receive & process your payment.

County Officials Certificate Training Program (COCTP)COCTP is designed to provide specialized, technical and managerial training to elected officials and their employees in order to help them run their office more effectively. It also offers a comprehensive review of county government. CTAS believes that a broader understanding of the mechanics of county government will afford COCTP graduates a better knowledge of the county as an entity, which will help them to better serve their constituency. Graduates of COCTP will obtain a thorough understanding of county government and be designated with the title of Certified Public Administrator.

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COCTP DetailsFee Structure$300 Enrollment Fee (one-time)$300 Capstone Fee (one-time)$100 Recertification Fee (annual)

Program Requirements• 4 of the Core classes• 40 credits of Electives• A passing score of 70% or higher earned on the County Government Overview• A passing score of 70% or higher earned on the Exit Exam• Attendance at the Capstone event

Core CoursesCore classes are Tennessee county job-specific and technical training courses. The goal is to aid county government officials in performing their jobs administering county services. Efficient county government administration requires a thorough knowledge of the types of county services to be delivered, highly developed financial skills, a keen awareness of the legal environment in which county officials work, and proficiency in information technology. Participants must complete 4 Core classes.

Elective CoursesElective courses aid county officials in better managing their staff and serving the public. Capable county administrators manage change, lead people, build coalitions, and are results-driven. Therefore, many management and leadership courses are offered as electives. You can also take additional core classes as elective credits. You must earn 40 credits in this category to fulfill the elective component. Again, courses selected under this category are at your discretion, based on your preference. These courses are offered in a classroom setting and online. Credit is given one time only per course.

Tennessee County Government OverviewThis is an online class using e-Li, the CTAS electronic library, to complete a 50-question test. This class provides a broad understanding of county government in Tennessee. You must obtain a score of 70 percent or higher to receive credit for this course.

Exit ExamThe Exit Exam tests your understanding of the characteristics of an efficient county government. It also tests your knowledge of issues relating to the delivery of county services, legal environment, and county finances. After all class requirements are completed, participants are required to pass a 50-question closed book exam with a minimum score of 70 percent. The questions for the Exit Exam are directly related to information covered in the Tennessee County Government Overview using e-Li. The Exit Exam is available online in k@te.

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COCTP Details

Have a question? Email ctas.support@tennessee.edu.

Capstone EventAfter passing the Exit Exam, participants are invited to attend the Capstone event. There is a $300 fee required to participate in this event. Capstone is an intensive and highly personalized event that focuses on working together with other county officials from across the state.

The purpose of the Capstone event is to provide the opportunity to demonstrate the administrative, leadership, and management skills gained through participation in COCTP.

To participate in the Capstone event, participants must successfully complete the Core and Elective classes and pass the Tennessee County Government Overview and Exit Exam with a score of 70 percent or higher.

At the end of the Capstone event, you will be designated by the University of Ten-nessee as a Certified Public Administrator. You will begin earning recertification credit in the next fiscal year and are excused from the recertification payment for one year.

NOTE: Attendance at all sessions on all days is MANDATORY.

RecertificationThe final component of COCTP is recertification. To retain the designation of Cer-tified Public Administrator, you are required to complete 16 credits of continuing education each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). There is a $100 recertification fee due on September 1 of every year. The fee is valid for one year. It is waived for the first year due to attendance at the Capstone event.

There are several ways you can earn the required 16 credits:• Attend a CTAS Recertification Conference.• Attend classroom or online training provided by CTAS throughout the year.• Take training through other sources, including national, state, local, and profes-

sional associations.• Take training offered at your county association meetings.• Take training sessions offered by private sector organizations.

You must submit documentation of training completed from other sources to re-ceive credit. We have a handy form on our website: https://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/content/coctp-recertification-request.

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2021 COCTP Course ScheduleAll courses are listed in local time. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website for the most current information: http://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/content/training.

Date Time Title Core/Elective

Location

January

Jan 21 9:30am-10:30am Budget Calendar & Preliminary Budget Work

Elective Virtual

Jan 28 9:30am-10:30am Maintenance of Effort (MOEs) Elective Virtual

February

Feb 4 9:30am-10:30am Forecasting Revenue & Developing Expenditures

Elective Virtual

Feb 11 9:30am-10:30am Approving, Submitting, & Managing the Budget

Elective Virtual

March

Mar 3 9:30am-10:30am Building a Highly Effective Team Elective Virtual

Mar 22 9:30am-10:30am Ethics & Social Responsibility in the Workplace

Elective Virtual

April

Apr 21-23 9:00am-3:00pm COCTP Capstone -- Virtual

May

May 11 9:30am-10:30am Organizational Management During Times of Crisis

Elective Virtual

June

Jun 2-4 9:00am-3:00pm COCTP Capstone -- Virtual

Jun 10 8:30am-12:30pm Ethics Core Knoxville

Jun 16 8:30am-12:30pm Ethics Core Nashville

Jun 29 9:00am-3:00pm Trust Issues: Managing Team Conflict & Leadership Styles

Elective Knoxville

July

Jul 6 9:00am-3:00pm Trust Issues: Managing Team Conflict & Leadership Styles

Elective Jackson

Jul 8 9:00am-3:00pm Trust Issues: Managing Team Conflict & Leadership Styles

Elective Nashville

Jul 15 8:30am-12:30pm Ethics Core Jackson

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2021 COCTP Course ScheduleAll courses are listed in local time. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website for the most current information: http://www.ctas.tennessee.edu/content/training.

Date Time Title Core/Elective

Location

August

Aug 11 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Johnson City

Aug 12 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Knoxville

Aug 13 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Chattanooga

Aug 17 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Nashville

Aug 18 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Jackson

Aug 19 8:30am-12:30pm Learning, Liking & Leveraging Social Media

Elective Memphis

September

TBA

October

Oct 13 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Franklin

Oct 14 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Cookeville

Oct 19 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Johnson City

Oct 20 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Knoxville

Oct 21 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Collegedale

Oct 27 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Memphis

Oct 28 8:30am-12:30pm Drug Fund Administration Elective Jackson

November

TBA

December

Dec 8-10 TBA COCTP Renewal -- TBA

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COCTP Online CoursesOur COCTP online core and elective courses are self-paced and 100% virtual. You must have a k@te account to access these courses, but they are available at all times. You will only receive credit once for completing each course.

Core Online CoursesThe County Government Environment • 4 Core CreditsThis self-paced course will review the legal and financial structure of county government in Tennessee as well as the primary responsibilities of various county offices.

HR Overview: How to Recruit ‘em and Retain ‘em • 4 Core CreditsIn this self-paced online course, we will review the current practices as well as tips and suggestions of best practices for various HR functions. We will also discuss and examine a myriad of topics including employee recruitment, attracting the best applicants, behavioral interviewing, the evaluation and selection process, onboarding beyond day one, performance management (all levels), rewards and recognition, and retention strategies.

Legal Issues for County Clerks • 4 Core CreditsIn this self-paced online course, we will discuss legal issues that pertain to the office of County Clerk. Topics include the legal requirements and duties of the county clerk, financial and accounting issues, and beer and marriage.

Legal Issues for Registers of Deeds • 4 Core CreditsIn the self-paced online course, we will discuss legal issues that pertain to the office of the Register of Deeds. Topics include the legal requirements and duties of the registers of deed’s office, types of documents processed by the office, recording requirements, financial issues, filing and indexing, and liability issues.

Preparing a County Budget • 4 Core CreditsThis self-paced online course will discuss items included in an operating budget; describe the different laws under which counties adopt and operate budgets; explain different components of a county budget, and discuss and identify acceptable budget practices.

Property Assessment & Taxation • 4 Core CreditsThis online self-paced course will cover the office function and duties of the Assessor. We will discuss how the office works, the agencies associated with the Assessor’s office and how they interrelate, property and classifications, value, and actual valuation practices.

More core online courses coming soon!

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Elective Online Courses

Americans with Disabilities Act • 1 Elective CreditA review of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The course explains the purpose of Title 1 of the ADA and discusses requirements to be in compliance with Title II of the Act.

Tennessee County Clerks • 1 Elective CreditA review of the job responsibilities for a county clerk. Topics include interaction with the county legislative body, finance responsibilities, pawnbroker licenses, record-keeping and privilege taxes. Marriage licenses and beer permits are covered in other classes.

County Commission Meetings • 1 Elective CreditA review of the statutory requirements for county commission meetings and parliamentary procedures.

Tennessee County Legislative Body • 1 Elective CreditA review of the responsibilities of a county legislative body including how the CLB interacts with other county offices.

Ethics for County Officials • 1 Elective CreditA review of different conflict of interest laws as well as crimes and misconduct that could get a county official ousted from office.

Fair Labor Standards Act • 1 Elective CreditA review of the Fair Labor Standards Act including application, minimum wage and overtime requirements, public safety employee requirements, record-keeping and enforcement.

Family and Medical Leave Act • 1 Elective CreditA review of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the compliance requirements for both employers and employees.

Hiring and Firing • 1 Elective CreditA review of hiring and firing procedures including federal and state discrimination laws, employment applications, appropriate interview questions, and performance evaluation.

Introduction to County Government • 1 Elective CreditA review of the legal and financial structure of county government in Tennessee as well as the primary responsibilities of various county offices.

Managing a Highway Department • 1 Elective CreditA review of the laws that determine how a county highway department is structured, responsibilities toward management of highway resources, and conflicts of interest that should be avoided.

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Elective Online Courses

Managing Public Records • 1 Elective CreditA review of Tennessee’s public records law including steps for disposing of a public record.

Register of Deeds Overview • 1 Elective CreditA review of the basic duties and financial responsibilities of the office of register of deeds.

Tennessee Property Taxes • 1 Elective CreditA review of how the property tax rate is established and the process for collecting property taxes.

Tennessee Marriage Laws • 1 Elective CreditA review of the Tennessee marriage laws. Includes legal qualifications, obtaining a marriage license, requirements for a marriage ceremony, and record keeping procedures.

County Trustee • 1 Elective CreditA review of the job functions of a county trustee including the trustee’s interactions with other county offices.

What is the Property Worth? • 1 Elective CreditA review of the property appraisal and assessment process conducted by the assessor of property.

Workplace Discrimination • 1 Elective CreditA review of federal laws that prohibit discrimination in the workplace. Included are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.

Budget Approval for County Commissioners • 1 Elective CreditBudget Approval for County Commissioners reviews steps for developing an operating budget for approval. It is best to first complete Operating Budgets for County Commissioners. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program. 

Open Meetings for County Commissioners • 1 Elective CreditOpen Meetings for County Commissioners reviews the four requirements of the Open Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program.

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Questions about COCTP Core or Elective Online Courses? ctas.support@tennessee.edu.

Elective Online Courses

Operating Budgets for County Commissioners • 1 Elective CreditOperating Budgets for County Commissioners reviews the importance of operating budgets and planning steps. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program. 

Property Assessment for County Commissioners • 1 Elective CreditProperty Assessment for County Commissioners reviews the job of property assessor, reappraisals, how the property tax rate is calculated, and the County Board of Equalization. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program.

Records Management for County Commissioners • 1 Elective CreditRecords Management for County Commissioners reviews the importance of good records management and the responsibilities of the county public records commission. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program. 

When a Vacancy Occurs • 1 Elective CreditWhen a Vacancy Occurs reviews how vacancies in county offices occur and the process a county legislative body follows for filling vacancies. This is required orientation training for new county commissioners that did not attend the County Officials Orientation Program.

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How to EnrollTo enroll in the CCFO program, you need to create an account on the Comptroller’s CCFO website at https://apps.cot.tn.gov/CCFO. Please be aware that you will need to have an e-mail account to sign up. The Comptroller recommends using a personal email account for account creation. Click the “Register” link at the top of that webpage to create an account.

Certified County Finance Officer (CCFO) ProgramThe Comptroller of the Treasury and CTAS have developed the Certified County Finance Officer (CCFO) program that will provide Tennessee’s county financial officers an opportunity to learn about accounting and financial reporting principles, understand how county governments are structured in Tennessee, and enhance their skills in order to carry out their responsibilities for the fiscal affairs of their county or department. CTAS administers the educational program and testing required to achieve the CCFO designation. The Comptroller’s Office has been designated as the certification authority.

CCFO Program Questions?All questions you have regarding the CCFO program website, forms, and applications should be directed to the Comptroller’s Division of Local Government Audit at (615) 401-7841 or questions may be submitted through LGA.Web@cot.tn.gov.

All questions regarding class schedules, registration, space availability, etc., should be directed to CTAS at ctas.support@tennessee.edu.

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County Administrative Professional Certificate

Course Name Credits1. Customer Service Foundations 1.5

2. Working with Upset Customers 1

3. Effective Listening 1

4. Communication Foundations 1.5

5. Phone-Based Customer SErvice 1

6. Writing Customer Service Emails 1

7. Learning Excel 2016 1

8. Learning Word 2016 1

9. Learning Outlook 2016 1

10. Leading Yourself 1

11. Decision Making 1

12. Efficient Time Management 2

13. Interpersonal Communication 1

14. Unconscious Bias 0.5

15. Communicating Across Cultures 0.5

16. Introduction to County Government 1

The County Administrative Professional Certificate is designed for individuals who want to develop skills for a variety of administrative job functions or professional growth in county government offices.

Participants earn this certificate upon completion of the required sixteen (16) courses for a total of seventeen (17) credits. The program consists of a variety of topics related to technology, communication, and interpersonal skills. 

This certification program is 100% online. 

There is a $100 enrollment fee. It is open to everyone, but it is geared toward those who directly deal with customers and those whose primary job functions are administrative in nature.

All courses are required for completing this program and are available via k@te.

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Course Title CreditsCommunicationsCommunicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues 1

Communicating with Confidence 1

Writing in Plain English 2

Customer ServiceBusiness Etiquette: Phone, Email, and Text 1

Customer Service Leadership 1

Customer Service: Handling Abusive Customers 1

Using Customer Surveys to Improve Service 1

Human ResourcesHuman Resources: Building a Performange Management System 1

Interviewing Techniques 1

Performance Management: Conducting Performance Reviews 1

Preventing Harassment in the Workplace 1

Strategic Human Resources 1

Working with Difficult People 2

Leadership & Management

Building High-Performance Teams 2

Coaching and Developing Employees 1

These classes count for COCTP Elective or Recertification credit. Learn at your own pace in these 100% virtual, online courses from our partnership with LinkedIn Learning.

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Course Title CreditsCommon Meeting Problems 1

Creating a Positive and Healthy Work Environment 1

Delivering Bad News Effectively 1

Delivering Bad News to a Customer 1

Having Difficult Conversations 1

Inclusive Leadership 1

Lead Like a Boss 1

Leadership Strategies for Women 1

Leading without Formal Authority 1

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce 1

Managing for Results 1

Organizational Culture 1

Practicing Fairness as a Manager 1

Strategic Planning Foundations 1

Transformational Leadership 1

Personal DevelopmentBeing Your Own Fierce Self-Advocate 1

Developing Your Professional Image 1

Discovering Your Strengths 1

Improving Your Focus 1

Managing Anxiety in the Workplace 1

Managing Depression in the Workplace 1

Managing Stress for Positive Change 1

Performing Under Pressure 1

Personal Effectiveness Tips 2.5

Thriving @ Work: Leveraging the Connection between Well-Being and Productivity

1

Time Management Fundamentals 3

Time Management: Working from Home 1

TechnicalCreating Accessible PDFs 5

Learning Android Security 1

Learning Computer Security and Internet Safety 1

Learning Excel 2019 1

Learning iPhone and iPad Security 2

Learning Zoom 1

Outlook 2019 Essential Training 2

CTAS Training Catalog • 2021 Page 16

Contact UsCOCTP ContactsNikki BallentineManager of Training & Technology ServicesChris PayneTraining ConsultantKimberly HenryTraining Coordinator

CCFO ContactsJohn SuttonCCFO Program ManagerKelley McNealTraining ConsultantRachel EllingtonTraining Consultant