Career Management
Information
for Planning Your Career
With the City of Sarasota
Who pays for training?
Is tuition reimbursement available?
Is the training done on City time or my time?
How do I know what development opportunities are available?
Whom do I contact?
What if I find another source of training? Who will approve?
How do I get promoted into another position that is not in my career path?
Who is responsible for Career Development?
How will this program improve careers with the City?
Is participation in this program mandatory?
What if I fail to complete my training for my current job?
How many chances do I have?
Does participation automatically guarantee promotion or raise?
What are Career Ladders?
What are the steps?
What do the levels on the career ladder represent?
Whom do I ask for information?
Where can I find the Career Ladder documents?
Where can I find the Training and Development Catalog?
What if there is no career path for me?
The first question to ask is what kind of training am I asking for? Is it to enhance my current job or is it for personal and/or career advancement?
The City is responsible for making us as qualified as possible for our current jobs. If the training is to enhance our skills in our current job, the City will provide or pay for the training.You may be responsible for the cost of training and education for personal growth and/or career advancement.
Is tuition reimbursement available?Tuition reimbursement may be available for career advancement opportunities if the position is one you might reasonably be expected to progress in the normal course of advancement. The tuition reimbursement process is one in which you receive prior approval from your Department to receive reimbursement after the completion of a course or program. The amount of reimbursement depends on the grade received. See Personnel Rules and Regulations, Rule 15.2.L. Education Assistance.
Is the training done on City time or my time?Most training for our current positions will be on City time. Most training for personal growth and/or career development will be on our own time.
How do I know what development opportunities are available?
There is a catalog (Training & Development Catalog) of resources available in your department, as well as on the Intranet. This catalog is a guide for you to find development activities you feel you need – it is not inclusive of every resource available. Fellow workers, supervisors and employees from other departments can also be a source to provide you with the information needed to guide you.
This will depend on what kind of development you desire. Is it for your current job or for your career path? If for your current job, your department is the best source of development opportunities. For career path opportunities, start with your supervisor to find possible contacts. Network….find a mentor. Contact Human Resources or a learning institution for counseling. You are the only one who can limit your opportunities. If you want to get ahead, ask people who got ahead.
What if I find another source of training? Who will approve?If the training is to enhance your current job, ask your supervisor. The City is committed to making sure you have the training you need to perform your current job.
How do I get promoted into another position that is not in my career path?
In order to be considered for an outside job (outside of your department or career path) you will need to go through the regular application process for City employees on open job postings. It is the Department’s decision whether to pay, or reimburse an employee, for training for another position in their department that is outside of their career path. The purpose of training is to develop a skill that will be used. If the training is for a position outside of the department, the employee will probably be responsible for the cost.
Who is responsible for Career Development?
The City is responsible for making sure each employee has the training and skills necessary to perform the duties of his current position. It is the City’s responsibility to make sure employees know there are opportunities and resources available for career development and advancement.
Employees are responsible for seeking and completing training and learning new skills necessary to progress on the chosen career path.
How will this program improve careers with the City?
By showing employees as well as managers and supervisors the levels of progression of the different job families, employees can exercise control over their career and know their opportunities and the steps needed to get there.
Some beneficial results could be:
Employee benefits:
· Enjoyment of work
· Continued growth
· Clear career choices
· Better understanding of career choices
· Better understanding of opportunities
· Better understanding of individual responsibilities
City benefits:
· improved moral
· increased motivation
· succession planning
· increased retention
· great place to work
Is participation in this program mandatory?
No. If you are happy and want to stay where you are, that is your choice. If you desire a change or promotion during your career with the City, this gives you options.
Of course, as our jobs change, some training will be mandatory as in the past.
What if I fail to complete my training for my current job?
If critical, it may jeopardize your job. The job description is a good indicator of what is necessary for the minimum requirements of your position and an indicator of where you may want to get extra training to enhance or improve your performance in your current position.
Once I have identified my chosen career field, what do I need to do?:
· evaluate and acquire skills
· annual self-assessment - be realistic
· set a goal: where I want to be vs. where I am (desires vs. abilities)
· determine what I have to do in order to achieve my goal
· commitment
What if I don't meet my goal?:
How many chances do I have?
Guiding Principles:
City - your current position: The City is committed to helping you get to be as good as you can be in your current job.
You - your next position: You decide where you want to be.The first step in finding or creating new opportunities for yourself is to take full responsibility for your own career.
Assess yourself:
Determine your interests, skills, motivations and goals before you start to research new opportunities for yourself. If you make decisions first about what you would really like to do next, then you can direct your energy in that direction.
Research the options:
Evaluate promotional opportunities, transfers and new careers through written resources and through people working in different departments or organizations.
Learn how to get there.
Take the steps necessary to transfer, be promoted or change jobs. Follow up on job postings. Take advantage of training offered by the City. Complete needed training before you are asked to do so.
This is an evolving process - your feedback will make it better
Does participation automatically guarantee a promotion or raise?Not necessarily, but it will prepare you for promotional opportunities that may become available.
Career ladders are tools for managers and employees to use to help plan for an employee's future. The career ladders present positions and position requirements.
Become familiar with the education, training and experience needed for each step on your career path. Talk with your supervisor and ask how you can get the experience you need.
What do the levels on the career ladder represent?Different levels of responsibility within your career family. They do not reflect the grades of the positions themselves.
Whom do I ask for information?
Your supervisor, manager, Department head or Human Resources.
Where can I find the Career Ladder documents?Your Department, the Intranet, Human Resources
Where can I find the Training and Development Catalog?Your Department, the Intranet, Human Resources
What if there is no career path for me?
Some positions are unique and there will not be an opportunity to progress unless an opening occurs. Many managerial positions are examples. What is important is to identify the position of interest, obtain the necessary education, and express your interest to the person who supervises the position. There is no guarantee you will receive the position. However, if you do not prepare, there is a guarantee you will not be successful.