Programs

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Essential Leadership Skills Certificate

Offers special district employees who are aspiring to be general managers the opportunity to be recognized for learning essential skills needed for success in local government leadership.

Earning this certificate demonstrates training in critical skills to competently lead special districts. The modules are taught by experienced certified special district managers and local government experts.

Do you want to receive reminders for upcoming training requirements, program highlights, and more? Commit to being one of the first to earn the Essential Leadership Skills Certificate today!

Commit Now

Effective Communication Must Take Both

Grassroots Advocacy and Public Outreach

OnDemand

Who Does What? Best Practices for Board / Staff Roles and Communications

OnDemand

Organizational Development Choose One

Organizational Development

Virtual Workshop:
May 27th & 28th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Virtual Workshop:
December 2nd & 3rd, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Financial Management

Budget Preparations for Special Districts

Virtual Workshop:
February 18th & 19th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Financial Management for Special Districts

In-Person Workshop:
April 23rd, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CSDA Training Center, 1112 I ST, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814

Virtual Workshop:
October 21st & 22nd, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Human Resources Management Choose One

Human Resources Boot Camp for Special Districts

In-Person Workshop:
April 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CSDA Training Center, 1112 I ST, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814

Virtual Workshop:
October 14th & 15th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

Leadership Choose One

Supervisory Skills for the Public Sector

In-Person Workshop:
April 20, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CSDA Training Center, 1112 I ST, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814

Virtual Workshop:
October 7th & 8th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day

So, You Want to Be a General Manager?

Pre-General Manager Summit:
June 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Rd., Newport Beach, CA 92660

Pre-Annual Conference
August 24, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, 74-855 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92260

Special District LawsChoose One

Overview of Special District Laws

Virtual Workshop:
June 10th & 11th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day

In-Person Workshop:
November 18, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CSDA Training Center, 1112 I ST, Suite 250, Sacramento, CA 95814

Live or On-Demand webinars qualify for the certificate. Courses taken within the past two years are eligible.

Requirements

To earn the Essential Leadership Skills Certificate (ELSC), participants must complete the following six modules:

Effective Communication (5 hours)
Organizational Development (6 hours)
Financial Management (6 hours)
Human Resources Management (6 hours)
Leadership (6 hours)
Special District Laws (6 hours)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who should apply?

 This is individual recognition. Supervisors, managers, department heads, and/or new general managers are encouraged to apply.

What do you receive? 

Upon completion and verification of the application and submission of the one-time fee, you will be recognized by receiving a custom certificate in a beautiful, padded folder, that can be presented at an upcoming event should you be able to attend.

How long is the certificate good for?

 This achievement lasts a lifetime. All you need to do is keep SDLF current anytime you change addresses, jobs, etc.

CSDM Hours: Continuing education, application approval, and the paid fee will equal a total of 50 points toward the Certified Special District Manager program (35 hours for education and 15 hours for completing the program.)

Fees: $65, one-time fee

Apply Now