The purpose of the County Training Program is to help county government officers and their employees execute their duties more effectively, efficiently and professionally. To achieve this mission, the County Training Program provides several resources including short-courses, handbooks, and technical assistance. County elected officers and their deputies are partners in these efforts. They serve on advisory boards, help create published materials, and sometimes participate directly in instruction.

The County Training Program also benefits from the oversight and direction provided by the Commission on County Government Personnel Education and Training. Commission members consist of the President of OSU, the State Auditor and Inspector, the President of the County Officers and Deputies Association, the Director of the Department of Transportation, and the Chairman of the Tax Commission. This commission was established in 1982 by the Oklahoma Legislature in Title 19, Section 130.1 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Certification programs have been established for each elected office. Certification programs range from three-level programs for County Commissioners, County Clerks, and County Treasurers to a single level of certification for Court Clerks and County Sheriffs. The details of each program are available via the web-links provided above.

Handbooks have been created for each elected office except the County Sheriff. Most handbooks are now available in compact disk format. The disk also includes the Purchasing Handbook plus the prescribed forms used by County Clerks and County Treasurers. These electronic handbooks contain statutory references, which are hyperlinks that provide easy access to the text of all of the referenced statutes.

Thanks to active collaboration between the County Training Program and individual county officers, state agencies, extension specialists, and other resources, technical assistance for questions and other issues is readily available. Assisting county officers with individual concerns is a major part of the County Training Program function.

For more information about the County Training Program, please select the “Contacts” link, then email, telephone, or FAX one of the County Training Program staff members. Thanks.