d. University
Below are frequently asked questions pertaining to the DDOT professional development training program. Select a question to reveal an answer.
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Who is eligible for training at DDOT?
This policy applies to all DDOT employees, including those in facilities and technical and service support centers, who have completed at least one year of DDOT employment service.
DDOT contractors or other government employees assigned to DDOT are eligible under limited exception allowing training when it is related to DDOT rules, practices, procedures, and/or systems that are unique to DDOT and are essential to the performance of the assigned duties. The authority to approve training for contractors is delegated to the DDOT Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
DDOT may extend DDOT training programs to employees of other government agencies and assign its employees to inter-agency training whenever this will result in enhanced training, improved services, or savings to the District government.
Who is not eligible for training at DDOT?
This policy does not apply to DDOT interns, employees of other District government agencies (with the exception of special intra-agency agreements), the Federal government, or contractors unless the training announcement specifically includes reference to the inclusion of one or more of these non-DDOT employees.
How is training determined for each Administration?
Each Administration, at least annually, must assess the training needs and establish training priorities and plans. Each Administration must submit a training budget that includes training for mission-critical occupations and individual employees. This should be linked to the DDOT strategic plan and performance goals. Each Administration is responsible for determining any competency gaps against set performance targets in order to determine solutions and/or training needed to close the competency gaps.
Is there mandatory training for all employees?
Yes. DDOT and/or the DCHR Center for Learning and Development (CLD) have the authority to identify and provide notice of mandatory training for DDOT employees when required by law, mandate or when approved by the Director of DDOT. Additional training may be required for specific employees.
Which office is responsible for training payments and reimbursements?
The DDOT Training Office is responsible for determining which expenses constitute necessary training expenses. The training office may pay or reimburse an employee for necessary expenses incurred in connection with approved training such as payment of travel and per diem as described in detail within the Training Policy.
What happens if I fail to complete DDOT funded training?
When DDOT pays training expenses to a college, university, non-government, government, or any other learning facility or program, an employee must complete the training and receive a grade of C or better or a Pass in a designated Pass/Fail system. DDOT requires reimbursement from employee via paycheck garnishment (2nd pay period after notification of requirement to pay) if the conditions above are not met. Payment plans are available for employees for up to 13 months until the full amount is repaid. Tuition assistance (advances and reimbursements) is suspended when an employee owes DDOT for tuition assistance. If the employee leaves prior to full repayment, remaining funds will be garnished from the employee’s last paycheck.
What are per diem allowances?
This is a subsistence allowance, or daily payment, provided to government employees as reimbursement for actual expenses for lodging (excluding taxes), meals and related incidental expenses, specific for each city, and county, as issued and adjusted annually by the United States Government. District government employees are held to the per diem rates as established by the GSA. The per diem rates can be found at www.gsa.gov.
When should Travel/Training Request forms be submitted?
All Travel/Training Request form must be submitted 30 business days before the date of departure. If this 30-day requirement is not met, the travel/training request will not be accepted.
Is there a limit on academic course tuition assistance?
Yes. Tuition assistance is limited to $4,000 (undergraduate) or $5,000 (graduate) per semester based on the availability of funds.
What does academic course tuition assistance cover?
Tuition assistance covers tuition, textbooks, manuals, and non-consumable materials for purposes of professional development (i.e., Associates, Bachelors, Masters degrees).
The following academic program and tuition assistance related fees are not eligible for payment or reimbursement with DDOT training funds:
- Application fees
- Entrance or enrollment fees
- Record-maintenance fees
- Student activity/student ID fees
- Course registration fees
- Lab fees
- Graduation fees
- Parking fees
Computers, calculators, televisions, tools, protective or other equipment that become the property of the student
Is there a waiting period for academic course tuition assistance?
Yes. If an employee receives tuition assistance that results in the completion of a degree, then there will be a one year waiting period before the employee will be considered for additional tuition assistance.
Who approves academic course tuition assistance for academic, certification courses, workshops/seminars/meetings, and professional credentials/licenses?
The employee’s immediate supervisor will be responsible for approving training opportunities/expenses identified in the IDP with sign off from the AD and CLO, as well as the Chief of Staff, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Performance Officer, Chief Engineer or the Chief Administrative Officer of their respective Administration. In their absence, the CAO will be the final approving officer.
Is there a grade requirement for academic course tuition assistance and certification courses?
Yes. Employees must receive a grade of C or better or a Pass in a designated Pass/Fail system. d. University will not pay for a participant to re-take any course due to not receiving a grade of C or better, an incomplete grade, or a withdrawal.
Do I need to submit transcripts after I receive my grades?
Yes. Each person, who is active in the program, must submit a sealed official transcript to the Training Office within 60 days of completion of the course(s). Failure to submit a transcript will result in the participant owing DDOT for any course through immediate payroll deduction for the total amount of tuition assistance. If it is found that a participant submitted false documents or grade reports, the participant will be responsible for reimbursing DDOT through immediate payroll deduction and will be suspended from the tuition program.
Will DDOT pay for individual and group membership fees or dues?
Individual membership fees or dues may be approved for payment when (1) DDOT benefits from the individual employee’s development as a result of the individual membership, or (2) an individual membership is included in the conference fee and the conference fee cannot be reduced by the cost of the individual membership. If DDOT pays for an employee to attend the conference, the employee may accept the membership as an incidental byproduct of the meeting.
For group membership fees or dues, an administration may become a member of an organization in its own name and pay the required dues. The Resource Allocation Officer for the agency pays group membership dues for any administration with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer.
Is there a limit to the number of conferences I can attend in one year?
Yes. CS employees may attend one conference per year. MSS employees may attend two conferences per year.
Will DDOT pay my expenses if I am a speaker or panelist at a Conference?
Yes, under limited conditions. DDOT, through FHWA funds, will provide training/workforce development funds only for speakers and panelists whose presentations are focused on outreach efforts that “develop interest and promote participation in surface transportation careers”. If an employee has been approved to attend a conference for any other than surface transportation workforce development, training, and/or education, then the employee is reimbursed by DDOT (non-FHWA funds), depending on availability of funds and advance approval. If an employee is not attending the full conference but only serving as an approved speaker and/or a panelist, the employee is reimbursed, only for travel and hotel accommodations (not the conference registration cost), by DDOT, depending on availability of funds and advanced approval.
Can I take more than one PMP prep course?
No, DDOT will fund one PMP prep course per employee.