The goals of the Certificate of the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement are to:
Encourage professionalism in public code enforcement administration throughout Georgia.
Increase knowledge of the major aspects of code enforcement administration.
Develop skills necessary for the enforcement of environmental, housing, and land use codes.
The GACE Certificate Program offers three levels of training. Six core courses and a selection of electives totaling nine hours form the basic framework of Level I. Level II includes an additional five core courses and an additional 24 hours of electives.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM:
The GACE Certificate Program offers three levels of training. To receive a Level I certificate, participants must complete 45 hours of course work (36 hours of required courses and nine hours of electives) and pass a written exam after each required course with a grade of 70 or better. Requirements for the Level II certificate consist of an additional 45 hours of coursework (30 hours of required courses and 15 hours of electives) with the same requirement of successfully passing a written exam for each required course with a grade of 70 or better. The Level III certificate program requires the completion of 75 hours in a separate curriculum consisting of technical and leadership courses. Upon successful completion of all coursework, participants must write a reflection paper on selected courses taken.
All of the classes are taught on a rotating schedule. Based on your choice of class selections, you can earn up to 18 hours of credit toward your certificate level at the annual conference and an additional six or twelve hours by attending the workshop training.
ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible to participate in the certificate program, an individual must:
Be a G.A.C.E. Member throughout the entire program
Be willing to uphold the by-laws of the organization
Be an honest member and ethical person
REQUIRED CURRICULUM:
Communication (6 hours)
Cultural Differences in Code Enforcement (6 hours)
Enforcement Techniques and Investigative Process and Court Procedures (6 hours)
Environmental Protection and Environmental Nuisance Abatement (6 hours)
Handling Special and Hazardous Materials (6 hours)
Housing and the ICC Property Maintenance Code (6 hours)
Legal Aspects of Code Enforcement (9 hours)
Planning Concepts and Dealing with Citizen Boards (3 hours)
Preparing Your Case for Court (6 hours)
Public Service Ethics (6 hours)
Safety Tactics and In-Field Safety for Code Officers (6 hours)
Signage and Right-of-Way Encroachments (3 hours)
ELECTIVE COURSES:
Administering Flood Plain Regulations and Stream Buffer Rules
Airborne Viruses, Mold and Bacteria
Basic Supervisory Skills
Business Writing
Change Management
Code Enforcement and Mobile Homes
Codes and Fire Suppression
Conflict and Anger Management
Customer Service
Developing and Administering the Code Enforcement Budget
Disaster Recovery and Debris Removal
Drugs, Chemicals, and Other Contraband
Financially Troubled and Abandoned Properties
Homeland Security in Code Enforcement
Making Public Presentations
New Technologies in Code Enforcement
Politics in Code Enforcement
Principles of Leadership for the Code Enforcement Officer
Stormwater Management and Control
Time and Stress Management
Zoning Code Enforcement
LEVEL III COURSES:
Technical Rotation — Course Descriptions:
Budgeting
Business Writing II
ICC Legal Management
ICC Property Maintenance
ICC Zoning
Ordinances
Soil Erosion and Sedimentation
Leadership Rotation — Course Descriptions
Coaching and Positive Discipline
Conflict Management and Resolution
Continuous Improvement
Effective Communication
Ethical Use of Power
Leading Teams and Group Dynamics
Managing Performance
Motivation and Delegation
Navigating Change
Negotiation and Mediation
Powerful Presentations
Public Sector Leadership
Role of the Manager
Strategic Planning
Continuing Education:
Every three years, those who have attained Level I or Level II certification must complete 36 hours of continuing education. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking electives not previously taken or by taking courses in the Level III curriculum.
Attendees may be able to receive POST credit for some of the courses offered at the conferences. Please contact POST in order to determine the process for requesting credit from the Peace Officers Training Council for classes taken through GACE.
A special Annual Update class is being added to the course offerings at the annual conference. This class is designed to satisfy the continuing education requirements for individuals who have completed Level I and II. The topic(s) for the Annual Update will differ at each annual conference.