Kansas Roads Scholar Program For Counties & Cities A Training and Recognition Program
Kansas Roads Scholar Levels
The Level One: Technical Skills Program enhances the knowledge of general public works maintenance and construction methods, safety practices, and how local government is organized and operated as it applies to quality public service.
Program Recognition
A certificate is awarded to an individual who participates in all required courses for each level within 6 years of the enrollment date. (Courses completed 3 years prior to enrollment can be grandfathered in.) A person can be enrolled in more than one level at the same time, if desired. Courses may be taken in any order, at any time. In general, a certificate must be earned for the preceding level in order to obtain a certificate at the next level. Individuals with more than 5 years of public works experience may choose to skip Level One and proceed to Level Two, with supervisor approval. Please submit a request to the Kansas LTAP at kutc_training@ku.edu.
Technical Skills Courses
- Culverts and Drainage
- Risk and Liability Issues
- MUTCD for Technicians
- Snow and Ice Control
- Road Maintenance (choose two of the following three)
- Gravel Road and Street Maintenance
- Asphalt Road and Street Maintenance
- Concrete Road and Street Maintenance
- Workplace, Jobsite, and Equipment Safety
- Foundations in Customer Service
- Government 101 (choose one of the following two)
- County Government 101
- City Government 101
Technical Skills Elective Courses
The following courses are not required, but one may be taken in place of one of the workshops listed above.
- Bridge 101
- Introduction to GIS
- Guardrail Maintenance and Repair
- Complete both free NIMS webinars to receive one elective credit
The Roads Scholar Level Two Program develops supervisory skills for persons engaged in public works maintenance and construction activities.
Program Recognition
Supervisory Skills courses may be taken during the same time period of the Technical Skills courses. The Technical Skill certificate is required before the Supervisory Certificate will be awarded. Applicants need not be current supervisors. Individuals with more than 5 years of public works experience may choose to skip Level One and proceed to Level Two, with supervisor approval. Please submit a request to the Kansas LTAP Program at kutc_training@ku.edu. Courses taken up to 3 years before your application date may be used to fulfill attendance requirements. All training must be completed within 6 years of the application date.
Supervisory Skills Courses
- Fundamentals of Supervision
- Legal Aspects of Management
- Communication Skills for Effective Supervision
- Managing Employee Performance
- Providing Employee Safety (1/2 day live webinar)
- Supervisor's Role in Enhancing Cooperative Work Relationships
- Problem Solving for Effective Supervision
- Public Works I and II (2 days)
Supervisory Skills Electives
The following courses are not required, but one may be taken in place of one of the workshops listed above.
- Making Safer Roads
- Bridge Maintenance
- Culvert Management
- Advanced GIS
- Complete both free NIMS webinars to receive one elective credit (can count towards Level One OR Level Two completion but not both)
The Roads Scholar Level Three Program enhances management and administrative skills for those who are, or aspire to be, a county highway administrator, county or city engineer, or public works director.
Program Recognition
A certificate is awarded to an individual who participates in all required courses within 6 years of enrolling. Courses completed three years prior to enrollment will be grandfathered in. Levels Two and Three may be completed simultaneously.
Master Roads Scholar recognition is awarded to individuals who have either:
1) Completed Levels One, Two, and Three of the Roads Scholar Program
Or
2) Have received approval to skip Level One and have completed Levels Two and Three
Executive Development Courses
- Fundamentals of Leadership
- Budgeting and Finance
- Overview of Human Resource Management
- Effective Community and Media Communication
- Project Planning and Management
- Effective Management of Intergovernmental Relations
- Legal, Permitting and Regulatory Processes
- Asset Management and Cost Accounting
- KDOT Pre-Project Certification
- Overview of Engineering Functions in Public Works
- Elective Course
- Select a course of your choosing and request approval from the Kansas Roads Scholar Program Review Committee at kutc_training@ku.edu
- Course does not need to be offered from KS LTAP
How to Apply:
To pay via credit card or to be invoiced and pay via check:
- Enroll in Roads Scholar Level One
- Enroll in Roads Scholar Level Two
- Enroll in Roads Scholar Level Three
The Roads Scholar Program is monitored by the Kansas Local Technical Assistance Program. Please contact Kansas LTAP at kutc_training@ku.edu with any questions about enrolling or your status in the program.
Questions on KAC classes contact: Kimberly Qualls
Phone: (785) 272-2585
Email: qualls@kansascounties.org
Application Fee
A one-time non-refundable application fee of $35 is required for each program level. The fee provides funds to monitor the progress of each individual involved in each program.
Class Availability
Classes are offered in an on-going basis all across the State. Current class information can be found on our Learning Management System.
Training is available across Kansas at a reasonable cost. Attendance is tracked and certificates are awarded to county participants by the Kansas County Highway Association for program completion and city participants by the APWA Kansas Chapter. Continuing education is required to maintain the certificate.
KCAMP Discount
Members of the Kansas County Association Multiline Pool (KCAMP) are eligible for tuition reimbursement for Roads Scholar classes. KCAMP sets aside funds each year (based on member's annual contribution) from which they can reimburse up to $50 per person for each Roads Scholar class taken. Students do not need to be enrolled in any level of the Roads Scholar Program to qualify.
To request reimbursement, submit the application [PDF] with proof of payment and your certificate of completion to Yana Ross (yross@kcamp.org or fax to 785-267-2383) before December 15th of each year.