Education & Public Services
Sector Overview
Job opportunities for EMTs and paramedics are expected to rise by 15 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, making it one of the fastest growing occupations nationwide.
Expected retirements in the teaching profession and the East Bay’s growing population are increasing opportunities for creative, social people who enjoy working with students of all ages. Eighty percent of TK-12 districts in California need teachers, according to the Learning Policy Institute (2018). Earning education certificates through community college offers teaching experience for those pursuing advanced studies or seeking immediate employment in the field.
Another way to work within your community is through public safety and service. For example, first responders are vital to community, regional, and statewide safety on an ongoing basis. Ninety percent of the state’s law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical, and public works professionals are educated by the California community colleges.
*Credit (C) / Noncredit (NC) / Not-for-Credit (NfC)
Associate Teacher, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Early Care and Education |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 13 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Ana Del Aguila |
| Email: | adelaguila@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://laspositascollege.edu/degrees/associateteachercertificateofachievement.php |
Description: This work-based certificate will prepare students with the skills and foundational knowledge of child development, teaching strategies, and building relationships with families, along with the skills to create a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children, birth to age 8. This program is designed to meet the requirements of the CA Child Development Associate Teacher Permit, so students who earn this certificate can become Assistant Teachers, Associate Teachers or Teachers in licensed preschool/child care programs. Courses align with California Community Care Licensing requirements for teachers of young children, and the academic requirements for the CA Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. Upon completion, students are eligible to apply for the Associate Teacher Child Development Permit and go into the workforce.
Estimated starting wage: $37,510 (2020).
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Community and Organizational Leadership Certificate
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Administration of Justice |
| Length of Program: | 3 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 18 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Cheryl Mackey |
| Email: | cmackey@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.chabotcollege.edu/academics/applied-technology-business/admj/ |
Description: The Community and Organizational Leadership Certificate is intended to help students work through real workplace or career challenges, while gaining perspective from professionals in the administration of justice field. It will assist students seeking jobs in public service as well as working students currently seeking professional advancement as a Correctional Officer, Police Officer, or Detective.
Estimated starting wage: $91,540 (2020).
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Early Childhood Development (Associate Teacher), Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Early Childhood Development |
| Length of Program: | 1 year |
| Units/hours: | 16 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Terra Lee |
| Email: | tlee@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://chabotcollege.edu/academics/social-sciences/ecd |
Description: For those who enjoy caring for and/or educating young children, learn about the characteristics and needs of young children and strategies for interacting with them in a positive way. Create and maintain nurturing learning environments that are healthy, respectful, and supportive for children of all abilities. This program includes courses focusing on the principles of child development and hands-on application. It aligns with Community Care Licensing requirements for a preschool teacher of young children. Certificate holders work in licensed childcare and preschool settings as a Child Care Worker, Preschool Teacher, ECD Associate Teacher, and Assistant Teacher. Courses are designed to meet the requirements of the California Child Development Permit, and when the students complete the courses, they will be eligible to apply for the Associate Teacher Child Development permit as well, as they will meet the requirements of Title 22 licensing for the teacher level.
Estimated starting wage: $37,510 (2019-2020).
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Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Certificate of Accomplishment
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Emergency Medical Services |
| Length of Program: | 1 semester |
| Units/hours: | 3.5 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Anne Kennedy |
| Email: | akennedy@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.laspositascollege.edu/degrees/emergencymedicalresponder-certificateofachievement.php |
Description: Learn terminology and skills, including basic life support/CPR, to work in an entry-level Emergency Medical Responder role such as Firefighter, Lifeguard, Police Officer, and Search and Rescue (SAR). Certificate holders qualify for the national EMR registry. Certificate holders who pass the NREMT EMR Computer Based Certification Examination have nationwide reciprocity as Emergency Medical Responders.
Estimated starting wage: $33,772 (2020).
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Emergency Medical Technologies (EMT), Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Emergency Medical Services |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 17 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Anne Kennedy |
| Email: | akennedy@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.laspositascollege.edu/degrees/emergencymedicaltechnologies-certificateofachievement.php |
Description: Learn skills and terminology required to take the EMT Certification Examination and work as a California state-certified Emergency Medical Technician. Find employment as an Ambulance Healthcare Provider, Athletic Trainer, Hospital Patient Transporter, Lifeguard, Ski Patroller, Helicopter Medical Observer, and more. Passing the California Emergency Medical Technician Certification examination administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians is required at the conclusion of the program in order to work in California as an Emergency Medical Technician. Completion will allow students to be certified in the State of California while eligible for reciprocity to certify in 48 other states through the National Registry of EMTs.
Estimated starting wage: $33,722-$52,000 (2020), depending on various employment factors.
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EMS1 (Emergency Medical Responder), External Certificate
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Health |
| Length of Program: | 1 semester |
| Units/hours: | 2.5 units |
| Offered: | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Contact: | Sara Beyne |
| Email: | ChabotEMS1@gmail.com |
| Link: | http://chabotcollege.edu/academics/health-kinesiology-athletics/emergency-medical-technician |
Description: This course is the entry point for those interested in pursuing medical careers such as Paramedic, Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician, and Dispatcher. The course covers basic emergency skills, medical terminology, and BLS/CPR. This course is the prerequisite for the EMS2 (EMT) external certificate and counts towards the Emergency Medical Services associate degree.
Estimated starting wage: $31,200 (2019-2020).
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EMS2 (Emergency Medical Technician), External Certificate
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Health |
| Length of Program: | 1 semester |
| Units/hours: | 7.5 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Sara Beyne |
| Email: | ChabotEMS1@gmail.com |
| Link: | http://chabotcollege.edu/academics/health-kinesiology-athletics/emergency-medical-technician |
Description: Upon earning the EMS1 external certificate, EMS2 offers advanced medical knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills in preparation for the external NREMT skills certification and written exam required for employment as an Emergency Medical Technician, Dispatcher, EMT Supervisor, Paramedic, or Nurse. It includes 32 hours of work experience/internship in hospital emergency departments and on life-support ambulances.
Estimated starting wage: $31,200 (2019-2020).
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Family Child Care Entrepreneurship, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Early Childhood Development |
| Length of Program: | 1 year |
| Units/hours: | 19 units |
| Offered: | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Contact: | Terra Lee |
| Email: | tlee@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://chabotcollege.edu/academics/social-sciences/ecd |
Description: Designed for entrepreneurs seeking to own and operate a home-based child care business. Learn administrative skills necessary to operate a business, as well as the essentials of early childhood education helpful in designing curricula appropriate in a family/child care setting. Coursework includes internships in alignment with Community Care Licensing requirements. The ECD courses are designed to meet the requirements of the California Child Development Permit, and when the students complete the program, they will be eligible to apply for the Associate Teacher Child Development permit as well, as they will meet the requirements of Title 22 licensing for the teacher level.
Estimated starting wage: Varies upon location and scale of home-based operation.
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Fire Academy - Fire Suppression, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Service Technology |
| Length of Program: | 1 semester |
| Units/hours: | 22 units |
| Offered: | Spring |
| Contact: | Anne Kennedy |
| Email: | akennedy@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.laspositascollege.edu/degrees/fireacademy-firesuppressioncertificateofachievement.php |
Description: The Las Positas College Regional Fire Academy is a separate one-year, accredited California State Fire Marshal program that provides certificates from State Fire Training, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and CAL FIRE. The program produces pre-service cadets ready for active employment with an understanding of the structure, culture, and expectations of the fire service, and the skills and abilities of entry-level firefighters, including proper use of fire equipment. After successful completion of our Fire Academy and third-party certification exams, fire cadets will receive a Firefighter 1 Certificate with IFSAC (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress)/PRO Board seals, allowing application for direct job entry in over 40 U.S. states. Employment opportunities include entry-level jobs such as Trainee/Reserve/Seasonal Firefighter, as well as hand-crew Forestry Firefighter at local/regional/ state fire departments and the CAL FIRE/U.S. Forest Service.
Estimated starting wage: $21,600-$30,000 to start, and up to $62,400 depending on varying environmental factors (2020).
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Fire Prevention Inspector, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Technology |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 27 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Terra Lee |
| Email: | tlee@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://chabotfire.com |
Description: The Fire Prevention Inspector program is based on the six core courses of the Uniform Fire Technology curriculum as approved by the State Board of Fire Services and the California Fire Chiefs Association. The core courses align with the California C-ID program and the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Model Curriculum: Associate. Additionally, the Fire Prevention Inspector program offers general courses in applied physics and chemistry, as well as specialized courses in fire prevention, public safety, building construction, and fire protection system design. Possible positions include Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Forest Fire Inspector, and Prevention Specialist. Local employment and training opportunities with fire departments throughout the Bay Area and the state are possible.
Estimated starting wage: $95,680 (2019-2020).
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Fire Prevention, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Service Technology |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 18 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Anne Kennedy |
| Email: | akennedy@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.laspositascollege.edu/degrees/fireprevention-certificateofachievement.php |
Description: Through classroom and field observations, students learn the fundamentals of fire prevention, including history, philosophy, and operation of a fire-prevention bureau. Courses cover fire and building codes, inspection techniques, identifying and correcting hazards, detection and suppression systems, and fire-safety education. This is a pathway to a career as a certified fire inspector when combined with State Fire Training requirements. Certificate recipients eligible for entry-level roles as Firefighter, Firefighter/EMT, Seasonal/Reserve/Student Firefighter, and Fire Aide.
Estimated starting wage: $77,856 (2020).
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Fire Service Technology, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Technology |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 22 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Anne Kennedy |
| Email: | akennedy@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://www.laspositascollege.edu/degrees/firetechnology-certificateofachievement.php |
Description: Entry-level course covering basic fire suppression, prevention, and EMS skills through knowledge taught inside and outside the classroom. Students learn to analyze, evaluate, and apply data to solve fire-technology problems, while actively demonstrating technical, cognitive, and psycho-motor skills required in fire service. Employment in local, regional, state and federal agencies includes volunteer/reserve/seasonal/fulltime firefighter roles; and as EMT, Paramedic, Inspector, and Code-Enforcement Officer.
Estimated starting wage: $25,000 - $35,000 (2020).
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Fire Technology, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Technology |
| Length of Program: | 1 year |
| Units/hours: | 48 units |
| Offered: | Year-round |
| Contact: | Bob Buell |
| Email: | bbuell@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://chabotfire.com |
Description: This certificate program is based on the Uniform Fire Technology curriculum as approved by the State Board of Fire Services and the California Fire Chiefs Association. The six core courses align with the California C-ID program and the National Fire Academy Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Model Curriculum: Associate. All coursework is taught to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 standard for professional qualifications. Local employment and training opportunities with fire departments throughout the Bay Area and the state are possible. Candidates must complete Firefighter I and EMT training beforehand to finish in one year.
Estimated starting wage: $89,440 (2019-2020).
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Firefighter 1 Academy, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Chabot College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Fire Technology |
| Length of Program: | 1-3 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 39 units |
| Offered: | Summer or Fall |
| Contact: | Bob Buell |
| Email: | bbuell@chabotcollege.edu |
| Link: | http://chabotfire.com |
Description: Firefighting is an adventurous and rewarding profession in public service. Chabot’s program is based on the Uniform Fire Technology curriculum and is one of the longest running in the state of California. Successful completion of the program opens opportunities to work in firefighting, fire investigating, forestry fire fighting, and prevention. This certification is core to a degree in fire technology, but it is also the minimum fire and EMS training required for candidates seeking employment with many fire agencies throughout the country. Local employment and training opportunities with fire departments throughout the Bay Area and California are possible.
Estimated starting wage: $89,440 (2019-2020).
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Paraeducator
| Location: | San Lorenzo Adult School |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Mid-Alameda County Consortium |
| Department: | Career Technical Education |
| Length of Program: | 24 weeks |
| Units/hours: | 72 hours |
| Offered: | Fall, Winter, Spring |
| Contact: | Trish Jetson |
| Email: | pjetson@slzusd.org |
| Link: | http://adu.slzusd.org |
Description: This course provides theoretical and practical skills to prepare students for an entry-level position in education as a Paraeducator. Students will receive introductory or advanced paraeducator skills training. Participants will gain skills in job knowledge, reading, writing, and math. Students will receive a Certificate of Program Completion.
Estimated Starting Wage: $35,800-$61,600 (2020), depending on various employment conditions.
Teaching Beginning Piano, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Music |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 18- 19 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Daniel Marschak |
| Email: | dmarschak@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://laspositascollege.edu/music/piano_teaching_fundamentals.php |
Description: The Certificate of Achievement in Teaching Beginning Piano provides those who are current or prospective piano teachers with practical courses focused on the art of teaching beginning students of all ages, a core music theory and technique background, and essential entrepreneurship skills they will need to succeed in self-employment and/or working for a music school. This certificate includes classes from the business department in addition to the music department. Career opportunities include Private Piano Teacher (for beginning students of all ages), Piano Teacher (based in a music studio), Music School Owner, and Group Piano Teacher.
Estimated starting wage: $71,040 (2020).
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Teaching Piano Fundamentals, Certificate of Achievement
| Location: | Las Positas College |
|---|---|
| Department: | Music |
| Length of Program: | 2 semesters |
| Units/hours: | 10 units |
| Offered: | Fall or Spring |
| Contact: | Daniel Marschak |
| Email: | dmarschak@laspositascollege.edu |
| Link: | http://laspositascollege.edu/music/ |
Description: The fully online Certificate of Achievement in Commercial Music: Piano Teaching Fundamentals is designed to provide current or prospective piano teachers with the pedagogical skills and business acumen they will require to succeed in a career for a wide array of students. Career opportunities include Private Piano Teacher (for students of all ages and skill levels), Piano Teacher (based in a music studio), Music School Owner, and Group Piano Teacher.
Estimated starting wage: $48,000 (2020).
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Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
| Location: | Castro Valley Adult & Career Education |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Mid-Alameda County Consortium |
| Department: | Career Education |
| Length of Program: | 35 weeks |
| Units/hours: | 110 hours |
| Offered: | Fall |
| Contact: | Kerry Principato |
| Email: | kprincipato@cv.k12.ca.us |
| Link: | http://cvadult.org |
Description: Learn the basics of how to operate and maintain a wastewater treatment plant under the supervision and instruction of a licensed plant operator. Students will learn safety, treatment processes, solids management, and an overview of regulations. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have the skills and knowledge required to sit for the Grade 2 Wastewater Treatment Certification Exam.
Estimated Starting Wage: $71,600 (2020).