Leadership and Accountability for Code Enforcement – Training Series – Orange County, CA
Purpose
This five-session series is designed for current and aspiring leaders in Code Enforcement. Through practical tools, guided discussion, and scenario-based exercises, participants will explore leadership styles, communication, conflict management, team development, and wellness within the unique demands of code enforcement work. Each session builds on the last, giving attendees time to apply new concepts between meetings and return with real-world questions and examples. By the end of the series, participants will be better equipped to set clear expectations, strengthen accountability, and lead high-performing, service-oriented teams.
20-Hour Course Agenda
Session 1 – Foundations of Leadership and Accountability (4 hours) [4/21/2026]
• Leadership styles in the code enforcement environment
• Common leadership pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Expectations for the series and launch of the group presentation project
• Leadership styles in the code enforcement environment
• Common leadership pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Expectations for the series and launch of the group presentation project
City of Anaheim
Planning and Building Department
200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 525
Anaheim, CA 92805
Session 2 – Communication and Presenting with Credibility (4 hours) [5/19/2026]
• Principles of effective communication with staff, community members, and partner departments
• Techniques to reduce defensiveness and increase clarity
• Delivering strong briefings and presentations
• Principles of effective communication with staff, community members, and partner departments
• Techniques to reduce defensiveness and increase clarity
• Delivering strong briefings and presentations
Yorba Linda Council Chambers
4845 Casa Loma Ave
Yorba Linda, CA 92886, USA
Session 3 – Conflict Management and Challenging Employees (4 hours) [6/16/2026]
• Identifying common sources of conflict in code enforcement
• Practical tools for de-escalating tense situations
• Approaches for dealing with challenging employees and peers
• Identifying common sources of conflict in code enforcement
• Practical tools for de-escalating tense situations
• Approaches for dealing with challenging employees and peers
Session 4 – Building Effective Teams and Providing Critical Feedback (4 hours) [7/21/2026]
• Characteristics of highly effective code enforcement teams
• Aligning team expectations and culture
• Providing timely, constructive feedback that reinforces accountability
• Characteristics of highly effective code enforcement teams
• Aligning team expectations and culture
• Providing timely, constructive feedback that reinforces accountability
Session 5 – Final Presentations, Self-Care and Wrap-Up (4 hours) [8/18/2026]
• Group presentations on real leadership and accountability challenges
• Self-care and wellness strategies for sustainable performance
• Key takeaways, personal action planning, and course debrief
• Certificates of completion
• Group presentations on real leadership and accountability challenges
• Self-care and wellness strategies for sustainable performance
• Key takeaways, personal action planning, and course debrief
• Certificates of completion
Who Should Attend
Orange County Code Enforcement Officials
Presenter
Lieutenant John Strain (Ret.)Retired Lieutenant John Strain is a distinguished 30-year law enforcement veteran who served with both the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Tustin Police Department. Over the course of his career, he led teams in Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, and Training. A graduate of the California POST Command College, John has also served as an adjunct professor in criminal justice education.