California Code, Government Code - GOV § 1228.5

The governing board of any local agency may grant to any employee of such local governmental agency, upon request, a leave of absence without pay of not to exceed two years to accept a temporary position with the United States Government for service in a foreign country in a technical co-operation program, and upon termination of such service, and for three months thereafter, such employee shall have the right to be restored to his former position.