CANDIDATE STATUS WHILE IN THE PROGRAM:
Applicants selected to the program from within DHS will remain in their full-time position of record while completing program requirements. Candidates selected from outside DHS will also remain in their full- time position of record while completing program requirements, upon negotiation of a Memorandum of Agreement with the candidate's home agency and DHS.

Applicants selected for the program that do not hold federal status must accept a full-time Schedule B appointment in order to participate in the SES CDP. The Schedule B appointment does not confer civil service status. These appointments may be located around the country. If an SES CDP participant serving on a Schedule B appointment discontinues participation in the program for any reason, his/her employment with DHS will terminate because it is authorized only for an executive development position established in connection with the SES CDP. Similarly, if a Schedule B participant graduates from the SES CDP, but does not obtain an SES position before the Schedule B appointment expires, his/her employment with DHS will terminate because a Schedule B appointment cannot exceed or be extended beyond three years. TSA program selectees that do not hold Federal status must accept a temporary time limited appointment to TSA that is equivalent to the Schedule B appointing authority in other DHS components and with the same conditions that are identified above.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM:

• Duration: The program is an intensive leadership development program which lasts approximately 12-18 months. Candidates will remain in their position of record during the entire program, including while completing a program-based rotation.
• Orientation Session: The SES CDP begins with a mandatory two-day orientation conducted in Washington, DC. Orientation provides participants with program requirements, policies, and expectations. The required orientation will occur on September 5 and 6, 2018.
• Mentor: Through their experience, proven capabilities, and management perspective, SES mentors assist participants in further clarifying their developmental objectives and in identifying developmental assignments and activities. Typically, candidates will meet frequently with their mentor to review progress on their Executive Development Plan (EDP), but also to talk through situations related to their EDPs.
• Executive Development Plans: An EDP is prepared by each participant, together with the mentor, and in some cases the first-line supervisor. The EDP is used to identify, track, and document completion of competency-based needs of the participants. The mentor must concur with the EDP activities, and the applicable DHS component Executive Resources Board (ERB) must approve the EDP.
• Interagency Learning: Each EDP must include formal interagency learning of 80+ hours - at DHS this is achieved through the American University's Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program (KELCP). The KELCP addresses the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and their application to SES positions government-wide. Selected applicants who have previously completed the KELCP will be required to participate again as a member of SES CDP.
• Developmental Assignments: Each EDP must include one assignment that is a minimum of 120-days, outside the candidate's component (agency) of record and substantially different from the candidate's position of record. This assignment must have executive level responsibilities, help prepare participants for the nature and scope of positions they are likely to assume in the SES, and broaden the candidate's experience.
• Progress Review: Progress in meeting EDP requirements is closely monitored by DHS component SES CDP Program Managers, by the mentors, and the component ERB. The EDP is evaluated to assure timely completion of program activities.
• Qualifications Review Board (QRB) Certification: Upon determination of the candidate's successful completion of the SES CDP by component-level ERB, the DHS SES CDP ERB will review the candidate portfolio and approve for referral to OPM for QRB certification. The component or DHS SES CDP ERB may also determine that additional learning and development is required for successful completion of the program.

Conditions of employment

• U. S. Citizenship
• Current Federal Employee
• One year supervisory experience at the GS-14 level (or equivalent) or above
• You must submit all required application documents by 01/28/2018.

MOBILITY REQUIREMENT: Mobility, or willingness to move, is an important factor that components seek in their senior leaders due to the geographic dispersion of the DHS workforce. Therefore, applicants should anticipate developmental assignments and formal training programs that may require travel for extended periods of time during the training and developmental program. Candidates who do not complete their developmental assignments may be terminated from the program. Applicants selected must uphold a commitment to geographic and other availability for positions throughout the country during the program or may be terminated from the program.REQUIREMENT: Mobility, or willingness to move, is an important factor that components seek in their senior leaders due to the geographic dispersion of the DHS workforce. Therefore, applicants should anticipate developmental assignments and formal training programs that may require travel ~

CONTINUED SERVICE AGREEMENT: Selectees for the program who are DHS Employees will be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement (CSA) to safeguard the Government's training investment. The DHS agreement states that the employee will stay with DHS or other Agency of the Federal Government for three years after completion of the DHS SES CDP academic/formal interagency training element of the program. Employees who voluntarily leave Federal civil service before completing the terms of the agreement will be required to repay the cost of training and related travel expenses, excluding salary or other compensation. This does not preclude an employee from pursuing promotion or reassignment opportunities within the Federal government during the program. Non-DHS Federal employees may also be required to sign a CSA by their own agency.

LAW ENFORCEMENT APPLICANTS: Applicants for target law enforcement positions must meet the requirements of the Lautenberg Amendment [Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(G)(9)]. Applicants for target SES law enforcement positions must also meet the requirements for placement in a position with secondary law enforcement coverage, as provided in 5 U.S.C. 8336(c) and 5 U.S.C. 8412(d) or in a Customs and Border Protection Officer position with enhanced retirement benefits.

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSIGNMENT FEES: The cost of developmental assignments, travel, and additional training expenses will be funded by the participant's sponsoring DHS component.

Qualifications

To be considered minimally eligible for this program, applicants must meet the requirements described below by: 01/28/2018

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT
The DHS SES Candidate Development Program requires that all qualified individuals within the civil service have at least one full year of supervisory experience at the GS-14 level (or equivalent) or above, and have demonstrated exceptional executive leadership potential. Supervisory experience includes planning, assigning, and evaluating the work of subordinate employees. (Note: Your resume must explicitly demonstrate one full year of supervisory experience).

Candidates must demonstrate competence and potential for development in the five SES Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) which are the leadership criteria defined by OPM to certify candidates for SES positions. An OPM-administered QRB will certify candidates on their demonstrated mastery of the ECQ's.OPM's guide to the Senior Executive Service Qualifications http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/ provides detailed information on the Executive Core Qualifications: (Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, and Building Coalitions)

SITUATIONAL JUDGMENT TEST (SJT)
All applicants must complete the SJT that will be sent electronically once their application is complete and processed. Competencies addressed in the SJT are:

• Flexibility- Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. (Leading Change)
• Strategic Thinking - Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with long -term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks. (Leading Change)
• Developing Others - Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. (Leading People)

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD (AR)
All applicants must submit online written statements (AR), describing their accomplishments against each of the three competencies identified below. (All narratives must be answered in the Assessment Questionnaire; do not upload a separate document with the narratives or include a reference to see the resume).

• Financial Management - Understands the organization's financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditures and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities. (Business Acumen)
• Entrepreneurship - Positions the organization for future success by identifying new opportunities; builds the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives. (Results Driven)
• Political Savvy - Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly. (Building Coalitions)

Each narrative must include the start and end dates (e.g. June 2009 to November 2009) of the time period during which the activities were performed, within the past ten years. Accomplishments from work performed in the community, one's church, educational experience, or any other context can be included. Each accomplishment must be written with the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) model; however, you should not insert CCAR labels into each narrative. Please review the Assessment Questionnaire for character limitations in each element.

• Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal
• Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale, etc.)
• Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge
• Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS
You must select one of the four occupational categories below to indicate where you are best qualified. You must meet the technical qualifications for at least one of the positions listed under the categories below for which you are seeking consideration.(You must indicate your choice by way of the online questionnaire and certify that your answers are truthful and correct.)

Core Occupations (CO) - These are non-law enforcement positions which require skill in managing complex mission critical programs related to homeland security. They carry out the core mission of the Department on a daily basis. Examples of positions in this category:
Intelligence
Cyber Security
International Affairs
Infrastructure Protection
Trade and Agriculture
Scientific Research and Services
Emergency Mitigation, Response, and Recovery
Transportation Security
Marine Safety and Security
Immigration Services and Operations

Support Occupations (SO) - These positions require skill in managing complex administrative programs. They provide support to the core mission of the Department. While mission support occupations are essential to carrying out the core mission of the Department, these positions generally do not directly carry out the core mission on a daily basis. Examples of positions in this category:
Management
Finance/Budget
Procurement/Acquisition
Administration/Facilities
Information Technology
Human Capital/Human Resources/Training
Diversity and Civil Rights
Congressional/Legislative/Public Affairs
Policy and Planning
Business Operations/Transformation
Security (Personnel, Information, and Physical)

Law Enforcement (LE) - These positions require skill in managing complex criminal investigation or law enforcement programs related to homeland security. They are core mission positions covered for Law Enforcement Officer or Customs and Border Protection Officer enhanced retirement benefits.
Federal Air Marshal
Protective Services and Operations
Investigations
Internal Affairs
Air and Marine Operations
Border Patrol Agent
Customs and Border Protection Officer
Detention and Removal

Attorney/Legal (AL) - These professional legal positions require skill in preparing cases for trial and/or the trial of cases before a court or an administrative body or persons having quasi-judicial power; rendering legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of the Federal Government agency (this may include conducting investigations to obtain evidentiary data); preparing interpretive and administrative orders, rules, or regulations to give effect to the provisions of governing status or other requirements of law; drafting, negotiating, or examining contracts or other legal documents required by the agency's activities; drafting, preparing formal comments, or otherwise making substantive recommendations with respect to proposed legislation; editing and preparing for publication statues enacted by Congress and opinions of decisions of a court, commission, or board; and drafting and reviewing decisions for consideration and adoption by agency officials. Examples of positions in this category:
Trial Attorneys
Attorney Trial-Examiner
Naturalization Examiner
Judicial Attorney
Legal Administration Attorney
Attorney Advisor
Legislative Attorney
Attorney-Editor
General Attorney Trade-Mark Trial and Appeal Attorney

Attorney/Legal Applicants: A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) is required and must be an active member in good standing of a State bar. (Note: Transcripts must be provided with your application).

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Following Candidates will NOT be considered for the program:

• Current or former Career SES members or equivalents including members of the Transportation Security Executive Service (TSES)
• Former SES CDP graduates from any agency
• Current or former, within the last 5 years, political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the Executive Branch
• Employees who have had their Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) certified by OPM's Qualification Review Board (QRB)

Candidate Selection Process:

Situational Judgment Test (SJT): Upon submitting your responses to the online questionnaire, you will receive an email invitation to complete the SJT sent from email address usastaffingoffice@opm.gov. You MUST complete the assessment within 48 hours of the close date of this announcement (by January 30th, 11:59 pm EST) to be eligible for this program - and please note that once you begin the SJT, you MUST complete the entire assessment within 2 hours.


Initial Review of Application Package: If applicants successfully complete the SJT, their application will receive an initial review of the resume (5 page limit) and documentation to determine minimum qualifications and eligibility. Best qualified applicants who meet all requirements, will move on for further consideration.

Accomplishment Record Review
Accomplishment Records will be reviewed by a panel in the following three competencies: Financial Management, Entrepreneurship, and Political Savvy. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their accomplishments in the three identified competencies. Best qualified applicants will move on for further consideration.

Structured Telephone Interview
An executive panel will rate best qualified applicants in five specific competencies. They will participate in a Structured Telephone Interview (STI), which will assess candidates' competencies using targeted questions and benchmarks to evaluate responses. Applicants will receive an e-mail 2-3 days prior to their scheduled interview. The e-mail will inform applicants of the rules for the structured interview and identify the five competencies that will be the focus of the interview. At the conclusion of this process, applications will be ranked and assigned an overall score. Best qualified applicants will be placed on a selection certificate for selection consideration by all DHS components.

Selection
The DHS SES CDP ERB will make final selection recommendations based on all available information about the candidate's qualifications, DHS's succession planning needs, and projected future vacancies in the SES.

Application of Veterans' Preference: For applicants applying as non-status applicants, category rating and selection procedures place those with veterans' preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the best qualified category.