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Q. What is the SES - how is it different from other Federal jobs?
The Senior Executive Service-the men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of government. These leaders possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective of government and a public service commitment, which is grounded in the Constitution. The keystone of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the SES was designed to be a corps of executives selected for their leadership qualifications, not their technical expertise. Members of the SES (about 6800 in total) serve in the key positions just below the top Presidential appointees. SES members are the major link between these appointees and the rest of the Federal work force. They operate and oversee nearly every government activity in approximately 75 Federal agencies.
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Q. What is the selection process for an SES position?
Selection for an SES position can be a lengthy procedure, even though steps are underway to streamline the process. The process covers seven generic steps described below, with some agencies adding additional requirements, which will depend on the position being filled. Check the specific vacancy announcement for information on specific steps.
- The employing agency advertises the position through the Government-wide automated employment information system for a minimum of 14 days. The area of consideration is: - Qualified Federal Employees Only (only current Federal civil service employees may apply); or - All Qualified Persons (anyone may apply).
- Candidates submit their applications to the agency.
- Agency rating panel reviews and ranks candidates.
- Agency Executive Resources Board recommends the best-qualified candidates to the selecting official.
- Selecting official makes a choice and certifies that the candidate meets both the technical and executive qualifications for the position.
- Agency submits candidate's application package to an OPM-administered Qualifications Review Board (QRB) for certification of executive qualifications.
- Following QRB certification, agency appoints the candidate to the SES position.
Q. What are Executive Core Qualifications?
The Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ's) define the competencies and characteristics needed to build a federal corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization. The Executive Core Qualifications are required for entry to the Senior Executive Service and are used by many departments and agencies in selection, performance management, and leadership development for management and executive positions. There are 5 ECQs: Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen and Building Coalitions and Communications.
Q. What part do ECQs play in the selection process?
The ECQs are the core of the SES application and are used to demonstrate executive leadership and competencies. ECQ responses will be highly scrutinized at least 3 times in the SES selection process (merit staffing committee, agency, and final approval by the Office of Personnel Management).
Q. What are the Executive Core Qualifications and Leadership
Competences, Leadership Characteristics and Other competencies?
The executive competencies underscore the ECQs required for selection,
and clearly identify the behaviors required for executive level
selection and leadership. As you address the ECQs, you should use the
list of executive competencies below in developing your response. The
executive competencies are:
Executive Core Qualifications
| Leading Change
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Leading
People
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Results Driven
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Business Acumen
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Building Coalitions
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| Definitions
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| This core qualification involves the ability to bring
about strategic
change, both within and outside the organization, to meet
organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish
an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing
environment.
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This core qualification
involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's
vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to
provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others,
facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive
resolution of conflicts.
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This core
qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and
customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make
decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical
knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating
risks.
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This core qualification involves
the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources
strategically.
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This core qualification
involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other
Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private
sector organizations, foreign governments, or international
organizations to achieve common goals.
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| Competencies
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| Creativity and Innovation
External Awareness
Flexibility
Resilience
Strategic Thinking
Vision
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Conflict Management
Leveraging Diversity
Developing Others
Team Building
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Accountability
Customer Service
Decisiveness
Entrepreneurship
Problem Solving
Technical Credibility
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Financial Management
Human Capital Management
Technology Management
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Partnering
Political Savvy
Influencing / Negotiating
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Fundamental Competencies:
These competencies are the foundation for
success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications.
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Continual Learning
- Written Communication
- Integrity/Honesty
- Public Service Motivation
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SES Writing, Editing and Consulting Service Operations.
Q. Why do the agencies request much of the same information in the Managerial and Technical factors that OPM wants to see in the Executive Core Qualifications?
The Executive Core Qualifications are used by OPM to ensure a broad range of executive skills and to confirm that the applicant understands the strategic perspective that the government seeks among its senior executives. Agencies are looking for more targeted technical qualifications, and face more specific managerial challenges. An outside applicant might have strong experience "Building Coalitions," that includes experience working with Congress. That experience could be incorporated effectively in an ECQ. If, however, the agency needs someone with congressional staff experience, that more targeted background would be addressed in the managerial or technical factor.
Q. Are the ECQs required to apply?
Most agencies require that applicants for SES positions respond to the ECQs as well as providing a detailed resume. You should check the SES vacancy announcement closely to determine if responses to the ECQs are required. You can work with The Resume Place to develop and edit your ECQs to enhance your opportunities for referral to the selecting official, interviewing, and selection.
Q. What part does my resume play in the selection process?
Your resume is key to demonstrating a professional record of excellence in leadership and management, and is used by the selecting agency to verify your credentials in these areas. Additionally, your resume provides the agency selecting official with a detailed history of your accomplishments in the positions you have held. A Federal resume is recommended - see the examples in The Federal Resume Guidebook, 2nd edition. (you may order this useful handbook at http://www.resume-place.com)
Q. Where can I find current SES vacancies?
All SES vacancies are advertised on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) website: www.usajobs.gov. From this site, you may download announcements for vacancies of interest to you. Additionally, you may set up an email service where new vacancies are sent to your email address. You may also check agency employment websites, or check www.federaljobsearch.com.
- If you are interested in our SES Writing services, please consider completing our SES Order Form or write resume@resume-place.com, for information on which services would be most appropriate for you. Send your current resume in the e-mail or fax it to (410) 744-0112. We need to see your existing resume or know about your current status in order to give effective advice on how we can help you with your SES package.
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