Does the Senior Executive Service (SES) need to be changed?
by Susan Custard
A recent article in the Washington Post highlighted the need for reform of the Federal government’s Senior Executive Service. The article summarized the findings of a report developed jointly by the Partnership for Public Service, and the consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton, supports plans being developed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to overhaul the entire SES program, from selection to development to retirement. The report indicates that the SES, with an outstanding program concept for government executive leadership, has not reached it’s potential for a variety of reasons, including stagnation, lack of applicants and simply not enough attention to development and retention of exceptional leaders.
The report, and OPM’s proposal both recommend significant changes to the SES program, including rotational assignments, and a streamlined selection process. Additionally, the report advocates for development of an “elite” corps of managers that regularly move across agencies. Other recommendations call for OPM to recognize qualified executives for temporary or permanent assignments, especially to address natural disasters, emergencies, administration changes or other policy or technology changes already in place. OPM will begin to review and propose solutions to these issues through the development of an “SES office” that will serve as a clearinghouse for all senior executive issues within the government.
About the ECQs: The report describes the ECQs as essays where applicants write how they have demonstrated their competencies through work experience or training and development. Often times these essays run 10 pages or more. OPM has responded by developing 2 alternatives. One being the accomplishment record, the other being a strict resume-based application method.
As OPM begins to review and potentially change elements of the SES program, The Resume Place is your expert to assist you in developing a competitive application package. Our SES experts are tracking the OPM changes, and are providing feedback to OPM on recommended changes. We will be happy to work with you on changes to your materials if the selection process changes. If you are considering applying for SES positions — don’t wait for these changes — there are great opportunities out there today — call us for a consult or log on to http://www.resume-place.com/services/services-menu/ses/ to learn more.
Important SES Websites:
SES Salaries
http://www.opm.gov/ses/performance/salary.asp
Career SES Pay for Performance Awards – Charts
http://www.opm.gov/ses/facts_and_figures/SES_AnnualReport_FY2007.pdf
OPM’s Main Senior Executive Services pages
www.opm.gov/SES
Executive Core Qualification Descriptions
http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp
SES Job Vacancies
http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/vacancies.asp
Performance and Salaries
http://www.opm.gov/ses/performance/index.asp
Partnership for Public Service
Read a pdf file of Reimagining the Senior Executive Service here:
http://www.ourpublicservice.org/OPS/publications/viewcontentdetails.php?id=136
Susan Custard brings a unique perspective to her coaching — more than 30 years of experience working across HR functions. With this experience, Susan applies her in-depth knowledge of various government occupations and positions to develop and execute an effective career management strategy. Susan also brings outstanding interview training to clients with expertise in behavioral interview training. Susan has coached and worked with clients in career transition at all levels from entry-level to the C-suite.
Susan specializes in offering customized services to clients that can include consulting, coaching, resume development, and interview preparation. Susan’s consulting services include comprehensive employment application development, content strategies, content analysis, discussion and brainstorming on leadership examples, competency analysis and decision-making, writing and focusing strategies. Other clients can benefit from Susan’s approach to career coaching, which includes strategic career planning and counseling, focused on a particular area or level. Susan excels in developing effective partnerships to coach clients in creating a personalized career management strategy that will leverage opportunities and experience to an effective and satisfying placement.