Thank you Ken.

Bridgitte:

Michael called me while he was on the road and asked  that I contact Ken to obtain this to forward to you.

He would like for us to post on the Website and send to all Locals (and listserve too?).

This is one of the Leadership training programs that was *jointly* developed by the Union and Chief Human Capital Office.  Selection is impartial.  Funding is provided by HQs and not the local directors.  Permission to attend is not required, only a notification to the supervisor that one is applying for it.  Once selected, the local offices have no 'veto" on who goes.

Curretly, there are more spaces available than there are applicants.  All those who have currenlty applied will be selected, unless there are more application submitted quickly.

It is felt that there has been insufficient advertising and support from the local offices, and we are being requested to help spread the word.

--
Kevin M Tinker
Central Region Vice President
National CIS Council

=============
Subject: Aspriring Leader Program (GS-4/7) Applications Due Midnight 16 July 07
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:59:01 -0400
From: "Smith, Ken L" <Ken.Smith@dhs.gov>
To: <min-ktin@tx.rr.com>

Please note that the Temporary Detail Assignment previously required
after graduation (Section IV B.) is now optional.



Thank you for spreading the word.



Ken Smith

202-272-8882

=============

____________________________________

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
April 19, 2007
   


Aspiring Leader Program Applications
Now Being Accepted
(Grades GS-4/7)   


I.    Purpose

A.    As part of the Director’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) initiative to develop a corps of leaders for the future, the Chief Human Capital Officer has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Aspiring Leader Program.

II.    Background

A.    USCIS policy is to operate as a high-performance organization, to position itself as an employer of choice, and to implement succession management and leadership development programs with real opportunities for advancement within USCIS.  Accordingly, USCIS has established the Leaders Program to identify and select high-performing individuals with leadership potential for education and training in a deliberative approach to build a leadership pool that meets the future needs of USCIS.

III.    Authorities

A.    USCIS Management Directive CHC-3211, Leaders Program, of October 24, 2006

B.    USCIS Management Directive CHC-3212, Goals, Responsibilities, and Procedures for Individual Development Plans, of October 24, 2006

IV.    Available Training Opportunities

A.    The FY 2007 Aspiring Leader Program (ALP) is a 3-week course at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Leadership Development Academy in Washington, DC.  While the USDA course is designed primarily for GS-5/7 employees, highly qualified GS-4 employees also may be accepted through a waiver request to USDA, which the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) will submit as required.  A Leaders Program Selection Board (Board) will select three applicants to attend the course.  Details are available at: (http://www.grad.usda.gov/ ).  USDA reserves the right to accept or decline a candidate.  Individuals selected will be notified by the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO). 

      To see the full range of leadership development opportunities, visit:  Leadership Calendar

B.    Within 12 months of program completion, selected candidates will be required to serve at least one temporary rotation assignment of 30 to 60 days, as outlined in Management Directive CHC-3211, normally within the selectee’s duty station or commuting area.
V.    Selection Process

A.    Application is supervisor-recommended or by self-nomination.  In either case, the employee submits the application package.  All nominations will be evaluated based on Board Guidance issued by the USCIS Director and information submitted in the application.  Boards will screen and select applications in a manner that ensures thoroughness, consistency, impartiality, and integrity throughout the selection process.  Board members will represent a cross-section of USCIS employees generally at one grade higher than the employees being considered for selection, with the Chair of the Board a career SES member.
VI.    Eligibility

A.    The basic eligibility criteria are:

1.    Grades GS-4/7 at time of application,

2.    Minimum period of employment with USCIS of 18 months, and

3.    Fully Satisfactory ratings or above for the two most recent rating cycles (including an interim rating, if needed).
VII.    How to Apply

A.    Employees apply using forms and instructions at (Applicant Check List), which provides links to the application form and Individual Development Plan (IDP) instructions and form.  The application consists of:  

1.    Demographics/Personal Information – Includes applicant education.  Applicant’s training history documented in EDvantage will be considered by the Selection Board.  EDvantage is USCIS’ online repository of nearly 2,000 training and development courses, covering a wide range of topics.  It also contains a resource library and information on training policies, IDPs, individual training histories, and the Tuition Assistance Program.

2.    Performance Ratings and Awards

3.    Individual Development Plan

a.    A series of planned developmental assignments and activities reflecting current and future skill growth and

b.    Completion of two online leadership courses through EDvantage within 6 months prior to the leadership course application due date.
4.    Executive Core Qualifications 2 – Leading People Narrative – Applicants shall review the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) for an overview of leadership concepts in the executive-level Federal work environment.  Using the recommended OPM guidelines, applicants must then develop a narrative using OPM format that describes in two pages (maximum 500 words) their personal experiences (work, or non-work related such as civic activities) in dealing with the specific principles of Leading People (ECQ 2).  The narrative should use OPM’s submission format of: citing a challenge, indicating its context, describing the action taken or directed, and sharing the outcome or results in some measure and scope.

5.    SF-181 – Applicants are requested to submit a SF-181 (optional)
(SF 181 Race & National Origin)

6.    Supervisor Notification – Upon submission of the application, the applicant sends an e-mail message to the applicant’s first-line supervisor, copy to the applicant’s District/Headquarters office head and CHCO (USCIS-Leaders-ALP@DHS.gov), advising of the application submission.  The e-mail must arrive before the submission deadline.  See Attachment A.

7.    Failure to submit any required element of the application will disqualify the applicant from Board consideration.

VIII.    Application Deadline

A.    Applications, including required supporting documents, must be received by July 16, 2007, to be considered by the Board, which will convene within 30 days of the closing date for applications.  Late applications cannot be considered.

B.    The CHCO will acknowledge receipt of submitted applications and return, with explanation, those not accepted because of missed deadline or incomplete submission.

IX.    Selection and Obligations

A.    Applicants will be informed of their selection or non-selection following approval of Board results by the Director.  Each applicant who is selected should be aware of the following:

1.    In addition to the period of the formal training course, a 30- to 60-day post-graduation assignment is required, generally within the applicant’s duty station and commuting area, which will be determined by the District, Center, Office, or Headquarters head to meet training and USCIS operational objectives.  The post-graduation assignment should apply the learned knowledge and experiences, designed to reinforce the benefits of the leadership training, in an area outside of an employee’s regular assigned duties and will be completed within 12 months of program completion.

2.    Within 60 days of an applicant’s selection, the District, Center, Office, or Headquarters head should advise CHCO ( uscis-leaders-questions@dhs.gov) of the post-graduation assignment planned for the applicant.  This advisory should include employee’s name, a brief description of the assignment, start/end dates, and training benefit.

3.    Acceptance of training provided under the Leaders Program obliges participants to continue employment with USCIS for 1 year.

4.    Selection to training opportunities under the Leaders Program, while enhancing job skills and qualifications, does not assure assignment to a supervisory position or promotion.

5.    Selectees who begin training and fail to satisfactorily complete the course are liable for the Government’s cost of the course, $2,495, and the cost of accrued travel and per diem.  Circumstances involving health, family emergencies, or needs of the Service, with appropriate documentation, may justify waiver on a case-by-case basis.

Questions regarding this directive should be addressed to Leaders Program, Training and Career Development Division, at (802) 660-1164 or by e-mail:  uscis-leaders-questions@dhs.gov.

Attachment


Approved by:


/s/Katherine Ripley French                                                     April 19, 2007   
Acting Chief Human Capital Officer                      Date


Attachment A

Supervisor Notification

Upon submission of an application under the USCIS Leaders Program, applicants will use the following e-mail formats to ensure the supervisor’s acknowledgement of the applicant’s submission:

Applicant Notification

To:      FIRST LINE SUPERVISOR
Copy:    DISTRICT/CENTER/OFFICE/HQ UNIT HEAD,
CHCO, (USCIS-leaders-ALP@DHS.gov )
Subj:     Notification of Leaders Program Application – (insert Name of Applicant)

This to advise that I have submitted an application to participate in the USCIS Leaders Program in accordance with USCIS Management Directive CHC-3211.