EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): ECQs are designed to assess executive experience and potential - not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must submit a written narrative to address the ECQs. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately and should contain
two examples per ECQ describing your experiences and accomplishments/results. The narrative should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy Initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions.
Total ECQs narrative must not exceed 10 total pages using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. You must show in your resume that you possess the five mandatory executive core qualifications.
NOTE: ECQ narrative submissions are mandatory unless you are a current career SES member, former career SES member with reinstatement eligibility, or SES Candidate Development Program graduate who has been certified by OPM.
SF-50 reflecting such status must be uploaded as part of your supporting documents. Candidates who have successfully graduated from an OPM approved Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their certification.
ECQ 1 - Leading Change: 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. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision)
ECQ 2 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations 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. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building)
ECQ - 3. Results Driven: 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. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility)
ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management)
ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: 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. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating)
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. The Fundamental Competencies are crosscutting; and should be addressed over the course of each ECQ narratives. It is not necessary for you to address the Fundamental Competencies directly as long as the narrative, in its totality, shows mastery of these competencies on the whole.
Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the guide to SES qualifications.
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).
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. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.
Additional information about the SES and Executive Core Qualifications can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) SES Website. You are strongly encouraged to review OPMs Guide to SES Qualifications for specific examples and guidance on writing effective ECQ narrative statements.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs) -
(MANDATORY SUBMISSION) All applicants must submit a written narrative to address the MTQS. Your MTQs must provide specific examples that address relevant experience, accomplishments, scope, and complexity. MTQ write-up should not exceed 2 pages per MTQ using 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:
MTQ1 - Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and advancing law enforcement programs with broad scope and complexity.
MTQ2 - Demonstrated experience in managing highly sensitive law enforcement operations that are subject to congressional, media and/or public scrutiny.
MTQ3 - Demonstrated experience in providing advice, guidance, and on-site direction on special audits, compliance, and risk management.
1 Document for ECQs and 1 Document for MTQs in PDF Format is the preferred submission method. You may be disqualified if you go over the page limits as noted for each section. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant.