As a basic requirement for entry into the senior executive service (SES), applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability. This experience should be sufficiently broad in scope and at a major management level in a large or complex organization. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.
Your application should demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in SES positions such as:
- Leading the work of an organizational unit
- Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects
- Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance
- Supervising the work of employees, developing policy and other executive functions
If your experience does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.
Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.
Applications received with resumes exceeding the 2-page limit will be disqualified and will not receive further consideration.
Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare narrative statements specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy these technical qualifications.
MTQ 1 - Demonstrated executive experience in leading large scale disaster recovery in collaboration with local, tribal, state, and other federal partners. This shall include proven success in developing or implementing policies or programs that involve construction including residential, commercial, and industrial, and infrastructure; land development including streamlined environmental and permitting; crisis communication including stakeholder engagement and/or media relations; and savvy experience working with government officials at all levels.
MTQ 2 - Advanced knowledge of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery, Community Development programs or similar programs that enable communities to effectively plan, rebuild, and implement strategies to bounce back from major disasters and other crises.
MTQ 3 - Proven ability to strategically lead, manage, and mitigate risks to a large grant portfolio. This includes demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategies that mitigate financial, operational, programmatic, legal, and reputational risks. The ability to work with community officials, Inspector General, and other oversight partners to resolve findings would be a plus.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
These are the five ECQs and their competencies:
ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness).
ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology).
ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience).
ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement).
ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking).
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you MUST attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
A method to present demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs is to use the C-C-A-R model (Challenge / Context / Action / Results):
1. Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
2. Context - Talk about the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
3. Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
4. Results - Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.
Note for Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political appointees (i.e., Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee, or Presidential Appointee employee in the executive branch). If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee, or Presidential Appointee employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.