United States Secret Service Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program

United States Secret Service Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Secret Service

Summary

The United States Secret Service (USSS) invites qualified individuals to apply to its prestigious Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SES CDP) planned for Fall 2024. The USSS SES CDP develops individuals with proven leadership potential who wish to serve at the executive levels of government. Qualified individuals are those who have demonstrated through their performance and experience the potential to assume executive-level positions within the Federal Government.

Duties

The SES CDP provides a series of developmental experiences to prepare high-potential individuals for positions within the Senior Executive Service (SES). These developmental experiences include formal classroom training and seminars, a four-month executive assignment, and working with an executive mentor, all of which focus on the competencies for successful SES-level performance. All program selectees will create an Executive Development Plan (EDP) that will guide program development experiences. The SES CDP is a rigorous program, and the curriculum must be completed while balancing current day-to-day job responsibilities.

SES CDP PROGRAM CURRICULUM:

Duration: This is an intensive leadership development program which lasts approximately 12-18 months. Candidates will remain in their current position except while they are attending learning sessions or while on developmental assignments.

Orientation Session: The USSS SES CDP begins with a mandatory orientation in September 2024. Orientation provides participants with program requirements, policies, and expectations. Orientation will occur in-person in Washington DC.

Executive Development Plans: Each participant prepares an EDP with guidance from the mentor. The EDP is used to identify, track, and document completion of competency-based needs of the candidate. The candidate will update or revise, as needed, throughout the program. The mentor concurs with, and USSS Executive Resources Board (ERB) approves the EDP. The USSS ERB may also determine that additional learning and development is required for successful program completion.

Mentoring Partnerships: Through their experience, proven capabilities, and management perspectives, SES mentors assist participants in further clarifying their developmental objectives and in identifying developmental assignments and activities. Typically, candidates will meet frequently with their mentor to review progress on their EDP, but also to talk through situations related to their EDPs.

Interagency Learning: Each EDP must include formal interagency learning of 80+ hours which address the Executive Core Qualifications and their application to SES positions government-wide. Primary learning is designed to be in-person; however, virtual learning may be required at times. Additional information regarding interagency learning will be provided after selection.

Developmental Assignments: Each EDP must include at least one executive level assignment that is a minimum of 120 calendar days and is outside the candidate's position of record. This assignment must be substantially different from the candidate's current and previous positions and helps to prepare participants for the nature and scope of positions they are likely to assume in the SES.

Office of Personnel Management Certification: Upon determination of the candidate's successful completion of the USSS SES CDP, the USSS ERB will request approval and certification of the candidate's Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) by an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB) under the criterion of 5 U.S.C. 3393(c)(2)(B). QRB-certified graduates are eligible for initial noncompetitive appointment to the SES in positions for which they demonstrate technical proficiency. Program participation does not guarantee placement in an SES position. The USSS SES CDP does not facilitate finding an SES position for graduates.

CANDIDATE STATUS WHILE IN THE PROGRAM: Applicants selected to the program from within the USSS will remain in their position of record while completing program requirements. Candidates selected from outside the USSS will also remain in their full-time position of record while completing program requirements, upon negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding with the candidate's home agency and the USSS.