“Preparing for the
Senior Executive Service (SES)”
Welcome and Overview
Office of Research and Development
Administrative Issues
• Restrooms
• Emergency exits
• Emergency procedures
• Break
• Cell phones and pagers off, please!
2
Getting to Know You
• Taking turns, share your own “60-second
commercial” with your partner, being sure to
highlight or mention:
–Your name
–Your current role and responsibilities
–Your previous positions/roles within the EPA
–What you hope to get out of this course
–How you initially got into EPA
3
Workshop Goal
• The overall goal of the “Preparing for SES”
workshop is to provide you with information on
OPM’s SES Executive Core Qualifications
(ECQs) so that you can use it as a framework
to strengthen your personal leadership skills.
4
Workshop Objectives
• Describe background on Senior Executive
Service (SES)
• Define the Executive Core Qualifications
(ECQs) criteria used by OPM to evaluate
candidates applying for SES positions
• Outline overall SES selection procedure
• Outline ways of writing effective ECQ
statements
5
Workshop Objectives (cont’d.)
• Outline ways of writing effective ECQ
statements pertaining to Business Acumen in
the context of EPA ORD culture
• Identify and utilize available support resources
and training opportunities for achieving the
ECQs required for entry into the SES
• Describe ways of addressing ECQs as part of
participants’ career development plan
6
Workshop Agenda
• Introduction and Overview
• Module 1: Introduction to SES
• Break
• Module 2: Writing Effective ECQ Statements
• Module 3: Career Development and
Resources
• Review and Wrap-Up
7
Workshop Materials
• Participant Workbook
8
Module 1:
Introduction to SES
Office of Research and Development
Module Objectives
• Explain what is expected of candidates applying for
SES positions in the Federal Government
• Define the ECQ criteria used by OPM to evaluate
candidates applying for SES positions
– Define ECQ
– List ECQs required for SES positions
– Define competency and list fundamental competencies
– Relate competencies to ECQs
10
Module Objectives (cont’d.)
• Outline the overall SES selection procedure
–Describe merit competition
–State the role of the Qualifications Review Board
(QRB) in the SES selection procedure
11
What is SES?
Office of Research and Development
Overview
• SES, established by Title IV of the Civil Service
Reform Act, became effective in 1979
• Purpose—“to ensure that the executive
management of the Government of the United
States is responsive to the needs, policies,
and goals of the nation and otherwise is of the
highest quality”
13
Positions Available and
Compensation
• The SES generally covers managerial,
supervisory, and policy positions above GS-15
that are not filled by Presidential appointment
with Senate confirmation.
• New SES pay range has
–A minimum rate of basic pay equal to 120% of the
rate for GS-15, Step 1
–The maximum rate of basic pay is equal to the rate
for Level III of the Executive Schedule
14
Requirements for SES
Positions
Office of Research and Development
Executive Core Qualifications
(ECQs)
• ECQs are core qualifications used to test new
career appointees to SES
16
Competencies
• Competencies are the personal and
professional attributes that are critical to
successful performance in the SES
• 6 cross-cutting fundamental competencies
–Interpersonal Skills
–Oral Communication
–Integrity/Honesty
–Written Communication
–Continual Learning
–Public Service Motivation
17
ECQs and Competencies
18
SES Selection Procedure
Office of Research and Development
Selection Procedure
20
Qualifications Review Board (QRB)
Role
• Provides an independent peer review of
applications for initial career appointment to
SES
• QRB members
–Review each application and decide if the
candidate’s experience meets the ECQs
–Do not rate, rank, or compare the candidate’s
qualifications against those of other candidates
21
Any Questions?
22
Module 2:
Writing Effective ECQs
Office of Research and Development
Module Objectives
• Outline ways of writing effective ECQ
statements
–Describe the Challenge-Context-Action-Result
model
–Distinguish between good (well-written) and bad
(poorly written) ECQ statements
–Outline ways of writing effective ECQ statements
24
Module Objectives (cont’d.)
• Outline ways of writing effective ECQ
statements pertaining to Business Acumen in
the context of EPA ORD culture
–Explain the meaning of the term Business Acumen
in the context of EPA ORD culture
–Relate examples pertaining to Business Acumen in
the context of EPA ORD culture
25
Types of ECQs
Office of Research and Development
ECQs Required for SES, Revisited
27
ECQ: Leading Change
• Involves ability to bring about strategic change,
both inside 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
28
Competencies for Leading Change
ECQ
• Creativity and Innovation
• External Awareness
• Flexibility
• Resilience
• Strategic Thinking
• Vision
29
ECQ: Leading People
• Involves ability to lead people toward meeting
an organization’s 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
30
Competencies for Leading People
ECQ
• Conflict Management
• Leveraging Diversity
• Developing Others
• Team-Building
31
ECQ: Results-Driven
• Involves 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
32
Competencies for Results-Driven
ECQ
• Accountability
• Customer Service
• Decisiveness
• Entrepreneurship
• Problem-Solving
• Technical Credibility
33
ECQ: Building Coalitions
• Involves the ability to build coalitions internally
and with other Federal agencies, state and
local governments, nonprofit and privatesector organizations, foreign governments, or
international organizations to achieve common
goals
34
Competencies for Building
Coalitions ECQ
• Partnering
• Political Savvy
• Influencing/Negotiating
35
ECQ: Business Acumen
• Involves the ability to manage human,
financial, and information resources
strategically
36
Competencies for Business Acumen
ECQ
• Financial Management
• Human Capital Management
• Technology Management
37
Challenge-Context-Action-Result
(CCAR) Model
Office of Research and Development
How Does QRB Review ECQs?
• The key is specific information about your
achievements
• The QRB is looking for specific challenges,
actions, and results when reviewing ECQs
• The number of examples is not as important
as ensuring that your experience matches the
ECQ criteria
39
The CCAR Model
• The CCAR model provides a framework for
writing effective ECQs
40
Challenge
• Describe a specific
problem or goal
41
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;
environment of shrinking
budget, low morale
42
Action
• Discuss the specific
actions you took to
address a challenge
43
Result
• Give specific examples of
the results of your
actions. These
accomplishments
demonstrate the quality
and effectiveness of your
leadership skills
44
Additional Tips
• Use “plain English” and minimize technical jargon
• Use clear, concise statements (1–1.5 pages for each
ECQ) written in the first person
• Spell out all acronyms
• Describe recent education and training that enhanced
your skills in a particular ECQ
• Include non-Federal experience (e.g., private- sector,
volunteer, and professional organizations) if it
demonstrates executive qualifications
45
Additional Tips (cont’d.)
• Don’t forget to include special assignments (e.g.,
details, task forces, committees) if they are
relevant to an ECQ
• Avoid statements that describe your personal
beliefs or philosophies; focus on specific
challenges and results.
• Include awards that relate specifically to an ECQ
• If possible, quantify/qualify your accomplishments
46
Individual/Group Activity
Recognize the Golden ECQ!
• A total of 15 minutes
• Identify ECQ statements conformant to the
CCAR model
• Identify at least one CCAR component from
the CCAR-conformant sample
47
Golden ECQ Statement:
Sample A
Compare Your Answer
• [Challenge] Several years ago I led the
development of a controversial plan to close a
Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home that had been
in the neighborhood for 40 years.
• [Context] The nursing home had been losing
money for several years. In addition, the Medical
Center’s 5-year budget did not include funding for
much needed repair work at the aging facility.
48
Golden ECQ Statement:
Sample A
Compare Your Answer (cont’d.)
• [Action] I spent 6 months negotiating with union
representatives, VA patients and their families.
• [Result] The plan to close the nursing home was
accepted by VA headquarters after intense negotiations
with union officials, congressional offices, patients, and the
affiliated university.
• [Result] In addition to saving the Department
approximately $4 million annually, we found new Federal
positions for all displaced employees and received
minimal complaints from VA patients and their families.
49
Writing Effective ECQ Statements
Office of Research and Development
Good ECQ Statement
Characteristics
• Good qualifications statements:
–Use the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR)
model
–Include specific examples of experience
–Focus on results
51
ECQ Writing Tips
• No vague statements!
–Bad: I manage various communication processes to
field offices
–Good: I produce two weekly radio shows, one
monthly TV program, and a bimonthly newsletter for
10,000 employees in 12 regions
• Economize on words and expressions
–Bad: I conducted a briefing to key Congresspersons
and their staffs (10 words)
–Good: I briefed Congress
52
ECQ Writing Tips (cont’d.)
• Use active verbs with the personal pronoun “I”
–Bad: The establishment of a new team structure was
considered one of my best accomplishments in that it
reduced the need for six supervisory positions (too
long—24 words; stilted, awkward sentence structure,
too passive).
–Good: I established a new team structure that
eliminated the need for six supervisors (only 13
words; concise, clear, good use of personal “I” with
an active verb).
53
ECQ Writing Tips (cont’d.)
• Avoid a “laundry list” of activities without
context or accomplishments
• Don’t parrot the key characteristics
• Use personal “I,” minimize “we”
• Match specific assignments and ECQs
54
Business Acumen, Revisited
• This core qualification involves the ability to
manage human, financial, and information
resources strategically
• Competencies for Business Acumen
–Financial Management
–Human Capital Management
–Technology Management
55
Business Acumen in EPA ORD Context
• Examples in EPA ORD Context:
–Financial Management: Improving the
management of assistance agreements
–Human Capital Management: Implementing
workforce planning to determine gaps and
developing an action plan to address gaps
–Technology Management: Automating the grants
application process
56
Any Questions?
57
Individual/Group Activity
Prepare to Write ECQ Statements Using the
CCAR Model
• A total of 20 minutes
• Think of a Business Acumen accomplishment
from your past or recent experience
• Apply the CCAR model and write down at least
one Challenge, Context, Action, and Result
58
Module 3:
Career Development and
Resources
Office of Research and Development
Module Objectives
• Identify and utilize available support resources
and training opportunities for achieving the
ECQs required for entry into the SES
–Use one-on-one consultation from an expert on the
career development and technical aspect of
addressing ECQs
–Identify training opportunities for entry into the SES
60
Module Objectives (cont’d.)
• Describe ways to address ECQs as part of
your career development plan
–Identify gaps between the current level of your
qualifications and experience and those expected for
an SES position
–Identify opportunities to satisfy ECQ requirements
61
Support Resources
Office of Research and Development
Expert Consultation
• Some of you might want to get consultation or
support on applying for SES positions
• Depending on interests, one-on-one
consultation from an expert on the career
development and technical aspects of
addressing ECQs can be made available
63
Training Opportunities
• OPM Management Development Program
• Fellowship Programs
–LEGIS (affiliated with the Brookings Institute)
–USDA Congressional (affiliated with the USDA
Graduate School)
–Capitol Hill (affiliated with Georgetown University)
• Federal Executive Institute (affiliated with
OPM)
64
Training Opportunities (cont’d.)
EPA ORD point-of-contact:
Abbie Agner
Phone: (202) 564-6739
65
Any Questions?
66
Ways to Address ECQs as Part of
Career Development
Office of Research and Development
Addressing ECQs as Part of Career
Development
• The ECQs competencies are identified based
on extensive research on what contributes to
leaders’ successful performance
• The ECQs are interdependent; successful
executives bring all five to bear when providing
service to the Nation.
68
Identifying Gaps
Records of Accomplishments
vs.
ECQs Competencies
69
Identifying Opportunities
• Volunteer for
–Special projects
–Rotational assignments
–Details
–Intergovernmental Personnel Assignments
• Participate in professional organizations
• Volunteer in your community
• Develop Individual Development Plan (IDP)
70
Individual Activity
Planning for Your Future
• A total of 10 minutes
• Where do you see yourselves 5 years from
now, professionally?
• What will it take you to get there?
71
Sample Individual Development Plan
Outline
• Assess your needs
• Investigate options
• Make a plan
• Implement the plan
• Review and revise as necessary
72
Any Questions?
73
Workshop
Review and Wrap-Up
Office of Research and Development
Workshop Review
• In this workshop, you learned:
–The background on SES
–The ECQ criteria used by OPM to evaluate
candidates applying for SES positions
–Overall SES selection procedure
–Ways of writing effective ECQ statements
75
Workshop Review (cont’d.)
• In this workshop, you learned:
–Ways of writing effective ECQ statements pertaining
to Business Acumen in the context of EPA ORD
culture
–To identify and utilize available support resources
and training opportunities for achieving ECQs
required for entry into the SES
–The process of mapping out steps for addressing
ECQs as part of your career development plan
76
Workshop Evaluation Sheet
Support Survey Sheet
Office of Research and Development